This is the first installment of a three-part blog on a trip to Tuscany, focusing on impressions of the region – with an eye towards inspiration: where it can be found and how it can be utilized.

Although we had ventured to Italy once before, it was a hectic bus tour that included several other countries. We knew our next trip would have to be done at our own pace to really enjoy ourselves.

We accomplished that with a trip that included staying at a winery in the Chianti region, traveling to Porto Azzurro on Elba (which is still in Tuscany) and ending the stay in Florence.

In our day-to-day lives we don’t always take enough time to really observe all the beauty around us. On this trip we were able to slow down, take a look and enjoy the sights. It was a very inspiring trip.

Sunrise, Sunset, Clouds

Sunrise and sunset, two magical times of the day. All the more so when in Italy, under the Tuscan sun. Light seems diffused and soft in Chianti. The colors in the natural settings in this region merge together to create a palette that while diverse, has a very homogenous cohesiveness. Pastel skies fade from blue to fiery oranges at sunset with Umbrella Pine trees silhouetted against the sky. Normally brilliant white clouds reflect the colors from the setting sun to create sherbet colored castles in the air.

Elba – Sunset and Moon

Sunset on Elba, another part of Tuscany. With a plethora of coves and numerous harbors it is indeed beautiful. A short ferry ride from the mainland, it was an interesting change of pace from the Chianti region of Tuscany. The Mediterranean Sea was a dusky blue in early October, but the coves exhibited clear blue waters with many bathers braving the cooling water. The sea creates a backdrop for the rocky land and vice versa. Once the sun was down and the moon had risen, the cloud cover with the moon shining through created a rusted glow in the raven black sky.

Sunset in the Chianti Region of Tuscany

We stayed in a 1000-year-old monastery with a spectacular view. The sunsets were often reminiscent of William Turner’s paintings, the crisp silhouettes of Tuscan cypress trees bringing us back to the Italian landscape. The Tuscan sunset was another version of how this region blends color to create spectacular visual displays in the surrounding landscape and in the washed and blended skies.

As someone who works in the design industry and with color, these moments caused reflection on where we find our inspiration. It also highlighted the magical ways in which colors can combine to create something powerful and moving. Not everyone can travel to Tuscany. Yet we can escape and slow down, if we try. So, how do you find inspiration?