Verona is one of the treasures of Italy!
Written: Jan 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fabulous history, sights, food, entertainment, shopping.
Cons: Simply can't think of any!
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| vickie's Full Review: Verona |
Verona is most frequently visited on a quick half-day excursion, but it deserves more time and is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated small cities in Italy. Verona lies on the Adige River and it's really meant to be wandered through on foot...both inside and outside the walls of the old city. If you are forced to rush a visit within a short time, head first to the old city.
HISTORY and SIGHTS:
In the first century BC, the Romans used Verona as a stop on the trade route to Europe. The city has several, well-preserved monuments from this period, including the Arena at Piazza Bra. The Arena still plays host to operas during the summer. Even after all of these years, the acoustics are considered perfect! For a mall fee you can enter the Arena and explore. It is well worth the small price of admission to climb to the top edges where you will get a wonderful view of the Piazza and the small streets that radiate away from it. The Piazza Bra has a neoclassical town hall and a Renaissance palazzo, the Gran Guardia.
In the Middle Ages, Verona was built up as the prestigious family domain of della Scalla. Later, in the 15th century it allowed itself to be absorbed into the westward expanding Venitian empire. Rather than fight Venice, the residents of Verona focused on building their own cultural cache. And they did a great job! The city has many famous points of interest…too numerous to even list, let alone describe, in this review. The sites that I recommend most highly include:
- Castelvecchio, a 14th century castle in GREAT condition;
- the Basilica San Zeno Maggiore, a newr-perfect Romanesque church and campanile constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries;
- the Teatro Roman (Roman Theater) and Archeological Museum, the ruins of a 1st centuryAD theater at the foot of St. Peter's Hill which is currently used in July and August for performances; and
- the Giardino Giusti, one of the oldest, most famous and most beautiful gardens in all of Italy.
Although I don't recommend it, no review can omit the most famous modern "tourist site" in Verona: the home of Juliet Capulet of Shakespearean fame. Although there is no evidence that the Capulets ever lived here, the house was acquired by the city in 1905 and subsequently promoted. It was the most crowded spot in all of Verona during all three of my visits!
WHAT TO DO:
Sightsee and shop! Shopping in Verona is a treat because the city exudes elegance. Things are expensive, so you may limit yourself to "window shopping" more than souvenir hunting...but be sure to leave a little time to check out the shops. Verona's fashions are similar to what you will find in Milan or Rome. If you are compelled to look for over-priced tourist junk, check out the Piazza delle Erbe for flea-market-style kiosks that sell "merch" and collectibles as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables.
If you love high-quality ceramics (both as utility items for the home or pieces of art) and don't mind shipping them home or carrying them with you (yes, I am on the neurotic side, loved them, and carried a box of them throughout Italy for a month!), you really should check out the Darlington Workshop at #10 via S. Chiara (outside the walls of the old city and on the way to the Giardino Giusti). Lynette Darlington is originally from the US. She did one of those college "junior year abroad" programs, fell in love, and returned to Italy to live following college. By all outward appearances she is "native Italian" at this point! However, she loves to talk about trends and music in the US. Her work is fabulous. We spent an entire afternoon in her studio talking, listening to music, and exploring difference ceramic techniques!
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel rooms tend to be scarce during the Fair in March and the opera/theater season in July and August, so be sure to have advanced reservations at those times. Check the numerous guidebooks for suggestions. I personally highly recommend the Hotel Torcolo. Considered inexpensive by Verona's standards, a double room at Hotel Torcolo ran $80-95 in 1998. The location can't be beat! It is only one or two blocks from the Piazza Bra. It's off a side street so it is quiet, yet you can step out, turn the corner and be where all of the activity is! The hotel is modest, with relatively small rooms, but spotlessly clean. They have air conditioning ("for our American tourists" they explain), but you may have to ask to have it turned on! The staff speaks English and the hotel's three floors are accessible via elevator. Matercard and Visa are accepted. Parking is available in a nearby public lot. I have spent more at other hotels in Verona. If you want "posh and luxurious" this is not the hotel for you. If you want cozy, friendly, hospitable convenience, stay here!
Hotel Torcolo
Vicolo Listone 3, 37121 Verona
Phone: 045/800-4958
Fax: 045/800-4058
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
vickie
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Location: Waltham, MA
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 113 members
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