My Favorite

It didn't take me long as our taxi wound through town on our way to the apartment to decide that Verona is one of my favorite places in Italy. The city was absolutely beautiful and was completely charming. We took the train from Siena to Verona, and by the train I mean four trains. We had to change at four different stations along the way. The first two trains were easy because we changed at small stations, the third change was in Firenze (Florence) around lunch time. We all stopped at a cafe to get some food, then realized we had about 2 minutes to get to our train, only to realize as we're running to catch it that we have a few more minutes then we thought. The next stop/change was Bologna. This was one of   the nicer train stations we stopped at, but it was the most confusing station to navigate and find the correct platforms. We ended up almost running to get our train there as well. We were so excited to get on our last train for the day, only to find it crowded and unairconditioned with windows screwed shut. I'm not sure I've ever been so hot, the only time I can ever thing of being as hot or hotter might be in the desert in Israel. The air was so stale and thick. It was miserable. Aside from some of the quick and difficult changes and the extreme heat, the train ride was beautiful and the landscape was picturesque as we made our way east to Verona. 

 

When we arrived in Verona we quickly decided that we would take a taxi to our apartment rather then trying to find it on our own. After we settled in we ventured out into the city to explore. Almost anywhere you looked in Verona there were adorable buildings with beautiful balconies and shuttered windows. We walked towards the center of town where we found one of the main piazzas. There was a market area with street venders selling cheesy souvenirs among other things in the center of the piazza. It was lined with picturesque buildings of all different colors with balconies, plants, and adorable shutters. 

Just off of the main piazza was another dedicated to Dante. The buildings surrounding this piazza were just as beautiful as the other, covered with frescos and sculptures. 

We found Juliet's courtyard hidden off of one of the main streets, which was the most touristy spot we visited in Verona. There were hoards of people taking pictures with the statue, putting locks on the gate and writing letters.  After moseying through town we had a dinner at a little pasta place recommended by our guide book. 

It didn't take long for me to fall in love with this city. It was not overrun with tourists, it was not busy or loud. It was simple, quaint, charming, quiet, laid back and incredibly gorgeous. I will definitely be back to Verona one day, this city deserves more then the two evenings we spent wandering it's streets.

Next up Venice! Until then, Ciao!