Making Each Day Count

After our few days’ stay in Milano, we hopped on a morning train from Milano Centrale and headed to Stazione Porta Nuova Verona. The ride was just a little over an hour, and I liked looking at the countryside scene along the way.

We intended to spend a night in Verona because I read about it from Romeo and Juliet, and I kept hearing raves about it from family who have visited before. Verona would also be our halfway stop to our next country destination, Slovenia.

From the station, we walked a few minutes to Hotel Leon d’Oro where we would stay the night. I was pleased to find it right beside Canale Camuzzoni, a narrow canal with fierce waters.

After checking in and freshening up, we set off on foot to explore the city. Our first stop was Porta Nuova, an impressive Neoclassical gateway built in the 16th century and once served as one of the city’s main entrances.

We continued along Corso Porta Nuova, a wide avenue lined with shops and cafes. As we strolled, we mentally bookmarked a few promising restaurants for our dinner later that evening.

Soon, the road opened up to Piazza Bra, the largest piazza in Verona. It was buzzing with tourists like us and street performers. It was lined with colorful buildings, restaurants and cafes. D and I took in the vibrant scene around us. What truly caught our attention was the Arena di Verona. It is a well-preserved ancient Roman amphitheater that dates back to the 1st century and is still in use today for operas and concerts. I could not help but imagine what it must have been like centuries ago.

We had a lunch reservation at Ristorante Nastro Azzurro, but with about an hour to spare before our booking, we decided to keep exploring and made our way to Castelvecchio Museum.

Its name literally meaning Old Castle, this medieval fortress dates back to the 14th century and was built by the powerful Scaliger family who once ruled Verona. Although we did not have time to go inside the museum, we lingered in the courtyard, which was tranquil and lovely. It was lined with stone arches and sculptures.

Just a stone’s throw away from the castle is the Arco dei Gavi, a Roman triumphal arch built in the 1st century AD. Originally erected to honor the prestigious Gavi family, this arch once stood along the Roman road leading into the city. Though it was dismantled during the Napoleonic era and only reassembled in the 1930s near its current location, its architecture remains intact. As we sat on a nearby bench, we admired the arch and watched the Adige River flowing beside us.

From our viewpoint, we also saw the Ponte di Castelvecchio, also known as Ponte Scaligero. This red brick bridge was originally built in the 14th century and was reconstructed after being destroyed during the World War II. It was the first of several beautiful bridges we would come across that day in Verona.

By then it was time to head to Ristorante Nastro Azzurro, which sits close to the Arena. The place had a cozy, traditional vibe. I ordered a delicious grilled sea bass, while D went for a tender beef dish that he thoroughly enjoyed. The service was friendly, and it felt good to take a slow lunch after all the walking.

Afterward, we strolled through Via Giuseppe Mazzini, an elegant shopping street lined with boutiques. We had fun windowshopping and soaking in the lively atmosphere until we reached Casa di Giulietta, perhaps Verona’s most famous tourist destination. The small courtyard was packed, and the line to enter was long, so we opted to skip going inside.

We continued our leisurely walk and came upon some of Verona’s architectural gems. First, Piazza dei Signori, a refined square surrounded by buildings and historic statues. It was once the political heart of the city, and in its center stands a statue of Dante Alighieri. Nearby was the Colonna Antica, a tall ancient column. Towering above the piazza is Torre dei Lamberti, an 84-meter-tall medieval tower offering panoramic views of Verona. Not far from there, we also visited the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare, a Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

As the afternoon wore on, we were ready for a caffeine break. We lucked out with seats at Terrazza Bar al Ponte, which had a fantastic terrace view overlooking the Adige River and the hilltop Castel San Pietro.

After our coffee, we continued our scenic walk to our second bridge for the day, the Ponte Pietra. This stone bridge is the oldest in Verona, originally built by the Romans and carefully restored. From the bridge, we had fun watching people kayaking and paddling on the river below.

After more exploring, it was time to make our way back to the hotel and call it a day. We took the scenic route, walking along the riverbank where we came across even more of Verona’s elegant bridges. We saw Ponte Garibaldi which had a modern design, and Ponte della Vittoria, a bridge honoring Italy’s military victories. Finally, we found ourselves once again at Ponte di Castelvecchio.

Before heading back to our hotel, we made a quick stop at the post office to send my sister a postcard. For dinner, we grabbed takeaway from Casamatta Bistrot Verona.

Though we only had a day in Verona, I am thankful we got to explore its lovely streets, watch the Adige river, and enjoy the food.