Verona's Secrets

My recent trip to Verona presented me with so much to see that it meant one post alone was never going to cut it. Yes, there were the obligatory sights, like Juliet's Balcony, but there was so much to be gained from merely wandering the streets in this city.

If you've visited this blog before, you'll know I'm always a fan of just looking up, and never has it given me more to enjoy than in Verona.

Decorations adorning buildings and windows were a delight to admire. And it doesn't matter if I can't tell you where or when I saw each one here, because they are Verona's secrets. And if you visit (which I hope you will), you're bound to spot more than a few of your own. So take a sneak peak...

Verona's Louis Vuitton shop; more to look at than just designer window displays

Much like in Rome, there are so many shrines of devotion to the Virgin Mary in Verona. You'll find them anywhere and everywhere, in unexpected locations. They are works of art in their own right and a reminder of the influence of religion, in the best possible way. You can't set out looking for these, but keep your eyes open  and you'll be rewarded.

Turning a corner and finding a Secret Mary was one of the best things about roaming Verona's streets

These shrines were everywhere, still beautiful even when fading with age

It was special to see that some were so well tended to, even as people just went by, busy with their daily lives

The more city breaks I go on, the more I realise that my favourite sights are often not on the must-see list, and half the time I don't even know what I'm looking at, I just know that I like it. And that's enough. So I've decided... we should all set aside a day, or at least a couple of hours, whichever city we're in, to walk about, camera at the ready. You never know what you'll find.

This made me think about falling asleep on the job (of course, I'd never do that)!

Captivating colours are just one thing to admire on this building

I loved the serene look of this sculpture, sitting peacefully above a doorway

So remember, if you go to Verona, or anywhere else, make sure you go searching for the secret sights.

What's your favourite city for secret sights so far? Use the comments to let me know. I'd love to hear from you!