Your LivTours’ Private Tour of Verona begins in Piazza Bra. This lovely square is paved with pink colored Valpolicella marble and is quite literally surrounded by priceless monuments and buildings from Verona’s long and fascinating history. Among the most impressive of these monuments is the ancient open-air Roman amphitheatre known as Verona’s Arena (seen from the outside). Completed in 30 AD, this was once a place where spectators gathered to watch gladiatorial combat. Today it is still in use for cultural events like operas and concerts. Other clues to Verona’s Roman past are sprinkled throughout your tour like the tall, imposing Borsari and Leoni Gates which offer a glimpse into ancient city life. Explore another famous archaeological marvel, the Roman Theater. This site is even older than the Verona Arena. Sit on its steep marble seats and learn about its intriguing history from your knowledgeable guide.
Nearby you will see one of Verona’s most famous landmarks, the Ponte Pietra or Stone Bridge. Offering the perfect panoramic view of Verona, its buildings, and the Adige river, this bridge has an inspiring story of construction, destruction, and reconstruction that spans centuries.
No visit to the “City for Lovers” would be complete without a walk through the Cappelletti family’s gardens where a statue of Shakespeare’s Juliet stands near a balcony that legends claim her and Romeo once met. Touch the statue of Juliet for good fortune and read the handwritten dedications under her balcony written by thousands of romantic visitors.
In the heart of the Medieval city you will find the Piazza dei Signori, with the crenulated palace of the powerful Scaligeri family and a statue of Dante, the Florentine poet. In Piazza delle Erbe you’ll witness the Scaligeri family tombs – stunning examples of Gothic funerary art and architecture surrounded by strong iron gates. Decide with your guide between a few optional sites to see, such as the cathedral, the artists ateliers of the Carega district, or Castel Vecchio.
Immerse yourself completely in the ancient, the modern, and the romantic side of Verona with a local, English-speaking expert who can’t wait to share it with you!