Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Italy / Veneto / Verona
 |  | Travel Reviews : Verona |
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| | | | Review by Madeline Robbins from Market Bosworth
Verona is really my dream city. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else I have visited - the sense of calm coupled with a really cosmopolitan feeling, the friendliness of the tradespeople, the weather and the timeless views are truely awe inspiring.
Review by Justin and Karyn Gallen from Santa Monica
Verona is a great little city that isn't so little anymore, but that has lots of money and style so there is great shopping and great restaurants. The wine areas of Soave, Valpolicella, Bardolino, Custoza, Trentino/Alto Adige and others are right in their backyard so you can drink well and find some bargains as well as have a great time going to see the wineries. Historic piazzas, the Arena, and some nearby villas by Palladio make for great architecture to be found nearby. All in all a great place to spend some time.
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| | Destination Guide : Verona |
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| | | Perfect setting for Romeo and Juliet |  | Why go on holiday to Verona?
Get your artistic juices flowing in one of Italy's ancient and beautiful cities. Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet was set here and as a result, it's a preferred destination for couples hoping to add another twist to their own love story, hopefully without the tragic ending.
The perfect way to end a romantic day strolling and sightseeing is a night in the world-famous arena, where you can watch a performance with 15,000 opera lovers in this open-air Roman amphitheatre.
How much will it cost?
A decent mid-range hotel (based on two people sharing) costs between £50 and £60 per room per night.
For some luxury, try the five-star Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, an impeccably furnished 13th-century building in the heart of the old city. Two nights in a classic double will set you back about £250. The period furniture and art in the hotel makes it the perfect base in this elegant city.
Return flights to Verona start at around £45.
When should I go?
The winters can be cold but the weather is pretty good the rest of the year. Spring and autumn are probably the most pleasant times of year to visit weather-wise but the summer months are best for a trip to the open-air opera. In August most Italians go on holiday and many shops and restaurants are closed.
Who's it for?
Verona is a city for lovers of all that is classically Italian. You'll find none of your British snobbery on a visit to the opera in Verona, as it's the music of, and for, the people.
Leave your reserved British nature at the entry kiosk as audience participation is commonplace at many productions and the cast will often perform the same song over and over again at the request of an appreciative public. Fellow spectators are warm and friendly and while enjoying your own picnic you will often be asked (or told) to sample a bit of someone else's lavish spread.
Veronese wines are well respected around the globe and the best place to try a couple is the Bottega del Vino where they stock over 3,000 varieties.
The local cuisine is very traditional and many of the recipes haven't changed for hundreds of years. Classic Veronese dishes include gnocchi (potato dumplings), pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans) and for the truly adventurous, pastissada de caval (horsemeat stew).
Verona is also known as Little Rome and the Romanesque architecture dotting the compact, old city reflects this. The best way to get around is on foot.
What are the must-sees?
First and foremost, no trip to Verona is complete without a visit to the arena. Past performances have been produced by greats such as legendary film director Franco Zeffirelli and there's always a buzz in the city on the day of a big production. If opera isn't your thing, there are also some classical music recitals.
Even though Shakespeare's play is obviously fiction, someone in Verona decided that they had actually discovered the location of the infamous balcony on which Juliet stood while Romeo serenaded her, and so the House of Juliet is a prime tourist attraction in the city.
Otherwise, the city is divided into four sections - the Centro Storico, the Cittadella, San Zeno and Veronetta. In the Centro Storico, every visitor ends up at some point in the main square, the Piazza Bra, and it's a great people-watching venue. Verona's Cathedral, the Duomo is also a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
The Cittadella is the business centre of Verona but it's also the best place to spend your euros on some cut-price Italian designer labels.
The main attraction of San Zeno is the world-famous church of the same name and Veronetta is great for a stroll along the banks of Adige River. Be sure to cross the beautiful Ponte Pietra (stone bridge).
If you're planning to visit several churches and museums, invest in a Verona Pass. You'll save a bit of cash, which could otherwise be spent on shopping, or food and drink.
What will I spend?
Prices vary, but as a rough guide, a traditional meal costs around £10. The cheapest seats for opera at the Arena go for about £25 and a Verona Pass will set you back £5.50 for a day or £8.20 for three days.
