PRETTY AS A POSTCARD
Shakespearean connections aside, Verona is a town that makes for the perfect Italian escape
Many of us like to paint an imaginary picture of how the place we are travelling to would be, before we actually go on a vacation. But more often than not, it turns out vastly different from what we had imagined. Verona, tucked away in the northern part of Italy, managed to surpass my imagination.
This charming town is often overlooked by travellers in favour of the big Italian cities of Venice, Rome, Florence and Tuscany, but Verona has a lot more to it than just its Shakespearean association of Romeo and Juliet.
Built around the Adige River, Verona is a city in the Veneto region of Italy. It was known to be the residence of emperors from the Roman era, which accounts for its rich culture and heritage. Verona is a quiet, peaceful town that is largely walkable — you’ll see locals zipping around in their bicycles more often than in cars, which is why we decided to explore this town on foot.
Making our way towards the tourist hotspots, we came across some beautiful by-lanes and cobbled streets and some great examples of Roman architecture. The Piazza delle Erbe, a photographer’s delight, is a historic plaza known to be the buzzing centre of this town.
Breezing past it, we entered what was called the Via Mazzini — a street lined with shops — connecting the Piazza delle Erbe to Verona’s other famous plaza, Piazza Bra. Window shopping is the order of the day here, as you will find the most luxurious brand outlets lined up one after the other. Being the street that connects Verona’s biggest tourist hotspots, it is no surprise then, to find a host of tourists ambling about, everywhere you go.
Home to the third-largest amphitheatre in Italy — Arena di Verona is one of the bestpreserved ancient structures in the world. It is still in use today, hosting concerts of several international artists such as Adele, Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney, and the British boy band One Direction, to name a few. Piazza Bra is, thus, the heart and soul of Verona. As we strolled through the piazza, taking in the beautiful sights and the peaceful vibe, we chanced upon a small concert that was happening outside the steps of Verona’s town hall, dedicated to handicapped people.
A trip to Verona is incomplete without visiting Juliet’s House, which, needless to say, is the tourist magnet of the city. Formally known as Casa di Giulietta, the magnificent house dates back to the 13th century and is a fine example of Gothic architecture. You’ll find tourists swarming the spot at any given point of day. The courtyard walls leading to Juliet’s house are covered with love notes and scribbled over with proclamations of love. A stone balcony jutting out of the walls is the famous balcony where Romeo supposedly serenaded Juliet.
Not far off from the hubbub is the Castel Vecchio Bridge, offering a panoramic view of the town and the chance to catch a stunning sunset.
TRIP TO LAKE GARDA
A visit to the picturesque Lake Garda should be a must when visiting Verona. Being the largest lake in Italy and surrounded by three distinctly popular Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino Alto-Adige, Lago di Garda is a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals alike.
We hired a taxi to the laidback town of Peschiera del Garda, after which the lake is named, holding our breath in anticipation as to what would greet us when we arrived. Would the Instagram pictures resemble what we saw? Would it be better than that or would it disappoint us?
Turns out we didn’t have to worry about being disappointed, after all. The Lake Garda is stunning, with scenic views and turquoise blue waters for as far as your eyes can see. With clear, blue waters in the surrounding, a refreshing cool breeze and the green grass looking so inviting, you wouldn’t mind passing the hours just sitting by the lakeside and doing absolutely nothing at all.
We hired a boat ride to the nearby island of Sirmione — with its 600-year-old castle, a pretty beach called the Jamaica Beach, filled to the brim with tourists enjoying the water, sun, and sand — it projects the perfect image of how a ‘vacation’ should be. The island also has a ‘thermal surge’ through which natural hot water is channelled to homes and resorts.
WHERE TO STAY
While Verona has good accommodation options for a range of budgets, I recommend booking an apartment online — there is nothing like living right among the locals and experiencing things the firsthand.