Verona

Day 2 Day trip to Lake Garda

Take a train to Lake Garda for a relaxing day. Once there, explore the lake by boats. Visit one of the information/ticket kiosks (by the lakeside jetties) on arrival and pick up a timetable, so that you can plan your activities and outings around the ferry schedules.

Also look online on www.navigazionelaghi.it for ferry services. In Malcesine, take the cable-car (the new Malcesine - Tratto Spino rotating cable car) for unique and breathtaking view of the lake.

Visit the site at www.funiviedelbaldo.it

Known as Little Rome, with the Arena dominating the centre, Verona is filled with remarkable monuments. It’s the setting for the most famous love story in the English language, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

3 Perfect days in Verona

Day 1

Before you start your exploration make sure that you fit in with the locals. Verona is a wealthy town and its inhabitants like to be seen in their best clothes. So if you want to fit in, designer labels are a must. Head on to Via Mazzini for your Italian look. It’s lined with the best names in Italian fashion, from Diesel to Versace and more. Now, you are ready to explore Verona in style.

Start from the Arena that dominates the main square, Piazza dei Signori, see Romanesque churches such as San Zeno Maggiore, San Procolo, San Fermo and San Giovanni in Fonte. On the river stands the fortress of Castelvecchio. You can visit the museum inside the fortress and continue along either bank of the Adige river. For the romantic at heart, a visit to Juliet's House is a must.

For your meals you can choose any cavernous restaurant across the centre of the city with a few across the river in the streets around Piazza dell'Isolo. Try Veneto’s semolina-based polenta, usually served with meat. Follow with a rich tiramisù dessert. Verona is at the heart of great wine-making areas and produces notable Soave whites and Bardolino reds.

To end this perfect day enjoy a good romantic tragedy like La Traviata.

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Things to do in Verona

Day 3 Day trip to Cremona

If you are interested in violins, Cremona is the place for you. It claims to be the birthplace of the violin and it has been the champion of the violin since 1566 when Andrea Amati invented the prototype modern violin from the viol - the Medieval fiddle. Cremona has an International School of Violin Making and is the world most famous center, for the production of stringed instruments. Visit the Palazzo del Comune - the world's greatest collection of violins including the 1715 Golden Cermonese by Antonio Stradivari, and visit the great luthier's grave.

Verona is a compact place and you can see everything on foot.

The best time to visit is in July and August when the unique Roman amphitheater at the heart of Verona opens it’s doors to the open-air opera festival. Book tickets well in advance online www.arena.it

Less busy in February, you can join the locals celebrating the Bacanal del Gnoco, a masked Carnival, or you can celebrate the Valentine’s day. Inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet, Verona in Love is a five-day festival, featuring theatrical interpretations of Romeo and Juliet , concerts, shows all dedicated to love and romance.

More information on Verona in Love Website or Official Verona’s web site www.tourism.verona.it

DONT MISS!

Verona Opera Festival Organized in the Roman amphitheater in July and August, is the once in a lifetime experience. Websites: Verona Arena Website Or Arena di Verona Website

TIP

Opera on a budget

If you want to see the opera on a budget buy tickets for unreserved seats on the stone steps. They’re a lot cheaper than the padded chairs below. Note that performances from Sunday to Thursday are cheaper than those scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays.

Further reduction are offered for those over 60 years of age and under 26. If the opera performance will just be part of the background to lend ambiance to your romantic evening, save yourself the cost of the opera ticket and just pick a place nearby where you can sit and listen to the music.

Try the steps of the Palazzo Municipale with an impressive view of the Arena and Piazza Bra or you can sit in the middle of the Piazza Bra. Don’t forget to by panini, formagio and a bottle of wine.

Valentine’s Special Verona in Love The theme is Love and it’s inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet. This festival featuring a series of events dedicated to love and romance, including theatrical interpretations of Romeo and Juliet to, photography exhibitions, concerts, shows and much more.

Website: www.veronainlove.co.uk/

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