There is a lot to do in Verona including some of the best preserved Roman ruins but it is perhaps best known as the setting for the most famous love story of all time, Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare in his younger days.

Romeo and Juliet fall prey to the family feud between the Capulets and the Montagues but in their death, they unite the families. While the story itself is fictitious, the city is very real. 

This story has been told in many Hollywood movies. In Bollywood (undeservedly misnomered Eastern Hollywood) the most famous one Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Bollywood or Hindi Film industry was born in 1912 - about the same time as Hollywood!!

This is Juliet's Balcony in her house called Casa di Giulietta on Via Cappello. Via Cappello (sounds close to Capulet) implies that Shakespeare had his inspiration from a real family - we'll never know if this was an old family story. While the balcony and the house itself is modest...

Shakespeare's words are immortal!

People stick love notes or make phone calls to their Romeos and Juliets

And rub their hand on Juliet's breast for luck in love

Lovers (and even some sisters) lock their eternal love for each other on Juliet's wall. 

Driving in Italy is notoriously challenging. In Verona, the UNESCO world heritage city center appeared unexpectedly and driving there is unsettling - like driving on the sidewalk of a busy shopping mall. The roads are small, paved mosaic, crowded with people and cars - barely enough space to "fit" a car and despite that, some streets are two-way, like this one!

What trip to an Italian city is complete without tasting it's own "best" version of the Gelato! Honestly, they are all good!

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