Verona (12th May 2010)

Verona was built along the banks of the “Adige” river sometime in the 6th century BC. It was occupied by the Euganei and the Veneti who ultimately gave their name to the region, the Veneto. In the 3rd century BC the Romans conquered the Veneto region and it took all the way up to 89 BC for the people of the region to be given full Roman citizenship.

My expectations:
1) Arena
2) Find traces of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Actually I do find it an irony to have wedding plans surrounded by this ill-fated couple.. so I pray that these couples will end happily ever after. And I wonder if I get to see Romeo's first love too...

***** Butterflygal's Trip Update *****

Bought the morning train ticket to Verona the night before so that we will not fumble in the morning. It was the first time we bought our tickets from the self-ticketing machine (and we thought we met a good smaritan till he asked for a token of appreciation. How 'helpful'.. really is minus points for me again towards Italian guys.)

Check Bflygal Trails: How to buy train tickets in Italy.

Then bought the Verona Card for one day. As Verona is pretty small, I felt one can finish visiting the popular attractions in a day.
Check Bflygal Trails: Purchase Verona Card

And off to tour around Verona for a day...

Verona: Art, Love and Music
If You love Shakespeare
don't leave Verona
without dropping a flower
on Juliet's grave

There is no world
without Verona's walls

Source: Club di Guilietta (Forgive me but I cannot decipher the author's name)
Location: Near the Arena

The actual walking plan is more haphazard though. If you happen to stay in the same hotel as me - Hotel Piccolo, the plan is to first visit Castelvecchio which is 10-15 minutes walk. The receptionist will provide you a map of Verona.

This is a rough plan of how I toured Verona in a day.
1) Castelvecchio
2) Piazza delle Erbe / Lamberti tower
3) Arche Scaligere
4) Casa di Giulietta
5) Verona Duomo
6) Piazza Bra / Verona Arena
7) Tomba di Giulietta

Oh and I like this hotel very much. The breakfast it provided reminded me of those Europe hostel days with a wide spread of bread, ham, cheese, very unlike the typical Italian Colazione.

So first stop Castelvecchio or Old Castle.
Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Castelvecchio

Then had lunch before heading towards Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square). From the Castelvecchio, once you got your bearings, it is a fairly straight path all the way till you reach Piazza delle Erbe.

The central area is occupied with little umbrella stalls selling tourist souvenirs e.g.

masks, keychains, magnets....

The main attraction though is the Lamberti tower which I have set my mind to climb. Of course you can take the elevator too.

Top of the world... or more appropriately Top of Verona feeling!!

Was curious how it will look like at night and went back. Surprised to see the top in blue light this time. Unfortunately it is closed so unable to climb the tower again and see the Top of Verona at night.

Check Bflygal Trails; Visit Piazza delle Erbe

After you climb the Lamberti tower, around the same area, you can also find Dante Alighieri statue. Dante was born in Florence (which I will visit later) and in my memory is best known as the one who constructed the Italian language. Thus he is also fondly remembered as the "Father of the Italian language".

In 1314 Dante, a famous Italian writer and a public office holder arrives in Verona. Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was an envoy and a prior at the magistrate in Florence. He lived in Verona until 1319.

 You can read more about Dante Alighieri in Wiki.

Further round the corner you can find Arche Scaligere (Romeo's House). The only telling sign is the sign

O, Where is Romeo?
Tut, I have lost myself, I am not here;
This is not Romeo, He's some other where.
(Act 1, Scene 1)


Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Romeo and Juliet in Verona

Walking down Romeo's house, around the next corner, a few steps more and you can find Casa di Giulietta or Juliet's house. You might not recognise this romantic twelth century house though because at the entrance, the walls are plastered with little pieces of paper. I personally was wondering what is so special about this building and had to take a double look to confirm it is Casa di Giulietta.

These little pieces of paper contained names and messages written by lovers all over the world and is supposedly a symbol of good fortune and everlasting love for one another.



