Following in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet in Verona

Located in northern Italy, Verona is a well-known tourist city, second only to the charming and beautiful Venice. When people think of Verona, they often picture an ancient city with tiled roofs and whitewashed walls bearing the marks of time, and also a city of love, as it is the birthplace of a romantic yet tragic love story.Romeo & Julietby the great playwright William Shakespeare.

But Verona holds many other fascinating sights beyond Juliet's charming balcony. With its narrow, winding, quiet alleyways, wrought-iron balconies as delicate as silk, windows adorned with tiny red and purple flowers, and bridges spanning the clear blue Adige River on hillsides lined with cypress trees swaying in the early morning breeze, this ancient and elegant city is an ideal destination for exploring the Veneto region in northern Italy, or perhaps even a day trip, as it's not far from Venice. Therefore, Verona is relatively crowded with tourists, especially during peak seasons like summer. However, compared to Venice, Verona remains much quieter and less crowded.

The historic city of Verona was founded in the 1st century BC and flourished particularly under the rule of the Scaliger family in the 13th and 14th centuries, subsequently being part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Verona has preserved numerous monuments from the Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, and represents an outstanding example of a military stronghold. Consequently, the city was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Some of the city's main attractions include the Colosseum (Arena di Verona) located in the heart of the city's historic center, Giardino Giusti – a garden with mysterious and fascinating caves and labyrinths, Piazza delle Erbe – the ancient Roman square, once a gathering place and venue for many important events in antiquity, now a bustling open-air market, especially known for its fresh fruit, Lamberti Tower – where you can climb to enjoy panoramic views of Verona, several beautiful ancient churches and cathedrals such as San Zeno Maggiore, built in the 12th century with special Verona stones that gleam with a golden sheen, Castelvecchio Castle, once the residence of the Scala family, now a museum displaying many valuable antiques such as paintings, sculptures and precious jewelry. And of course, Juliet's house cannot be missed.

Shakespeare never explicitly stated Juliet's home, but those who watched the play or are fans of the great playwright know that he chose the Italian city of Verona as the setting for this romantic love story. At the time the play premiered, the ancient Italian building known as Casa di Giulietta received thousands of letters from fans because its exterior closely resembled that of Romeo and Juliet, instantly becoming a magnet for tourists from near and far.

Casa di Giulietta, built in the 12th century, was originally owned by the Capello family (similar to the Capuletti family name in the play). In 1667, the Capello family sold the house to another family to be used as a hotel. In 1907, it was auctioned off and purchased by the city authorities to establish a museum. It wasn't until 1936 that city officials truly took an interest in the house, when George Cukor made a film about it.Romeo & JulietPeople began to take an interest in Shakespeare's works again, and the building was restored and renovated to become a tourist attraction. Even the balcony where the two lovers met was added in the 1930s.

Later, Casa di Giulietta opened its doors, offering visitors a romantic experience reminiscent of the play's two main characters. Located in the city center, near Piazza delle Erbe, the building, with its antique exterior and romantic, poetic charm, has become an ideal stop for fans of the timeless play who want to experience "Juliet's house in real life," or couples seeking a unique experience while traveling in Verona.

Visitors to this ancient Italian building can also leave love letters for Juliet by writing directly on the walls in the courtyard or by writing a note to stick on the wall. Over time, the wall has become covered with small pieces of paper, where couples have left their loving messages, and a non-profit Juliet Club is responsible for answering these letters in her name.

Furthermore, if you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the play, don't forget to visit the famous balcony, looking down at the wall covered in lush green vines, imagining the handsome Romeo waving from below in the courtyard, just like in Shakespeare's classic. In addition, Casa di Giulietta offers guests the opportunity to stay overnight in impressive rooms. The bedrooms are decorated in a medieval theme, the highlight being the Letto di Giulietta – Juliet's bed – which is exclusively for couples.

In the small courtyard of the house, you'll find a bronze statue of Juliet with one breast worn down. According to anecdotal accounts from tourists, simply rubbing the statue's right breast will bring you good luck in love, or help you find your true love. No one can verify this, but visitors, young and old, always try to take a commemorative photo with the statue, and don't forget to touch its breast. Many have called it the luckiest breast in Europe.

