Although travel agencies have set Verona as a stop in their tours, domestic travelers who have just started to travel to Europe have no concept or impression of Verona. The name Verona is neither as famous as the city of Rome, nor as well-known as Venice, nor as fashionable as Milan, so everyone is quite puzzled by the travel agency's arrangements for traveling to Verona.
In fact, not only is Verona new and unfamiliar to the members, but even Dong Qiangqiang and Tong Lele have heard the name of this city for the first time.
But everyone flew thousands of kilometers to Italy. As the saying goes, if you come, you will be here, and if you don’t go, you will be even more at a loss. Fortunately, the distance between Milan and Verona is not that far. In less than two hours, the car slowly drove into Verona.
Verona is located in northern Italy, 105 kilometers west of Venice, at the foot of the Lessini Mountains and surrounded by the sparkling Adige River. After crossing the "Old Castle Bridge" built in the 14th century, the two cars stopped on the outskirts of the city center.
Like primary school students, everyone followed Lao Bai step by step, strolling on the uneven gray brick road, listening to Lao Bai talk about the past and present of each landmark.
Verona is a cultural capital wrapped in thousands of years of history. After a long period of baptism, it still retains many medieval buildings, earning it the title of "Little Rome".
Strolling through the streets full of history, people look up from time to time. Hidden among the red brick battlements and towering bell towers are Paleolithic ruins, ancient Roman-style palaces, squares and churches built in the Middle Ages, as well as elegant Modern cafés, hotels and haute couture shops, both ancient and modern, Verona finds unity in its love of art and culture, passing them on in its museums and theatres.
The Arena of Verona was built in the early 1st century AD (probably during the Han Dynasty in ancient China) and was incorporated into the city wall by the then emperor Gallianus in 265 AD to defend against barbarian invasions (similar to the Great Wall). wonderful). The oval-shaped arena was originally built of white and pink limestone and was divided into upper and lower floors. However, it has long lost its appearance today, and only 72 arches are still intact. The current arena has long been converted into an open-air theater that can accommodate tens of thousands of people, providing a unique performance environment for various opera and music performances.
In addition to the Arena, another place that Verona is proud of is that it is the location that inspired Shakespeare to write two famous plays, namely "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" (later is an early comedy by Shakespeare). Juliet's former residence and former residence balcony are also world-famous because of the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.
When everyone heard Lao Bai say that "Juliet's former residence attracts 500,000 tourists every year, many of whom are keen to recreate the balcony scenery," they all started to imitate him. Even Tong Lele ran to the balcony and made a "come here" gesture.
Looking at Tong Lele shivering from the cold on the balcony, Dong Qiangqiang didn't pay attention to whom her gesture was for, but suddenly became curious, wondering if the same scene would happen every day in Zhu Yingtai's former residence in Shangyu, Kuaiji.
Everyone walked and looked around, as if they were traveling through time and space. In less than 3 hours, they walked through thousands of years. When people and horses were exhausted, Lao Bai drove everyone into the car again. In less than an hour, they were standing in Sirmione, a small town on the shores of Lake Garda, the largest natural lake in Italy.
Under Lao Bai's explanation, everyone realized that Garda, like Verona, still retains some traces of the Roman era in its buildings, monuments and ports. The name Garda was originally derived from the German word "Warte". It means "observatory, viewing platform". After World War II, Garda gradually transformed from a small fishing village into a modern tourist center in a few years (sounds familiar).
The wider waters of Lake Garda in the south are surrounded by mountains left by the retreat of glaciers, while the narrower area in the north is surrounded by fjord-shaped mountains, creating a mild Mediterranean climate.
With its unique geographical environment, charming natural landscape, especially the lush vegetation composed of olive trees, lemon trees, palm trees, cypress trees, oleander and orange trees, unparalleled clear waters, colorful outdoor tourism venues such as forest parks , nature reserves, water parks and other parks with different themes, as well as a full range of luxury hotels, convenient B&Bs and farmhouses, Lake Garda attracted thousands of foreign tourists and soon became the most prosperous place in Italy. and one of the most popular tourist destinations, and the premier resort area among them is Sirmione.
