Old city walls encase the historic heart of Verona, a place where dramas large and small have been played out for thousands of years. Today, you can relax over a world-class coffee in a sun-drenched piazza, eat delicious local fare at one of the many restaurants, and seek out Shakespeare’s most iconic story.
Culture under the stars
Verona’s Roman amphitheatre is truly impressive, older even thanRome’scolosseum – and in superb condition given that it was constructed almost 2,000 years ago.
The ancient marble still carries a hint of pink, and the theatre seats tens of thousands of people for the open-air opera that it holds during the summer months. It’s almost entirely enclosed, so you won’t truly appreciate its splendour until you’ve entered – at which point it becomes simply breathtaking.
Life on the lake
The famed Lake Garda is a scenic drive from the city, so with a hire car to hand you can make the most of this fabled area. The vibe shifts as you move further north, where you’ll find the beautiful resort towns of Bardolino and Sirmione, with plenty of places to eat and stay, plus spa facilities if you’re really looking to relax.
Look out for Grotte di Catullo, a splendid, crumbling Roman villa from the 1st century AD inSirmione, while Bardolino has a charming harbour and an annual food and wine festival held every Autumn. Just north of here isLazise, perhaps the most photogenic town hugging the lake’s shore – and it has some stiff competition. Find aharbourside restaurants and watch the fishing boats bobbing up and down on the lake’s water – chances are they caught what you’re eating.
In search of Shakespeare’s lovers
Romeo and Juliet are purely fictional creations, but that doesn’t seem to deter tourists from making a pilgrimage to Casa di Giulietta.
A highlight here is undoubtedly the balcony, which represents where the wooing went on, but the real fun to be had is in the way generations of visitors have turned the courtyard into a shrine to romance, lining the walls with love letters. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes live long in the imagination of all those who come to Verona.
The historic town
There’s plenty more to discover for culture vultures and lovers of architecture in Verona. Head to Via della Costa to climb the Torre deiLamberti, an arresting bell tower that has stood proudly here since 1463. There’s a lift inside, although you have to climb stairs for the final stretch – the spectacular views are worth it.
The city’s finest church is arguably the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, a Romanesque gem filled with frescoes and an astonishing altarpiece by Mantegna. On a sunny day, meanwhile, don’t miss the Giardino Giusti, lovingly tended gardens that were first opened to the public in the late 16th century.
Studded with Renaissance statues and sculpted topiary, it’s a place that has served as a tonic to the soul and a muse to the poets – and you’ll no doubt find tranquillity here too.
When you choose car hire at Verona Airport, all of these stunning sights and attractions will be at your fingertips.