Day 26 – Verona – The Romeo and Juliet city

 

The arena
The weather was good for our departure from Densenzano. We trundled our bags up to the station and we were soon on a train to Verona.  We quickly found the bus we needed to take, but it was full so waited a few minutes for the next bus to come.  Even then we still had to stand.  Ten minutes later we were getting off the bus and trundling our suitcases to our apartment. It was in the old part of the city about 100 metres from the bus stop. 

It was time to go exploring.  I did not have high expectations of Verona as one person had said it was a waste of time going there.  However, my low expectations were proved wrong.  We walked down the road, crossed the river into the new part of Verona and then walked along the riverbank back to the old city.  The city has new (probably old in NZ and Australian terms), old (medieval) and then very old (Roman).  It is quite something. 

The new Verona



New Verona on the right side and the old city on the left side

We had planned to go and see the “not Juliet’s balcony” in the medieval part of the city but when we got there, there was a very long slow moving queue to see it.  None of us could see the point of waiting and perhaps even paying to see something that only existed in Shakespeare’s imagination.  Apparently, the house was identified as the Capulet residence and the balcony added to the house in 1936.  According to Wikipedia there is no evidence that Shakespeare ever visited Verona.

Queuing to see not Juliet's balcony

A hundred metres or so away was the Arena, a mini version of the colosseum.  That afternoon it was the venue for a opera concert for children and families and adults alike were flocking in.  It is amazing that a structure that was built about 2000 years ago is still in use today. I wonder if some of our buildings will be still functioning in 2000 years I rather doubt it. 

Tourists, locals and Opera goers mingle

Another view of the arena
 That evening we went to one the recommended restaurants by our hostess.  It was very good and according to their blurb it was in the Michelin guide although they did not have a star.  That would probably quadrupled the price.  The food was very good especially the little starter we were given.  The meal was beautifully presented.  It was probably the best food we had had since we came to Europe.  


I think this was part of the old Roman city



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Last time we visited Europe it was in autumn. For the most part we had good weather but towards the end of our visit the days shortened and days got rather cold.  This time we will arrive as the weather (hopefully) improves.  The days will lengthen and get warmer.  I just hope we don't have one of those heat waves that Europe seems to be having with increased frequency and earlier.   Bev had decided she wanted to make cycling the focus of our holiday and it suits my style of travel.  I think I have done enough visiting cities and towns for a day or two like we did on last trip.  Bev had got enthused about going down the Moselle river after talking with a friend of hers so that was the first decision.  She had also wanted to cycle along the Croatian coast however we decided that was too much of what others did and as well the tours did not start until May.  I happened to see something about Slovenia and after a discussion we agreed...
Read more

Day 5 – Mosel Cycle Path – Piesport to Traben-Trarbach

Image
  A little house in the vineyards    The temperature had dropped overnight and we pondered whether to wear long pants and bit more clothing on top.   We opted for the more is better as we can always strip off a layer.   It was partly cloudy as we took off along the cycle path keeping to right bank of the Mosel.     The first village of note that we went through was Brauneberg.   We were looking for a café but it was Sunday and despite it being after 10am there was nothing open.   One of the features of the village was a 1.6km row of walnut trees which according to our notes served as a barrier against the ice floes in the Moselle.   This clearly is not needed now as it does not get cold enough.   There was also meant to be a church with an onion domed tower.   We were not able to find it.     A few kilometres past Brauneberg we stopped so I could take a photo of a rather imposing castle or perhaps f...
Read more

Day 2 – Frankfurt am Main

Image
   No matter what one tries, moving so many time zones in a short time takes impacts one’s sleep and other bodily rhythms.   Getting to sleep was not the problem but staying asleep was.   Two nights in Frankfurt was to help recovery from the trip so that we can enjoy the days that follow.   We spent the first half of the day meeting Bev’s siblings at the station which was only 15 minutes away.   They each arrived at different times.   In between meeting Graham   we went for a walk into the centre of the city.   Where the giant Euro symbol sits in Willy Brandt Platz before finding a nice place to have semi-adequate flat white.   After collecting Trish from the station we took her through to the new Old Town.   We had visited it 18 months ago.   It was rebuilt in the style of the buildings that existed there   prior to the bombing in 1944 by the British which destroyed much of the city.   The only...
Read more