I love your comments on Spritz!! My spritz life was forever changed in Venice with the Select spritz (I too steer clear of the orange ones). I must give a Hugo Spritz a go.
How wonderful to walk the sites of historical literature! And the food! I am always hungry after I read your letters! Verona sounds wonderful, and I did thoroughly enjoy the movie, "Letters to Juliet", I have to admit. The countryside of the movie is beautiful as well as the romantic story. Nothing like seeing it in person, I am sure, but a lovely film travel experience! Thank you again for a wonderful visit!
I had never heard of that movie until I went to Verona - and I still haven't seen it! I really want to, though. Thank YOU for always commenting so thoughtfully. 🤗
Visited Verona by accident after easyJet cancelled my flight.. just like to point out that Verona (like Athens and Venice) has two Shakespeare plays set there. Perhaps you could track down the "Two Gents of Verona"?
Not bad - I always seem to get rerouted to Sheboygen or someplace not glamorous at all. I thought about those guys, but they spend most of their time in Milan!
This is lovely! My daughter wrote to the Juliet club while she was there and received a hand-written reply exactly a year later. The response was very personal to my daughter’s letter - not generic - and she still marvels that someone takes the trouble when there must be literally tonnes of mail to reply to. A great piece xx
Oh, Iove that! Can you imagine how many different languages people must write their letters in - and the effort it has to take to reply? Thank you for sharing, and for the kind words. 💕
I love the background detail of how the bard may have come to write Romeo and Juliet. It seems the story has long roots and from exemplary sources. You’ve pulled it all together so well—and even included gelato and spritzes in the package!
What a coincidence! That’s so great! Love the background. I’m fascinated by the bard and this history of how R&J possibly (probably?) came into being—so excellent. Right down to the public displays of taking sides through, of all things, architecture. Cheers on some far out research on your part, and in a fabulous location.
Starbucks in Verona! Shock, horror… I hope their coffee is nothing like they serve up in the US. I have also written about our trip to Verona which will come up in September I think. It is interesting to read your perception against mine. Yours far more historical which is important. You certainly gave facts about Romeo and Juliet that I had no idea about. Verona certainly was a place I wish we could have spent more time in, and travelling with my husband meant that there were things I would have preferred to do, but one has to consider your partner. He isn’t as adventurous as me unfortunately. Thanks for taking me back through your eyes. Oh and before I forget, your photographs are fabulous!
Absolutely wonderful and fascinating, it makes me want to visit Verona even more now. Your mini-history lesson on the origins of Romeo and Juliet as an old Italian literary tale was mind-blowing!
Much enjoyed reading this Jodi, although I confess I nearly stopped at your mention of Starbucks - I don't even frequent them in the UK! Your description of Verona is wonderful and brought back memories of a long birthday weekend spent there some years ago. Watching and listening to Aida in the Roman amphitheatre - Arena di Verona will be a life long memory but it was the glass of Valpolicella Ripasso, taken in a small trattoria near the cathedral that stays in my mind just as much. A taste of heaven in a glass. So much so that my wife and I returned later to indulge in a bottle while much enjoying a simple but wonderful example of Veronese cuisine.
Thanks, Harry! I'm terribly jealous that you had a chance to see opera at the Arena! The signs for that year's season were still hanging when I visited and I looked at them longingly...
It sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday.
It was (as was the bottle of Sassicaia over looking Rome on my 60th!). I’m fortunate that my life in business took me to Italy often. I think my first business visit was to Genoa around 40 years ago where the company I worked for had an office. My wife Sarah and I are a LAT couple (I just discovered that term - I usually just say we live separately- but we’ve decided to celebrate our next wedding anniversary with a trip to a favourite destination of ours - Menaggio on Lake Como.
I had to google LAT couple - so you're not the only one it's new to. I often feel jealous of all of you in the UK and Europe...able to pop over to a totally different country so easily. I had a chance to visit Lake Garda while in Verona, but haven't been to any of the other Italian lakes. Have a wonderful trip!
