Verona

One morning we got up with the sparrows and hopped on a train to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. The train ride was only two hours each way which really isn't bad in my books. Especially not when you can spend most of the time gazing at Italian countryside.

We got to Verona at about 9am and the first thing we did was take a walk through the arena. This Colosseum-like structure is the third largest of it's kind in Italy and almost every weekend it houses a performance. While we were there they were setting up for Aida, it was rather odd seeing giant sphinxes in the middle of the old city.

Next we set off to find Juliet's balcony. I've never been a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet but I was definitely excited to see her balcony. It's the idea of being right in front of something you've known about for so long but never thought you'd actually get to experience. I know her balcony (and her tomb) are just tourist traps but nevertheless I enjoyed it.

I'm so happy we took a spur of the moment trip to Verona, it was such a lovely city with it's old cobblestone streets and colourful buildings. There was an old castle up on the hill just outside of town which apparently has the prettiest gardens around that we didn't get to visit so I definitely have an excuse to head back next time I'm on that side of the world.