Padua and Verona tours

Private tours and excursions in Verona and Padua

An ancient and legendary city, Padua still preserves intact numerous signs of its prestigious past. The animated historic center, with its vivacious squares, open galleries, splendid palaces, boasts artistic and architectural treasures of matchless beauty: the Basilica di S. Antonino with its Roman-Gothic style; the Cappella degli Scrovegni, the masterpiece by Giotto with its marvelous frescos; the enclosed wall from the 1500's, one of the most extensive in Italy; the very old University frequented by Dante and Petrarca; the Teatro Anatomico, the teaching post of Galileo and the famous Orto Botanico. As for the cuisine, it specializes in risotto and chicken dishes, accompanied by excellent wine from the Euganei hills.

Four seasons and as many different ways in which fascinating Verona welcomes its guests. Any time of the year is an occasion for coming to Verona, to get to know the Veronese better, and to learn to love this town and its land. Verona was founded by the Euganeans and grew in importance during the imperial Roman period; successively, it submitted to the Barbarians and was the seat of duchies, first the Lombard and then the Frankish. Verona's important geographic position has always facilitated commerce, attracting surrounding populations and transforming Verona into a meeting point and melting pot for various ethnic groups. Its historical center boasts many magnificent Roman ruins, second only to those of the "Caput Mundi": Rome. In fact, the monument for which Verona is famous in the entire world is its Roman Arena. It dates back to the 1st century A.D. to hold various events and wrestling matches and where every summer takes place spectacular open-air operas and concerts.

The Arena not has to be confused with the Roman Theatre, which stood in front of Ponte Postumio, spreading its ample arch of stepped seating on the side of the hill behind, is still used today for summer theatrical events. Other important remains of a very prosperous age are the Stone Bridge, the Gavi Arch and the monumental gates (Porta Borsari and the Porta Leona). Verona is rich in Churches which, because of the works of art collected in them, are true museums of paintings and sculpture as well as being architectural monuments. In a small square, which complements it to calculated effect, is Santa Maria Matricolare, the Cathedral of Verona. Built on the site of a previous Early Christian church and consecrated in 1187, the Cathedral has a façade which is a perfect composite of Romanesque and Gothic forms.

Like most of the Italian cities, Verona is rich in Palazzos both Medieval and Renaissance. From the 1500 onwards Verona has been involved in intense building renovations, carried out mainly by private citizens. These buildings with other monuments embellished the city's Piazzas and the main streets: Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe Via Mazzini, Piazza Bra. The name of Verona is also known throughout the world because of Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The places where, according to the tradition, the two young lovers lived and died are visited by thousands of tourists and lovers every year. Only a few paces from Piazza Erbe, at number 27 of Via Cappello, there is the Juliet's House (La Casa di Giulietta), once owned by the Dal Cappello, or Capulet, family. A small marble balcony records the most famous verses of Shakespeare's tragedy, in which Romeo declares his love for Juliet as she stands on the balcony. Again according to the legend, this was the house where the beautiful Juliet the most famous of all Shakespeare's heroines, lived. It probably dates back to the 13th century, and has a brick façade with large trilobate windows.

Besides its monuments, Verona offers several typical products that are exported worldwide.

OPTIONALS (IF INTERESTED)
Scrovegni Chapel

Please note:
The proposed itineraries are only examples of possible tours. For different pick up / drop off locations or customized itineraries we invite our clients to contact one of our tour coordinators to help them design their own tour.