Other, Verona

Most attractions and other buildings, some shops etc will be closed on a Monday

But don't worry, there's still plenty to see and do, especially a lazy walk between the piazzas or some people watching in a cafe

Or you could use Monday to take a trip to Venice or Lake Garda

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Tired of seeing the main monuments turned into dirty picnic areas, the municipality recently forbade to eat, sit on the stairs, and generally camp close to the main monuments. There are signs for it (see the image) probably not the most clear.
But be aware you can be fined if you ignore them.

Anyway, a few free picnic areas , some very close to the main spots, were created, and you can freely have and drink whatever you want, sitting there, often in a pleasant shadow.

See the .pdf document at the "website" link below.

The picnic areas (see the map on the .pdf) are, by may 2009, these:
- Piazza Indipendenza (close Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori)
- Giardini Pradaval (South from Piazza Bra)
- Giardini di via Ponte Aleardi (close to touristic bus stop areas, east from Piazza Bra and the arena)
- Giardini Raggio di Sole (east from the Porta Nuova Train and Bus station)
- Santuario Nostra Signora di Lourdes (the round church on panoramic position on the hill just north of the city center)

Security check in Verona airport has emptied my photo bag and "forgot" to put back everything they took out. They check you till you drop and when they find nothing suspicious they open the hand luggage bag. Instead of putting the content into the tray they just keep it in their hands. It takes a lot of time, next passenger is coming so they make you pack back in a harry, then you find out your photo memory stick is missing. With all your dear and silly vacation photos.
You write to the airport customer service asking to return the piece - and they just ignore you.
Wonderful service it is.

Still, there was no bomb on our plane, so we must thank the guys for the job. I suppose.

So, keep an eye on all your smallest items when showing the bags and pockets.

Any visit to italian cities involves going in and out of churches to look at the art. The churches are full of fabulous art, but many are also regular churches being used by local people. You are expected to dress and act accordingly. Do not talk loudly. If there is a religious ceremony going on, wait until it is finished to examine the art near the altar.

The photo shows a sign on the door of a church which tries to say:
Not Permitted: Men and women cannot be in short shorts or sleeveless tops.
Permitted: Men can wear long shorts (to the knee) and women can wear skirts to the knee.
No dogs, no cameras.

My friend and I were hanging out in the center of Verona talking to some Danish Guys late at night. We and a young italian couple were the only ones around. A large man dressed very nicely approached us and claimed to be club promoter, it was a Wednesday night. He tried to convince us to go to the club that started out being a short walk, to then needing a taxi ride. He actually discretely signaled a Taxi which he waved off when he wasn’t getting anywhere. He was telling the Danish man how he was from a very poor african country. He was at least 6ft tall dressed in all black nice clothes, expensive watch. Maybe he was a club promoter…. But my mother always said don’t get into a car with a strange man. Both my and my friends instincts said not to go anywhere with the man. The Danish men even said they felt very nervous and uncomfortable around the man also. Just beware of mysterious characters in the middle of the night.

Make certain to wear sturdy shoes while walking through Verona. The cobblestone streets can be tricky to maneuver with flip flops or open back sandals. You don't want to turn your ankle while touring!

TOWN HALL
Palazzo Barbieri – Piazza Bra 1
Telephone 045 8077111
Open
Mondays -Friday
8.30 a.m.- 1.00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday also in the afternoon 14.30 – 17.30 p.m.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Azienda ospedaliera
Piazzale Stefani, 1
centralino 045/8071111
fax 045/916735
Verona emergenza: 118
Servizio di urgenza ed emergenza medica
(servizio sanitario con ambulanza ed elicottero)
Pronto soccorso
Ospedale Civile Maggiore Borgo Trento
tel. 045/8072120
Ospedale Policlinico Borgo Roma
tel. 045/ 8074333

Municipal police
Telephone 045 8078411
Road police
Telephone 045 8090711
Carabinieri: 112
Switchboard Telephone 045 80561

Provincial government
Telephone 045 8088751
Prefecture
Telephone 045 8012355
Police headquarters
Switchboard Telephone 045 8090411
Aliens office Telephone 045 8090505
Central post office
Information Telephone 045 8059310-8059311

Lost property
AMT Telephone 045 8005825
State railways Telephone 045 8093827
Vigili Urbani (traffic wardens) -Telephone 045 8078458

If you fancy yourself as a Romeo or Juliet in Verona's ancient streets, then you will probably want to visit what is supposedly Juliet's house and the famous balcony (which was in fact a 1920s addition to the house). However, there is a certain feel and atmosphere to the house with its pretty, very old-looking facade and windows. But if you do visit, be warned- you'll quite possibly be trampled to death. The hordes and droves of tourists in Verona all flock like pilgrims to the cramped courtyard in front of the house, and you'll be lucky even to get a photo of one of the walls, unless you're standing right next to it. English, German, French, Italian, Austrian, Swiss, Spanish, Japanese, American, Australian are just some of the nationalities I encountered in my five minute visit. I would suggest that the only real way to get a good luck at the house is to visit Verona at a quieter time of year. We visited on the 2nd of June, which we hoped might be quieter than August or July at least. Obviously not. Therefore, I would say that perhaps Easter or October if at all possible are probably better times to visit Verona and the general Lake Garda area, as I experienced similar occurrences throughout the trip, not just in Verona.

Just watch your wallet ,the usual advice and dont spend your money on many useless things.
Another important thing is when you are taking a picture of a tipicle Italian in the city of Verona make sure nobody passes in front and spoils your epic picture.

do I really need to tell you it's just a trick to rob you? I guess I do because there are crowds around these guys who illegally put their little table/blanket on the main streets and tell you to guess where one of the three cards goes after he's shuffled them and you think EASY and you get hooked ...
AND NOW THEY SPEAK MANY LANGUAGES ! they are aiming for tourists and they're getting organized!