Italy 2025 - Day 10: Verona and Family Dinner in Valdobbiadene - Emilio and Nicholas

Emilio:

The group and our Italian friends gather in front of the ancient Roman amphitheater of Verona.

Today, my host family and I had an early start at 6:00 AM! After a quick shower and a sweet Italian breakfast, we headed to school, where I reunited with my fellow American peers. From there, we all boarded a bus and braced ourselves for a long ride to Verona. Though we were eager to explore the city— often recognized as the romantic backdrop of Romeo and Juliet—the journey there felt longer than expected.

The group and our Italian friends arrive in Verona.

At last, we arrived! The weather was warm and sunny, perfect for admiring the Adige River.

A view of the Adige River.

With our tour guide leading the way, we strolled along the river, taking in Verona’s stunning Romanesque architecture.

The group sits in and takes in the view from the ancient Roman Theater of Verona.

As we moved into the bustling shopping district, we eventually found ourselves at Juliet’s famous balcony—though the view was somewhat underwhelming, as it overlooked a construction site. Our tour continued with a dive into Veronese history, particularly focusing on Dante’s influence, not just in Verona but across all of Italy!

The statue of the poet Dante in Verona.

After exploring a few more historical sites, we were set free for lunch—many of us eager to wander through Verona’s countless shopping streets.

A representative shop in Verona.

Nicholas:

For lunch we had free time again. I hung out with my new Italian friends. We went around Verona and visited all the shops and squares.

The Piazza dei Signori in Verona.

We also got to see a farmers market in Verona where some students purchased local fruit. We then met up as a group again and traveled back to Valdo. In Valdo, all the Italian host families and Poly students went to a final dinner. This was a chance to celebrate all the people we have gotten to know across the last week and connect as an entire group. It was very fun and we bonded with our Italian student friends for one of the last times.

The main course for our post-Verona dinner being prepared.

The Poly group, our Italian friends, and our host parents enjoy a final dinner together in Valdobbiadene.

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