Verona?
 

I am looking for opinions on the worth of a stop in Verona. I will be traveling from Porec, Croatia to Milan in one day. About 6 hrs. 30 min. of travel time, mostly by train. I have a room in Milan for the night, so just wondering if Verona is worth a few hours or not.<BR><BR>Thank you.

If I was you I would cancel the night in Milan, and stay in Verona instead. as Verona is right up there with the big three in Italy, Venice, Rome and Florence. For my personal taste it is number one, as the crowds spoil the other three.<BR>Plenty of fast, early trains to Milan next morning, to pick up your existiong itinerary.

Don't know when you're traveling. I liked Verona but it was very crowded. We traveled in the summer.

Before I read any of the other responses, the first thing that crossed my mind was, Why even bother with staying in Milan? And low and behold Tony also said the same thing, i.e. cancel Milan, and enjoy Verona. I found Verona to be a very pleasant and interesting town. Whereas Milan was to me plain boring, although the food was good. But that can be said of all Italy. If you are a "brand name freak", then Milan is heaven. If you are into quaint Italians towns, then stick to Verona.<BR>Sorry, any Milani out there, but I can't quite see all the fuss over Milan. <BR><BR>Ron<BR>

I echo the other's comments regarding Verona. We stayed there for two nights last May and enjoyed it quite a bit. The Roman Arena is fabulous (still has its marble facing) and sitting in Piazza Bra watching the evening strollers is sublime. It was busy when we were there -- I believe it is a popular conference/convention locale in Europe. An international bakers' convention was in town while we were there. Shopping was wonderful there. Not as "intimidating" as it seems in Florence or Rome (which we visited later in our trip -- we sort of ramped up to the bigger cities!) Verona is on the only river where I've ever seen ducks who appeared to be swimming for dear life. Since the waters are rushing down from the Dolomites, the current is quite strong. Verona also is a university town, and carries a kind of intellectual aura. Yes, there is the schmaltz of the Romeo and Juliet locales, but in spite of that, it is a romantic little city.

We stopped in Verona because Michelin highly recommends it, although there was no recommendation from any person. It is really great. Their plaza was probably the liveliest and the one that had the most use by the locals. It was always packed. The city is beautiful, the coliseum is great, the food was delicious. We felt we had stumbled into a wonderful secret.

I agree with Tony. Forget Milan and head to Verona. Milan can be pretty rough and industrial. If you love to shop at the Italian designers it great. If you want to experience the hpspitality of an Italian city go to Verona. They have an amazing little amphitheatre and there are many quaint and delicious restarants and cafes. They also have some interesting open air markets. Also if you want to see a really great little winery take a side trip to Sergio Allegheri's about 25 minutes by car frm Verona. Enjoy!

Verona is absolutely lovely. You must stop and see Juliet's (of Romeo and Juliet) balcony. Very beautiful little town. I would highly recommend it.

I have also had a great experience in Verona. I would highly reccomend it. They have great shopping, sidewalk cafes, and sights to see, and it is not quite as touristy as Venice. They also have a beautiful Coliseum, but we weren't able to see it because it was closed when we were there. Check ahead of time to see the hours, as they are strange. But all in all, I would definitely reccomend it!

My family and I loved Verona. Be sure and take part in the evening stroll around the piazza. Such fun. Beautiful Adige river through the city..lovely sites. I have several nice photos on-line if you care to see them...You won't regret visiting.

We just returned from Italy last month - driving from Milan to Venice we stopped in Verona on our way. We were sorry that we hadn't planned at least a couple of days to REALLY explore this beautiful city. Like the others recommended, I would skip Milan and include Verona as a "Must see" <BR><BR>We plan a longer visit in Verona next trip - hopefully 2002!

David, A longer stay in Verona is a must. You can catch the local buses to any town on Lake Garda to spend the day or do a trip to Milan by train. Lots of fun.

Verona is a fabulous place from which to take day trips to other noteworthy art cities in Northern Italy. Each of the following cities are within a two hour train commute (one-way) from Verona:<BR>North: Bolzano, Trento<BR>South: Bologna<BR>East: Vicenza, Padova, Venice<BR>West: Garda, Sirmione, Brescia, Milan<BR>Southeast: Ferrara<BR>Southwest: Mantova, Modena

I, too, love Verona. Their summer opera festival is wonderful, but very big. If not attending the opera, you wouldn't want to be there then as the hotels almost double their prices (at least ours did from one year just before the opera to the next year during the opera). And the entire city is really packed during the festival. But it is a really remarkable gem of a small Italian city.

Agree 100% with other posters - skip Milan and stay in Verona. I spent two weeks in Verona last January and plan to return for a week in May. A great base to visit Padova, Venice and the Lakes.