Fair Verona & Aida Opera

To awaken in a strange town is exciting - you are surrounded by adventure.

Second day was filled with exploring Verona's charming old town.

I visited square after square. Church after church.

Verona Tourism Board very kindly given me Verona Card, which for a single payment gives you free access to some of the main churches, museums and monuments plus discounts for other attractions such as Juliet's House or Lamberti Tower (read my previous post here). It really made my life easier not thinking whether I had enough change to cover entrance fees. Plus, it gives you free bus travel but I just walked everywhere. Highly recommend getting one.

Next, Verona's very own Duomo. 

Feeling roasting, I stopped for a bite to eat and cool down. During the whole stay, all I ate was pizza and pasta, dishes I don't normally go for in London. They really did taste WAY better in Italy!

Fuelled up, I said my 'Arrivedercis' to the handsome Italianos as I stepped outside to aimlessly wander the cobbled streets of Verona.

Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1117. Inside the church you can find 13th century frescoes, baptismal font and a crypt where the remains of San Zeno are kept. 

There was probably a wedding going on, as baskets of rose petals and rice were outside of this beautiful church, which are normally used as confetti at weddings.

Verona is truly the perfect place to explore on foot, as there is hardly any traffic, making it easy and safe to stroll around the city and admire its beautiful architecture.

I raised back to my hotel (read my previous post about Cinque here) to get ready for a very exciting evening of opera.

I have been a huge fan of Giuseppe Verdi, one of the greatest classical composers of all time and mainly known for the magnificent 'La Traviata' and 'Aida'.

I was extremely excited to get tickets to watch the first Aida of the season in Verona's Arena. 

Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Ramades, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. Ramades is however loved by the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris, although he does not feel the same. Very complicated love story.

As the sun set, the sky transformed into yet another masterpiece of colour and light.

Magical experience to be treasured forever. One day, I'd really love to experience Nabucco, my favourite opera of all times, in Milan's La Scala.

Next, recommendation on the most charming hotel to stay in Verona.