As summer arrives in Verona, the city begins a three-month season of epic operas staged in the magical Roman Arena, along with rock concerts and a jazz festival (for the full programme of events, go to arena.it). The city of Romeo and Juliet is in the news right now with the opening of Hollywood romcom Letters to Juliet, inspired by Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Hotels can be expensive, and the best bet is to choose from the many B&Bs that have opened up. Here are 10 of the best.
1. B&B Nino Martini
Nino Martini was an Italian opera singer in the 1930s and also the uncle of the owner of this comfortable B&B. The tenor acquired this rather grand Liberty villa in a quiet residential quarter of the city, and when Signora Valentina converted the ground floor into a three-room B&B, it seemed natural to name it after their benefactor. There is a shady garden that guests can make use off, as well as the kitchen and breakfast room. The rooms are nicely decorated and spacious, with free Wi-Fi.
• Via Nino Bixio 23, +39 346 578 8501, bb-ninomartini.it. Double room with breakfast from €100
2. B&B Alla Cattedrale
Situated just by Verona's magnificent 12th-century cathedral – and in the same building as Osteria Al Duomo, one of the best places to eat in town – this elegant B&B is a wonderfully romantic place to be based and excellent value for money. Unassuming from the street, you walk into a grand medieval "palazzetto", with a marble staircase leading up to two suites on the top floor. The decor is a plush mix of chic Italian and African art, there is TV and music, but no internet, and breakfast is very much Italian-style, with brioches and croissants.
• Via Duomo 7, +39 045 590579, allacattedrale.it. Double room with breakfast from €70
3. Design Rooms
This is definitely the address for anyone looking for a stylish Verona stay, just a couple of minutes from the Arena and a favourite address for those working behind the scenes of the summer's operas and rock concerts. Three years ago, local architect, Davide Romagnoli, converted his studio into a cool, minimalist six-room B&B. Each room is bright white, no artworks or decoration, while in stark contrast, the communal lounge is a riot of bright colours. There is a cool portico with authentic Roman columns for afternoon drinks. Breakfast isn't served here but in a small cafe at the end of the road. The room rate is a bit pricey, but the ambiance is more chic boutique hotel than B&B.
• Via Patuzzi 1, +39 346 363 0128, designrooms.it. Double room with breakfast from €110
4. La Tana
Those searching for the genuine, old-fashioned B&B experience – staying in the home of local residents – should look no further than the apartment of genial signora Stella and her nephew Feruccio, a local carabiniere, who is a brilliant guide to Verona. Although this is no-frills, each of the three rooms has a laptop with free Wi-Fi, plus satellite TV, and the location is convenient between the town centre and train station. Occasionally, Stella bakes cakes or tarts for breakfast, or they spoil guests with a traditional Veronese Pandoro – a delicious sponge cake.
• Via Volto Cittadella 8, +39 333 846 1116, latana.info. Double room with breakfast from €60
5. Casa Coloniale
Ideally placed off the lively Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's unofficial town centre, the owners of this funky three-room B&B also run a cafe bistro of the same name just round the corner. The rooms are minimalist, modern design with satellite TV and internet, while breakfast is not served in the B&B itself, but at the Cafe Coloniale. Be sure to wander into the Piazza delle Erbe in the early evening when locals fill the square, drinking lethal spritz aperitifs made with Campari or Aperol.
• Via Cairoli 6, +39 337 472737, casa-coloniale.com. Double room with breakfast from €60
6. B&B Lo Stregatto
In a quiet neighbourbood just 15 minutes' walk from the Roman Arena and Juliet's House, this simple but homely B&B is ideal for families, as the friendly owner, Alessandra couldn't make guests more welcome in her cosy home. She is ready to arrange babysitting and also offers several different anti-stress treatments for visitors looking for relaxing massages. The big plus here is a lovely rooftop terrace where a copious organic breakfast is served in the morning, and you can sit out for drinks in the evening.
• Via Cantarane 22/a, +39 333 966 0753, stregattobb.it. Double room with breakfast from €60
7. B&B Ponte Manin
Opened less than a year ago, Ponte Manin is run by a young university student, Sebastiano, and his mother, Caterina. They have transformed part of their appartment into three rooms for guests, and there is a big outdoor terrace where breakfast is served. The building itself is also quite impressive, a 19th-century mansion, which, though it may need restoring, boasts a series of grand friezes and stucco busts. The location couldn't be better as it is almost next door to the Filarmonica concert hall and the buzzing Piazza Bra. It's worth asking for room one when booking as it has a tiny terrace of its own at no extra cost.
• Via D Manin 9, +39 045 894 9197, pontemanin.it. Double room with breakfast from €70
8. Casa e Natura
This intriguing B&B may look more expensive than many others in Verona, but guests here are utterly spoiled, and a stay here works out at excellent value for money. Situated on the other side of the Adige river from the town centre, the drab exterior hardly bodes well, but walk through the door and you find yourself in a fabulous villa with three luxurious rooms, where every product is organic – from the bed linen and toileteries to the sumptuous breakfast served in a romantic winter garden. Each spacious room has its own fitted kitchen, satellite TV, music system and DVDs, plus use of bicycle to get around town. Definitely the best place to reserve for a romantic weekend.
• Via San Nazaro 49, +39 045 595788, casaenatura.progettoindue.com. Double room with breakfast from €120
9. Residenza Muro Padri 8
Just by the wonderful Giardini Giusti, a perfectly preserved Renaissance garden, this two room, down-to-earth B&B has been open for five years, run by Cristina, an English teacher, and her husband, Matteo. The rooms are comfortable, and guests get the use of a lounge fitted out with cool 1950s and 60s furnishings. Breakfast is very much "do-it-yourself", but all the basics are there, from the coffee machine to toast and marmelade. The one drawback is there is no internet connection for guests.
• Via Muro Padri 8, +39 347 3200789, muropadri.it. Double room with breakfast from €70
10. B&B all'Opera
Another excellent location right in the centre of Verona, B&B all'Opera is on the top floor of an ancient house that dates back to 1300. The four rooms have all been renovated, with ancient beams and antique furniture, and if you ask to reserve the room in the torre (the tower), there are panoramic views over the rooftops. There is a lovely breakfast room, where the food is temptingly laid out on an ancient wooden dresser. Be aware though, that when operas are being staged in Verona, the prices here can rise pretty steeply.
• Via Alberto Mario 11/a, Tel. +39 338 858 8763, bbopera.com. Double room with breakfast from €100
• All photographs by John Brunton
