Most famous as the hometown of Shakespeare's tragic couple Romeo and Juliet, Verona isn't typically one of the first cities in Italy that tourists visit, but it's definitely worth a trip. Located in the northern Italian region of Veneto, Verona is less than 90 minutes from Venice or Milan via high-speed train. It's also within striking distance of Lake Garda, making it a great stop on a trip through northern Italy.
During my time in Verona, I stumbled upon Club di Giulietta, a volunteer group that calls themselves the secretaries of Juliet. They receive thousands of letters from around the world, and volunteers sort letters by language before handwriting a response. I got to spend a few hours reading and writing replies myself, which became the highlight of my trip to Verona.