Verona, Italy: The Best City in Western Europe

I consider Verona in Italy to be one of my favorite cities in Western Europe. Anyone considering European travel should not miss Italy and in particular Verona. Verona is perhaps best known as the setting for Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. However this beautiful city is often ignored in favor of larger cities such as Rome and Florence. Verona has many historical sights and has fewer tourists making it a more relaxing stay.

While in Verona I stayed at the Boscolo Leon d'Oro Hotel which is within walking distance from the town centre. If you stay here make sure to dine in the hotel restaurant, Salagari Restaurant, which provides local and international cuisine and an extensive wine list. Service was impeccable and its location made walking around Verona a simple matter. The local train station was also within walking distance from which you can make day trips to cities such as Pisa and Florence.

Verona has been named a UNESCO world heritage site due its large number of historical buildings and monuments. Verona has its own amphitheatre, the Arena, which is the third largest in Italy. The Arena was constructed early in the first century AD, and still retains much of its original architecture. Summer is a great time to see one of the concerts or operas held in the Arena. The Arena can be found at the Piazza Bra and more details can be found here.

Another oft visited tourist attraction is Juliet's House, Casa Giulietta, with its famous balcony. However it is unlikely that the Capulet family actually lived in this building and the balcony was constructed in 1920's to satisfy the tourists. Casa Giulietta can be visited at Via Cappello 23.

The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is another impressive piece of architecture. It is one of Verona's most beautiful churches. Numerous frescos line the inside walls of the basilica, while the stunning façade overlooks the large square. A beautiful 72 meter tall bell tower stands by the basilica, which is mentioned in the Divine Comedy by Dante. The basilica can be found at Piazza San Zeno, Vicolo Abbazia 1, and more information can be found here.

The Guide Centre in Verona runs both bus and walking tours, which is a great way to see the sights of Verona. Both half day and full day tours are available. For more details visit their webpage here.

A great place to relax and take in the surroundings and people-watch is Piazza Bra. This is the historic centre of Verona and also where the Arena is found drawing many tourists. Many cafes and restaurants line the west side of the pizza, and though prices can be higher here, superb food and wine can be sampled at many of the restaurants.

Sources:

Verona attractions

Verona - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

www.guideverona.com.