Fair Verona

Verona was recommended to us and as we were now headed north it seemed a good place to stop over for a day. We found a very small campsite that was cycling distance away from the centre and also appeared to be a city farm. They had a small pony, chickens, geese, rabbits, peacocks, goats and a pig. The pig was enjoying a lovely nap in the evening sunshine until I approached the pen and accidentally scared the life out of it. It woke up with a start jumped up and squealed before falling over again in the panic.

In the morning the weather forecast was for 30 degree heat so we took it easy cycling into the centre. We started by visiting McDonald’s for a coffee and a pastry as they had an offer on for both for one Euro. Then we visited the Arena. The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre built in the first century. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. In ancient times, nearly 30,000 people was the capacity of the Arena.

There were rehearsals for a concert going on whilst we explored the amphitheatre and the tunnels around the outside. It is amazing to think of all the people over the past two thousand years that have sat in the arena and the sights they they have seen from gladiators to executions through to opera!

Stage set up in the arena
Selfie!

As the day had really started to heat up we retreated from the sunshine into the narrow streets to get some shade and soak up the atmosphere. Our first stop was to get some gelato. We then saw lovely cups of fruit in the market so just had to share one of these as well!

Gelato
Fruit Cups
Glass at the market

We then explored more and saw some of the old churches, the river and Romeo’s house! I’m not quite sure how as Romeo is a fictional character. Apparently we also missed Juliet’s balcony and her lucky boob!