Verona, famed for its spectacular outdoor opera and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, is an enticing city boasting a wonderful blend of culture and gastronomy and is the perfect short break destination or, situated so close to Lake Garda, a twin centre holiday. Verona holidays are a brilliant way to experience the vibrant Italian culture and some of its most famous offerings.
‘In fair Verona, where we lay our scene’ wrote Shakespeare with the city now famed for housing Juliet’s balcony and world-renowned for its outdoor opera, fair Verona is situated on the Veneto Plain neighbouring the spectacular Dolomites and scenic Lake Garda. Once called Piccola Roma (little Rome), this prosperous, although relatively small city, is a wonderful blend of ancient history, inspirational music, classical wines and wonderful cobbled streets. It is vibrant, especially during the summer months, and visitors on Verona holidays will delight in Piazza Bra which houses the famous Arena di Verona.
Arena di Verona
A popular site to visit on holidays to Verona is the world-famous and remarkably well preserved Arena amphitheatre which dominates the Piazza Bra and is the stage of the world-famous and spectacular Verona opera extravaganzas held from late June to the end of August each year. Celebrating its 90th Opera Festival in 2012, the Verona opera saw the works of; Tosca, Turandot, Romeo and Juliet, Aida, Carmen and Don Giovanni and after a successful introduction in 2011. As one of the world’s biggest amphitheatres still in existence today we highly recommend paying it a visit on holidays in Verona, alongside the many other captivating historic churches, museums and palaces that are also housed within the city.
Cuisine
The culinary tradition of Verona makes full use of locally grown ingredients from the bounty of the Veneto Plain with the most important item on the menu being the humble potato in the shape of gnocchi; during the Verona Carnival week Papa del Gnocco is the king of the celebrations. There are plenty of rich delights on Verona holidays with tortellini and risotto also featuring highly and almost all meat dishes are served with polenta, another staple ingredient. An abundance of rivers and lakes in the region ensures that freshwater fish can often be found on the menu and in terms of wine, the region produces the famous Soave and Valpolicella.