On our recent holiday to Italy we flew into Verona airport and being located only 14 miles from the city a day trip back into the city was a must.
Ollie was dreaming of this trip for many months before we arrived as Verona’s Arena is something he was desperate to visit.
The city itself is located in the northern Veneto region and the medieval town is nestled alongside the Adige River. Obviously Verona is best known to many for being the setting of one of Shakespeare’s famous love story “Romeo and Juliet” Where the famous tiny balcony overlooking a courtyard is said to be the 14th century home of Juliet’s house and many flock to see this famous place.
For us it was really all about drinking in the Italian culture and lifestyle and obviously visiting the only thing that was on Ollie’s must visit list, the Verona Arena.
The Verona Arena is a massive 1st-century Roman amphitheater, and is Italy’s 3rd largest arena. One that on a whole is still virtually intact on the inside and one that still hosts events even now, including concerts and large-scale opera performances through the summer months.
When we visited they were in the process of setting up for a music event and then in the weeks that followed the Arena was going on to host open an open air operatic performance for a few weeks.
To sit on its steps and take it all in was a magical experience. It is deceptive in its size from the outside as it looks so much smaller, till you step inside and see its vastness in real life.
The magic of this place is knowing that for more years than you can actually comprehend people have visited and sat in the very place you are sat today.
Just like villages and cities all over Italy there are meandering streets and little nooks and crannies that only make the city feel all the more mysterious.
You can’t visit Verona and not visit some of their markets. We loved the Piazza delle Erbe which had lots of local cheese, breads and fast foods along with souvenirs and leather goods on offer.
On our visit to Verona we had frequent rain throughout the day and when visiting the market we were mainly dodging a torrential downpour. However we did do it in style by taking in the atmosphere and having lunch at one of the restaurants that line the edge of the market.
We were probably a little under prepared for this trip as we didn’t find out what other areas where worth visiting. However it’s certainly a place that we would love to revisit and for me even maybe do a walking tour next time. But maybe that’s without the kids.
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