Verona is the fabled home of Romeo and Juliet, the story of which has helped to make the city one of the most popular destinations in Italy’s Veneto region. Couples can even get married at Romeo and Juliet's balcony in Verona.

But this is not the only draw. Verona is the site of the third largest amphitheater in Italy, outdone in size by only the Coliseum in Rome and the arena in Capua. Audiences, some as large as 16,000 people, come to the Arena di Verona each year for a season of summer opera performances.

Once part of the Roman Empire, Verona reached a cultural peak during the 14th century under the rule of the Scaligeri family. By 1405, Venice had gained control of the city until Napoleon invaded it in 1797. In 1814, the Austrians took the entire Veneto region. It was later united with Italy in 1866.

Verona's medieval and Renaissance character has been kept intact with its beautiful architecture, monuments and piazzas. Even so, tourists usually consider Verona to be only a day trip. But, for those wanting off the beaten path, Verona easily makes for a nice overnight stay and a break from the more heavily touristed cities of Italy.