Verona is a city in northern Italy bestriding the Adige River in Veneto. For its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena; the city has been awarded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Below are things you need to know about Verona

1. History

Nobody actually knows the origin of the city of Verona, however, the earliest record of the city is when it became a Roman colonia in 89 BC, and then a municipium in 49 BC. It has seen occupation by the Ostrogoths, Lombards, Romans and Byzantine.

2. Climate

The climate of Verona is quasi-Mediterranean. It is characterized by hot summers and cold, humid winters. The city is best visited from May to September in order to engage in the outdoor activities on Lake Garda.

3. Main Sights and Attractions

Although the city did its best to conserve the ancient Roman artifacts, an earthquake in 1117 caused a massive damage to the artifacts. This brought forth the massive reconstruction using the Romanesque architectural style. Among the buildings made using this style include; Verona Arena, Piazza Bra, Porta Borsari, Piazza dei Signori.San Zeno Basilica, Sant'Anastasia and many more.

4. Sports

The city of Verona is home to 3 professional football clubs including: Hellas Verona, which is now in the first division of Italian football, Serie A; Chievo Verona; and Virtus Vecomp Verona. You will be treated to the best football games in Italy by these three clubs.

5. Getting Around

The most common way of getting around the city of Verona is by Azienda Trasporti Verona (ATV) buses. However, you can decide to sightsee on foot or on a rented bicycle. Additionally, the city lies along the Brenner Pass that intersects Milan and Venice. At the city's Verona Porta Nuova railway station, you have train access to most of Europe.

Verona is a quiet city that goes about its business without a lot of fanfare. For the tourist, you will find a place that you can relax and enjoy the simple things in life such as good food and wine. Why don't you become the first among your friends to discover the hidden treasures of Verona?