Verona

13th March 

When we arrived in Verona we bought the Verona card which included several attractions and bus travel. We followed the directions to our accommodation and arrived without any trouble. However when we arrived no one was there. Jay messaged our host and they said they were on there way. Five minutes later we were let in and showed around. The resident cat was very friendly.

We looked at the map and was pleasantly surprised to find most of the attractions we wanted to go to were within walking distance. We started with Complesso della Cattedrale (Duomo). There we were given audioguides. Some of it was interesting but all of it was long winded and technical so we only listened to some parts.

Then we went back to our accommodation before going to the Museum of Archaeology that had an amphitheatre in it.

After another stop at our accommodation we walked to San Fermo Maggiore Church.

Next we went to the Arena. It was similar to the Collosseum but in better condition. Kids were there on a school trip and they were all dragging their shoes in the sand to write messages.

We found a supermarket where we bought food for a few meals. There was a little park nearby where we had a snack of crunchy bread, sundried tomato sauce and cheese. Yummy!

For the last attraction of the day we went to Juliet's House. It had furniture from the era the play was set in as well as painting of Romeo and Juliet. I thought it a bit weird going to a house of a fictional character. Many tourists were outside taking photos of the balcony though.

The balcony 

We then went home to have dinner before heading out to see the town at night. The shops were open and many people were out. Then it was back to the accommodation for bed.

14th March 

The first attraction on the list for the day was the Natural History Museum. We quite enjoyed it. 

Then it was off to Juliet's Tomb. More craziness!

After that we went to the Radio Museum. They seemed to be broadcasting live from there. Heaps of old technology in there.

Then it was off to Museo Lapidario Maffeiano where there were lots of old Greek and Roman artifacts mostly from sarcophaguses.

After that we headed to Castelvecchio Museum because it's in a castle of course! 

Views from the top:

After the castle we stopped for a lunch of crostini and pesto before heading off to Lamberti Tower. We decided not to pay the €1 for the lift and take the 336 stairs to the top. A view is always better when you've earned it!

We then tried to see Arche Scaligere but it was closed. We went to the nearby supermarket and returned later at the opening time but it was still closed. Jay asked at a nearby shop and they said it was closed for awhile. 

We saw the church next door instead - San Anastasia Church. 

Since we still had time we decided to take the bus to San Zeno Church. After hopping on the right bus going the wrong way for a few stops we crossed the road and tried again.

When we arrived at San Zeno there were lots of kids on scooters playing in the piazza. Much to my horror a little boy was peeing on the outside of the church! There is a lack of public toilets in Italy (and you have to pay for them).

After that we decided to walk to the bus station where we took the right bus going the wrong way for a few stops again! A little later we were back at our accommodation where we had some yummy soup we'd bought the day before.

Jay can't believe how big and cheap the wine is (not that we'll drink it)