Spend Valentine’s Day With Romeo and Juliet in Verona

“In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…” Are there many people who don’t know what play this famous line comes from? Whether or not you can quote Shakespeare at will, you’ll likely agree Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for romance. And with Valentine’s Day approaching, maybe it’s time to plan a trip with a little extra sparkle! Today we’re joined by Valeria , a long-time local guide and admitted romantic in Verona, Italy, who loves to share the story of the star-crossed lovers with guests from around the world.

Experience Romeo and Juliet’s Verona

Think of the most beautiful, perfect couple that you know. How would you describe them? They might have a special way they look at each other, with respect and admiration. They might have a sparkle in their eyes when they speak of one another. They might almost seem to emit light when they are together. All of the above can be said of Romeo and Juliet, the immortal icons of love.

William Shakespeare had a particular inclination towards the city of Verona, Italy where he set not one, but two of his plays: The Two Gentleman of Verona and Romeo and Juliet. For sure he was not well-travelled, so he had never seen the city, but he was well-read and he could learn about it and get the sense of its history from local tales and stories. That is what happened with Romeo and Juliet: he was inspired by a then popular story about two enemy families, the Capulets and the Montagues, and their children falling in love with each other. It’s amazing that good stories could travel fast throughout 16th century Europe, from Verona to London…even without the internet!Whether you read Romeo and Juliet in school and never again or you are a Shakespeare scholar, being in the very place where things happened is always emotional. There are feelings that are inherent to being human and tie together all of us: love, courage, tenderness, fear, happiness, hope. That is why the love story of Romeo and Juliet, over four centuries old, still resonates deeply with so many people.

Did you know that still in 2022 Juliet is sent letters? It is paper letters (old school, but oh, so romantic!) and they are from every corner of the world, in every possible language. The “Club of Juliet” responds to every letter that has an address and keeps her memory alive. In 2010 they shot a blockbuster movie in Verona about the “Letters to Juliet”: and indeed, after William Shakespeare, cinema has been crucial for keeping the myth of Romeo and Juliet alive.

Verona is famous for this inspiring love story and for its Shakespearean places. What better place to head to for celebrating Valentine’s Day with meaning, charm and true romance?

Learn about the city of Verona, the play, and its endless popularity: join Valeria on her Romeo and Juliet tour in Verona on your next trip to Italy.