TUI launches budget-friendly city breaks to Shakespeare’s favourite city that cost less than Florence
Star-crossed lovers and gelato fans need not fear, as TUI is rolling out the red carpet to Verona, where romance, culture, and mouth-watering grub collide in one seriously loved-up Italian escape.
The City of Love is calling Brits who fancy a proper romantic getaway, complete with authentic Italian cuisine, atmospheric wine bars and gorgeous cobbled streets – all watched over by a 2,000-year-old Roman arena that dominates the main square. And with average temperatures of around 25 degrees in May and some of Italy's finest gelato for around 3 euros, there’s no better time to visit than this spring.
Thanks to partner airline flying options, TUI is making it easier than ever for Brits to soak up the magic of Shakespeare's most famous city, with packages flying from five UK airports – Birmingham, Bristol, London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester. Verona also stands out as a budget-friendly city break in Italy, compared to other classics, such as Florence or Lake Como, with prices for starting at only £546pp for a seven-night stay.
For wine lovers seeking a not so tragic ending, the northern Venetian Province of Valpolicella is the perfect place to sample some of the finest wines in the Veneto region. Literally translating to the ‘valley of many cellars’, Valpolicella is the perfect place to raise a glass to Shakespeare himself. And TUI offers wine tastings to learn about the three ‘classic’ wines of Verona from £40 per person.
Shall I compare thee to a summer day? In the balmy summer months, Verona becomes a magical backdrop for culture vultures, as the world-renowned Verona Opera Festival takes over. With full-scale opera productions staged in the ancient Arena di Verona under a blanket of stars, even the most villainous Shakespearean characters would be impressed.
To balcony or not to balcony? That is the question. With TUI, Brits can experience the iconic Juliet balcony with a guided tour of Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House) with an audio guide from just £21 per person.
Want to dodge the early morning queues? Climb the Torre dei Lamberti at 8.30am when it opens for 360-degree views of terracotta rooftops and the Roman amphitheatre, away from the crowds around Juliet's house. Back off, Romeo.
And for the foodies, the gelato scene seriously doesn't disappoint. Get the inside scoop by learning how to make gelato yourself in a private class from £57 per person. It's hands-on, delicious, and you'll have serious bragging rights when you get home.
Chris Logan, TUI UK Commercial Director, said: "Launching Verona is a fantastic new addition to our city break collection. Whether you're wanting to live your Romeo and Juliet fantasy with a trip to Juliet's balcony or enjoy the best of Italian cuisine in the medieval streets, Verona is the perfect place to do it. As city break experts with partner airline flights from five UK airports, we're giving our customers even more choice when it comes to exploring Italy with affordable prices.”
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a foodie adventure, or a culture-packed city break, Verona's got something for everyone – whether you love Shakespeare or not.