Verona is a city in northern Italy’s Veneto region, with a medieval old town built between the meandering Adige River. It’s famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet." A 14th-century residence with a tiny balcony overlooking a courtyard is said be “Juliet’s House." The Verona Arena is a hug//e 1st-century Roman amphitheater, which currently hosts concerts and large-scale opera performances. Here is the VHS Ventures guide to Verona, Italy.

STAY

HOTEL DUE TORRI The Due Torri Hotel is housed in a 14th-century palace in the historic center of Verona near the church of Saint Anastasia. Occupying a historic 14th-century palace, Due Torri Hotel is situated in the heart of Verona, just a stone's throw from Juliet's famous balcony. Extensive recent refurbishments have yielded a fresh facade, contemporary touches, a new dining room, an exclusive interior courtyard, ideal for cocktails, dinners and buffet suppers, and a panoramic terrace with spectacular views of the history city center. Rooms and suites are appointed with period furniture, and hand-crafted marble in warm tones, mosaic decorations, and refined textiles. Piazza Sant'anastasia, 4, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; hotelduetorri.duetorrihotels.com

VISTA VERONA With views over Verona’s rooftops to the distant hills, this boutique hotel will welcome you with opulent bedrooms, creative cuisine and Italian charm in spades. The bedrooms and suites at VISTA Palazzo Verona are designed with ultimate luxury in mind. Decadent marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and expansive living areas are some of their hallmarks. Curl up in front of your private view of the city, or find a cosy spot in the hotel’s inviting library, complete with flickering fire and plump sofas. Head up to the rooftop to feast on high-quality local produce and enjoy some of Italy’s finest Valpolicella wines, looking out over the city or in the elegant restaurant. Corticella Leoni, 3, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; vistapalazzo.com

DINE | DRINK

RISTORANTE ALLA BORSA Located in Valeggio Sul Mincio, an area about a 30-minute drive from Verona that’s known for its handmade tortellini. Three courses of pasta filled with, respectively, pumpkin, mushroom and spinach and ricotta, all dressed in sage-infused butter, are more delicious than I ever imagined tortellini could be. Via Goito, 2, 37067 Valeggio sul Mincio VR, Italy; ristoranteborsa.it

ANTICA BOTTEGA DEL VINO A must stop while visiting Verona and risotto con vino amarone (full-bodied red wine from the Valpolicella area) is the restaurant’s signature dish. Vicolo Scudo di Francia, 3, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; bottegavini.it

TRATTORIA AL POMPIERE One of the best places in town to experience traditional and local food from the Veneto region.Rustic pasta & meat dishes in a cozy dining room with old photos, sliced cured meats & local wine. Vicolo Regina D'Ungheria, 5, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; alpompiere.com

CASA PERBELLINI A warm and outstanding gourmet experience (it boasts three Michelin stars). Tables are located in front of the restaurant’s open kitchen where you’ll admire chef Mr Giancarlo Perbellini and his brigade creating wonderful food. Vicolo Corticella S. Marco, 3, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; casaperbellini.com

RISTORANTE VITTORIO EMANUELE The bar at Vittorio Emanuele restaurant sits under the galleries of Piazza Bra – be sure to stop by when you visit the Arena. P.za Brà, 16, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; ristorantevittorioemanuele.com

CAFFÉ FILIPPINI Caffé Filippini, meanwhile, serves one of the most delicious aperitifs to be found – the Filippini – which is made with a secret recipe. Piazza Erbe, 26, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; caffefilippini.it

THE SODA JERK After spending some time perfecting his mixology skills in London, Claudio opened this incredible bar with outstanding quality drinks and a Veneto twist. Classic & inventive cocktails crafted in a trendy, speakeasy-inspired locale with an intimate vibe. Vicolo Quadrelli, 5, 37129 Verona VR, Italy; thesodajerk.it

OSTERIA AL DUCA A small rustic osteria crammed with noisy diners enjoying big portions of classic local dishes. Housed in what was supposedly the Montecchi family palazzo (the Montagues in Shakespeare), this could have become a tourist trap but the wonderful owner, Daniela Mazzucco, has never allowed that to happen. Via Arche Scaligere 2, osteriaalduca.it

OSTERIA LA CAREGA On a street close to the river, it has long been a meeting place for musicians, artists, winemakers and students. It is open till 2am, with a packed terrace in summer. There is an excellent choice of wines, especially from the neighbouring vineyards of Valpolicella and Soave, but also craft beers and cocktails, and the local bubbly, Durello, which makes a change from prosecco. Vicolo Cadrega 8, osterialacarega.com

