A week in Rome, Naples, and the Vatican - some of the most incredible cities with the best lighting I’ve ever seen

Firstly, I went to Rome during the pilgrimage for the closing of the porta santa during the end of epiphany. It was an amazing experience to be one of the last people to go through the doors of the Vatican before they closed for the next quarter century. With that being said, Rome was full to the brim of tourists and the weather was particularly nasty and rainy everyday. The food was excellent, but Rome was a little grungier than what I was used to (I am in Spain every year).

Naples was a culture shock compared to Rome. Filthier? Yes. More dangerous? Likely. Decaying? Absolutely. Sketchy? Yes. But oh man was Naples a trip I would repeat. Naples had far less tourists than Rome and felt very authentic. It was equally packed, and to be certain it was a mess, but culturally it was an incredible spectacle. The pizza, the lemons, the absolute caricatures of human beings. People on this sub who complain about Naples are SOFT. It is an amazing place. If you want a magically curated Disneyland travel experience go somewhere else. If you want a real gritty place with culture go to Naples. I will absolutely be back.

If you like taking pictures, Italy, I learned, is one of those places that just lends itself to you. I can’t describe it really but for some reason the sunlight there is too notch. I don’t know why or how to explain it but it just seemed like every corner had a perfect setting for an image.

Photos:

1. Naples Streets

2. Naples Streets

3. Naples Streets

4. Rome Tiber River

5. Rome Via Dei Corridori

6. Naples Streets

7. Naples Royal Palace

8. Naples Streets

9. Naples Streets

10. Naples Streets

11. Naples Streets

12. Naples Streets

13. Naples Streets

14. Rome Pantheon

15. Vatican St. Peter’s Basilica

16. Vatican St. Peter’s Basilica

17. Rome Colosseum

18. Rome Streets

19. Rome Streets

20. Rome Pantheon