Experience the home of Romeo & Juliet

For all its exquisite Roman architecture, impressive castles and dreamy vistas, Verona is arguably best known thanks to the work of an English writer - namely William Shakespeare, whose enduringly popular tragedy Romeo and Juliet conjured the image of Verona in international minds as a place of love and loss.

Not that the Northern Italian city minds the associations with such a famous work of literature, and whether you're a devoted fan of the Bard or just eager to see the sights of this attractive city in one of Italy's foremost areas of outstanding natural beauty, Verona has plenty to offer on a romantic city break.

Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers may have been fictional, but that hasn't stopped the popular image of Verona taking root in the minds of visitors, who flock in droves to sites such as the famous balcony where Juliet waited for her lover, at Casa Giulietta (Juliet's House) in Via Capello.

It doesn't seem to matter that the balcony and statue of the ill-fated Juliet are comparably modern additions, being built in the 1930s in a successful effort to capitalise on tourism. Indeed, with so many genuine works of art and antiques tastefully decorating the house, you'd be forgiven for thinking it authentic. Don't be offended when you see other visitors touching Juliet's bronze bust either - there's an urban myth that touching the statue in that sensitive area brings you luck, and if the other attractions of Verona are any indication, you're sure to enjoy your time in the city.

Whatever period of Italian history, architecture or art you're interested in, Verona is sure to have something to tempt you to its museums and galleries. Many of its greatest attractions are the buildings themselves, such as the Arena - one of Italy's largest Roman amphitheatres that still plays host to high-profile events such as the summer opera festival. A little later in the timeline, but no less impressive, came Verona's majestic castle Castelvecchio, originally built in the Middle Ages by the della Scala family and lovingly restored since.

Verona is located in Italy's Veneto region, and is only a few hours away from other popular destinations such as Venice and Florence, when you arrange car rental Verona Airport. You'll find some of the region's most impressive sights lie even closer, such as the beautiful Lake Garda, just an hour away by car, and the renowned wine districts of Soave and Valpolicella to the north and east.

About the Author

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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