What a nice little introduction to Italy (though my most recent family comes from Peru, my original ancestors hailed from Italy, so this is technically my homeland!). And what a huge contrast to the cool mountain air of Switzerland! Italy is everything you would expect it to be: warm in every meaning of the word, bright, lively, friendly, the smell of carbs wafting around every corner (and believe you me, I have been looking forward to treating myself to the carbs of Italy for a loooong ass time).
Where It Is
One hour outside of Venice to the west, we stopped in this north Italian city on our way from Lucerne. It is a relatively small city, so a one-day trip or a pit stop on the way to or from Venice allows for a short but sweet and satisfying experience. Of course, the more time the better, but it is nice to stop to see it for a bit if you are passing through.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
HeLLo?? Forget Paris, Verona is the city of love! The city is arguably most well-known for Shakespeare’s love story (as well as The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona), and people flock to see Juliet’s house and balcony and the letters to Juliet on the wall (plus the statue of Juliet whose right boob is shiny from all the tourists posing for pictures bizarrely cupping it).
The romantic energy of the city is palpable — the colors are bright yellows and reds and greens, filled with art and fresh food markets and beautiful stone arches. And the SMELL. I think Italy is the best country I’ve ever smelt.
Aside from the obvious love story that grew out of this city, Verona is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical buildings (including the traditional Roman monuments like the Verona Arena).
And of course, one of the most exciting things about my day in Verona: the Italian food. My first Italian city, and hence my very first Italian meal. I stopped for a quick sit-down lunch outside at Osteria Verona and ordered this delicious pizza topped with prosciutto (and yes, obviously, I ate the entire thing, setting the tone for the next week in Italy). One thing I discovered about Italy (and Europe in general, but Italy especially) is that “tap water” is not a thing. If you want water, you’ll be asked whether you want it with or without gas (carbonation) and they will bring you a glass bottle for a couple of Euros. Factor this into your dining budget if you have any desire to stay hydrated. Italy is not the cheapest country in the world.
Verona is the fourth most-visited city in Italy after Shakespeare made it a household name, and it deserves the love that it gets. It was just a pit stop for us on our venture to Venice, but Verona is a final destination all by itself and should be treated as such by anyone making his or her way into Italy. Don’t overlook this darling place!
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