Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…
After Venice our real adventure began.
A road trip across northern Italy, with our first stop in Verona.
We piled out, eager to explore a new city. Especially as one as rich in history and culture as Verona.
The sun beamed down on us and we prowled the cobbled, tree lined streets.
Sunglasses // Basket (similar)
Valentino sandals – HS versions
Verona’s pretty Italian architecture, muted ochre tones and lack of almost any traffic whatsoever makes it the most marvelous place to wander.
Filled with pretty Juliette balconies (naturally) and painted shutters, it’s not difficult to fall in love with the place and get swept up in the romance.
And those colours….
We took a turn around much of the old parts of Verona, spiraling in towards Juliette’s House, somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit.
Tumbling out of a cobbled side street, we found ourselves in the main square -Piazza delle Erbe.
^ Check out the frescos on the Mazzanti Houses.
Watched over by Madonna Verona.
Atop the square’s oldest monument, the fountain.
A cool, breezy spot to catch your breath in the rising heat.
Just around the corner we found the Cappelletti house, or Capulet if you will.
Here you can visit the balcony where Romeo would have pledged his love to Juliette.
All around people leave love letters to their past, current or future soulmates.
Unmarried visitors touch Juliette’s right breast for luck and to bring them the love of their life.
A statue of Juliette, that is. And not our Julia, that’d bring you a smack, not luck.
We read as many of the notes as we could and stuck some of the fallen ones back up.
Wished the lovers better luck than Romeo & Juliette found, and went on our way.
Running into Dante himself, looking very serious and very sensibly protecting his breasts from visitors.
We visited church after church, I just can’t resist these sights…
And with aching feet, finally conceded that perhaps it was time for lunch.
Which we found at Osteria Ponte Pietra (thanks to my chap, who suggested it).
Sitting on the edge of the Adige River, at the foot of a 2000 year old bridge (the Ponte Pietra).
We took a table on the balcony, and celebrated our find with some Italian bubbles.
And there we stayed for a beautifully leisurely lunch!
Complete with some of the best olive oil I’ve ever tasted, which is not something I say lightly.
A table filled with pasta and veggies to share.
After which, Julia and I stretched out on the sofa with a cup of tea each, while the eager boys trotted up the hill to take some pictures!
Castel San Pietro’s the spot you’ll want for a proper view of Verona in all its glory.
If you really squint and peer very closely, you can probably see one pink and one purple dot, sitting on the terrace of the restaurant. That’s us!
When the boys finally came down from their castle, we settled up and set off again.
Marching along the river’s edge and back to our trusty steeds.
Reenergised and excited for the next leg of our trip!
More on that tomorrow.
