What struck me most about this country was the compulsion I always felt to visit the big sights. Rome’s Pantheon, Venice’s St Marc’s Square and Florence’s Duomo to name a fantastic few.
However, some of my favourite moments were spent experiencing the tiny details – the daily occurrences that make up the full fabric of a place. It was sometimes hard to remember that despite all its must-sees and the historical importance of its ancient Roman Empire, Italy was just another country where people and visitors enjoyed living.
Leaving Italy, for now at least, here are a few of my favourite images from my journey: The normalities of everyday life, the people who I passed but never met and the snapshots that reminded me of a real country that exists behind the famous tourist destinations.
A private moment sneakily captured – Near St Marc’s Square Venice
La Merca for a lunch on the go – near the Rialto market in Venice
This lady had just finished shaking out her doormat – back street of Venice
A couple turn their back on the luxury of the Doge’s Palace to admire the view – Venice
This little girl was oblivious to me while she skipped – Venice
Shortly before the rain set in, tourist take a break in Santa Maria Novella’s cloisters – Florence
Nuns inside the Duomo get their iPad out for a group photo – Florence
A reminder of the real – outskirts of the Vatican City in Rome
While I ate my lunch this lady watched me and I watched back – Next to the Pantheon in Rome
I love anchovy pizza and this was one of many – Just outside the Roman Forum, Rome
A business man on his way to a meeting has no time for the wandering tourists – Sorrento
The modern church of modern Syracuse dominates the skyline – Greek port of Ortiga, Sicily
Locals go about their food shop – Catania, Sicily
The view from my siesta on my final day in Italy – Catania, Sicily
Thanks Miriam. Ah so you must feel a very close connection with it then? I’m keen to go back one day and visit the countryside and smaller towns to see a different version of life there.
Oh absolutely. Mum and dad were from a small village in the Vicenza region, near Venice. I’ve visited three times and always loved it. Hope you get to go back Rachel.
Thanks for your kind words 🙂 The glasses are also a favourite of mine because they remind me of the great lunch I had in that spot! Sometimes its the little moments when I’m travelling that suck me in more…
The Curious Traveller 
These are wonderful snapshots and memories. Italy is a stunning country, my parents homeland, and very close to my heart. ❤️
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Thanks Miriam. Ah so you must feel a very close connection with it then? I’m keen to go back one day and visit the countryside and smaller towns to see a different version of life there.
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Oh absolutely. Mum and dad were from a small village in the Vicenza region, near Venice. I’ve visited three times and always loved it. Hope you get to go back Rachel.
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Some beautiful captures of Italia!
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Thank you!
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🙂
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life beautifully captured……. something which we normally ignore to capture….. while traveling…..
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You’re so right – sometimes ‘normal’ life just slips by unnoticed when we’re visiting a destination for a specific reason 🙂
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Lovely memories.
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Beautifully put, Rachel, and these photos are atmospheric. I can almost imagine standing behind the pillars and watch life pass me by. xx
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Thank you!
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Lovely post. Loved your photos.
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Thank you Sue 🙂
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Wonderful collection Rachel! My favs are the The WineGlasses, The Couple Window Silhouette and The Girl Skipping in Venice.
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Thanks for your kind words 🙂 The glasses are also a favourite of mine because they remind me of the great lunch I had in that spot! Sometimes its the little moments when I’m travelling that suck me in more…
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Haha – Well said Rachel!
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Beautiful photos and your photo of the graffiti of the cat and mouse waking up to reality is brilliant!
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Thank you!
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