All these reminds me an article in Marie Claire on the movie Letters to Juliet. Set in Siena and Verona, this movie was adapted by the book Letters to Juliet by sisters Lise and Ceil Friedman in 2006. The book probably made gave The Juliet Club and its penpals more attention which is good in some sense. Hope I will be able to watch the movie soon. Sadly I did not drop by Siena...
 CLUB DI GIULIETTA - THE JULIET CLUB
via Galilei 3 - 37100 Verona
Tel: (+39) 045 533115
Email: info [at] julietclub.com

I wish to be in the Juliet Club reading the letters, translating the letters and replying the letters... can I?


Go through the passage way into the court yard.

Anyway going through the passage way into the court yard and you will see lots of tourists..

as well as a bronze statue of Juliet by sculptor Nereo Costantini standing in the courtyard.

In my memories, Romeo is just a tragic guy who forgot his first love after meeting Juliet, and who is rash and thus easily provoked to make lousy decisions causing grief to everybody around him.. Juliet on the other hand is the calm and resourceful character who gives much thoughts before staging her fake death. She is like the heroine in the love story, someone who is not afraid to love and to die for love.

To the right is the famous balcony.Visit the house and you can have a feel of being Juliet on the balcony too.

Credits: Pwnstar

You can also preview how Juliet's bedroom looks like.

After finish touring this 5-floors building, (I did not expect it to be so big from the outside), drop by the souvenir shop and see if there is anything interesting to bring back home as souvenirs.

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Romeo and Juliet in Verona

Next stop is Piazza Bra or Verona Arena
Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Piazza Bra / Verona Arena

It is where the bronze book is located as mentioned at the top of the post.

You may also find some gladiators in Arena who is hoping you will take photos with them and earn some quick bucks from you. So please discuss your prices with them before taking photos with them else woe betide you should you be ripped off (especially true in Rome's Coloseum).

Of course I cannot miss out visiting the Verona Duomo. This one charge admission fees but if you possess the Verona Card, you can enter for free. It is also special because below the ornate romanesque church, is an earlier "pagan" temple. Worth a visit!

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Verona Duomo

Last stop is Juliet's tomb. Had to rush all the way there for fear it will close soon. And this is one place I cannot missed because the bronze book has dictated that one must drop a flower on Juliet's grave before leaving Verona. (Did I really drop a flower though is for me to know and for you to find out.. when you visit Juliet's tomb too "p )

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Romeo and Juliet in Verona

Locks can be found in most bridges in Italy. This is an interesting sight and the story behind it was highlighted to me later in Florence by a walking tour guide.

Check Bflygal Trails: Copy Italian Love Expression

Last topic as usual is on food...

I miss their fresh and succulent strawberries.. absolutely thirst quenching!

Check Bflygal Trails: Eat Strawberries in Italy

as well as their gelato.. the number of flavours one can choose often makes one in headache...

not forgetting Italiano thin baked Pizza...

And lastly Italian affogato, a mixture of both vanilla gelato and espresso. Well if you cannot make up your mind on whether you want a drink or a dessert, choose Affogato =D !

Check Bflygal Trails: Read Italian Menu

Related Posts:
Part 0: Arrivederci SG! Buongiorno IT!
Part 1: Milan (9th May 2010 - 11th May 2010)
Part 3: Venice (13th May 2010 - 14th May 2010)
Part 4: Pisa (15th May 2010)
Part 5: Florence (16th May 2010 - 17th May 2010)
Part 6: Rome (18th May 2010 - 21st May 2010)

Milan (9th May 2010 - 11th May 2010)

Lots of complaints before I even embarked on an Italian affair.. because
1) Air tickets increase price in April
2) SQ tickets are super expensive... (I don't see it benefit me because I did not buy SIA counters ah hahaha)
3) One way tickets are EVEN more expensive
and probably 4) Italy is expensive

Ok so I'm trying to convince myself now that money isn't everything (considering I'm jobless and can embark on an Italy trip.. one wonders what I'm feeding myself now...) then... with the planning done.. here's the preview of what I thought (and then I will again do an aftermath of my Italy trip)

My only concern in Milan...
Milanese Safety
Unless you venture in dangerous suburbs, Milan is a rather safe city.
Else,
1) Beware of the migrant vendors in the streets
2) Beware of pigeons feeders
3) Be careful crossing the street: drivers don't usually respect pedestrian crossings unless there is a red light for them to stop.

