The day trips, Verona

Favorite thing: If you are looking for guided tours of the town, here are two links, taken by the official municipality site:
Veronacityguide
TurismoVerona

Another chance:
is the "Romeo" bus, from the local public BUS company.

The service is available from June 1st to October 2d (but not on mondays), and may be a good option if you don't have much time. Takes an hour and a half.

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Favorite thing: This is the best value for touring sites. For the cost of about 13 Euro for three days, you can take in all the major sites, like the arena, Torre Lamberti, Juliet's house, teatro Roma (great), and the churches and museums. Individually, I estimate the cost for each site total may be around 30-40 Euro. YOu can purchase on line, and then at the first site get a card that they earmark after visits. CArds cannot be purchased on line, and the information center does not issue cards. You get issued a permanent card at edicolas, and maybe museums.

Favorite thing: In Verona you can find a great number of wonderful churches. The Duomo for example, in romanesque style, was built in the XII century close to the Adige river, or the church of Santa Anastasia, located not far from the Duomo. San Anastasia, was built in Gothic style in the XIII century. In the vicinity of Piazza dei Signori there is Santa Maria Antica, another romanesuqe style's example, whose portal bears the tomb of Cangrande I della Scala. Not fra from the house of Romeo, continuing along Via Leoni, in the vicinity of Ponte navi, is the church of San Fermo Maggiore, which admirably unites the romanesque and gothic styles.

Favorite thing: The church of San Tomas Cantuariense was built in 1316 as a temple consacrated to San Thomas from Canterbury. This church built in romanesque style has a wonderful rose-window built in 1493 by Cristoforo Lanfranchini.

Favorite thing: The Basilica of Santa Anastasia is the most important gothic style religious monument in Verona. Construction on the Church started around 1290. It was supported by the Scala Family, however the name of the architect is not known. This Church was built not far from Piazza dei Signori square, where the Scala Family had their palaces. The unfinished façade has a beautiful twin portal with polychrome marble, base relief and frescoes. The inside of the Church is divided in three naves joined by a crossed vaulted ceiling. The plan of the Church is a Latin cross with a great apse flanked by four chapels.

Hours: 9.00-18.00 Closed on monday
Entrance: 2 euros

Address:
Piazza Santa Anastasia

Phone:
(+39)0458004325

Fondest memory: I never cease to be amazed at how much is spent on funary accessories in Italy. My all time favourite was the one at Enna (see my Sicily pages) but, even after all that I had seen, this one still surprised me.
I'd taken a turn, thinking to cut across and save some kilometres on my way to Vicenza, when I stumbled across Castelrotto. I immediately had visions of a Greek temple but, no, it was just your average everyday burial place in modern Italy.
Still amazed me though!

Favorite thing: Desenzano


I toured around the whole Lake and stopped at few places.

Desenzano is considered the capital of Lake Garda. It has an open-air market held every Tuesday that exists since the 15th century.

An interesting place to visit here is the Roman Villa, discovered in 1921. It is considered the most important example in Northern Italy of the grand villas from the Late Roman era.
There is a marvellous mosaic floor with
scenes of hunting, fishing and farming. It's open every day except Monday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Favorite thing: Sirmione


This town, which was once a fishing village has it's old part inside ramparts and called The Scaliger Castle. It was built in the 15th century upon the ruins of a Roman fortress.

The prison was located below the 47 m tall keep.

A stairway with 150 steps takes you to the top for a lovely view of the lake and surrounding area.

The imposing structure, which was recently restored, is one of the main attractions here.

Nearby there is an interesting restaurant located inside a little castle and called

PIZZERIA TRATTORIA PERHONEN

p.za castello, 18/19

46040 - Solferino (MN)

Tel. 0376-855255

What is so special about it? Its name perhonen means in finnish butterfly. After asking the staff if it was owned by a finnish they said it wasn't and couldn't answer either where that name was originating from. Very strange but well their huge pizzas were excellent!





Thank You for your visit