A favourite of mine Etta, although my real favourite is Amarone and I did indulge in a bottle of Sassicaia on my 60th birthday - drank while over looking the roof tops of Rome from the Capoltine Hill. Whether it's the wine, food, people or sights, I may be English but an Italian in spirit - my favourite city is Naples - so many parallels with my home city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne - it even has a Castel Nuovo - and it's black and white - my football team's colours 😉
So now I'm curious, of course, what time of year you were in Verona? And, it seems, this must've been your first trip to Italy, given your introduction to Italian bar and coffee culture??? Just so very curious, since I love reading and following your "beautiful" posts . . .
Related: a friend asked me a week ago for advice on Verona, and I had to admit that I have never been there. Your post, of course, is perfect to pass along to him. And, it inspires me to go to this beautiful city. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Etta! Yes, I spent six weeks in Italy last year and a month the year before that...I started in Verona and that was my first ever time in Italy. I've been writing about my travels over the past couple of years - I began by going in chronological order then I started jumping around. I still like writing about it as it happened, as it is in my journal, but I know it's probably a bit confusing. Both trips to Italy were in November and December. Love the off season!
We should write as we feel motivated by our memories—not limiting ourselves to strictly chronological order. ❤️ Your writing is so nice! I was surprised that the introduction to Italy was so recent. Good for you!!! Keep up the beautiful things.
I loved this post, even second time around!
Wonderfully immersive - as always. Raising an Aperol (!) spritz to you now...(Must try a Hugo, though.)
I love your comments on Spritz!! My spritz life was forever changed in Venice with the Select spritz (I too steer clear of the orange ones). I must give a Hugo Spritz a go.
Ooh, I'll have to keep an eye out for that one!
This is such a magical telling of your Verona experience and now has me scrambling to see how to make Verona a part of this years time
In Italy ♥️
Beautiful and fascinating as ever. We went many years ago and took three teenagers to see Aida in the Arena...it was very....long..
That sounds….very…magical 😂
How wonderful to walk the sites of historical literature! And the food! I am always hungry after I read your letters! Verona sounds wonderful, and I did thoroughly enjoy the movie, "Letters to Juliet", I have to admit. The countryside of the movie is beautiful as well as the romantic story. Nothing like seeing it in person, I am sure, but a lovely film travel experience! Thank you again for a wonderful visit!
I had never heard of that movie until I went to Verona - and I still haven't seen it! I really want to, though. Thank YOU for always commenting so thoughtfully. 🤗
Visited Verona by accident after easyJet cancelled my flight.. just like to point out that Verona (like Athens and Venice) has two Shakespeare plays set there. Perhaps you could track down the "Two Gents of Verona"?
Not bad - I always seem to get rerouted to Sheboygen or someplace not glamorous at all. I thought about those guys, but they spend most of their time in Milan!
I had the feeling you had, just to make sure you didn’t miss out for too long
Its easy, just go in one of the bar places and say caffe, grazie or if the short one is your liking, americano, grazie or even capuchino…
Although I am hardly a pro, I did sort of figure it out eventually! :)
This is lovely! My daughter wrote to the Juliet club while she was there and received a hand-written reply exactly a year later. The response was very personal to my daughter’s letter - not generic - and she still marvels that someone takes the trouble when there must be literally tonnes of mail to reply to. A great piece xx
Oh, Iove that! Can you imagine how many different languages people must write their letters in - and the effort it has to take to reply? Thank you for sharing, and for the kind words. 💕
Yes! Exactly that
I love the background detail of how the bard may have come to write Romeo and Juliet. It seems the story has long roots and from exemplary sources. You’ve pulled it all together so well—and even included gelato and spritzes in the package!
Thank you so much, Jeanine! It's funny...I'm just in the middle of reading your wonderful article on Nancy Drew as this comment popped up!
What a coincidence! That’s so great! Love the background. I’m fascinated by the bard and this history of how R&J possibly (probably?) came into being—so excellent. Right down to the public displays of taking sides through, of all things, architecture. Cheers on some far out research on your part, and in a fabulous location.
