We are following some good advice from friends, and are continuing our travels. To break up a long drive, we made one-night stops in Verona and Trieste. In both cities we only wished we could have stayed longer!

Driving into cities and locating the apartment we’ve rented is always a challenge. Kenton docks the car at a parking garage, we walk our suitcases through streets and pedestrian plazas, and try to connect with our host. For Verona, we needed to locate Mario, at the local barbershop, to pick up our keys.

Once we got settled, we walked around the corner to the Piazza Bra, and realized that Verona was as amazing as ever!

Dinner was fun, as we sat in a cafe on the square and watched the crowds walk by. There was an opera in the Arena and patrons were wearing their finest dresses, suits and even bow ties. It reminded us of an earlier trip, when we attended the opera, Carmen, in the Verona Arena with my sister, Ann. It was about 25 years ago, but seems like just yesterday!

We walked around the area to visit the Palazzo Barbieri, the Lamberti Tower, and Juliet’s balcony.

Verona was a sweet stop!

Our last stop in Italy was in Trieste, a city that lies between the Adriatic coast and Slovenia.

The Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta was an amazingly beautiful hotel on the Piazza Unita d’Italia.

The old town area was charming, with many beautiful buildings, cute cafes and talented street performers.

We found an elevator to take us uphill to the Cathedral of San Giusto Martire.

We wandered through ancient ruins and took in the spectacular views over Trieste!

Back downhill, we walked along the waterfront and then to Piazza della Borsa for a most excellent dinner at a local cafe.

Trieste was a wonderful stop!