Verona - Family Hostel

"Juliette's balcony"*Roman walls and street*Roman arena*Castle view of Padova

16,833 steps

We had a nice slow morning in Padua; we didn't have to check-out until 11:00.  Our funny experience this morning was at the Italian Post Office.  We can't seem to find a .20 Euro stamp at the Tabacchi's to send our postcards to the USA, so we went to the post office.  First we had to take a number like the DMV.  We were P06 for Postage I guess.  After waiting 15 minutes the clerk told us she didn't have any .20 Euro stamps (this took her 5 minutes to figure this out - she had to look around and then go in the back room).  She finally concluded that she could print off a .20 Euro stamp, I kid you not - it took her 60 seconds to print off each stamp.  Each print out required about 15 clicks on the computer, and then the process started  all over again.  We were there for 30 minutes to mail 4 postcards.

After a short 1:20 minute drive we arrived in Verona to our Youth Hostel which is in a lovely Villa on the hill just outside the old center of town (about a 15 walk) next to the Castle and Roman Theatre.  I've never stayed in a youth hostel, but I would imagine this is a 5 star hostel.  Our detached building is down a quiet garden path.  We have a family room with private bathroom - which means 6 bunk beds with locking cabinets for luggage, a set of sheets and a bathroom just outside our room.  It's cozy in our room - about the size of the dorms at BYU.  We played cards twice today outside our room in the courtyard on a picnic table.  We even learned a new card game - Scopa, which is Italian.

The rest of our afternoon was spent calmly exploring Verona.  We walked to the top of the castle for an amazing view then wandered through the city.  There is an amazing 1st century Roman Arena - 3rd largest in Italy.  Down in the main Piazza we also saw an evangelical gathering complete with band and marching members with waving flags that said Marcia per Gesu (March for Jesus).  I should add that we saw the tackiest touristy spot of our trip yet - Juliette's fake balcony from Romeo and Juliette.  Love graffiti all over the wall, couples kissing, and shops selling embroidered  towels with names in hearts.

The funny highlight of our evening came when we were discussing dinner.  We happened to be next to a McCafe McDonalds and decided to go in to see if the menu was different in Italy than in America - we were hooked.  The hamburgers and chicken nuggets were too tempting for the kids.  I got a grilled chicken Caesar salad - which was OK, but certainly better than a salad at McDonalds in the USA.  The kids felt a bit bad about caving into McDonalds, but they were happy not to have Pizza or Pasta for dinner again.

cozy dorm room at hostel

Verona sites

Roman arena