Three Weeks in Tuscany (day 16)

Both San Quirico and Pienza are magical, ancient Tuscan towns. They are connected by an extraordinarily exciting road that  strums the true sounds of Tuscany. For years I have driven the 6.25 miles of this amazing highway and never tire of it.

SP146 / Strada Provinciale di Chianciano ribbons through the Tuscan countryside and is the stuff that Lamborghini and Ferrari must have had in mind. Go as the sun rises or as the sun is stretching its long shadows from the west. Any time of year will reveal the many facets of this magnificent countryside. There is one lane in each direction with multiple winding curves that provide a bonanza of sight lines. At a decent speed the entire ride is about 15 minutes. Downshifting into one of the many hairpins brings a broad smile to your face.

For a little extra delight, as you approach Pienza, look to your left for a sign to Santa Anna Comprena. This back road will take you to the 15^th Century Monastery where Director Anthony Minghella shot many scenes from his movie The English Patient starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fienes. The setting is both serene and haunting.

Rich Smukler currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Rich Smukler Retrospective at La Rondine Gallery in Bagni di Lucca

La Rondine Gallery is located in the beautiful Northern Tuscan village of Ponte a Serraglio in the commune of Bagni di Lucca. Since the Renaissance, this village has attracted artists of all disciplines to take refuge and rest in its thermal valley and spectacular vistas. Smukler had studied photography for seven summers at TPW (Tuscano Photographic Workshop) is San Quirico D’Orcia. He was blessed with the opportunity to study with such photographic luminaries as Arno Rafael Minkkinen (known world-wide and himself a student with Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskind), Sandro Santioli (lauded by many for his mastery of landscape photography), Bob Sasha (known for his photographic story telling and winner of a Pulitzer, Emmy and Webby) and David Alan Harvey (named Magazine Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association).

Though Lucca is to the north, Tuscany is like a second home to Smukler and represents a milestone in his career. For 2 special weeks, a solo show of his works will be on exhibit for townspeople  and visitors alike. The opening reception is Saturday, June 6th at 6 to 9 pm. The show will run until June 14, 2015. There is no charge for admission.

Rich Smukler currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile)