Italian Renaissance - Verona/Lake Garda

Tour Overview.    Stay 1 - Tuscany.    Stay 2 - Venice.    Stay 3 - Verona/Lake Garda.

Where to stay?

Bella Italia - a large modern parc in a wonderful lakeside setting with superb facilities and activities.

Cisano/San Vito - a lively parc with its own private beach and plenty to do with numerous activities and entertainment.

Europa Silvella - a modern parc set amongts fragrant citrus, olive and fig trees with a stunning pool complex.

Day 10

Drive from Venice towards Verona and Lake Garda and check into the Lake Garda parc of your choice.

Day 11

Taking the short drive from Lake Garda to Verona will reward you with possibly the most romantic love story of them all - William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Although proper historians correctly state that this tragic love story was originally set in Siena and not Verona, this does not take anything away from the new setting, initiated by Luigi da Porto's "Istoria novllamente ritrovata di due Nobili Amanti". The balcony falsley claiming historical connections to the famous couple has become a tourist attraction for lovers all around the world. Take a stroll through the short passageway that leads to the balcony and take time to read some of the hundreds of slips of paper carrying lovers grafitti. Stop at the demure bronze statue of Juliet. Local legend states that by touching one breast, you will receive good fortune!

In the afternoon, spend time at the stunning Basilica di San Zeno Maggior, considered by most to be one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. To complete the scene of total elegance, make sure you observe the glorious 72 metre tall bell tower, as mentioned by Danto in Canto 18 of the Divine Comedy, as well as the spectacular Rose Window. Finish the day at the smaller, but no less impressive, Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the finest buildings in Verona.

Day 12

Begin your second day in Verona at the impressive Sant'Anastacia. Although a little before the Italian Renaissance, the inside of this huge structure is quite possibly the finest example of Gothic architecture in Italy. Note however, how its proportions, design and various other elements are distinctly Romanesque. Make sure you head for the two waterstoups inside, upheld by some hunchback figures, as well as paying attention to the impressive portal with its faded 15th century frescoes and carved scenes from the life of St. Peter Martyr. As stunning as this all appears, notice how the facade is actually unfinished.

For the afternoon take a stroll along Verona's riverside and amongst the overhanging streets and notice how everywhere you turn, you are confronted with perhaps the most famous Renaissance painter of them all - Paolo Veronese (1528 - 1588), often referred to as simply "Veronese", whose home was Verona. Along with Titian and Tintoretto, these were the pre-eminent Venetain painters of the late Renaissance. Whilst his most famous works are in museums around the world, his masterpieces include the The Wedding at Cana, Allegory of Wisdom and Strength and The Battle of Lepanto, currently on display at the Louvre in Paris.

Day 13

After an impressive tour of the key regions of the Italian Renaissance, you have the choice of remaining in Lake Garda and spending a few days recuperating by the lake's warm waters, or you can head home.