So splendid was medieval Verona that its reputation alone inspired William Shakespeare to set two of his best plays, Romeo and Juliet and the Two Gentlemen of Verona, here. Though its connection to actual Capulets is tenuous at best, the so-called Juliet’s House is interesting for the tourists themselves: Half a million come here a year, many in love and anxious to reenact balcony scenes. For real history, check out the Roman Arena, the best preserved and third-largest to survive in the world.

Learn about the neighborhoods in Verona