Tag Archives: doorway

Bar Tabacchi, Citta’ di Fiesole

Bar Tabacchi, Citta' di Fiesole
“Bar Tabacchi, Citta’ di Fiesole” — A the entrance to a small business at a bend in the road in Feisole, Italy.

Fiesole is a small town in the hills above Florence. It is apparently known for its elevated views of Florence and for its Etruscan and Roman amphitheater — which we did not visit. (From all appearances, it is a place for contemporary concerts and festivals.) We went because friends had suggested it, because of the prospects of the view, and because we like to occasionally get out of major cities, especially when we are there for a longer period of time, as was the case in Florence.

So we hopped on a bus near the Florence train station and were soon traveling through parts of Florence that do not look at all like the historic and popular center of the city. Before long the route ascended into the hills, becoming steep in places as we approached Fiesole. We spent a few hours wandering this quiet place and admiring the town and its broad vista over Florence.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Dark Passage With Scooter

Dark Passage With Scooter
“Dark Passage With Scooter” — A scooter parked in a dark passageway with a door to a garden, Orvieto.

This little photograph from Orvieto, Italy captures a common sight here and in other parts of Europe — a passageway extending from the street toward a private, enclosed area, which may often contain a garden. These views are always intriguing, suggesting a world beyond the street that is private and not open to passers-by.

They are not always impossible to visit. In Sevilla, Spain we stayed in a small hotel that very definitely embodied the Moorish influence that is so prevalent there. The facility enclosed such a central courtyard, with a fountain, plants, and tables and chairs — a private place that seems pleasantly isolated from the nearby streets.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Ristorante-Pizzeria, Venice

We spent time in Venice during our summer 2023 travels. We had been to Italy before but — it is almost embarrassing to admit — we had bypassed Venice. We had mixed feelings: On one hand, it is notorious for the throngs of tourists that pack the place during the summer months. On the other hand, it is Venice! So we went, and we’re very glad we did.

We (and by “we” I refer to Patty, who is a master planner) managed to find a wonderful little place to stay that was in a quiet corner of the city. Even during the busy hours there was never a tourist crush there, and in the evening and early morning it was downright quiet — even though the busy places began only minutes away. I made this photograph on an evening walk down one of the famously narrow Venice passageways, pointing the camera down an even smaller side passage toward this restaurant.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Trattoria La Tellina, Night

Some years ago, on another visit to Italy, we made a quick day trip to Siena. We were there only hours. My recollection is that we walked into the old (and large) central district, did something or a rambling loop, paused for a bite to eat, and were back on the road before long. It was far too short of a visit, so we decided to include a longer stay during our 2023 visit to Italy.

We stayed at a small hotel inside the central city, not more than a few minute’s walk from the Piazza del Campo. This little restaurant was just a few doors away, and it was the first place we ate dinner in Siena. I made the photograph a few nights later as we walked past on our way back to our hotel.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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