Buon San Valentino ~ Happy Valentine’s Day

Ciao, I Miei Amori ~

It’s February already, and thoughts of love are circulating through my mind. Red hearts, candy kisses, chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, and romantic cards seem to pop out at me everywhere I go. I love Valentine’s Day because, as a typical woman, I love romance. What could be more heart-pounding than to imagine yourself as Audrey Hepburn in ‘Roman Holiday,’ zipping around Rome on a Vespa behind Gregory Peck? Or embracing over a laugh at the Mouth of Truth? Then again, there’s the movie ‘Three Coins in the Fountain,’ about three young secretaries from America who meet in Rome and toss their coins in the Trevi Fountain, wishing for a return trip to Rome. Romance is in the air as each one is pursued by a handsome suitor.

William Shakespeare put the city of Verona on the map with his tragic love tale, Romeo and Juliet. Written in 1597, the story takes place in the 1300’s among two warring families who refused to live in peace together. Sadly, it took an ultimate sacrifice to create a bridge for reconciliation.

It is in Verona that you can visit the balcony where Romeo approached Juliet. In the story, with a sigh of adoration, he calls to her…

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east and Juliet is the sun!”

Lovelorn, he continues…

“See how she leans her cheek upon her hand

O that I were a glove upon that hand,

That I might touch that cheek!”

Words to swoon by!

The city of Verona is famous for love. It is a medieval town built around the meandering Adige River just a few hours from Milan and Venice. Founded in the first century B.C., it is famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers in his play Romeo and Juliet. There is a 14th-century residence with a convincing balcony overlooking a courtyard which claims to be Juliet’s House. In fact, countless letters addressed simply to Juliet, Verona, Italy stream constantly into the city. Volunteers take it upon themselves to respond to these letters which are mostly from those troubled in love. Valentine’s Day in Verona is quite spectacular and guaranteed to leave you dreaming of your own thrilling romance.

Verona is also known for its huge first-century Roman amphitheater which currently hosts concerts and opera performances. According to famous travel guru Rick Steves. “Over the centuries, crowds of up to 25,000 spectators have cheered Roman gladiator battles, medieval executions, and modern plays — including Verona’s popular summer opera festival, which takes advantage of the arena’s famous acoustics.” Read his enlightening article about Verona as the City of Romance.  

I hope you take some time for romance this month and pamper your sweetheart or if you are alone, pamper yourself. Love is in the air… L’amore è nell’aria

Have you been to Verona? Spent some time in Italy during Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment below.