A trip to Italy…

My mum has always been interested in the architecture of the world, for as long as I can remember. (I suppose it is what influenced my decision to study architecture at university!) Although I found these trips boring when I was younger, I began to appreciate them more as I grew up and now would love to go back to all the places (Rome, Vienna…) that I sat on a bench unappreciative, and unaware, of the outstanding architecture around me.

Recently my family and I have been to various places in Italy. Some of my favourites…

Verona, the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci and Catullus, and was Julius Caesar’s choice holiday destination. As well as this, it is also the home of Romeo and Juliet and Juliet’s balcony. Juliet’s most famous line, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” was spoken from the balcony, making it a highly popular place for people to visit and leave letters to loved ones in the hope that they will be answered by Juliet.

Another famous feature in Verona is the Roman theatre, dating back to the late 1^st century BC. These days, only remains of the edifice remain intact but rebuilding has taken place making the theatre seem like it would in the time of the Romans.

 Venice has to be my favourite place in Italy. Full of amazing architecture and built across 117 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Venice is like something I have never seen before.  The gondolas and architecture, such as the Rialto Bridge, help to make Venice famous all over the world and add to its character and charm.

The distinct lack of cars is surprising yet enjoyed (I’m not very good at crossing roads, still!) and Venice is definitely a place I would visit again as everything I saw I was amazed by.