This was my ninth visit to the city of Verona for the very special Opera Festival, and won't be my last. It is absolutely the highlight of my summer.

Verona is a city where romance seems to drift on the warm evening air. Cobbled streets, soft golden stone and elegant piazzas set the scene, but it is when the sun begins to dip behind the rooftops that the city truly comes into its own. 

 At the heart of Verona stands its magnificent Roman Arena, a 1st‑century amphitheatre that turns into one of the world’s most atmospheric opera venues each summer. Taking your seat on the ancient stone tiers as the sky fades from rose to indigo is an experience in itself. (don't forget your cushion, bought outside for €2.50). Or spoil yourself with a set in the circle as I do! As the first notes rise and the stage lights bloom into colour, you are wrapped in an intoxicating mix of music, history and pure Italian drama. The sets are always amazing and you can follow the story on screens above the stage). Whether it is a passionate performance of La Traviata (the one I saw this year) or the soaring power of Aida, the Arena Opera Festival is the kind of evening that lingers in your memory long after the final curtain.  By day, Verona invites you to slow down and wander. Sip an espresso in Piazza delle Erbe as market stalls bustle around you, cross the river over the graceful Ponte Pietra, or lose yourself among medieval alleyways and Renaissance façades. The city feels intimate and walkable, yet rich with art, architecture and stories at every turn. Visit Juliet's house and have your photo taken on the famous balcony, do some designer shopping on the many narrow streets featuring all the famous brands.

Then, for a restorative contrast to the buzz of the city, head just outside Verona to the beautiful Villa dei Cedri thermal park (Parco Termale del Garda). Set within historic landscaped grounds, this elegant villa is surrounded by centuries‑old trees, manicured lawns and natural thermal lakes that gently steam in the cooler air. Here you can slip into warm, mineral‑rich waters, drift beneath the shade of towering cedars and let hydro-massage jets ease every trace of tension. By day it feels like a serene country escape; after dark, soft lighting and mirror‑still pools create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. The bus from Verona takes you there an back for €6.50 and the entrance fee for the day is €45.00. Bring a picnic or use the on site restaurant for a delicious pizza or salad lunch.

Combining a stay in Verona with an evening at the opera and a tranquil visit to Villa dei Cedri creates a perfectly balanced Italian escape: culture and history paired with wellness and indulgent relaxation. It is a chance to savour la dolce vita at a gentler pace, from aria-filled nights under the stars to quiet moments in thermal waters surrounded by nature.

Extend your stay with a few days at Lake Garda and you have the absolute perfect holiday!