I’ve made the executive decision to keep this post short(ish) and sweet, just like our day trip to Verona. After all, this is Madeline in Prague, so I need to start writing about my experiences here, even though I love the idea of going chronologically. However, I do have a special Fourth of July post from Germany, so stay tuned.
We began our journey where it all started – Milan. After returning from Rapallo, we spent our evening visiting Milan’s iconic sites: The Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and that is about all we had time for! The Duomo was stunning inside and out, and I marveled at the craftsmanship that went into creating such art. I felt so small looking up at the carved ceilings. The Galleria was the epitome of luxury and sophistication. Somehow, the entire space felt like the color gold.
I feel that Milan gets a bad reputation for having “nothing” to do. We quickly discovered that wasn’t the case. We concluded our evening by walking through the fragrance district, a must-see for my fragrance-expert brother. I always feel cool being in the know about “niche” perfumes and asking salespeople if they carry Penhaligon’s. We also loved walking the streets of the Brera district. As we entered, vendors were closing their booths. I sighed as I saw vintage and other artisanal accessories being packed up. While Italians love a late dinner, that does not apply to shopping. Farther into the district, we were met with hanging lights, lively restaurants, and bougie outdoor seating (obviously).
However, after leaving the district, we were reminded that while Milan features areas that are polished and pristine there are also areas that are gritty and graffitied. It’s a huge city with life at every corner, postcard-ready or not.
To be honest, after leaving Milan’s iconic sites, we thought it was a one-and-done city. But after exploring more of its hidden gems and shopping scene, we left with the desire to see more. All that said, Verona was a must-see. With layers of Ancient Roman, medieval and Renaissance history, it was a standout city. Colorful buildings decorated with faded frescoes shared space with the ancient arena (which predates the Roman Colosseum) and medieval cathedrals, all standing in harmony with one another despite such architectural differences. Seeing literal layers of history coexist was beautiful.
We went inside Castelvecchio, a medieval castle. Its mighty stone walls housed medieval art, much of it depicting the Madonna and Child. This is where we began to wonder – what is the difference between a castle and a palace? Apparently, castles were built for defense, while palaces were built for luxury. Castles, primarily from the Middle Ages, featured fortified walls, towers, and moats, whereas palaces emphasized comfort with ornate facades, expansive windows, and elaborate gardens.
If you didn’t already know that, I hope you enjoyed the brief history lesson. We continued our day trip by getting cornettos (apricot for me please!) and coffees (I always got chamomile tea actually) at cafés and exploring different shops.
By wandering down a few side streets, we stumbled upon a local perfumer who walked us through his fragrance line, explaining how each scent was inspired by Verona and Italy.
One fragrance represented the relationship between northern and southern Italy. He explained that people in the North often view Southerners as too carefree and not hardworking, while those in the South see Northerners as workaholics who forget to enjoy life. Verona, he said, sits happily in the middle – a place where people work hard but still embrace a vibrant way of life.
The fragrance was lovely, so my mom took a bottle home as a souvenir, and the perfumer kindly gave my brother and me samples of our favorite scents. I’ve come to love souvenirs you can smell or taste (tea is always my favorite to bring home) because they let you relive a memory through your senses.
We also stepped inside the arena, which is still used today for concerts. The view inside was less historically striking because the rows featured modern chairs and the center of the arena was blocked by a wooden set design for the opera. Nevertheless, we admired the fact that we were able to visit and see an ancient ruin with our own eyes.
We couldn’t visit fair Verona without stopping by Juliet’s House. Fun fact: according to historical records, Shakespeare never actually visited Verona. The iconic balcony was romantic, and the courtyard transported visitors into the tragic, yet frustrating, love story.
Juliet’s statue stands in one corner of the courtyard. Tradition says touching her chest brings good luck. I found the custom a little unsettling, especially knowing Juliet was only 14 years old in Shakespeare’s play. I opted to shake her hand instead.
We ended the day by getting the best charcuterie I have ever had. With an assortment of cheeses, meats, jams, fruit, and salad, the spread was a delightful combination of salty and sweet. I felt like Remi (from Ratatouille) with each pairing.
Overall, our time in Milan and Verona reminded me of what people are capable of creating – and of the importance of preserving those places so future generations can experience them, too.
Ciao for now (stay tuned for a new language)!
Madeline in Prague 
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