Italy Part Two: Verona

Our second day trip was on the Monday after our visit to the butterfly garden, & was to the beautiful Verona. We had to take a train to Padua and then after that catch the connection to Verona. Unfortunately, when catching our connection, we got a little bit confused... The train was going to Verona, which was a plus, but unfortunately was a "fast train" instead of the standard "regional" ones, and because of this the ticket taker wasn't too pleased with us! We had to pay eight extra euros per person or get off at the next stop and catch another train... We chose to pay up.

Upon our arrival in Verona, we decided to stop at a cafe for a quick drink of coffee and a bite of lunch. It seems to be a bit of a Bennett (and maybe Urs now?) tradition to stop for coffee first thing once arriving at one's destination. We had some lovely drinks and sandwiches, took some precious pictures of Stanley, and set out to find Juliet's Balcony. A nice little nun pointed us in the right direction (my Aunts and Grandma insist she was trying to get money out of us, but I have confidence in human decency and a love for Shakespeare) and there it was. Through a little tunnel.

The little tunnel we went through was covered with writing - mostly names in hearts and such - and I truly wish that I had gotten a picture. Unfortunately, I had a mission, and looked over that part. I did get Scotty a postcard with a picture of it though. Through the tunnel was a little courtyard, and directly in front of us was a statue of Juliet. You may not know this, but apparently it is some sort of tradition to place one's hand on Juliet's right bosom and have a photograph taken. Apparently, it gives one good luck in love. Apparently, my love life is doomed.

To the right, was her balcony (and a cool little museum that I got a student discount on, heck yes). I went through the museum, posed on the balcony for the fam, and read all the Shakespeare quotes before our tour was done. And before I took my turn in vandalising the tunnel by writing mine and Scotty boy's name in a heart. Yes, I am that tacky.

Following, we looked at the arena where my Aunt Nicky had planned to go to a concert years before, until her plans were thwarted by a bomb threat at Heathrow. It was pretty cool. And then it was time to go home. Our return journey was much calmer too (though my family always seems to be anxious and in a hurry when we are travelling...), we rode the correct train and saved ourselves many euros. Fun times. Here are the photos :)