Verona: Not only Romeo & Juliet

Panorama from our Stayz apartment with an awesome storm over the mountains (click on to enlarge to full screen)

17 April 2024

We made it to Verona late afternoon yesterday and grabbed a taxi to our Stayz apartment,to meet the lovely owner, Rosella, who lives downstairs. The apartment is in the attic of the building & is fantastic; the best so far, with large lounge/kitchen with tea towels/diner, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony with table and the above view; gobsmacking.

Rosella had it all ready for us, maps which were scribbled all over for all sorts of things we have to see, supermarkets, wine bars, churches & castles. I think we need another map now.

Headed to the supermarket, on the map in the next street, yep, it's there, and got the essentials, as we have a full kitchen, not that Mandy is going to make full use of it.

Unpacked and headed down to the small bar/restaurant, Bottega & Tavola, on the corner only to find it's bigger that it looks. Some wines later and we order some dinner which was delicious, to say the least. I think we might make it our dinner experience for our stay.

Mandy was particularly excited about the fresh salad!!

Back to the apartment to watch the clouds threaten then off to bed.

18 April 2024

After a great nights sleep & breakfast, we watched the clouds get darker and encroach on the mountains, then vanish & reappear continually throughout the morning. The rain stayed at bay though we did get some drizzle. The morning was extremely relaxing with the rain & amazing clouds structures; I could nearly just sit there and watch it all day; but there were places to see.

We headed our and started walking into the main area of the city until we came to the commencement of the old architecture, time to get absorbed. Through the arch entry we manoeuvred around to see the a section of the remaining city wall and the coliseum. The coliseum has recently been attributed to the Julio-Claudian era, 14-54 AD, a precursor study used to form the basis of the coliseum in Rome some years later. Like that arena, gladiators fought in staged 'hunts' with exotic imported animals.

We meandered through back streets trying to avoid the school excursions and tourists trying to search out Juliets (Giuliettes) balcony. We found our way to the River Adige, the second longest river in Italy after the Po, starting it's journey in Switzerland and Austria and making it's way to the Adriatic Sea on the east of Italy. A small cafe beside the river enticed us for a snack for lunch then we braved the drizzle again, wending our way back through streets and lanes while imbibing the beauty of the Veronese buildings & ancient architecture, even an old cinema that I totally enjoyed the façade of.

Back to the apartment and some repair work on the washing machine, then downstairs for another drink & dinner session at Bottega & Tavola and now off to bed; a big few days ahead as we've decided to stay 2 nights now at Bressanone and make the most of our Dolomites proximity, after all, we'll probably never be back here again. Next post in a few days, maybe Monday.