Immortalised in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Verona holds a special place in lovers' hearts. You'll get to fall in love with the city on this day trip from Lake Garda, seeing all its main sights as you wander around the history-steeped streets of its old town. Elisabetta, one of our expert local guides, says, “Verona is not just a backdrop for romance; it's a living museum shaped by Romans, medieval rulers, and Shakespeare's imagination.”
Your guide will show you around, pointing out highlights such as the Roman Porta Borsari and the Roman arena – used every summer for an opera festival – and Juliet's Balcony. “Whether Shakespeare ever visited Verona remains a mystery, but Juliet's balcony has made this courtyard a global symbol of love,” adds Elisabetta. There are also some truly historic bridges over the River Adige as well as a world-class collection of medieval churches and basilicas.
You'll also see the exterior of the Scaliger Tombs – five Gothic mausoleums for the Scaliger family, nobles who once ruled over Verona. And you'll discover the monumental Piazza dei Signori, location of the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Antica and surrounded by palaces which have witnessed stories of judges, rulers, and poets who shaped Verona's history. In the centre there's a statue of Dante Alighieri who was exiled from Florence, but welcomed here in Verona. Next, take a look around the Piazza delle Erbe, then there'll be free time for lunch and shopping.
