Home Base in Verona
Verona as a Home Base for Exploring Northern Italy
How do you like to travel abroad? Do you prefer staying in one place or moving every few days to explore new cities? We’ve tried both styles, and for this trip, we decided to slow travel by making Verona our home base for three weeks.
It turned out to be the perfect choice for our travel style. Staying put meant we didn’t have to deal with constantly checking in and out of hotels. Instead, we could plan day trips or overnight getaways around the weather and our schedule while still having a cozy apartment to return to. We stayed in this apartment, and it was perfect for our stay!
Visiting Verona in December
This was our first time visiting Italy in December. We usually travel during shoulder seasons (April/May or October), so winter was a new experience for us.
Fortunately, Verona was having one of its mildest winters on record, so it wasn’t too cold. Most days were overcast with light showers, but nothing a raincoat and beanie couldn’t handle. The winter atmosphere actually made the city feel extra cozy and romantic.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Verona
We celebrated New Year’s Eve at Antica Bottega del Vino, a historic wine bar famous for its incredible wine list of over 1,000 wines. We chose a special bottle of Amarone from the region, paired with a fantastic dinner and top-notch service.
After dinner, we joined locals and visitors at Piazza Bra, where the city hosted a free concert followed by an impressive fireworks show—a truly memorable way to ring in the new year!
Day Trips From Verona
One of the best parts about staying in Verona is its central location. With easy train and bus connections, we explored several incredible destinations, including:
- Sirmione (Lake Garda)
- Padua (Padova)
- Mantua (Mantova)
- Ferrara
- Venice (we stayed here for two nights—read more here)
- Bolzano to experience Italy’s largest Christmas market
Bolzano was especially magical during the holidays. If you visit, we highly recommend staying at Hotel Greif, perfectly located near the market, with an amazing breakfast to start your day. Book ahead here as it books up quickly.
Why Verona Makes the Perfect Home Base
Beyond its convenient location, Verona itself is an amazing city to explore. Known for its rich history and incredible food scene, it’s the perfect place to return to after a day of adventuring.
During our stay, we discovered sbrisolona, an almond crumble cake that’s a specialty from nearby Mantua. Many restaurants serve it as a complimentary dessert, and we loved it so much that we brought some back to Austin, Texas as a sweet souvenir.
Plan Your Visit
Thinking of visiting Verona soon? Check out our Verona City Guide for dining, lodging, and sightseeing recommendations. Don’t miss our post on 10 Short Trips From Verona for even more travel inspiration. Looking for experiences? Explore these great options for sightseeing, food and wine tours, or cooking classes.
