Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? That is the romantic cry not only of Shakespearean scholars but of movie addicts worldwide. Ever since Gary Winick’s 2010 movie Letters to Juliet, starring Vanessa Redgrave et al, there’s a nonstop deluge of incoming messages coming into Verona from every nation (yes, it’s like writing to Father Christmas in Lapland). Marvellously, teams of Verona volunteers email back, spreading the appeal of actually coming to Verona.
Girlahead says that as well as oozing Capulet culture and the nationwide appeal of Brand Italy, Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage, is also renowned for its opera, in the Roman Arena di Verona amphitheatre. Its next highly renowned Opera Festival, its 99th, is slated for 17 June through to 4 September 2022.
Where to stay, at any time? Hotel Indigo – Grand Hotel Des Arts is eight minutes’ walk from the Arena, straight along Corso Porta Nuova to #105 Corso Porta Nuova. The clever conversion of a central-city palace dating back to the 18th century is now a 62-room stylish hotel. There are four 48sq m corner suites, one on each floor. All have the same layout but the ground floor one looks directly into the hotel’s inner garden.
Could this once have been the Capulets’ own home, perhaps? In fact what is usually considered their base, Casa di Giulietta, is only 16 minutes’ walk away. Hotel GM Tina Ingaldi loves trekking the city, and she can give you directions to her own favourite flea market, 20 minutes’ walk away. Back at base, relax with Arya Bar & Mixology comfort foods, say baked eggplant and mushroom-cream pasta, perhaps paired with Shakespeare Martinis, composed with Grapeheart Gin.
