Note: This was written before the global pandemic. We are currently sheltering in place and not traveling anywhere. For those like me with wanderlust who are going crazy with being stuck in one spot, it is fun to think about the future when we will be able to travel again. I hope this post will give people some inspiration!
The Train Destined for Verona and Venice
Located in Northern Italy and part of the Venezia region, Verona is a charming, historical city that was settled more than 2000 years ago. Set along the Adige River there are picturesque bridges that add to the charm.
We were based in Milan, Italy and traveled to Verona for the day. It is a little over an hour away on a train from the Central Station in Milan.
Here are the 5 sites that you can see in a day trip to Verona:
1 Bridge at Castelvecchio
This unusually crenellated bridge with its M-shaped merlons was built in the medieval period as a way for the residing lord to quickly escape the Castle Vecchio and cross the Adige river. It was damaged during World War II and then re-built. The castle next to it, which has the same crenellation as the bridge, is now a museum that you can tour. We opted not to enter the castle this day as we were short on time and had so much to see.
Bridge at Castelvecchio, Verona, Italy
2 Arena di Verona
The arena in Verona is an ancient Roman amphitheater built in 1 AD. It has withstood the pressures of time — and thanks to some restoration work over the years — is a venue for operas, concerts and sporting events. It’s much smaller than the Colosseum in Rome but just as amazing to visit. A great place to photograph for all the curves with parallel lines and textures of old stone blocks. You can smell the history when you’re walking underneath in the tunnel area under the seats.
Exterior view of the ancient Verona Arena
Seating Inside the Verona Arena
Some Remaining Arches at the Verona Arena
The tunnel area under the seating area of the ancient Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy
3 Juliet’s Balcony
Even though Juliet was not a real person, the character from Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet lives on in many people’s imaginations. Casa Giulietta was created in a medieval period house with the added balcony that Juliet could have lived in. It is a cute picturesque balcony that many tourists enjoy visiting. There is also a bronze statue of Juliet below. Many people leave notes regarding their love wishes on a wall there. The original brick wall started getting damaged by the chewing gum that people were using to stick their notes up, so there is a temporary panel in place that can be taken down and replaced.
You can see the original wall in a movie, “Letters to Juliet”, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried. It’s actually a nice quarantine movie to watch as they drive around the scenic Tuscan countryside looking for a lost love, while the hero and heroine fall in love.
Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, Italy
Graffiti and note covered wall at Casa Giulietta, Verona, Italy
Some street scenes from Verona
We took a break from touring the sites to stop for lunch. We ate in a restaurant that was converted from an old church. Ristorante Santa Felicita was a charming eatery. The kitchen was set up in what used to be the altar in the front of the church. Seating was in the main area as well as in the loft area in the back of the building. My husband and I had a smoked swordfish carpaccio to start, then pizza and pasta (with mushrooms and truffles).
Restorante Santa Felicita (on the left) used to be a church, Verona, Italy
An advertisement for the restaurant on a bicycle on the street, Verona, Italy
Mushroom and truffle pasta, Ristorante Santa Felicita, Verona, Italy
After the meal, we were headed across the river to a high point called Castel San Pietro. We went through a gate, to cross the river on the bridge called Ponte Pietro, then walked to the Funicular at the base of the hill. I like funiculars, beside the fact that it makes a trip uphill easy, it is a charming method of transportation.
Gate to Ponte Pietro, the bridge to cross the Adige River, Verona, Italy
From the bridge, you can barely see the Castel San Pietro behind the tall Italian cypresses, Verona, Italy
Funicular station for the Castel San Pietro, Verona, Italy
A look up the tracks at the funicular, Verona, Italy
4 Castel San Pietro
Once we got to the top of the hill, from the terrace of the Castel San PIetro, we spent a lot of time looking at the stunning views over the terra cotta roofs of Verona with tall towers jutting up here and there. This was a great vantage point for taking photographs of Verona!
View from Castel San Pietro of Verona, Italy
From the Castel San Pietro, you can see the circular roof of the Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes, Verona, Italy
5 Giardino Giusti
A true Renaissance garden, Giardino Giusti was built in 1580 and is laid out as a formal garden with lines of cypresses, statues of mythological gods and a hedge maze. When you climb to the top, there is a folly with arched openings that frame a glorious view of Verona.
It is hard to believe that you’re in the middle of a city here as it is calm. You’re transported away from the busy cars and scooters on the modern street and whisked away to a slower time.
A walkway in the Giardino Giusti in Verona, Italy
Entrance to the Giardino Giusti, an Italian formal garden in Verona, italy
Giardino Giusti is a little out of the way from the center of town. This was our last stop for the day and we hopped on a city bus back to the train station, in order to catch the train back to Milan.
As we waited on the platform for the train to arrive, the setting sun bid its farewell to end a delightful day in Verona.
An Italian sunset from the Verona train station
