Dynamic Milan-based photographer Marco Casino, a Leica ambassador since 2012, specializes in a range of media and themes, from social reportage to technology and the environment. During his stay at Belmond Castello di Casole Marco illuminated the Tuscan landscape in a new and magical light.

Belmond Castello di Casole is one of those special places where time stands still. Spread across 4,200 acres, this 10th-century estate is the perfect place to experience the wonders of rural Italy. Award-winning photographer Marco Casino delves into this magical world with FIRST LIGHT, a series of dawn walks and nature experiences created in partnership with Belmond.

Belmond Castello di Casole and its surrounding landscape are perfect for exploration. You can while away the hours visiting local farms, spotting wildlife or hunting for rare truffles. One of the most storied Tuscany resorts, Belmond Castello di Casole is alive with history. The site is deeply rooted in its agricultural past stretching back to the Bronze Age; artefacts from Etruscan farmers have been found across the grounds and are now on display at the hotel.

Marco Casino has covered stories across Europe and Africa, received a World Press Photo award and twice been selected as one of Magnum’s 30 under 30. His work has appeared in prestigious publications including National Geographic, The New York Times and Il Sole 24 Ore. He spent his time in Tuscany exploring the nature of Belmond Castello di Casole, equipped with his Leica SL and Leica Trinovid HD binoculars and a fresh pair of eyes:

“By adding colors to FIRST LIGHT landscapes, I wanted to visualize the uniqueness and magical feelings created by the world-famous Tuscan environment”, Marco Casino explains. “Walking the footpaths of Belmond Castello di Casole, comprised of thousands of hectares of forest and hills, it’s absolutely impossible not to be overwhelmed by its unique natural beauty.”

With the help of researchers from the Accademia dei Fisiocritici in Siena and inspired by the history and the geological stratification of Tuscany, Marco Casino discovered the vast selection of colorful minerals that lay deep under the Tuscan hills. Inspired by these minerals, ranging from shining red and blue to bright green and white, Marco projected colors onto trees and flowers around the estate of Belmond Castello di Casole. Through this, he illuminated the hidden beauty of Tuscany and captured a truly magical experience.

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