43901NOR
Verona sightseeing with TM.
Mantua inside visit of the Palazzo Ducale
· In Verona, entrances are included EITHER to the Arena or to Juliet’s house. Check with the teachers which one they are more interested to see or see vouchers. Both are closed on Mondays.
· You need cash/Equals card for entrances
· Your driver is responsible for obtaining the permit to enter Verona.
· If in doubt this can be purchased at some Autogrill stops on the A4: Montealto Est – Desenzano; Montebaldo Est – Sommacampagna (Bauli Grill); Scaligera Ovest – Soave; Area servizio Soave (AGIP).
· In Mantua your visit of Palazzo Ducale has been booked and pre paid by the Rome office. Check the time on the voucher and if it is not convenient for you, call the Palazzo ahead to change the time. They are quite flexible.
· The Palazzo Ducale is closed on Monday. On other days you can run it either way and you can be flexible with your timing based on your group’s wishes. On Monday afternoons substitute the Palazzo Ducale for the Palazzo Tè (frescoes by Giulio Romano, Raphael’s most gifted pupil).
Lake Garda – Verona 40 km
Verona – Mantua 35 km
Mantua – Lake Garda 75 km
9.00
Departure from Lake Garda Area. Take the A4 and exit at Verona Sud.
9.45
Exit from the Autostrada at Verona Sud and drive into the centre via the Corso Porta Nuova. Bus will drop you off at the large bus parking next to the Ponte Aleardi across the river from downtown Verona (pay toilets available downstairs). Walk with the group into Piazza Bra. Public toilets located here. If the group has decided to visit the arena do this first. Buy the tickets and let them visit on their own.
After the visit lead the group down the Via Mazzini to via Cappello. Juliet’s house is at no 23 (easy to miss). The house is very small but from the courtyard you can see the famous balcony. Also in the courtyard is the statue of Juliet, which tourists pose with holding her one breast. If there
is a long queue to enter the courtyard and time is tight, a “hack” is to enter the gift shop to the left of the courtyard entrance and go upstairs. There is a window overlooking the courtyard, which is great for photos. Then take the group to the Piazza delle Erbe (market place) where there are plenty of places for lunch. The Corso Porta Borsari running off the end of the square has lots of shops and leads down to the impressive Roman Port Borsari (under renovation in 2024). Give free time and encourage them to explore nearby Piazza dei Signori with the Palazzo dei Scaligeri.
It’s advisable to meet everybody by the Arena and walk back together to the bus. Verona is small but it is easy for them to get confused in the narrow streets.
12.00 Departure from Verona. Take the A22 to Modena and exit at Mantova.
12.30 Drive into Mantua across the dyke. Turn right and drop off (see map). Make a clear rendezvous with the driver to pick you up at the same place. Impress on the group that they must be on time as driver cannot wait. Walk towards the town gate and then onto Piazza delle Erbe where you give free time for lunch. Encourage the group to try the Ravioli stuffed with pumpkin (Ravioli alla Zucca), a delicious local specialty. Meet the group after lunch and proceed to Piazza Sordello where you start the tour with an inside visit of the Palazzo Ducale (Palazzo dei Gonzaga). Don’t miss the ‘Camera degli Sposi’ with the fresco by Mantegna.
Continue your walking tour with a visit to the Duomo, the Basilica di St Andrea and the Palazzo della Ragione. This is also the main shopping area of Mantua. Give free time. If your visit to Mantua is on a Monday or if the group is very interested to visit the Palazzo Te it is well worth it. You will need to use your bus.
16.30 Departure from Mantua
