Rick Steves'
Best of Italy in 17 Days
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Where are we?
The Saltarello was originally a lively dance step
and meter of music. This classic, played on the
lute, was composed during the early Italian Renaissance.
Where are we?
The Saltarello was originally a
lively dance step and meter of music. This classic, played on
the lute, was composed during the early Italian Renaissance.
 Straddling the Adige River, Verona is over 2,000 years old. |
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 After crossing the river, our group enters Verona through an ancient city wall. |
 Functioning as a tollbooth, Porta Borsari was the main entrance to Roman Verona. |
 Upper level of Porta Borsari entrance gate. |
 This Roman arena, built in 1 A.D., is still in use today. |
 People have congregated at Piazza Erbe since Roman times when it was a forum. |
 The winged lion atop this column reminds locals of the Venetian conquest of 1405. |
 Verona gave Dante Alighieri asylum when he was expelled from Florence. His statue is located in Piazza del Signori. |
 Gothic 14th century tombs of the powerful and influential Scaligeri family. |
DAY 3 (MIDDAY)
Enroute to our next destination, we stopped midday in the
centuries old town of VERONA. We were met just outside the old city wall by our local guide, Valeria, who skillfully took us through this ancient Roman city. We were also amazed to find Verona's fame is not primarily associated with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but for its Roman ruins.
We began our tour at the 1 A.D. Roman Arena and were surprised to learn that it is still being used today- Sir Paul McCartney appeared here in 2013! Moving on through the original main entry gate, 3rd. century Porta Borsari, we travelled into the city along the main road, Corsa Porta Borsari. We paused at the busy market square, Piazza Erbe,
a forum in Roman times, while Valeria pointed out the historical influences that can still be seen in its towered buildings and painted facades.
Moving on to a statue of famed Italian poet Dante Alighieri in Piazza dei Signori and the Gothic 14th-century tombs of the powerful Scaligeri family, we came back to Piazza Erbe with instructions to grab lunch and/or spend the designated time exploring the city.
NOTE: PLAN YOUR MEALS ACCORDING TO ALLOTTED TIME.
AGAIN, WE LEARNED THE HARD WAY....ALMOST MISSED OUR BUS BY SELECTING A "SLOW FOOD" RESTAURANT.
"When in Verona, do as the..."
Palazzo della Ragione, Verona's town hall, with a
statue of Cardinal Enrico Noris on top of arch.
Entance to the court of justice, Porta dei Bombardieri.
Dante observing car show crowd at Piazza dei Signori.
First constructed in 1172 and enlarged in 1448,
the Lamberti Tower is the largest in Verona.
Frescoed building facades remain from Renaissance days when Verona was known as "the painted city".
Impressive architecture
Piazza Bra and Arena
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