Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
€€
If you are in need of a touch more comfort, and would prefer to be in the
vicinity of the Arena,
Hotel Torcolo
(Vicolo Listone, 3;
%
045-8007512;
www.hoteltorcolo.it)
is the ideal choice. Childhood friends and owners Silvia and
Diana have fashioned a homey, comfortable, and exceptionally neat small hotel
that's earned a fantastic reputation with frequent travelers (many of whom return
year after year, particularly during opera season). The 19 guest rooms are well pro-
portioned, cheerfully—if modestly—decorated, with wooden floors and shut-
tered windows looking out over Verona's back streets. To my mind, the most
important details here are the firm, comfortable mattresses. Each room is slightly
different from the next, but they're all soberly tasteful, and there are a number of
neat little single units for solo travelers; those on the third floor are warm in sum-
mer, but have extra air-conditioning (you may struggle with the low ceilings,
however). Prices fluctuate considerably, almost doubling during the popular opera
season (when a double costs
€
112, which is still fairly reasonable). Breakfast is not
always included in the rate; during the opera season expect to pay between
8
and
€
12, and if you bring your own vehicle, parking will set you back an addi-
tional
€
15. Reserving a room here is not always easy, however. I once
e-mailed for accommodations and the reply came that they were full; when I
arrived in town and popped in for a visit, there were empty rooms. If you want a
room here, be persistent.
€
10 to
€
€€
-
€€€€
Right next door to Giulietta e Romeo (see below) is the better-
priced
Hotel Milano
(Vicolo Tre Marchetti, 11;
%
045-596011),
a more down-
home, less organized option than its more famous neighbor. Its rooms are
pleasant, if a bit motel-like. Doubles start at
€
85, and go up to
€
160, making it
€
20 cheaper than the Giulietta. It's a somewhat dowdier, less spacious three-star
option, so expect linoleum flooring and a tight squeeze in some of the rooms.
€€€
-
€€€€
Named for the romantic tale that has put Verona on the tourist
map,
Hotel Giulietta e Romeo
(Vicolo Tre Marchetti, 3;
%
045-8003554;
www.giuliettaeromeo.com)
is a popular option in the center of town. The pinkish
facade conceals neat, bright public spaces mostly painted an odd citrus yellow.
Guest rooms tend to suggest a sense of space rather than being truly spacious;
their appeal stems from being neat and clean, and the faint blue floral-patterned
wallpaper and cherrywood refurbishment are quite pleasant. I haven't been overly
impressed by the mattresses (they're not the firmest in town), but the cool white
sheets at least hint at luxury. Bathrooms are quite small and pretty standard.
Doubles start at
€
115. I must warn you, however, that if you arrive by car, you'll
be paying
5
7 per day.
If you're in town during the opera season, you'd better book your room a good 10
months in advance, and you'll need to stay for at least 4 days (one of which must
be a Mon or Tues).
The Hostel Option
€
€
17 per night for parking. Bicycles are available for rent at
€
I wouldn't recommend Verona's co-ed hostel,
Ostello della Gioventù Villa
Francescatti
(Salita Fontana del Ferro, 15;
%
045-590360)
if you're on a tight
schedule; it's situated some distance from the historical center, and involves a
steep uphill climb along the road behind the Teatro Romano. Nevertheless, if
