Verona ^Italy^

Verona– a city that was made famous by the great Shakespeare himself. But you will soon find out that there’s much more to it, than the ghost of the legendary lovers, Romeo and Juliet. For starters, you should know that the city was founded in the first century B.C., but its origins date back into 550 B.C and its ancient heritage is just part of the list of reasons that Verona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Italy. There is a very impressive amphitheater, similar to the Colosseum still in impecable shape, right in the heart of the city, which transmits a spectacular ancient roman vibe through Verona, both to locals and to tourists. It’s one of those cities that instantly sweeps you off your feet by the rich history that encompasses you the moment you step on the Veronese cobblestones. Besides the ancient roman patrimony, there’s a bunch of medieval sights you can also see, from Romanesque churches to Ottonian influences.

It lies in the Veneto region in Northern Italy, being the second largest in the region after Venice, having a population of over 700,000 inhabitants.

Getting there is pretty easy, considering that the city has its own international airport, Valerio Catullo, making it easy for you, wherever you come from. Italy has trains connecting almost every city in the country, so if you’re from or staying in the Southern region, you can easily get to Verona Porta Nuova Station, in just a few hours. However, unfortunately for Italy, the country doesn’t have a national bus network, so figuring out bus travel can be a bit difficult, but it’s manageable, if you’re keen on looking it up. However, buses are reliable in the city, but don’t forget to buy your ticket at a tabaccheria or a news stand, before you travel! My personal advise is walking around the city, because there’s no better way to experience Verona in detail!

When it comes to accommodation, Verona has it all! From luxurious 5-star hotels to adventurous camping sites, it has one of the most varied housing offers in Italy. If you like comfort and closure, stay at a pretty Bed & Breakfast! If you want luxury, but at an affordable price, you can choose from a variety of 3-4 star hotels. And last but not least, if you like peace and quiet, don’t hesitate to stay at a friendly Guesthouse!

Authentic Veronese cuisine consists of Gnocchi, Risotto al Tastasal, Pastissada de Caval, Lesso con la Peara and Baci di Giulietta (Juliet’s Kisses). Naturally, among these typical dishes, you can also find Italian food from all the regions of the country, as well as international dishes and fast foods.

While here, don’t spend all your time dining, but visit the main sights the city has to offer. The Arena should be on the top of your “to visit” list, a more than 2000 year old amphitheater, the third largest in Italy, which has slowly become the city’s symbol. Among other Roman heritage you can find the Roman Theater, which was buried for centuries, the Ponte de Pietra (the stoned wall), still standing until this day, the Arco dei Gavi (Gavi arch), the Porta Borsari, which was part of the original Roman city walls, and the Porta Leoni, once part of the Roman city gate. Among the most visited Romanesque churches are the Basilica of Saint Zeno Maggiore, with its beautiful 13th century “wheel of fortune” rose window, mentioned also in Dante’s Divine Comedy, San Lorenzo built in the 9th century, and the Church of Santa Maria Antica, the private church of the famous Scala family. The “house” of Juliet the famous female character in Shakespeare’s most celebrated play, is also a top tourist destination. You can see the infamous balcony and there is a Juliet statue in the front court . Ponte Scaligero can also be an important construction to see, because it was the world’s largest bridge arch at the time.

The year’s most exciting and promising event seems to be the Opera Festival, which takes place in the World’s largest open-air theater, the Arena itself! Tickets are still on sale, so if you wouldn’t want to miss out, you should purchase yours on this site.

Pictures of my experiences in Verona will arrive shortly. The picture in this post was taken from here.