Although the house is not the actual setting for Romeo and Juliet's love story, thanks to what the city authorities have created and the influence of Shakespeare, many visitors say they still feel as if they are living in this tragic love story when they step into Casa di Giulietta.

And if a romantic love story isn't enough to entice you to Verona, you might have to reconsider when you get to enjoy famous operas inside the vast Colosseum on a sweltering summer night. While you're there, don't forget to visit G. Mazzini to find relief carvings of ballet dancers by a Yugoslavian artist, fragrant soaps from charming little shops as souvenirs, or stroll through Piazza Bra to watch tourists and locals enjoy freshly bought chocolates and fruit tarts from the surrounding pasticcerias.

Especially if you're a wine lover, Verona is located in the famous Valpolicella wine-producing region, and you'll have the opportunity to sample different wines at restaurants around the city, or you can spend a day exploring the wineries in the area. Verona's cuisine is also incredibly diverse, especially dishes made from horse meat – a specialty of Verona. However, if you're not used to trying unfamiliar foods, you should avoid dishes containing words like "caval" or "cavallo." In addition, Verona offers countless delicious pastries and ice creams for you to choose from.

For an authentic Italian culinary experience in Verona, perhaps nowhere is more perfect than breakfast at Caffe Borsari, where you can enjoy a pastry and sip a smooth, creamy cappuccino under the delicate flower trellises by the window. Or a dinner at Caffe Monte Baldo, with fresh oysters mixed with minced pork and herbs, stuffed into three-finger-sized green oyster shells, fried eggplant poppette and mortadella topped on toasted bread, served with golden polenta made from finely ground fresh corn mixed with butter and spices known only to Italians, both fragrant and chewy, and absolutely wonderful when sipped with white wine. But sometimes you don't even need to go to a fancy restaurant; you can sit on the ground under a bridge in the scorching sun and enjoy a truly Italian lunch—just a ham sandwich bought from a roadside food stall or a slice of pizza wrapped in brown paper, with a crispy edge but a soft and chewy center thanks to the fresh cheese topping, bright red pepperoni slices, and a few thinly sliced ​​olives.

Verona is arguably one of Italy's most attractive tourist destinations, boasting historical, cultural, and artistic landmarks, unique architectural structures, and especially the legendary love story of Romeo and Juliet. Here, you can stroll through the old town with its flower-filled balconies, walk along the Adige River beside the towering city walls, or visit Porta Borsari, the oldest city gate, and immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of an eternal love story with a cup of rich, sweet cappuccino.

Additional information

Trip:If traveling by train, Verona is about 1.5 hours from Milan and over an hour from Venice. If you want to explore the nearby vineyards or lakes, consider renting a car for convenience. It's advisable to ask your hotel staff about parking beforehand, as finding parking in the historic center can be somewhat difficult.

Cuisine:Verona is famous for its specialties such as pandoro (a traditional chilled sugar-coated pastry, commonly served during Christmas and New Year), tortelli di zucca (thinly sliced ​​pasta cooked with pumpkin, mustard, cheese, nutmeg, butter, and sage), tortellini di valeggio (pasta stuffed with a mixture of meat, vegetables, bread, and wine, served with beef broth)... The regions surrounding Verona produce many world-renowned wines, with the Valpolicella and Bardolina regions being the most famous.

Highlights of the destinations:The Colosseum (Arena di Verona), Verona Cathedral, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliette's house, San Zeno Maggiore Basilica...

Note:

• Many attractions and restaurants in Verona are usually closed on Mondays, while most attractions and museums are free to enter on the first Sunday of each month.
• Verona is a small city and places a high value on social etiquette. You should greet locals and shopkeepers with a smile, thank them, and say goodbye before leaving.
• Piazza delle Erbe is Verona's most famous square, renowned for its grandeur and splendor. However, most of the goods sold at the outdoor market there are often of poor quality and exorbitantly priced. If this is your first stop in Verona, keep in mind that you can find better quality items elsewhere.

Huong Thao