The trip from Venice to Verona & My Special Evening

Here is another piece of writing about my trip through Italy. This time I’m taking you to Verona, best known for its Shakespeare associations and Romeo and Juliet stories. But, most of all, Verona is a busy town dominated by an exceptionally well-preserved 1st-century amphitheatre. Every year city uses the venue for the annual summer opera festival. Furthermore, I will reveal to you the beauty of Verona and why she left such a strong impression on me. I will also refer you to a minor accident that happened to me when I arrived in the city.

 

Last breakfast and walk in Venice

Like the previous day’s breakfast, the morning dawned was simple but perfect. The smell and taste of the croissant made me happy, and coffee, as always, was pleasant. I checked my plan and route for that morning and went to finish packing to get going as early as possible. I planned to stay in Verona for a day and a half, so I was in no hurry. I walked the streets of Venice a bit more, looking for inspiration and enjoying every moment of the sunny day.

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What I like about Europe is that it has very fertile land. Whether it is a fruit or a vegetable, whatever I take, it has a phenomenal taste and aroma. I have to admit that it is very different from the climate of New Zealand, where that aroma is lost, and all fruits and vegetables are not so flavourful. The soil has much influence, but it may also depend on other factors. I mention all this because I was inspired by juicy strawberries I just bought for refreshment.

On my way from Venice to Verona

I think it’s time to say goodbye to Venice, at least for now. Somehow I was affected by leaving Venice, but I will undoubtedly return. The trip from Venice to Verona didn’t last long, maybe an hour and a half, so I didn’t even stop for a break. I was amazed at how quickly I arrived.

Accommodation in Verona

I wanted to check in to a small motel where I rented a room, left things, and go to the center for a walk to see what was going on in the city since I hadn’t planned anything for that afternoon. I entered the motel. It was a little older place than I imagined, but decent. In the extension of a motel, a small restaurant reminded me of the old Serbian old restaurant we call ‘kafana’ in Serbian. I was not impressed, but I didn’t care too much either. It was nice and clean at a very reasonable price.

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Motorcycle check

Satisfied, I was getting ready to go to town. In the meantime, I talked to mom and friends, including David, my mechanic, who, I have to admit, checked every day to see if I was ok. And then, he mentioned that I should check the oil in the engine.

Of course, I didn’t check the oil until he told me. I went to see the bike, and I had something to see. Everything is dry, and there is not a speck of lube. My facial expression changed when I realized that my engine could die and my journey could end because of forgetfulness. I understand that Sunday, summer, vacation time, and shops rarely work.

What should I do? I don’t even know Italian, so how to ask where I can find oil to buy. However, some locals, together with the motel owner, wanted to help me, so they somehow explained where I could see oil with their feet and hands. That was funny. It was like in a mimic movie full of movements and gesticulation.

In the meantime, I realized that I had no fuel, just a bit, hahaha. And so the fun began. I went to the gas station, which the motel owner told me was working, but the pump was not working. Luckily, in Venice, I took a card with the internet to google which stations are open. I wanted to refuel along the way, but none of the pumps worked, except for one where I had to do it by myself.

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Of course, all the instructions were in Italian, so I had to rely on my language ​​and recognition talent. I don’t even know how I managed to get fuel, but I was satisfied that the problem was solved. And so I headed to some big store that works almost non-stop, hoping that my engine wouldn’t stop somewhere in the meantime. I didn’t have a phone holder on the motorbike, so I put the phone in a tank bag in a transparent pocket to see the route I was going.

Crazy feelings! I managed to take a few photos with different oils and send them to David because he knows which oil I need, and David knows Italian. He sent me a message on what to bring, and that’s where my party ended positively. So I calmly drove to the city center to relax a bit. That is how my day in Verona started.

 

As you see, lots of things can happen on your trip so I will share a few safety tips if you travel by motorbike.

 

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TIPS EVERY RIDER SHOULD KNOW

When I travel, I forget about some essential aspects of motorcycles because I am obsessed with the journey, landscapes, and activities. If you desire to learn to ride a bike and go on a motorcycle trip like me, it would be wise to inform yourself. There are a few things that need to be checked along the way.

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1. Watch your blind spots and ride like you are invisible
2. Speeding –The sound of bike and beautiful environment makes me forget to control the speed. Yes, it happens, but speed limits are created for a reason, so use common sense.
3. Wear safety gear – wear your safety gear. Even when it’s hot, you should wear a helmet, gloves, and other necessary equipment. What happened to me once was that the road was so slippery that my motorcycle slipped as I was going 10km per hour. Of course, I am not big and robust, so the engine fell on my leg, and I was left unharmed because I had boots and good pants. Much worse things can happen while driving on the highway or at higher speeds.
4. Check your bike before ride:
   • Oil and other fluids
   • Stands
   • Tires
   • Brakes
   • Lights and electrics
5. Be sober while driving – sometimes we forget about wine and beer consumption during vacation because we are relaxed, enjoying the experience

If you are interested in going for a motorcycle trip and have more info, you can find it via the links below the text.

