Roman arena, balconies and a river bend
Verona curls inside a loop of the Adige river, its old centre full of pink marble, Roman remains and elegant squares. The first-century Arena still hosts opera on summer nights, while Piazza delle Erbe, once the Roman forum, is surrounded by frescoed houses. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here, and crowds gather at the so-called Juliet's balcony. Cross the Ponte Pietra to Castel San Pietro for the best view, and visit Lake Garda nearby.