One of the perks of arriving at your destination early is having almost the entire day ahead to explore. However, the catch can be arriving too early to check into your hotel, making it tough to change or relax. Fortunately, when we arrived in Verona, our rooms at the Hotel Milano Spa were already ready. This hotel has an amazing location, with a view of the Arena from the rooftop hot tub.
As soon as we stepped out of the hotel, I was convinced that the folks at srprs.me planned this trip perfectly. Whether it was the sunshine, stepping out right by the 2,000-year-old Roman Arena, or the endless gelato options, Verona quickly became a favorite Italian city for me.
On our first day, even though I wanted to see all the sights, I was keen on taking it easy and really enjoying the holiday. So, we took a leisurely stroll through Verona, mentally noting spots for lunch and dinner (since breakfast would be at the hotel) and potential gelato stops.
Our journey was short-lived! After some post-lunch gelato, we ended up at the Arena, enjoying the scene at Piazza Bra and indulging in more gelato and people-watching.
Later, we returned to the hotel, where we ordered prosecco, Aperol spritz, and some sparkling water (though we barely drank it) and soaked up the Italian sun. It was truly amazing! I hadn’t had such a lazy afternoon in a while, and since it was around my birthday, I just wanted to unwind.
After some relaxing hours in the hot tub, we headed back to our rooms to freshen up and then ventured out for dinner. A fellow guest recommended a restaurant they had visited the night before, so we meandered through Verona’s charming streets to La Cantine Del 15 Ristorante. This kind of spontaneity is the beauty of a surprise trip; you end up relying on personal recommendations, which often lead to the best dining spots.
We started with some smoked tuna, courtesy of the chef, which was surprisingly delicious despite its appearance. I then chose carbonara for my first course and steak for the second. The guest’s recommendation was spot on; the entire meal was incredible (Lloyd agreed). If you ever find yourself in Verona, this place should be on your list. It’s even one of the top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor!
Satisfied with our dinner, we visited what soon became our favorite gelato shop for another round of that delightful treat. Verona was proving to be an exceptional Italian escape.