DAILY POSTCARD | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026 |
|
|
Dear International Living reader, Craving Italy's iconic beauty, but not the crush of record-breaking crowds? Meet Verona—a refined, river-wrapped city where Roman grandeur and Renaissance elegance still feel wonderfully livable. From its awe-inspiring Arena to café-lined piazzas and hilltop views, Verona offers the same timeless magic people chase in Rome—only calmer, easier, and more immersive. Come for the history, stay for the ambiance… and fall a little in love along the way. | P.S. If your vision of the next 10 years includes spending at least some time in Europe… ideally some languid trips where you can linger and really get to know the place...then you need to know about the "Euro Hopper Pass." Click here to find out more. |
|
|
Italy's Best-Kept Secret for Roman Romance |
By Valerie Fortney Schneider |
|
|
My friend Maria is a vigilessa, a municipal police officer in Rome. Her beat often includes the Trevi Fountain or the Piazza di Spagna—two of the city's busiest tourist spots. This month, she posted a photo of the fountain swarmed with people, writing, "If this is how it is from now on, I either need to quit or drown myself in that fountain!" The crowds, she said, were already as dense as a typical May or June. It's not just overwhelmed officers feeling the strain—the numbers confirm it. In 2025, Italy saw over 185 million foreign tourist visits, a 7.1% jump from 2024, according to Italy's Ministry of Tourism. (Of note, Italy's population is 60 million.) The issue is that most visitors flock to the same places, making the main cities increasingly crowded. There's a good reason people visit these places—they're historic, full of art, and iconic sights. I've spent time in many and won't argue they aren't valid "bucket list" spots. But if you've already been or want to avoid the crowds during these record-setting years, don't fret. There are other parts of this beautiful country where life is less crowded… Like Verona. Known as "la piccola Roma" (the little Rome), Verona became a Roman city in 49 BC under Julius Caesar and boasts a wealth of monuments, palaces, temples, arches, a hillside Roman theater, underground remains, and the splendid Arena amphitheater. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Roman relics and urban structure, which has evolved over 2,000 years. Verona features elements from the Romanesque, Middle Ages, and Renaissance periods, all intact. |
Verona's Arena di Verona and Piazza Bra, a perfect blend of Roman history and vibrant city life. |
The Arena, Verona's impressive colosseum, was built in the 1st century by Emperor Flavio Vespasiano. It is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and still hosts concerts and operas during the summer. The archeological museum on the top floor houses many artifacts, while pieces of the ancient wall can be seen outside in Piazza Mura Gallieno. The city's Roman gateways, bridges, and the Scavi Scaligeri underground archeological site provide glimpses of ancient Rome, including a Roman road under the Arch of Gavi. The Adage River furls around Verona, leaving the centro storico almost like an island cradled in its crook as it rises and then descends around the old town. Piazza Bra, where the Arena is located, is the jumping-off point for the city's historical center. This piazza is lined with cafes and restaurants, perfect for enjoying a drink or meal while admiring the ancient structure and street scene. There is also a Roman theater on the hill beyond the Adage River (reached by crossing the Ponte Pietra, or stone bridge, a restored ancient arched Roman bridge), and this smaller theater is still in use. You can literally sit in history here in Verona! Piazza dei Signori, with its palazzi, including the town hall, Loggia dei Consigli, and Scaligere archways, is as captivating as any piazza in the capital city. Much like Rome, the city is filled with opulent palaces, monuments, castles, and charming streets. Upscale shopping can be found along Via Mazzini, between Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe. Piazza delle Erbe, akin to Rome's Campo dei Fiori, hosts a daily produce market along with cafes. The square features the Column of San Marco with the winged lion of Venice atop, a beautiful fountain with the Madonna of Verona, and Palazzo Maffei, a "house museum" with an eclectic art collection. |
Piazza delle Erbe in Verona, a bustling market square rich with history and vibrant local life. |
Overlooking it all is Torre Lamberti, at 84 meters (275 feet) tall, it's dubbed "the highest drawing room in the city." The panoramic terraces and bell chambers can be visited by climbing 368 steps or by taking the elevator and afford 360° views of the city and surrounding environs. By day, it's great for the panoramas; by night, it is the scene of exclusive events and special evenings of aperitivi, so check the schedule to see if there is a musical evening or aperitivo planned, as it is something special. Opera lovers will be in raptures here, between nights at the Arena and at the ornate Teatro Filarmonico, considered one of Italy's best opera houses; there are shows from summer through winter. Verona also offers a rich art scene. The Duomo, with works by Titian, ornate rose marble columns, frescoed half-dome, high cross-vaults, and colorful fresco panels, features many works from the Veronese Renaissance period. Ancient mosaics can be seen beneath portions of the complex. Another highlight is the Basilica of San Zeno, with its bronze doors, altarpiece by Mantegna, massive rose window, cloister, and mosaic ceiling. There are many other churches, museums, and palazzi, but there are too many to mention here. The Giardini Giusti, with its palazzo and Renaissance gardens, holds one of Europe's oldest labyrinths. Known as "la citta' dell'amore" (the city of love), Verona is the backdrop for Romeo and Juliet. Popular sites include La Casa di Giulietta with its famous balcony, Palazzo Montecchi ("Romeo's house"), and Juliet's tomb in the crypt of San Francesco al Corso. Verona is an ideal city for exploring—walking and getting lost in the streets only to find yourself in medieval districts, a beautiful piazza, or an overlook by the river. It has plenty to do and see, an excellent food scene, and a beautiful ambiance with ocher and pastel buildings, time-worn stone palazzi, towers and archways, cultural offerings, and all the things you'd expect to find in Rome—the Colosseum included. |
|
|
Editor's Note: If you've ever dreamed about a life of slow travel through Europe's historic capitals, sunny rivieras, and rustic countryside… then I want to share an amazing resource with you. It's our newest edition of our best-selling book called: European Living: The Complete Manual for Americans Over 55. And in our newest edition of the European Living book, we've packed in even more! Including an entire chapter on the "Euro Hopper Pass...". This amazing book is yours for FREE with this special membership offer. Find out more here. |
|
|
If you want to live in Europe...then you need to read this book! Inside this offer you'll learn how to stay in Europe longer than 90-days, where to go for European luxury for less, and so much more! Full details inside. |
| |
|
Inbox too crowded? Don't worry—if you can't keep up with our International Living Postcards every day, click here to switch to the Weekly Best of IL Postcards instead. If you no longer wish to receive IL Postcards, click here to unsubscribe. The mailbox associated with this email address is not monitored, so please do not reply. Your feedback is very important to us, so if you would like to contact us with a question or comment, please click here. © 2026 International Living Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties. This newsletter may only be used pursuant to the subscription agreement and any reproduction, copying, or redistribution (electronic or otherwise, including on the world wide web), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of International Living, Woodlock House, Carrick Road, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Registered in Ireland No. 285214
Website: www.internationalliving.com Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized advice. NO-SPAM PLEDGE: We Value Your Privacy. We will NEVER rent, sell, or give away your e-mail address to anyone for any reason. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read the International Living Privacy Policy. Reference Number: |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment