Welcome to Part 2 of my Northern Italy Tour where we visited Verona. It felt like a fairytale. It was exactly as you’ve seen on postcards and in movies. And of course in the Shakespeare novel, Romeo & Juliet.
If you missed Part 1 – Milan, you can read about it HERE.
To recap, here’s a map of the full tour and bus trip that started and ended in Milan,Italy. Insight Vacations titled it the Country Roads of Northern Italy.
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On Day 2 of the official tour, we left Milan and headed to Verona by bus. I’m not big on touring the larger cities. I prefer the relaxed atmosphere of the smaller mid-sized cities. And I’m even more a fan of the of the small mountain towns scattered in the valleys, so the next few legs of our tour to Verona and up to the mountains were the highlight of our trip for me.
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Verona
Verona did not disappoint. There was no heavy traffic or high-rise buildings. It was a slow, relaxed pace featuring old world archways and buildings, open-air plazas filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops on one side and views of a first century A.D. stone Roman arena on the other.
We had a walking tour through the cobblestone and marble streets that were that were flooded with shops. I even found a store I loved 30 years ago – United Colors of Benetton – but haven’t seen one in the Boston area since.
I absolutely love Benetton’s signature bright green and blue colors. My packing space was limited, but I did manage to procure a white coconut print letter belt with a silver buckle.
And picked up a small green leather coin purse later in the trip that reminded me of the store. Mine is more of a bright kelly green, but I do love THIS ONE on Amazon too.
The walking tour of course included the balcony of Romeo & Juliet. You know that square and balcony that’s featured in the movie, Letters to Juliet? I must have watched that movie at least five times, so it was a treat to actually be there!
Verona was absolutely stunning. I do wish we had more time to explore this city. It was remarkably clean and vibrant, even as we drove out of the city center. I would have loved to spend more time here.
Remember view lots more photos which I’ll be posting to Facebook and Instagram.
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Next up is Trento and Bolzano (the gateway to the Dolomites).
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