I'd like to spend a day in Verona between Venice and Milan. Any suggestions?

We took a daytrip there from Lake Garda in 2002.

We wandered around mostly. The arena (Verona's coliseum) was wonderful - 'newer' and better preserved than Rome's, and well worth a trip. If you can stay into the evening, there are plays there. It was Aida across our time, I'm sure it changes each season.

In reading, you'll see something about a 'C' museum. I'm too lazy to look it up right now. The old castle is neat, but the art is all biblical scenes - wasn't our cup of tea. If we had spent less time there we might have enjoyed it more, but we scoured the whole thing, thinking we would find something we were interested in!

We skipped 'Juliet's balcony' but many people do that in Verona. Again, we only had a day trip, and were glad we saw the city, as we wandered plenty, but I wouldn't make that art gallery/museum your first stop.

- Trav

Verona is lovely, with a very walkable medieval center. The arena has operas on summer evenings--a very hot ticket and crowded time there, but fine for a day trip since you won't need a hotel. You can wander and explore the different piazzas, or cross the river and climb the hill for a view. I love the church of San Zeno--great doors and altarpiece. Good food and many wine bars to enjoy.

How far is the Historic center from the train station? I plan to do a day trip to Verona also..

You could walk it in about 20 minutes, though it's not a particluarly beautiful walk. There are also buses just outside the train station and taxis. Just find one for Piazza Bra.

Thanks Ellen..We are going to spend 4 days in Venice and will take the train to Verona and perhaps stop in Padova also.

Thanks ellenem. Do you know how feasible it is to take the train from Venice to Verona, spend the day in Verona and then stay somewhere that evening near Malpensa for a flight home the next morning? Do you know where a good place to stay would be? Also, do you know how long the train ride is from Venice to Verona and Verona to Milan. Thanks!!!

debbie,
the trip from Venice to Verona Porta Nova is between 1:30 to 1:44h.
From Verona to Milan is bet. 1:25 to 1: 40..
Check trenitalia.com for schedules..

My first visit to Verona was exactly like that--a stop on the way to someplace else. We left Venice at about 9AM and arrived in Verona perhaps 90 minutes later. We left our luggage at the station. (Check on left luggage room--this was some years ago.)

We spent the morning visiting the arena and strolling piazzi, had a great lunch, glanced at Juliet's house, achurch or two, relaxed in a nice garden, and got on a train at about 4PM. We were headed to Torino, which was another four hours on the train, but Milan would be just another 90 minutes or so.

I've never stayed near Malpensa--always stayed in Milan and got an early bus to the airport.

Try this link as I think you'll find the answers to many of your questions. Especially with regard to the Verona train station.
http://www.veronahouse.com/map.uk.html

If you don't stay near Malpensa the night before, have a plan B if there is a train strike! These strikes are usually known well in advance and you can plan around them, but stay informed.

Oops....this is the link...
http://www.verona.com/en/

http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com...urnal2001.html

If you scroll down to November 5th, you can read what my cousin and I did in Verona. Nice city to visit!

Monica

Hi kismetchimera: I just returned from Italia 1 1/2 weeks ago and took a day trip to Verona from Milano on February 23. It was well worth the trip, despite the bitter cold weather. Actually, to make it very easy for you, as soon as you approach the exit doors to leave the Verona train station, you will see a tourist information window to your R. The lady there had a good map which she circled the points of interest for me, then directed me to buy a bus ticket from inside the train station (at the magazine/newspaper shop to the L of the main exit doors) to ride into town. I could have easily walked, however it was cold so I opted for the bus ride. Take the #11 or #12 bus from in front of the station (busses come every 10 mins) and it is ~ a 7-10 min ride into the centre of town. I got off at one of the Porta's and ended up walking to the Casa Giuiletta (Juliet's house), then from there through the quaint streets and shopping district to the amphitheatre. Indeed, to echo the others, the arena/amphitheatre is magnificently preserved and in wonderful condition. I can only imagine how nice it would be to listen to a summer concert there! Verona is truly magical and lovely, even in the dead of winter. I am so glad I went there and would like to return again for more exploration.

I intend to be in Verona next week, as a matter of fact (and the weather looks like it will be sunny for the entire week in the Veneto, but still cool-50ish-maybe I'll get lucky, and it will turn warmer!) I'm very much looking forward to seeing Casa Giulietta, the Arena, and I understand there are some lovely shops there as well. It is an excellent day trip from Venice.

And by the way, for those people who have never been to Venice, and want to gauge what the tourist traffic is like in and around San Marco-why, go to those live webcams! I saw last Sunday for example, that the weather was sunny, and there really weren't that many tourists around on the Piazza, and the Grand Canal looked absolutely lovely at sunset from the Rialto Bridge. One good webcam can be found at www.venicebanana.com-but there are others-you can follow links to other sites. I just checked it a minute ago, and that sunny weather seems to be holding.

A dopo!