Any special events?
Tune into the annual Verona Opera Festival which takes place every summer. For lovers of all things equine, there's the Verona Horse Fair from November 4-7. For something a bit different, try the neighbouring village of San Giovanni Ilarione where they celebrate the humble chestnut.
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| | Fact File : Verona |
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| | | Verona | | Did you know?
The famous Verona amphitheatre used to play host to gladiator fights.
Language
Italian.
Visas
None required for UK citizens.
Getting there
Ryanair has regular flights to Verona Brescia Airport.
Flying time from London
Just over two hours.
Getting around
This compact city is best explored on foot.
Currency
The euro.
Costs
Prices vary, but as a rough guide, a traditional meal costs around £10. The cheapest seats for opera at the Arena go for about £25. The Verona Pass, which gives you access to many churches and museums, will set you back £5.50 for a day or £8.20 for three days.
Weather
April-June and September-October are the best times to go - the weather is good, prices are low and there are fewer tourists. Late July and August are very hot (30C/86F, or higher in cities such as Rome), prices rise and Italy teems with holidaymakers. Most of the country goes on holiday in August, leaving the cities largely closed and the coast and mountains packed out.
Time difference
One hour ahead of GMT.
International dialling code from the UK
00 39 (0)45.
Voltage
220V 50Hz, but some places still use the old 125V system - check with your hotel or landlord.
Opening Hours
Shops open at 8am, shut at 1pm for a long lunch and then reopen at 3-4pm till 7-8pm. Banks open 8.30am-1.30pm and 2.45pm-4.30pm from Mon-Fri.
Health – Before you go
Make sure you have adequate health insurance. Plan your vaccinations well in advance - cholera, hepatitis, rabies, malaria (in the lowlands) and typhoid. The yellow fever jab is essential if you plan to visit the eastern slopes of the Andes.
Health – When you are there
Don't forget to take your malaria tablets. Also, be wary of raw foods like salads, ceviche and fruits you can't peel.
Warnings
Always carry identification. There have been violent attacks on tourists in Cuzco, especially at night. Where possible, travel in groups using only reputable transport.
Emergency
For the national police dial 113. The British Embassy is in Lima at Edificio El Pacifico Washington, Natalio Sanchez 125, Piso 12, Lima (PO Box 854 Lima 100). Tel. 1 433 4738
Customs
Siestas are the norm so expect shops to shut between 1pm-4pm. There are strict dress codes for places of worship all over Italy, so be as considerate as possible. People look at each other a lot more than they do in the UK, both men and women. This is normal - Italians take a lot of trouble to look good, they expect it from others and like to admire the results of all that grooming. Men will flirt: be polite. If they're hassling you, be firm, otherwise enjoy it.
Pets
Don't even think about it, as quarantine rules apply on return to the UK.
Tipping
Better restaurants might include 10% service charge in the bill. In cheaper restaurants tip up to 15%, but it's not expected in really basic restaurants. In taxis, bargain a fare beforehand and stick to it.
Tourist Office
For information, send a £1 self-addressed A4 envelope to Embassy of Peru, 52 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SP. Tel: 020 7235 2545.
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| | Available rental properties in Verona |
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| |  | | Verona Walls a cosy, stylish apartment
In the heart of ancient Verona just a few steps from Giardino Giusti and a 5-minute walk to piazza delle Erbe.
|  | | VERONA WORDS
Stylish accommodation in the very heart of the ancient town of Verona in the Venetian Region of North East of Italy.
|  | | Holiday Apartment San Zeno
Nice first floor apartment, central, facing San Zeno Abbey. Lively quarter, full of bars, restaurants, shops, any service. 20 mnt walk from Arena, four bus lines. Up to 5 places. Ideal for families.
|  | | Appartamento Fiera di Verona
Nice and comfortable apartment a few minutes from Fiera di Verona, the location where Fieracavalli, Arifood, Vinitaly, Marmomacc, Abitare il Tempo and other important fairs take place
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Holiday Rentals in Verona |
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 |  | Family and kids (9) | | | Culture and history (5) | | | Beautiful Scenery (4) | | | Good dining (3) | | | Lively nightlife (3) |
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