verona - italy

Verona in Italy, a well preserved medieval old town and a well renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the internationally acclaimed summer Opera season and a good base from which to visit other parts of the locality. Easily reached from the airport by shuttle bus, if you haven't taken the luxurious route of a pre booked limousine! Everything starts and finishes in the centre of Verona, formal tours by bus often start from the outer rim of the amphitheatre.

Taster Tours

Back to my favourite ....the hop on / hop off bus for that birds eye view of the tourist sights and an easy way to plan the rest of your trip. You get the opportunity to see the landmarks as well as the outer rim with its  surrounding scenery and leafy boulevards. One or two day tickets are available according to your preference. A must of course will be your very own walking tour of this beautiful and compact City....the tucked away and famous Romeo and Juliet balcony, has to fit into that somewhere. Start however at the 1st century Roman Amphitheatre, home to the famous nightly Opera productions, where you can book tickets and day time tours. 

The chorus and orchestra perform at Teatro Filarmonico 1761,  out of opera season.....so worth a visit at all times of year. The Piazza delle Erbe a busy square, with delightful old buildings, a fountain, an extensive open air market bounded by cafes and eateries. A great place for people watching at all times of the day. At one corner is the Torre dei Lamberti , a really old clock tower with two bells and for the energetic, the most fantastic views from the top. Piazza Scaligero bounded by old palaces is also nearby.

Castlevecchio Museum, based in the ruins of the castle by the river, has displays of Sculpture and Renaissance paintings. The Biblioteca Capitolare , the oldest library in Europe AD517,  is situated next to the Cathedral.....how is that for a feet saving feature. The right bank of the river known as the Veronetta, has a Roman Amphitheatre and archaeological Museum. Just above is the 16c Giardino Giusti, one of Italy’s finest gardens, definitely worth a visit.

Time to Linger

The imposing open air Opera productions at the amphitheatre, suit a range of musical tastes, a never forgotten experience whether it be by setting sun or rising moon.  If you have a preference and want to attend a particular production, book well in advance. Tickets are available on the day but cannot be guaranteed. If your trip is more leisurely consider one of the following day bus Tours: The 131 bus travels to the vineyards of Soave......a fortified medieval town with a restored 13c Castello and vineyards....a tour of this great place is a must. The first Sunday of the month has a huge antique market which attracts visitors from far and wide

Lake Garda can be accessed by a number of bus routes, which travel through the outer suburbs, countryside and hilly wine regions. A great opportunity to see local life both on and off the bus. Garda on the edge of the beautiful Italian lake, is set in a small bay with colourful houses,an ancient abbey, a promenade lined with cafes and bars in which to sit, sip and admire those bobbing local boats. Trips around the lake to other picturesque waterside haunts and even into Switzerland are certainly recommended, all dependent on the time available. Grand Villas and palaces to explore, quirky streets with their cafes, bars and small craft and leather shops are there to tempt. Friday’s Market in Garda itself is full of local produce and so difficult to resist.