My expectations...
1) Fidenza Village (Outlet Shopping)
2) Cenacolo Vinicano I am still praying for a spare ticket on 11th to appear.. checking the site constantly...
Oh.. managed to grab 3 tix on 28th April as blogged previous here
Other than Last Supper (Il Cenacolo or L'Ultima Cena) by da Vinci, I hope to see The Crucifixion by da Montorfano.

Source: Wiki

Source: Around.com

***** Butterflygal's Trip Update *****

0630: Reached Milan Malpensa T1 at 6.30 am in the early morning.
Wanted to search for Agenzia Autostradale but could not find it. And somehow it is too early so most booths are unmanned. Thus I end up taking Malpensa Shuttle instead.
Check Bflygal Trails: Taking bus out of Milan Malpensa

Reached Milano Centrale Stazione in an hour. Pretty accurate time estimate.
In the bus, I caught sight of people in wind breaker and realised.. Italy must be cold. Mentally made up my mind to get a wind breaker ASAP.

0900: Bought Abbonamento bigiornaliero (which is a 48h travel ticket that costs 5.50 Eur) from the newstand. Apparently in Milan, there is no metro office. You have to purchase your metro tickets from the newstands.
Check Bflygal Trails: How to buy metro ticket in Milan

0915: Reached Piazza Castello but was unsure where to wait. Asked a waitress in the cafe and a guy in the Autostradale Viaggi office before I finally confirmed the waiting area. (p/s: My first impression of Italiano guys - either man of few words or too haughty)

0945: The Fidenza Express came on time. Sweet!
Check Bflygal Trails : Fidenza Village

1200: Reached Fidenza Village. Bought my windbreaker-cum-raincoat which I abused it the whole trip by wearing it constantly. Indeed I am grateful for my windbreaker as it kept me dry and warm.

Had our first lunch (and only meal in Fidenza) too. Consisted of parma ham, spaghetti and hot chocolate drink. The basket of bread was included as part of their il coperto (cover charge—for bread and water).
Check Bflygal Trails: How to read Italian Menu

Then took the shuttle back to Piazza Castello and..

visited Milano's Chinatown - Via Paola Sarpi
Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Milano's Chinatown

I always like to visit different countries' Chinatown, especially their supermarkets to see what they sell. I have to admit that compared to London's Chinatown, Milano's Chinatown paled in comparision.

The next day, visited Leonardo da Vinci's Horse.



Leonardo da Vinci worked on this project from 1482 to 1499 but it was destroyed by the French invaders who ousted Leonardo’s patron, Ludovico il Moro, from power. In 1977, Charles Dent, an American pilot and a great enthusiast of Renaissance art and Leonardo in particular, decided that it was time to build the horse. Though he died on Christmas day in 1994, work continued and on 19th July 1999, the pieces were transported to Milan to be assembled. The final sculpture was unveiled by the American ambassador Thomas Foglietta on 10th September.

FYI, Leonardo's statue can be found near Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.



After visiting Leonardo's horse, continued the long walk to San Siro Stadium.


There is a museum dedicated for both Inter Milan and AC Milan fans if you are interested. Unfortunately we were too early and were unable to peek inside the stadium.

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Milano's San Siro Stadium

Took the tram back to central Milan and decided to visit Milan Aquarium since there is still time before we can visit the Last Supper.

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Milan Aquarium

Then head to Santa Maria delle Grazie where the building next door is where Cenacolo Vinicano is located.



