Verona
From World travel guide
Verona is a city (pop. ~250000) in north-eastern Italy's Veneto region. Most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Though close to the more popular tourist destination of Venice, many people consider Verona a more relaxed and pleasant place to visit. There are many tourists, but the amount of tourists per square meter is lower.
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Get in
By Plane
Catullo Airport is Verona's closest airport, 12km from the city
Budget airlines fly to D'Annunzio Airport of Brescia/Montichiari, some 50km West of Verona. This is sometimes referred to as Verona Brescia airport.
- Airport website
- Buses will take you from Brescia Airport direct to Verona...
- The standard car rental chains are located within Brescia Airport, and it is an easy drive along the Autostrada A4 to Verona.
Airlines also fly to Venice's Mestre Airport.
- If you have a rental car the trip to Verona isn't difficult: take the A4 towards Padova (Padua) and follow all the way to Verona (approx 150km).
By Train
You can reach Verona Porta Nuova by train from Milan (1 hour and 50 mins by regular train, 1 hour and 30 mins by InterCity), from Venice (1 hour and 30 mins by regular train, 1 hour and 15 mins by EuroStar), from Bologna(1 hour and 40 mins by regular train), or from Munich (5 hours and 30 mins by EuroCity).
By Car
See
- The Arena. Quite spectacular. An enormous Roman amphitheatre, crumbling on the outside but still functioning today. If you can, plan your trip during the Opera season and see a performance in the Arena. You can, if you like, visit it during the day.
- Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta). See what is supposedly 'the' balcony, overlooking a tiny square containing a statue of Juliet and an unbelievable amount of graffiti and general scrawling on the walls, floor, seats, anything that will hold ink.
- Roman amphitheatre.
- Castle Scaligeri.
- Castelvecchio and its bridge over the river.
- Piazza delle Erbe, home of the Forum in Roman times this is still a focal point of the city. Contains the 'Madonna Verona' fountain, 14th century 'Gardello Tower', and a market that, while picturesque, seems to have become another tourist cliche during its recent refurbishment.
- Lamberti Tower
Do
- Climb to the top of the tower (or take the lift most of the way if you're lazy). Great views out over Verona.
- Shop till you drop on Verona's golden mile
- Eat gelato in the park or in one of Piazza Bra's many bars.
Eat
Drink
Avoid the hordes of tourists in Piazza Bra and head to Piazza delle Erbe. At least slightly more genuine, this Piazza has a number of good bars where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or aperitivo in the sun. Great for your coffee in the morning and your drinks into the evening.
- Caffe delle Erbe, Piazza delle Erbe. Great coffee and brioche.
Shop
Via Mazzini is Verona's golden mile of shopping, taking you between Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe. Most of the major Italian labels are represented, and even if you can't afford them it's great to wander and window shop.
Sleep
Verona is frequented annually by millions of tourists, so you'll be able to choose among a lot of different accommodation options. In the city you'll find famous luxurious hotels, such as Due Torri or Accademia. In the nearby province there are a lot of enchating small B&B and holiday farms.
Get out
The surrounding area is also wonderful - to the north you have rolling hills with vineyards and small towns, to the west the Lago di Garda.
- Drive to the nearby valley Valpolicella, famous for its renowned Amarone, Recioto and valpolicella wines as well as for its ancient villas.
External Links
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