LA LANTERNA Given how meat-heavy Veronese cuisine is, you may not expect to see many vegetarian restaurants but over the past few years a number have opened up. La Lanterna is the pioneer of organic vegan cuisine and reinterprets Veneto dishes without meat or dairy.The wines are organic and there is even gluten-free craft beer. Two inventive chefs, both called Fabio, opened La Lanterna in 2013 when they became vegans and abandoned their jobs cooking with animal produce in a local pizzeria. Piazzetta Portichetti 6, lalanternaverona.it

TRATTORIA I MASENINI A charming trattoria next to the castle. Via Roma, 34; trattoriaimasenini.it

OSTERIA PONTE PIETRA Make a reservation for a table on the gorgeously planted balcony, which affords views of the ancient, namesake bridge and various monasteries dotting the hills of Verona beyond. Incidentally, the food is also very good (get the gnocchi). Via Ponte Pietra, 34; ristorantepontepietra.it

ART | CULTURE

CASA DI GIULIETTA Gothic-style 1300s house and museum, with a stone balcony, said to have inspired Shakespeare. Guests can even write a letter to Juliet, which will be answered by The Juliet Club. Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; casadigiulietta.com

PALAZZO MAFFEI VERONA Palazzo Maffei is a historical palace turned art museum in Verona. Visit the terrace for an exquisite view of Verona. Piazza Erbe, 38, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; palazzomaffeiverona.com

VERONA ARENA A Roman amphitheater, which dates from the 1st century—they hold open-air opera there in the summer. (For oenophiles, there are some nearby vineyards worth visiting too.) P.za Brà, 1; arena.it

PIAZZA BRA Piazza Bra, often shortened to Bra, is the largest piazza in Verona, Italy, with some claims that it is the largest in the country. The piazza is lined with numerous cafés and restaurants, along with several notable buildings and stunning views of the Arena; the Roman coliseum built in 30 AD.

PIAZZA DELLA ERBE One of most charming squares in Italy, once the town's forum during the time of the Roman Empire. Piazza Erbe, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

CASTELVECCHIO An impressive medieval castle built on the Adige banks in 1354 by the Scaligeri dynasty that ruled the city in the Middle Ages. Corso Castelvecchio, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; museodicastelvecchio.comune.verona.it/

TORRE DEI LAMBERTI The tallest tower in Verona overlooking the whole city. Via della Costa, 1, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; torredeilamberti.it

BIBLIOTECA CAPITOLARE A hidden jewel: the oldest library in Europe, dating to AD517, with a splendid collection of manuscripts and illustrated codici. Piazza Duomo, 19, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; bibliotecacapitolare.it

FUNICOLARE DI CASTEL SAN PIETRO This cable railway was abandoned in the 1970s but recently reopened. A great way to take in views over Verona and the surrounding hills. The funicular comes out by 14th-century Castel San Pietro and Ristorante Re Teodorico, whose terrace is perfect for a sunset aperitivo. The journey up takes a few minutes and it’s fun to walk back down the zigzag stairs that lead to the Roman-built Ponte Pietra. Via Santo Stefano, funicolarediverona.it

TEATRO FILARMONICO Many visitors imagine that Verona’s musical scene begins and ends with summer operas in our Roman amphitheatre, but the outdoor season runs from June to September and, for the rest of the year, the same orchestra and chorus offer opera and concerts in the intimate Teatro Filarmonico. Founded in 1761, it is a jewel of a theatre, staging unforgettable productions of Don Giovanni or Turandot, and ballets such as Swan Lake. Just behind it is an even more intimate venue, Teatro Ristori, recently restored to its former glory and presenting an eclectic programme from jazz to baroque, with Sunday brunch and wine concerts. Via dei Mutilati 1, arena.it

SHOP

MICHELE TURCO 1909 Pick up a traditional Veronese Pandoro (Pan d’Oro or Golden Bread), which is similar to panettone,but without nuts and raisins. Corso Sant'Anastasia, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy; mt1909.com

PASTICCERIA FLEGO Flego is one of the must-names: historic pasticceria offering the most popular versions of the Veronese pandoro, a must try if you visit the city. pasticceriaflego.net

PASTICCERIA TOMASI If you say pandoro in Verona, you say Tomasi. C.so Milano, 16A, 37138 Verona VR, Italy; pasticceriatomasiverona.it

VIA MAZZINI A pedestrian-only shopping street where common Italian and international brands mingle with cool boutiques and gelato shops.

LOVERS BOUTIQUE This Aladin’s cave of a boutique is down a quiet alleyway by the famous Pozzo dell’Amore, the medieval Well of Love, near packed Piazza delle Erbe. Young Veronesi love the party dresses and romantic outfits designed by young owner-stylist Matilde Daniele. She opened her showroom while still a philosophy student at university, encouraged by her mother, who runs a nearby clothing factory where the outfits are made. Vicolo San Marco in Foro 3, on Facebook

Verona

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