A must for oenophiles, the rolling hills of Valpolicella are one of Italy’s most important wine-producing areas. With its temperate microclimate, this stretch of countryside just west of Venice has been home to vineyards since the time of the ancient Greeks, and today produces the most DOC-classified wine in Italy after Chianti.
Via Mazzini is Verona’s top shopping street. It’s lined with stores selling the latest fashions and chic cafes where you can sit and people watch over a creamy cappuccino. Leading from the central square Piazza Bra to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s balcony) it connects some of the city’s main sights.
If you are touring Italy with kids who have had their fill of majestic churches and Roman ruins, a day at Gardaland may be in order. This landmark amusement park sits on the eastern flanks of Lake Garda and is the country’s most popular family-oriented resort, with more than 30 rides, musical performances and light shows, and an aquarium.
The striking St. Zeno Maggiore Church (Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore) is just as famous for its pink-and-white pastel color scheme as it is for hosting the marriage scene in Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet. A lasting example of Romanesque architecture, the building—parts of it, at least—dates back to the 9th century AD.
Piercing the sky high above Verona’s historic Piazza delle Erbe, the 12th-centuryLamberti Tower (Torre dei Lamberti) is one of the most eye-catching landmarks in this UNESCO-listed city. Climb 84 meters (275 feet) to the panoramic terraces and belfry at the top for 360-degree views over Verona’s historic center.
Italy often shakes, rattles, and rolls with seismic activity from volcanoes and earthquakes. This geothermal energy has formed countless hot springs, many used as natural thermal spas since ancient Roman times. One of the most famous is the Garda Thermal Park (Parco Termale del Garda), part of the 18th-century Villa dei Cedri estate near Lake Garda.
With ancient Roman ruins, church crypts that inspired Shakespeare, and grand Austrian-style buildings from the 19th century, Verona’s Historic Center (Centro Storico) is an architectural treasure trove. Highlights include the 2nd-century Verona Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, and the 14th-century Scaliger Tombs.
Set in Italy’s Veneto region, Soave is a historic walled village famous for its medieval castle and fine white wines. Located just off the A4 motorway outside Verona, it’s an ideal stopping point between Venice and Milan, where you can explore the castle fortifications and sample white wines from local vineyards.
Built in the 1550s, Porta Palio is a monumental city gate in Verona. It stands on the site of a former gate in the Medieval walled city. While the gate is now closed to traffic—whether horse, car, or pedestrian—it stands a reminder of 16th-century Verona.
Offering a contrast to the more traditional attractions of Verona, the Nicolis Museum is one of Europe’s most important spaces dedicated to cars. The museum boasts an extensive collection of precious and extremely rare car-related objects collected all around the world by Luciano Nicolis, the museum’s founder.
Movieland is a film-themed amusement park in Verona, Italy. Inspired by Hollywood’s Universal Studios, the park features more than 20 attractions including water rides, roller coasters, and live performances and stunt shows that recall such hits as Back to the Future, The Sound of Music, and Skyfall.
Just across Piazza Bra from the Arena, the majestic Gran Guardia Palace (Palazzo della Gran Guardia) is one of Verona’s most important historic buildings. Today a popular venue for exhibitions and cultural events, the palace had been used for various military purposes for centuries.
Housed in the Palazzo della Ragione complex, the Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery (Galleria d'Arte Moderna Achille Forti) houses a collection of works from artists worldwide. Showcasing works from the 19th and 20th centuries, the museum has a special focus on Italian artists including Umberto Boccioni and Giorgio Morandi.
