As we gleaned so much helpful info from this website before our trip, thought we'd share a few odds and ends that we learned, in chronological order.
Although, thankfully, we saw no evidence of pickpockets, we did have a weird experience on our train from Venice. After getting on a young woman ran through the train distributing small slips of paper to everyone in the cars. It stated in Italian basically that she was a poor woman stranded alone, away from home with her children(who were mysteriously not with her) and she was trying to get enough money to make it back. About 10 minutes later she came running back through the car demanding money from everyone. When we pleaded ignorance, she wasn't too pleased, and stated "money, help" in English. She seemed annoyed when we said "no change", but she hurried on and hopped off at the next stop. Don't know if this is a common scam or not.
I would NOT recommend the Hotel Arena for much more than location, and the fact that they did have internet and a good breakfast. More expensive than our hotel in Venice and NO AIR CONDITIONING despite what you might read.
Castelvecchio is a good seen late in the afternoon. It is open until 19:30 and the low angled light really illuminates it and makes the river seem to glow. A good option if you're heading into town before dinner.
Check out the kids playing soccer after dark in the mostly empty piazza across from the Lamberti Tower while their parents dine at the fancy restuarants!
EL DUCA is a very good, fairly reasonable ($80 for 3 with wine), "typical Veronese" family restaurant located not from the Scalageri tombs in old Verona.