Cheap Flights To Verona

Taken over by the Roman Empire in the first century A.D., this city parades its ancient past with its magnificent, pink-stoned Roman Amphitheatre. This dominates both the city's skyline and its cultural calendar, and every year it hosts an opera season. A maze of narrow streets and pretty squares spreads outwards from this landmark building leading you effortlessly to Verona's other claim to fame as the home of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Juliet's House is where you go to search for love. As well as its ancient and medieval history the city also has galleries full of contemporary Italian art. Then, take a break from history and tuck into a thriving gastronomic scene based on produce from the Veneto region.

Among the annual events to enjoy are the Easter-time Carnival and the Festival del Cinema Sentimentale e Melò -- a romantic film festival.

Things To Do

With its compact heart of narrow, cobbled streets and centuries-old churches and palaces, the centre of Verona is a real pleasure to explore on foot while the banks of the River Adige provide a tranquil break from the city's bustle.

• Sit amongst ancient history
  Built in the 1st-century A.D., The Roman Amphitheatre has survived the ravages of civil wars and earthquakes to remain remarkably intact. It predates the Roman Colosseum and seated up to 30,000 people. Walk down passages wide enough for gladiators' chariots and out into the open where 50 levels of tiered stone seats soar up above the arena.

• Star-crossed lovers
  Although there is no proven link to Shakespeare's famous play and balcony, this house, that has been named Juliet's House, has become inextricably linked to Juliet over the centuries. Standing on the balcony, posting love notes on the gate or rubbing Juliet's bronze statue are all supposed to bring you love.

• For fine art enthusiasts
  The Verona Gallery of Modern Art has a collection that spans the years from 1840 to 1940. It contains work by famous Italian artists like Boccioni and Morandi and is housed in the Palazzo della Ragione.

Calendar Of Events

As one of Italy's top tourist destinations, Verona has a varied calendar of annual events that range from opera and theatre seasons to film festivals and wine shows. For over 80 years, June to August has seen opera performed in the city, while at the other end of the year, Christmas is celebrated in style with a huge and intricate Nativity scene laid out in the Palazzo del Capitano.

• Verona Opera Festival. During the Opera Festival, you can enjoy lavish open-air performances staged in the historic surroundings of the Roman Amphitheatre. Pack a picnic, rent a cushion and settle in for a wonderful evening of music.

• Carnevale. Dating back to the early 17th century, the city's annual carnival takes place every Shrove Tuesday. Hundreds of decorated floats parade through the city at night while costumed characters throw thousands of sweets into the crowd.

• Festival del Cinema Sentimentale e Melò. This is a treat for film enthusiasts and takes place from the end of March into early April. Nothing could be better suited to this city of Romeo and Juliet than a festival that celebrates romantic films.