Dolomites

About the destination: Set amid endless vineyards and cypress groves, this melange of Roman ruins, pink palazzi and fanciful sepulchres has a romantic beauty that is difficult to over-praise. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here, and would likely be amused to know that his imaginary lovers have become Verona’s hottest tourist attraction. Nonetheless, Verona has more to offer than just Romeo and Juliet. In Verona’s centre, Brà square, there is the almost perfectly preserved Roman Arena. Up via Mazzini from the Arena is piazza delle Erbe, where corny gadgets are sold amid the Renaissance palazzo of former Veronese merchants and has a lively atmosphere with pretty cafes and dazzling restaurants. Through an arch on the right are piazza dei Signori and the Tombs of the Scaligeri, the peculiar Gothic remnants of della Scalla, Verona’s medieval tyrants. The equestrian statue of Cangrande I, head of the Scalla clan is a glorification of raw power and can be visited at the museum of Castelvecchio. But if you are an incurable romantic, at 23 via Cappello you’ll find Juliet’s house, where lovers graffiti their hopeful pleas. The house where Romeo used to live is now a bar. This ancient city exudes history from every brick and is well worth a visit.

About the destination: The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. They form part of the Southern Limestone Alps and extend from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley (Pieve di Cadore) in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley (Italian: Valsugana). The Dolomites are nearly equally shared between the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol and Trentino. Other mountain groups of similar geological structure are spread along the River Piave to the east – Dolomiti d'Oltrepiave; and far away over the Adige River to the west – Dolomiti di Brenta (Western Dolomites). A smaller group is called Piccole Dolomiti (Little Dolomites), located between the provinces of Trentino, Verona, and Vicenza (see map). The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park and many other regional parks are located in the Dolomites. In August 2009, the Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the destination: Set amid endless vineyards and cypress groves, this melange of Roman ruins, pink palazzi and fanciful sepulchres has a romantic beauty that is difficult to over-praise. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here, and would likely be amused to know that his imaginary lovers have become Verona’s hottest tourist attraction. Nonetheless, Verona has more to offer than just Romeo and Juliet. In Verona’s centre, Brà square, there is the almost perfectly preserved Roman Arena. Up via Mazzini from the Arena is piazza delle Erbe, where corny gadgets are sold amid the Renaissance palazzo of former Veronese merchants and has a lively atmosphere with pretty cafes and dazzling restaurants. Through an arch on the right are piazza dei Signori and the Tombs of the Scaligeri, the peculiar Gothic remnants of della Scalla, Verona’s medieval tyrants. The equestrian statue of Cangrande I, head of the Scalla clan is a glorification of raw power and can be visited at the museum of Castelvecchio. But if you are an incurable romantic, at 23 via Cappello you’ll find Juliet’s house, where lovers graffiti their hopeful pleas. The house where Romeo used to live is now a bar. This ancient city exudes history from every brick and is well worth a visit.