My special evening in Verona

I parked in a lovely street full of trees. As I see the city of Novi Sad in Serbia, I also see Verona in Italy. The small town, beautifully packaged, exudes culture and fashion. A delightful feeling is in me as I walk the streets of Verona. Everything is excellent in this town. You can feel some warmth in the air, a pleasant atmosphere, and the beauty of the space. How different it is from Venice! The feeling itself as you walk through the city changes. In Venice, it is mystical, mysterious, and romantic. And Verona, somehow rurally romantic, full of liveliness and some simplicity.

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Arena di Verona

When I came out of the small streets, the first thing I saw was the well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater. Enormous construction and exquisite charm! Probably a lot of blood and tears were shed while such a magnificent creation was made. I admire how beautiful it is but still feel some heaviness in my stomach because of those who built it. I immediately came to see how I could get in and see the inside.

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I spotted a ticket office where an older woman was selling tickets. I asked her what was on the repertoire. It was La Traviata in the repertoire, an open-air opera. I found out it starts in 5 minutes and has only two more tickets. Next to that ticket office, there was another one across the street, and there I saw a man buying tickets as well. I thought if he had bought two tickets, I wouldn’t be able to see the famous open-air opera. I panic, trying to explain to the woman that I want access now, as soon as possible. She realized I was in a hurry to grab the last ticket. And that’s how I went to see the famous La Traviata! It was phenomenal. You can see a part of the recording in my video here.

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I was enchanted by the stage, music, voices, and costume design, all under the open sky. It was unreal. It takes so little to make a person happy.

Romantic Atmosphere in Verona

Walking and collecting impressions, I realized that I had not eaten anything for a long time. My appetite just opened up, especially when I saw a restaurant serving pasta. Ah, that smell evokes so many memories :). I decided to order one of my favorite dishes, seafood pasta and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The scent is fantastic, and just the taste, ah, is terrific. Nothing is more beautiful than bathing seafood with white wine, garlic, and lemon. There is one recipe I tried, and I liked the taste. If you would like to try the recipe, see the link below.

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Verona Fashion & Style

The evening exuded freedom and calm. The beauty of the city and the moderately warm air-filled me, and my happiness was still present. Looking through the shop windows, I noticed that Italians have a sense of fashion and design.

Naracamicie, you can see in the pictures (see more info below), makes very high-quality blouses, shirts, and T-shirts. The models emphasize femininity in girls and women. I was tempted to take something, but I didn’t have room in my luggage. I barely managed to close my bags. You should see my packing. Most of the time, I look just like Mr. Bean.

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After a long walk of one to two hours, I was exhausted and ready for bed. I didn’t have the strength to explore the info book to see what I could visit in Verona tomorrow. I remember it was on the map ‘Giardino Gusti,’ a big garden, but I didn’t have the strength to check, And I left it for the morning.

Morning in Verona

The other day when I arrived in Verona, I didn’t visit much, to be honest, because I wanted to relax. I visited the Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori I Loggia del Consiglio, and Giardino Giusi. That is all. I didn’t take photos, so I don’t have pictures to show you. It was a very relaxing day with several hours of walking and plans for visiting the following places.

Places I visited in Verona

Planning in Verona

It was also time to book accommodation for the following two cities not to be a problem where I would sleep. Somehow, I always chose motels, Air B&Bs, and hotels with parking, a garage, or cameras to keep my motorcycle safe. Yet next time would not be the same if I go by bus or car. For me, it is exceptional because it creates a feeling of excitement, freedom, and total hedonism.

I have booked accommodation for the following two cities, and I must admit that I am delighted with the choice and the opportunities never offered to me. I was looking for authentic Italian style accommodation at a reasonable price, and I have to admit I was a little lucky to find accommodation with a 50% discount through Expedia. But more on that in the next blog post.

Next week I will take you to the city known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, home of great artists Michelangelo and Donatello, ruthless Catherine de Medici, and one of the greatest artists of all times, sculptor, architect, engineer, and genius, Leonardo da Vinci.

See you next week! Xoxo

You can also follow me via social media, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. And you can see some of my short videos on YouTube.

Useful Links:

• More about Romeo & Juliete story
• Arena di Verona – 1st century amphytheathre
• Verona City (UNESCO)
• Motorcycle Safety Tips
• Sea food pasta recipe
• Naracamicije – Fashion Store