Delayed post from 15th Aug

After a very short drive we arrived at out campsite in Verona at midday – right in the heart of the city and with an impressive view out across the old town. After an annoying delay at the campsite – we weren’t allowed to park up until the office reopened 2 hours later even though all the staff where there drinking coffee in the office – we headed straight into town.

I don’t know if it has just passed me by or Verona is doing it intentionally – but For such a beautiful city you don’t really hear all that much about it on the tourist trail. I thought it was a much larger an noisier city than the beautiful old city we were to discover.

Our campsite was on top of a large hill (we felt it on the way back) and so we tracked down to the river and over into the old town. All of the buildings are utterly beautiful and although often referred to as little Rome you could also, I think, call it Venice on land. One of the main tourist attractions is, of course, with regard to Romeo and Juliet. To be honest it’s a little odd…..going to see a balcony where a fictitious character from a play may have, had she had been real, possibly, been a balcony that looked a little like the one they dedicate as a tourist attraction. But it is all very light hearted and simple – although there is a bronze statue of ‘Juliet’ and your meant to rub her right breast for luck – which someone with a sense of humour must have made up on a slow day! There are huge walls on the approach to the balcony adorned with thousands of love declarations – which would be lovey if they hadn’t been so covered that people have resorted to sticking their names on the wall with chewing gum. Nevertheless it looks very cool and the teenagers sticking little post-its on there are endearing.

While the areas related to Shakespeare’s famous love story were extremely busy a lot of areas we found ourselves almost alone – it was extremely peaceful and with such wonderful architecture we were very happy to wonder endlessly.

One thing I would love to come back to would be the Opera and plays performed in the amphitheatre in the centre of town they looked incredible. Near to the theatre we stopped for a break and had possibly the most delicious drink we have ever had – a Bellini which would easily get you into trouble if, unlike us, you could afford to drink more than one of them! The waiter was the nicest man in the world when convincing us to try one and trying to get us to have some cake and water to go with it…weirdly he stopped even looking us in the eye once we turned down the extras and asked for the bill after only one drink! Ha!

The campsite was clearly set up perfectly for backpackers with tents as it was set on terraces with steep paths connecting them and an incredible view, lovely iron furniture and some great live music. We thought we would be fine to avoid the huge hills as there were a number of decent pitches at the top near the entrance. When our time came we were told we couldn’t have the decent plots in case a bigger camper turned up so they cave us a ‘pitch’ which was essentially a car parking space. All this would be fine (you have to get over and move on rather than be unhappy) and I actually really liked the campsite and the backpacker feel of it – but the rudeness of the guy with the dreadlocks who works there bordered on comedy! When we asked if we could move to a bigger plot he asked us if we were a bit over tired and that is why we were complaining – when I got locked in the shower due to a broken door he said I was lucky as I had clearly broken it myself – when asked by another camper if they could have some ice – he replied ‘oh are you expecting me to get it for you?’ It was pretty special behaviour and ensured we only stayed for one night – we have since seen a lot of similar comments on trip advisor type places about him!

Anyway, regardless, we loved Verona and will certainly be back (yes the list is getting long!)….perhaps with a duffle bag full of cash for more of those amazing Bellinis!