What to do in Valpolicella and Verona
What to do in Verona and Valpolicella
Verona is often called the most romantic city in Italy. But it’s not just because of Romeo & Juliet. Love is everywhere in Valpolicella Verona: the historic center, as well as the Torricelli, the gentle hills that embrace the city, and the provincial areas, offering unique views. Verona tours are ideal for romantic weekends, to let yourself be mesmerized by the local beauty.
Just a few kilometers from Verona a beautiful hill area named Valpolicella is situated. It ranks just after Chianti region in total Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wine production. It is also world-famous for its red wines, in particular for the symbolic wine of this territory: Amarone.
Discover the Verona food tours with our tailor-made itineraries through family-run wineries famous all over the world.Â
Wineries that have a centuries-old or more recent tradition, small cellars in farmhouses, or majestic villas that take your breath away. Tours in Verona are filled with picturesque scenery of the rolling hillsides, and precious vines, punctuated only by stately villas and charming medieval towns.
What to see in Verona and nearby?
1. Vineyards and wine tasting in Valpolicella
Valpolicella is the most famous red wine zone in Veneto region, which is in northeastern Italy.
The vineyards of the Valpolicella region begin just outside the city of Verona and head towards Lake Garda.
It is a controlled designation of origin (DOC – DOCG) area and is mostly famous for Amarone wine, a very rich red wine with a very strong and powerful flavor.
The most typical grapes of Valpolicella are Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, and the names reveal some interesting curiosities.
According to a legend, once upon a time, the hills of Valpolicella were cultivated exclusively with white grapes and abounded with crows, very greedy for its grapes. To defend the vineyards, farmers tried to drive them away in every way. One day, however, a farmer rescued and treated an injured crow, restoring its ability to fly. In gratitude, the crow, passing by his vineyards, transformed white grapes into an excellent black berry version. From that legendary episode, the Corvina grape variety, the most representative of Valpolicella, was born.
The name “Corvina” derives precisely from that of “crow,” particularly from the similarity between the color of its feathers and the color of the grapes of the grape variety.
2. Santuario Basilica di Madonna della Corona
The Sanctuary is located in Spiazzi in one of the most picturesque locations in northern Italy. Rises clinging on the rock of the mountains that surround it, at 774 meters above sea level, overlooking the valley of the Adige river.
In a hollow on Mount Baldo, 774 meters above sea level, is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona (in the municipality of Ferrara di Monte Baldo).
Tradition told of the birth of the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona in 1522, the year in which the sculpture venerated here is said to have been miraculously moved by angelic intervention from the island of Rhodes, invaded by the Muslim army of Suleiman II, but this date is later disproved by the existence of a 14th-century painting of a Madonna and Child, which is actually the first image venerated in the original little church.
The present basilica is the result of construction work in the 1970s by architect Guido Tisato. In 1982 the shrine was given the title “minor basilica.”
From an artistic point of view, there are many sculptural works present, most of them made of white Carrara marble by Veronese sculptor Ugo Zannoni. While both in the Sanctuary and along the access road, one can admire bronze castings by Veronese architect Raffaele Bonente.
The sanctuary is open and can be visited year-round.
2. Visit Piazza Bra
The Piazza Bra is a beautiful square in the center of Valpolicella. This area is home to many restaurants and cafes. It’s also known for its open-air concerts and festivals.
A walking tour in Verona will take you to Piazza Bra. It is famous for its history and architecture, as well as its location. It was built in the 15th century, and it has been used for various functions like markets, fairs, and festivals.
It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy with many visitors every year. It was even used as a location for some scenes in “The Da Vinci Code.”
3. See the Arena
The Arena was built in Roman times and it has been used for many different purposes over the centuries. Today, it hosts concerts, sporting events, and cultural events. It also has a large number of shops selling all kinds of souvenirs from Italy and around the world.
“The Arena” was once used as an arena for gladiatorial combat, but now it’s a place where people come to watch sporting and other events.Â
4. Climb the 13th century Torre dei LambertiÂ
The Torre dei Lamberti is a 13th-century tower in the center of Valpolicella and Verona, Italy. It is a must-see sight for anyone visiting the area.
The tower is located on Piazza del Duomo, which is one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Italy. The piazza features a beautiful fountain that has been around since the 12th century and is surrounded by some of the most sought-after restaurants in all of Italy.
5. Take a romantic stroll along the river
Take a stroll by the river, which is lined with trees, or look at the views from atop one of the many churches on top of the hills that surround this city.
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