Starbucks in Verona! Shock, horror… I hope their coffee is nothing like they serve up in the US. I have also written about our trip to Verona which will come up in September I think. It is interesting to read your perception against mine. Yours far more historical which is important. You certainly gave facts about Romeo and Juliet that I had no idea about. Verona certainly was a place I wish we could have spent more time in, and travelling with my husband meant that there were things I would have preferred to do, but one has to consider your partner. He isn’t as adventurous as me unfortunately. Thanks for taking me back through your eyes. Oh and before I forget, your photographs are fabulous!
Thank you Sally! I am for sure a history nerd, I can't help myself...
Oh-oh, I love Aperol Spritzes, which are undoubtedly orange!! LOL Oh well.
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority. :)
Absolutely wonderful and fascinating, it makes me want to visit Verona even more now. Your mini-history lesson on the origins of Romeo and Juliet as an old Italian literary tale was mind-blowing!
Thank you Odette - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!
Much enjoyed reading this Jodi, although I confess I nearly stopped at your mention of Starbucks - I don't even frequent them in the UK! Your description of Verona is wonderful and brought back memories of a long birthday weekend spent there some years ago. Watching and listening to Aida in the Roman amphitheatre - Arena di Verona will be a life long memory but it was the glass of Valpolicella Ripasso, taken in a small trattoria near the cathedral that stays in my mind just as much. A taste of heaven in a glass. So much so that my wife and I returned later to indulge in a bottle while much enjoying a simple but wonderful example of Veronese cuisine.
Thanks, Harry! I'm terribly jealous that you had a chance to see opera at the Arena! The signs for that year's season were still hanging when I visited and I looked at them longingly...
It sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday.
It was (as was the bottle of Sassicaia over looking Rome on my 60th!). I’m fortunate that my life in business took me to Italy often. I think my first business visit was to Genoa around 40 years ago where the company I worked for had an office. My wife Sarah and I are a LAT couple (I just discovered that term - I usually just say we live separately- but we’ve decided to celebrate our next wedding anniversary with a trip to a favourite destination of ours - Menaggio on Lake Como.
I had to google LAT couple - so you're not the only one it's new to. I often feel jealous of all of you in the UK and Europe...able to pop over to a totally different country so easily. I had a chance to visit Lake Garda while in Verona, but haven't been to any of the other Italian lakes. Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you Jodi - yes ‘Living Together Apart’ sounds sweeter than ‘living separately’ and it better reflects Sarah and me.
And, I want to try that wine, Harry! Thanks for the tip.
A favourite of mine Etta, although my real favourite is Amarone and I did indulge in a bottle of Sassicaia on my 60th birthday - drank while over looking the roof tops of Rome from the Capoltine Hill. Whether it's the wine, food, people or sights, I may be English but an Italian in spirit - my favourite city is Naples - so many parallels with my home city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne - it even has a Castel Nuovo - and it's black and white - my football team's colours 😉
I understand! I’m Scotch-Irish and French by family tree but Italian in my mind and spirit. Lol. And I, too, love Naples. ❤️❤️❤️
I, too, was surprised by the Starbucks stop!
So now I'm curious, of course, what time of year you were in Verona? And, it seems, this must've been your first trip to Italy, given your introduction to Italian bar and coffee culture??? Just so very curious, since I love reading and following your "beautiful" posts . . .
Related: a friend asked me a week ago for advice on Verona, and I had to admit that I have never been there. Your post, of course, is perfect to pass along to him. And, it inspires me to go to this beautiful city. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Etta! Yes, I spent six weeks in Italy last year and a month the year before that...I started in Verona and that was my first ever time in Italy. I've been writing about my travels over the past couple of years - I began by going in chronological order then I started jumping around. I still like writing about it as it happened, as it is in my journal, but I know it's probably a bit confusing. Both trips to Italy were in November and December. Love the off season!
We should write as we feel motivated by our memories—not limiting ourselves to strictly chronological order. ❤️ Your writing is so nice! I was surprised that the introduction to Italy was so recent. Good for you!!! Keep up the beautiful things.