A trip to Ireland & Italy.

Leaving a bustling Australian Summer behind, we were on our way to Ireland. One day I was photographing thousands of Sydney siders hitting Manly Beach on a scorcher of a day, the next I was stuck in a blizzard on an Irish mountain. 

When driving through Co. Kerry, it's hard not to want to stop and take a photograph of everything you see. Snow capped mountains towering each valley combined with the rarity of sunny weather, the list of things to see there is always growing.

Our first morning. Shot from our family property's private beach 'The Strand'.

Our first morning. Shot from our family property's private beach 'The Strand'.

Cosmo. // White Boxing Day. 

Cosmo. // White Boxing Day. 

An unexpected blizzard as we drove through Moll's Gap, Co. Kerry.

An unexpected blizzard as we drove through Moll's Gap, Co. Kerry.

Moll's Gap.

Moll's Gap.

Looscaunagh Lough.

Looscaunagh Lough.

Descending back to sea level. A new world of scenery looking out towards Dingle Peninsula as we drove along Rossbeigh Beach.

Descending back to sea level. A new world of scenery looking out towards Dingle Peninsula as we drove along Rossbeigh Beach.

The View From Above. // Rossbeigh Beach.

The View From Above. // Rossbeigh Beach.

A local fella reckons this break can be pumping on a good day. // Rossbeigh Beach.

A local fella reckons this break can be pumping on a good day. // Rossbeigh Beach.

The luck of the Irish. Surely there were leprechauns at the end of this one. // Rossbeigh Beach.

The luck of the Irish. Surely there were leprechauns at the end of this one. // Rossbeigh Beach.

Epic landscapes just like these around every corner. // Looking out over Dingle Bay.

Epic landscapes just like these around every corner. // Looking out over Dingle Bay.

Lough Caragh.

Lough Caragh.

A moody combination of rain and late afternoon sunlight. // Bridia Valley.

A moody combination of rain and late afternoon sunlight. // Bridia Valley.

A scenic backcountry road leading towards Boughil Mountain. 

A scenic backcountry road leading towards Boughil Mountain. 

Late afternoon light streaking across Mac Gillicuddy's Reeks from Priest's Leap.

Late afternoon light streaking across Mac Gillicuddy's Reeks from Priest's Leap.

The road home. // Priest's Leap.

The road home. // Priest's Leap.


From Ireland, we set off for Italy. 

When it comes to alpine scenery The Dolomite mountains are easily some of the most scenic. Surrounded by towering peaks of rock, some faces defy gravity standing vertically over villages. Best thing about the area is the snow. We scored powder days followed by blue-bird days, perfect for touring through valleys. Stop for a beer and a pizza for lunch and you're set for the rest of the afternoon hunting those untouched stretches of snow. The Italians love their skiing, so much so they seem to only stick to the piste. This means if it's your style, you can score off-piste with unridden snow all day which is usually unheard of in other places. 

Quick stop over in Milan.

Quick stop over in Milan.

Dolomiti.

Dolomiti.

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View from the highest lifted point. 

View from the highest lifted point. 

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As the sun sets over the alps.

As the sun sets over the alps.

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Corvara village at night.

Corvara village at night.

Sassongher Mountain looming above Corvara village on a clear night. 

Sassongher Mountain looming above Corvara village on a clear night.