Unfortunately (or fortunately for the organisation), no photography is allowed. So one can spend 15 minutes just staring at the Last Supper and the Cruxifixion.

p/s: I play cheat and took a picture of the postcard haha.

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Santa Maria Delle Grazie

Last to-do item is to climb Duomo. Duomo is a generic Italian term for a cathedral church.





Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Milano Duomo

Then went to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and did our LV shopping as well as hide from the rain haha.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Architect: Giuseppe Mengoni (1829-1877)
Edificata: 1865 - 1878
It was given the alternative name of "Milan's Sitting Room", as it's been a place of gathering and social meetings. Among the most ancient examples of "roofed gallery" it's made of iron and glass.

Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Check Bflygal Trails: LV Shopping
Check Bflygal Trails: Claim your Vat in Italy

My last point is always about food.. so what Milanese Food I ate?

First typical Italiano colazione (breakfast) which usually consisted of cappuccino with croissant.
Check Bflygal Trails: Italian Colazione

Also tried their Luini which is my lunch and energy food before I climbed the Duomo roof.
Check Bflygal Trails: Eat Luini

Probably the only "regret" I had is I did not managed to try their Milanese aperitivo. :-(
Check Bflygal Trails: Visit Navigli

Related Posts:
Part 0: Arrivederci SG! Buongiorno IT!
Part 2: Verona (12th May 2010)
Part 3: Venice (13th May 2010 - 14th May 2010)
Part 4: Pisa (15th May 2010)
Part 5: Florence (16th May 2010 - 17th May 2010)
Part 6: Rome (18th May 2010 - 21st May 2010)

Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Pwnstar for his superb photographs!

Arrivederci SG! Buongiorno IT!

Bought this travel set for fun as I felt it was quite worth the deal (costing 10 bucks) for vichy products... bringing it to Italy with me... Lucky bag :p

And after nights of not sleeping, this is the stack of tourism materials I am bringing along... seems thicker than my Europe trip hmmm...

Oh and it is Mother's day today. Yesterday I thought of my sponsored and miraculously got her letter at night.. but nah is not to wish me that haha. Afterall I am not really a mother.. I treat her more like a curious child and will sometimes drop some guidance to her (well she is also teaching me stuff too.. exchange of ideas). 2 weeks of uncontactable, I wonder what will happen to me next. La Dolce Vita (the sweet life) is very prominent in Italy considering I have to check carefully the opening timings.. and I wonder will I get addicted to it... and if I do, can I stay and join them??

Hours before my flight, and all I gathered is.. my mind is too active.

GA, please bless the trip, with good weather. (Talking about weather, SG is turning rainy these 2 days.. not that I am complaining.. Excuses to skip running now haha!)

***** Butterflygal's Trip Update *****
1) Vichy products seem cheap in Italy but I did not feel like buying...
2) The weather was wet and cold initially. My agenda was to get myself a windbreaker in Italy and on the first day, I immediately sourced for one upon touch down. It became my life saviour for the whole trip.
3) And yes, I managed to come back safe and sound without losing too much hair (I hope). As for the La Dolce Vita, seriously, if I can, I really want to hide myself up in the domes and forget all about reality. I envy the nuns who can just pray in the chapel for hours, at least God is listening.
4) I like Italy, I just hate the people. I commented that to XX and he gave me 3 liners which I totally agree
- they have rich cultures,but it's not achieved by the current people
- and the current generations never take care of it, they just exploit it for tourism dollars (Venice is the best example)
- nothing is achieved, and yet they are so proud and arrogant
Indeed I am saddened to see a country so rich in heritage, so beautiful in scenery, ruined by the countryman's pride.

Related Posts:
Part 1: Milan (9th May 2010 - 11th May 2010)
Part 2: Verona (12th May 2010)
Part 3: Venice (13th May 2010 - 14th May 2010)
Part 4: Pisa (15th May 2010)
Part 5: Florence (16th May 2010 - 17th May 2010)
Part 6: Rome (18th May 2010 - 21st May 2010)