Verona
Verona is a city pierced with rays of the bright Italian Sun and love. It is located in the northern part of Italy, not far from Lake Garda, on the river of Adige. Due to William Shakespeare, Verona became the symbol of eternal love. Couples from all over the world come here to dive into the marvelous story of the great playwright, stand under the balcony of Juliet’s House, make a wish, and feel the incredibly romantic atmosphere of this place. Who knows, maybe your eternal love story shall also start here.
Verona has many faces. Classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times harmoniously exist side by side here. The city is charming and its coziness and beauty can steal the heart of the most sophisticated traveler. Verona is also famous for its cuisine and hospitality. In its picturesque street cafes and restaurants, you can taste dishes that you can try only here. These are the salted Baccalà alla Vicentina and Pastisada de caval or the horse meat stew. The cordial owners of the cafes will tell you many fascinating stories about their city and its citizens.
Verona at night is especially marvelous. The illumination adds some mystery to it. It seems, that the characters of the ancient story come to life in the mild light of the streetlights. Visit this splendid place to dive into the unbelievable romantic atmosphere, feel the breath of time, walk down the streets that remember Julius Caesar and Dante. This city will captivate you from the very first step.
Verona’s districts
Let’s take a closer look at the most interesting of them. The Citta Antica is the historical center of Verona with the highest concentration of ancient constructions and architectural monuments. The atmospheric and vibrant district of Veronetta is located on the bank of the Adige river, in front of Castelvecchio castle. The majority of educational establishments are located here. That’s why it is often called the students’ district. The ancient districts around the Basilica di San Zeno and the youngest areas in the city also arouse lots of interest. The industrial zone of Borgo Roma and the business district of Borgo Trieste are located only one kilometer from the center of Verona. Cittadella, San Zeno, Veronetta, and Borgo Trento are considered to be the most favorable areas for living. And don’t worry about safety. However, don’t walk alone at night in the south-eastern part of the city.
Map Verona
Attractions
Verona is a city of attractions with a rich history of more than 2000 years. This unique and charming monument of love was poetized by the great Shakespeare. With its majesty and cultural values, it doesn’t give in to Venice and Milan. It’s not surprising that Verona is frequently called a miniature Rome. The historical center of Verona is on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This city is captivating and stays in the hearts’ of its visitors forever.
Population
The Veroneses are extremely kind-hearted and open people. They will definitely help and support you. You can easily find a common language and see eye to eye with a local despite the language barrier. The characteristic feature of native citizens is that they are the biggest romantics in Italy. There’s no other way once you are in the city of love!
A brief history of Verona
Ancient Romans built here a fortified settlement (castra) in the I century AD. Eventually, a small town grew around it. It started developing rapidly during the reign of Julius Caesar and obtained the status of a municipium. Scientists still argue about the name of the city. The most popular version is based on its geographical location. Verona is situated on the hill of the foothills of the Alps, at the valley of the Adige river. It resembles a porch which states for “veranda” in Italian.
For centuries, Verona had been used as a fortress and witnessed numerous battles. The Barbarians, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, Franks – all of them were by its walls. The beneficial geographical location attracted everyone.
The reign of the Della Scala family began in Verona in 1262. During this period, the city is developing and prospering. In the XV century, Verona became a part of the Republic of Venice. Napoleon conquered the city at the end of the XVIII century. However, after the Treaty of Vienna in 1866, it returned to Italy again. Verona’s history knew many tragic events. At the end of the XIX century, the city was exposed to a severe flood. As a result, the biggest part of the city was under the water. During World War II, Verona survived several bombings. Fortunately, the city remained standing, recovered and was thriving again. It became the center of the world’s tourism. Despite its respectable 2,000-year-old age, it is still young in heart and charming.
Trip budget
Before the trip, you should calculate the approximate budget that you will require for the travel:
Hotels | Apartment | Taxi | Gasoline |
Average bill | from 75 €/night | from 103 €/night | Start - 6.01 €, 1km - 1.5 € | 1.54 €/liter | 50 € for 2 person |
|---|
The best time to visit Verona
Useful notes
We recommend you to purchase Verona Card to save your budget and time. It is active for 48 hours and costs 25 euros. You can buy it online or at any informational center for tourists. This card gives you a chance to save on visiting the majority of museums and using public transport at lower prices.
If you plan to go shopping, remember that shops in Verona work from 9 AM to 1 PM and from 5 PM to 7.30 PM. Many of them are closed on Sundays and in the first half of Mondays. Big malls in the suburbs are the only exceptions.
Buy a single ticket if you plan to travel around the city and its neighborhood by bus. It operates both in the city and out of its boundaries. One day costs 13 euros, three days - 27 euros, a week - 49 euros.
What should a tourist in Verona do?
- Visit an amphitheater. That’s a real symbol of the Veronese majesty made of pink marble. Every Italian deems it his duty to visit it at least once in his life. The unbelievable atmosphere of this place induces people to think of the great, eternal and beautiful things.
- Ascend the Torre dei Lamberti. Its construction started in the XII century. You shall admire the marvelous view of Verona and take the most marvelous pictures.
- Taste buckwheat pasta with cheese and sage or the meat mix with the Peara sauce that is cooked only in Verona. Find a small chamber restaurant and enjoy its coziness and a view of the ancient city.
- Leave a note with a wish at Juliet’s house. It’s considered to be a favorite symbol of Verona. Stand under the famous balcony and capture the moment in this charming place.
- Explore the oldest square in the city, Piazza delle Erbe. Lodge in the memory the Gothic building of the Domus Mercatorum and the Fountain Madonna Verona. Visit Verona Cathedral and get acquainted with the magnificent pieces of art and artifacts dating back to the XII-XV centuries, diving into the Medieval epoch.
- Buy something special to remember at Via Mazzini. It’s one of the main shopping streets in Verona. Look for antiques or just enjoy watching delicate ancient artifacts at Corso Sant'Anastasia.
- Attend the most romantic festival in the world “Verona in Love”. It’s held annually on St. Valentine's Day, on February 12-14. The city is decorated with thousands of hearts, and Santa Maria Antica stages “Romeo and Juliet”.
- Walk across one of the oldest stone bridges in the world, Ponte Pietra. It was built in 89 BC. Try to feel the power of this place and the energy of stones that are more than 2000 years old.
- Enjoy the taste of the renowned ice cream (gelato) in a small boutique in Borgo Trento. It belongs to di Pietro family and is more than 50 years old. Listen to a story of grandpa Lorenzo and remember forever the taste of this extraordinary gelato and the coziness of the place.
- Visit Lazzari Store where you can purchase clothes in the style of the 60s. They hand-made of natural materials and there are only several copies. The atmosphere here is mind-blowing: retro music and a delicate odor of a perfume floating in the hall. It seems, that Coco Chanel herself shall now enter the boutique.
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