Verona, Italy

Celebrated by Shakespeare, who made it famous as the romantic setting for the moving tale of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a splendid, ancient corner of the Veneto region, nestling between the river Adige and Lake Garda, and intimately linked to their waters. The Adige today flows between strong embankments, built after the 1882 flood to contain the devastating river water. The city's symbol is the great Roman Arena (Arena di Verona). Located in Bra Square, this Roman amphitheatre dates back to the 1st Century AD and is the third largest of the world. It is extremely well-preserved and every year it still hosts concerts and operas between July and August.