There is a double-decker boat service on the lake, and everyone is happy to get on board. Walking to the center of the lake, what everyone can see is the beautiful natural scenery, the quiet and peaceful lake surface, the picturesque medieval villages, and the mountains surrounding Lake Garda.
Although it is early spring, the sun still sets very early, and you can feel the chill when the wind blows. When the sky dims, countless bright lights light up on the shore, shining like a charming light network. There are also sparse lights that meander through the vegetation on the hills to the top of the mountain, overlooking the lively harbor.
The shore of the lake is lined with all kinds of sailboats, rising and falling in the microwave of the lake. The dark blue mirror-like surface of the lake extends to the foot of the towering mountains in the distance. In the darkness, the blue-black silent shadow of Mount Baldo appears more and more... deep.
A variety of Verona's classic dishes are provided on the cruise ship, which is what Lao Bai mentioned before as a buffet. In addition to the most classic risotto that can be eaten everywhere, there are also Garda-specific pike and polenta (pike is one of the most popular fish on Lake Garda), as well as the so-called "love knot". "Tortellini." And of course, the beautiful wines from the Garda region.
Except for some people who were slightly disappointed that they could no longer go shopping, most people gained a different spirit after feeling the charm of the city of art, the sweetness of Lake Garda, the majesty of the mountains, the exquisite food, and the exotic customs. Relax.
Since all the members were on board, Dong Qiangqiang and others did not have to worry about anyone escaping, and their tense nerves were relaxed for a moment.
The members gathered together in twos and threes, talking and laughing. Dong Qiangqiang, who was finally free, was just about to ask Lao Bai about tomorrow's schedule when Lei Lanting called.
On the second deck, Lao Bai stared blankly at the dark mountains. Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder. This was unexpected, and a lot of the drink in his hand instantly spilled. When he looked back, it was Tong Lele.
"I didn't see you when we were eating at the buffet just now," Tong Lele straightened her hair that was messy in the wind, "What are you thinking about hiding here and being so involved?"
"It's windy up there," Lao Bai turned his attention to the distant mountains again, "You (drink) should go back to the cabin."
"I think Verona is a charming city that brings together art, history and culture." Tong Lele leaned on the railing of the ship and sighed faintly, "Thanks to you for taking me with you this time, otherwise I might not be here for the rest of my life. I won’t come to this kind of place.”
"Verona is worth coming to at any time of the year." Lao Bai said lightly, "There will always be opportunities."
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse above their heads, the clouds were sparse and the wind was gentle. Tong Lele sipped the wine in her hand and asked softly: "If you were asked to choose a classic quote that fits the occasion, who would you think of?"
Lao Bai was silent for a moment and whispered: "'My heart is often floating on the dark sea. If it were not guided by the light, one day it would sink to the bottom of the sea forever.'"
"'In this world, the lights will never go out.'" Tong Lele accepted it naturally, "I also like Ba Jin's "Lamp" very much."
Seeing Lao Bai's long silence again, Tong Lele could only take the initiative and said: "Don't you ask me which sentence I am thinking of?"
Lao Bai shook his head, not knowing whether he didn't want to ask or whether he should ask.
"'I have walked on bridges in many places, seen clouds many times, and drank many kinds of wine...'" Tong Lele's voice was drowned in the wind.
Before she could finish memorizing it, Lao Bai immediately interrupted and said, "Shen Congwen, "Song Notes of a Travel to Hunan"."
Tong Lele, who didn't recite the key sentence, couldn't help but praise: "I know this, it's okay..."
"But he seems to be a scumbag. You have to be careful. Many good girls will fall into the hands of scumbags." Lao Bai drank the drink in his hand.
Tong Lele smiled: "Then do you think you are a scumbag?"
Lao Bai didn't expect that she would ask this question and was stunned.
Before he could answer, Tong Lele patted the back of Lao Bai's hand seemingly casually: "It's windy outside, so you should go in early."
Dong Qiangqiang, who had just hung up the phone with Lei Lanting, happened to see this scene.
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