Romeo and Juliet's Verona: a day trip from Venice

Verona is one of the most romantic cities in Italy, and not only because Shakespeare drew on its history, culture, and architecture to write his immortal romance, Romeo and Juliet. Verona has a lot to offer: a world famous amphitheatre, medieval castles, and glorious churches, to its frescoed houses, gothic tombs, charming piazzas, and stunning vistas. This day trip from Venice will whisk you out of the lagoon and into this fairytale city with a local Verona tour guide.

Your day starts early in Venice, from where you’ll be spirited away to Verona in an air-conditioned mini bus, straight to a photo stop at Colle di San Pietro. Enjoy the panoramic views of Verona from above and learn to understand why it was the perfect setting for the world’s greatest romance. Starting our tour from the foot of a castle overlooking the town, you’ll take it all in at once. The towering spires, the castle walls, the river that hugs its curves: Verona is as romantic as it gets.

After some stunning photos from the viewpoint, you’ll take a lovely walk down into the city. Along the way you’ll stop off for a skip the line visit to the ancient Roman amphitheatre, a 1st century marvel that is one of the greatest amphitheatres in Italy and also among the top opera venues in the world. You’ll also see the Verona Duomo from the outside, and pop into the beautiful Basilica of Saint Anastasia.

You’ll visit the gorgeous plazas, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe to see the Palazzo Maffei, the Palazzo Barbieri (Town Hall) and the famous Mazzanti Houses whose facades are decorated with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. You’ll also stop by the Piazza Dante to pay your respects at the statue of Italy’s most famous writer.

Lunch is not included, so you can choose where you want to eat or ask your guide for recommendations. Local specialties include risotto, polenta and even donkey meat!

The afternoon will included a walk along the river past the Casa di Romeo - yes, that Romeo - and two very famous arches, the ancient Roman gates of Porta Borsari and the Arco della Costa, where you’ll learn about one of most bizarre local legends ever (it involves a pure-hearted person and a dangling whale bone).

Our small group tours offer unparalleled access to your expert, English-speaking guide.

Sites visited

• Colle di San Pietro picture stop
• Verona Arena (inside)
• Roman Theatre
• Ponte di Pietra bridge
• Via Sottoriva (medieval street)
• Casa di Giulietta (Home of Juliet) (outside)
• Piazza Bra (including Palazzo della Gran Guardia (outside) & Piazza dell Erbe
• Town Hall (Palazzo Barbieri) (outside)
• Piazza Dante, including statue of Dante
• Mazzanti Houses & Palazzo Maffei
• Arco della Costa
• Scaligeri Family Tombs (outside)
• Casa di Romeo (outside)
• Lamberti Tower (outside)
• Church of Saint Anastasia (inside)
• Verona Duomo (inside)
• Porta Borsari
• Castelvecchio Bridge