What Are Some Nature Photography Hikes I Can Join in Tuscany?
- 18 January 2026
- Photography, Hiking
When people ask me about nature photography opportunities in Tuscany, I see their eyes light up when I describe what awaits beyond the famous hills …
Lactarius Deliciosus: Tuscany's Orange Treasure Under the Pines
- 14 January 2026
- Mycology
Unlike the Coprinus comatus I’ve written about, which feeds on dead matter in disturbed soil, Lactarius deliciosus is strictly mycorrhizal.
This …
Coprinus Comatus: The Melting Mushroom of Tuscan Trails
- 13 January 2026
- Mycology
There’s a particular frustration every mushroom forager knows well—finding the perfect specimen at exactly the wrong moment.
For me, that …
My Lightweight Photography Setup for Mountain Hiking
- 12 January 2026
- Photography, Hiking
After years of shooting landscape photos in difficult environments, I’ve learned one essential truth: the best camera is the one you’ll …
Craterellus Cornucopioides: The Black Trumpet's Hidden Treasure
- 12 January 2026
- Mycology
There’s a mushroom that grows abundantly in Tuscan forests yet remains invisible to most foragers who walk right past it: Craterellus …
How to Tell if a Mushroom is Poisonous: The Truth About Identification
- 11 January 2026
- Mycology
After years of guiding foragers through forests, the question I hear most often is some variation of: “How can I tell if a mushroom is …
Hydnellum Peckii: The Bleeding Tooth Fungus of Mountain Forests
- 10 January 2026
- Mycology
Of all the mushrooms I encounter while guiding through the pine and spruce forests of the Appennino Pistoiese, none captivates photographers quite …
Amanita Muscaria: The Iconic Toadstool of Tuscan Forests
- 9 January 2026
- Mycology
There’s no mushroom more instantly recognizable than Amanita muscaria, the Fly Agaric, with its brilliant red cap dotted with white spots.
After …
Amanita Cesarea: The Emperor's Mushroom of Tuscany
- 9 January 2026
- Mycology
In all my years guiding foragers through Tuscan forests, no discovery generates more excitement than finding Amanita cesarea—the Ovolo buono, or …
The Panther Cap: Beauty and Danger in Tuscan Forests
- 8 January 2026
- Mycology
Walking through the beech and oak forests of the Appennino Pistoiese each autumn, I inevitably encounter one of nature’s most deceptive …
Mindfulness and Hiking: Presence in the Mountains
- 7 January 2026
- Mindfulness, Hiking
As both a hiking guide and meditation teacher specializing in Vipassana/Mindfulness meditation, I’ve discovered something profound: these two …
Choosing the Right Hiking Boots
- 6 January 2026
- Hiking
After of guiding many clients across the Apuan Alps and the northern Apennines, I’ve learned that no piece of gear influences comfort and safety …
Layered Clothing for Mountain Hiking
- 4 January 2026
- Hiking
After guiding countless treks through the Apuan Alps and Appennines, I’ve seen firsthand how proper clothing can make or break a mountain …