Re-Live Romance in Verona

Start your day early by going to the Sanctuary of Our Virgin Maria of Grace in Mantua on the way to Verona. You can park outside the sanctuary.
Entering, you will be met by a large, stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling. Back in the day, these creatures were seen as evil and by hanging them from the ceiling like this, they believed that the animals lost their evil power.
You also find a series of mannequins depicting unpleasant ways to die, like drowning and being beheaded.
Besides the fairly creepy details found here, the sanctuary is a beautiful place in a peaceful setting in nature which makes a good start in the morning.

Even though check in is at 11:30, you can go directly to the hotel and ask to leave the luggage there while you head to a nearby attraction and come back. Alternatively, you can park the car and go to the hotel afterward.
Park the car at the nearby paid Parceggio Saba Arena or look for free street parking nearby.

Verona Arena is one of the major landmarks in Verona and is only a short walk from the hotel, so it is the perfect site to explore while you wait for check-in. The Roman amphitheater was built in 30 AD but is still in use today for concerts and the acoustics is amazing.
Note! Verona Arena is closed for visits on Mondays. If you are there on a Monday, you can see the Colosseum-look alike from the outside and sit down for a coffee at one of the cafes on the square.

Head back to the hotel for check in. There is no reason to wait when you are nearby as they charge an unnecessary extra for check in after 18:00.

Casa di Giulietta might be a little overrated for some, especially because its popularity makes it one of the most crowded attractions in Verona. However, it is worth visiting. You can take a picture on Juliet's balcony and tour the museum or just visit the courtyard, see the balcony from the outside, and rub one of the breasts of the bronze statue of Juliet, which is said to bring good luck.
Supposedly, the 1300s house belonged to the Dal Cappello family before the city bought it and created the tourist site due to the similarity of the house to Shakespear's story. And if you wonder if the love story is a true story, Shakespear did get the inspiration for his play from a couple from Verona that was so much in love that died for their love in 1303.

Go for lunch at this rustic restaurant serving traditional fresh food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and they have amazing homemade pasta and the mozzarella di bufala was to die for.
Opening hours Monday-Sunday: 11:00-23:00.
Check out their website for the menu and other information here.

Continue to Verona's main square, the picturesque Piazza Delle Erbe. Just strolling across the square is a scene for unforgettable vacation photos. Even in the middle ages, it was a meeting point for the people and the market square. It takes its name (Quare of the herbs) after the spice markets.
In the middle of the square, you find the fountain of Madonna Verona and around it, the buildings are a blend of different architectural styles including walls painted with astounding Renaissance frescos.

Climb the Torre dei Lamberti tower for a bird's eye view of Verona. It is recommended to pay an extra Euro for the elevator if you want to save your breath, but if you are in good physical shape, there is no stress in climbing the stairs.
To save time on the ticket queues, book tickets in advance. You can check out the official website here.

Another epic square in Verona is the Piazza dei Signori. A statue of Dante stands in the square reminding us that he wrote a part of the narrative poem Divine Comedy in Verona.
This is a good spot to sit down for a coffee before continuing.

The Basilica di Santa Anastasia is one of the most beautiful in Verona, dedicated to the Anastasia of Sirmium. The inside is decorated with vibrant frescos and various sculptures throughout the church depicting historical religious happenings.
The minor basilica originally dates back to the 4th century but has undergone several renovation works since then.
Closing time: Monday-Friday 18:30, Saturday-Sunday 18:00.

Verona Cathedral closes already at 17:00/17:30 depending on the weekday, but it is still worth seeing it from the outside before continuing on your sightseeing.
The Roman Catholic cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and boasts a stunning facade worthy of a fotoshoot.

No arguing one of Verona's most prominent landmarks shown in most photos of the city is the 2000-year-old stone bridge, Ponte Pietra.
No trip to Verona would be complete without crossing it. On the other side of the bridge, you are also up for the best views of the city!

If you are wondering where the iconic views of Verona and Ponte Pietra are taken, this is the place. Crossing Ponte Pietra, there is a set of stairs that will take you up in about 20-30 minutes. You will not actually be entering the castle, just enjoying the views from the top of the hill. If you manage to time it with sunset, you are up for a romantic evening!

Walking back towards the hotel, stop for dinner at the amazing Nastro Azzurro situated by Verona Arena. The food is incredible and the staff is super attentive. There is no better place to round off your day in the romantic city of Verona. While reviewers seem to like every type of food served here, I can vote highly for the pizza! And with a nice glass of wine or a beer, the evening will turn perfect before strolling back to the hotel.

Head back to the hotel to wind down before a good night's sleep. The spacious, light rooms make it feel like a home away from home something that is truly appreciated when exploring all day!