Whats Verona Like?

I live about an hour south of Verona and spend a lot of time there. The old town section is quite large and includes a small Roman Colosseum (the Arena) that is still used for opera performances and concerts through the summer and a Roman theater where Shakespeare is performed. During the winter, there is a huge exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world in the Arena and a skating rink set up in Piazza Bra. There are piazzas with frescoed palazzos, the tombs of the old rulers, and the castle along the river which now is a museum which often houses exhibits worth visiting. There are also many interesting old churches. This is all combined with modern fashion and shopping.

The interesting thing about Verona is that the most popular attractions are made up. It's possible to visit Juliet's house (and get your photo taken on the balcony), Romeo's house and the tomb of Juliet in the church where Romeo and Juliet were married. Although Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters, Verona did this in a nice way. The building for Juliet's house is typical of the period when the play is set. They had to add the balcony in the 1930's though. People write notes for Juliet and leave them at the house or in the tomb. There are always crowds of people at Juliet's house, but many people miss the other related spots including the place in Piazza del'Erbe where Romeo & Juliet first meet under the dinosaur rib.

This site has some interesting photos of Verona:
I live about an hour south of Verona and spend a lot of time there. The old town section is quite large and includes a small Roman Colosseum (the Arena) that is still used for opera performances and concerts through the summer and a Roman theater where Shakespeare is performed. During the winter, there is a huge exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world in the Arena and a skating rink set up in Piazza Bra. There are piazzas with frescoed palazzos, the tombs of the old rulers, and the castle along the river which now is a museum which often houses exhibits worth visiting. There are also many interesting old churches. This is all combined with modern fashion and shopping.

The interesting thing about Verona is that the most popular attractions are made up. It's possible to visit Juliet's house (and get your photo taken on the balcony), Romeo's house and the tomb of Juliet in the church where Romeo and Juliet were married. Although Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters, Verona did this in a nice way. The building for Juliet's house is typical of the period when the play is set. They had to add the balcony in the 1930's though. People write notes for Juliet and leave them at the house or in the tomb. There are always crowds of people at Juliet's house, but many people miss the other related spots including the place in Piazza del'Erbe where Romeo & Juliet first meet under the dinosaur rib.

This site has some interesting photos of Verona: