Verona vs Padua — Romeo’s city versus Giotto’s city

Both Veneto cities overshadowed by Venice. Both deserve more than a day.

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Verona

Arena (Roman, 25,000 seats, summer opera). Piazza delle Erbe. Skip Juliet’s balcony (tourist scam). Valpolicella/Amarone wine region. 260,000 people.

Padua

Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto’s frescoes, €14, book ahead — one of the most important fresco cycles in existence). Basilica di Sant’Antonio. Prato della Valle (second-largest square in Europe). University (founded 1222, Galileo taught here). 210,000 people.

Verdict

Verona: the Arena + wine country. Padua: Giotto + the university. Art lovers: Padua. Opera lovers: Verona.

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