Verona: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

"Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” 

This thought reverberated in my mind as I strolled down the cobble-stoned streets of Verona in Italy and chanced upon the very famous balcony where there are daily reenactments of the popular Romeo and Juliet lamentation.

In this magnificent and illustrious city of art, history, culture and charm, you will certainly be disarmed as you witness, up-close and personal, in suspended disbelief, the star-crossed lovers. It is your chance to immerse yourself in the genius of Shakespeare. Whatever it is that inspired this great poet and playwright to create this tragic legend, a heart-rending tale of pain and even violence, one can simply fathom why he chose this picturesque city for his famous obra maestra. All you need to do is to look around, introspect and embrace the environs that touch your heart and soul in a way like no other.

From the balcony of my posh suite at the premiere address of the city, Palazzo Victoria, the reticular form of the elegant and storied city with an elliptical Arena allures one to discover on foot the secrets this city has to share. My eyes combed the vicinity of Verona’s historic city center and I thanked the good Lord for the opportunity to be in this slice of heaven on earth. In a place rich in history and cultural heritage stands the magnificent Palazzo Victoria, a stunning palace built at the beginning of the 14th century. From here, you can have priceless views of the towering ring-shaped labyrinth, with shrines and temples built in honor of the gods: Luna, Mars, Minerva, Jove and Venus, which captivate its visitors with an opulence deserving of praise.

Dynamic and dramatic, Verona is an international city whose legendary past and beauty still exist today. Currently, contemporary galleries, exhibitions, original artisan shops and also a vibrant nightlife surround it with its bars, quaint shops and gourmet restaurants. Indeed, Verona is my new reason to visit Italy.

It was a cool day when my traveling companion and childhood friend Edwin Santos and I excitedly walked from Palazzo Victoria to Verona’s most prized attraction nearby, the Casa di Glulietta where we stood on the stone balcony and admired the bronze statue of Juliet closely. We were amused by the thousands of colored locks on the gate of the courtyard where graffiti professions of undying love cover the walls. You can explore the rooms inside the palazzo adorned with paintings of the lovers in period dress. A lone double bed is displayed from Franco Zeffirelli’s famous 1968 film version of the tragic romance. It was interesting to learn that 10 volunteers at Verona’s Juliet Club (www.julietclub.com) respond to countless letters daily addressed simply to “Juliet, Verona, Italy.” The recent film Letters to Juliet is an addition to previous films done here.

Palazzo Victoria itself is a priceless destination in this part of the world. It is not just a hotel with luxurious rooms, excellent cuisine and indefatigable service, it is also a cultural treasure. Special mention goes to Dr. Vranjes’ fragrance of sweet grapes and orange wafting throughout the entire property. I fell in love with this fruity home scent and just had to take home several bottles with me. Each time I smell this distinct fragrance, it brings me back to this stunning jewel-of-a-place.

Palazzo Victoria, the latest addition to luxury hotel portfolio, The Salviatino Collection of hotelier Marcello Pigozzo, is simply divine. Here, the mystic and contemplative spirit of the past meets and blends with Palazzo Victoria’s contemporary and elegant note. Palazzo Victoria’s winsome sales manager Silvia Soregaroli shared that this is the place where tales are not only legends as she showed us the ruins of the roman walls, frescoes of the classic period that represent the old Veronese tradition. Built on Medieval and Roman ruins, these antiquated treasures have been carefully preserved and are featured throughout the public areas and rooms. With the desire to restore the 15th-century palazzo to its former glory, Pigozzo intimated that “the launch of Palazzo Victoria encapsulates the very best of Italian culture and luxury living.” He added, “The vision is to meet its rich heritage by complementing the brand’s signature top-end technology, bespoke amenities and exceptional fine dining.”

Located centrally on Corso Porta Borsari, the hotel that comprises of 71 rooms sets a new standard of luxury in Verona. Natural light streams in the marvelous Palazzo Victoria from the verdant indoor garden peppered with ancient columns and courtyard furniture. As the sun goes down, unwind with a glass of wine at the vibrant and cozy Lobby Lounge. At the Victoria Club Bar, one can listen to jazz music while nursing a spirited cocktail.

Dining at Palazzo Victoria’s brasserie, set in an exquisite courtyard garden, is never second best. Salviatino Collection Chef Caló proudly shares that the dishes created here are homemade with fresh ingredients and seasonal product sourced daily. Edwin and I sampled a hearty Mediterranean breakfast of the most delightful freshly baked breads, hummus and other exotic dishes before exploring the nearby attractions.

Like a living dream, we cherished the flavors of different wines in Valpolicella to the north where grapes are used to make the full-bodied red Amarone and the sweet dessert wine, Recioto. The best suggestion: a glass of wine with the one you love the most, whilst the sun sets on the illustrious city, slowly behind the Mount Pizzocolo.

We will never forget the experience of sailing on Lake Garda, the largest in Italy, to the historic cities of Padua, Vicenza and Mantua. Situated an hour from Milan and Venice, Verona provides the perfect stepping-stone to exploring Italy. With an affluent range of activities from shopping to sailing nearby, Verona allows tourists and locals alike to experience Italy’s finest adventure destinations, including skiing in the Dolomites.

Built around a square with the Visconti walls surrounding the churches, castles, houses, stone belfries and brickwork towers, Verona’s architectural prowess reigns sublime over the centuries. It is in this poignant setting of dank tombs and dizzying towers that light and dark shades, noise and silence dramatically create a perfect synergy.

Verdant gardens and breathtakingly realistic pieces of sculpture fill Verona with enough artistic majesty to overwhelm any hopeless romantic who haplessly wanders into its walls. Verona is also known for its renowned opera with affordable prices for everyone. Each year from June to September, opera aficionados gravitate towards the Arena di Verona, venue for the world-famous Verona Opera Festival.

For me, Verona is the most magical of all cities. Visit the churches of San Severo at Bardolino and San Ze de l’oselet at the cemetery of Castelletto di Brenzone.  Explore the Marina of Torri del Benaco with its castle and Venetian houses. Wander around the cobblestoned walkways and retrace the steps of Romeo and Juliet. However, unlike them, create your own happy ending as you embark on a new beginning.

My memories of Verona will remain closest to my heart. Each time I recall the soulful lament “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” the incessant reply will be “Waiting for you all this time in Viva Verona!”

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For more information visit www.palazzovictoria.com. Qatar Airways, voted Airline of the year 2011 and 2012 in the prestigious SKYTRAX industry audit, flies from Manila to Venice. From Venice, take a one-hour train ride to Verona. For reservation call at 02-519-1888. Visit website www.qatarairways.com.