verona how far off main highway and is it worth a visit

I'm looking for a "?" somewhere indicating the actual question. Are you wondering if the things you have read about Verona are true? It is focused on by RS, Michelin and Lonely Planet. So yes, if that was your question?? Do you have Google Maps or other mapping ap or program, so you can check how many metres it is from the autostrada exits to your carpark of interest.

I know the train from Venice to Milan goes through Verona. Verona is one of my very favorite places in Italy. There is a lot to see - google "verona card" for a list of the main attractions.

"Is it worth a visit?" - Absolutely! Verona is one of my favorite towns in Italy, and you should definitely spend a night (or preferably, two). Since it sounds like you're just driving by, and stopping for a few hours, you'll still have a great trip. This town really presents itself at night (after the daytrippers have left) and you may feel a bit sad leaving so soon, though.
"How far off the main highway is it?"- I always arrive by train, so I'm not positive on that one.

Verona has been one of our favorite places so far in Italy, and we've been to over 20 cities. Here are some Photos from Verona from our trip there this past May. We're going back next year to stay even longer. Happy travels.

Since Verona's just 75 minutes west of Venice, you could tour it by car and drive west to Bergamo to spend the night. That would get you into Lake Como earlier and allow more time sightseeing in those incredible mountains. You can click on Mapquest.com to see the maps for Italy. Then, click east and west following the roads along the way. Their maps can give you a good feel for the geographics of the area. I hear nice things about Verona. I spent one night there in 1970, and only remember Romeo and Juliet's balcony and the Coliseum. It was otherwise not very memorable. There again, I was over there in college, and life was also a blur.

Liz,do not miss verona!you do not have to spend the night but a good 5 hrs is great!I've been twice.I would see Bergamo also it is fabulous!

Thankyou all for wonderful replies. Once my husband gets onto a main road its hard to get him to detour. Thought if VERONA not far from Autostrade we could visit for a few hours on way to Lake Como. Already have accomm booked at Tremezzo so cant stay overnight. Yes the only thing I have heard is the balconcy of Romeo &Juliet. I can see we will just have to return one day and hire a motorhome so we can spend longer at these beautiful cities. Thany you again but I still dont know how many kilometres it is to get there. Is there a highway thats not as scary fast with no tolls?

When driving on the A4 from Venice, take the "Verona Sud" exit. From there it's pretty much a straight shot to the historic center (Centro). After you go past the Porta Nuova (the big arch/doorway structure, you can't miss it), start looking for parking lots/garages on the right side (big blue signs with a white "P"). It's an easy stroll into the centro from there. Don't try to drive right into the historic center as there are ZTLs everywhere (residents only) and you'll get ticketed. There is a tangenziale that straddles the A4 that has no tolls but people still drive pretty fast on that. There is also a secondary road that follows the same route as the A4 more or less - the SS/SR11 - but it goes through the cities, has tons of stop lights and traffic and is used more for local traffic.

To answer the question about distance, using the same scheme I outlined in the first message I have worked out that from Tronchetto in Venice (you didn't say exactly where you were getting your car) to the centre of Verona it is 121 km. From the exit of the Autostrada it is about 5 km.

Thanx guys will take that advice on board. Coming from a small island it is going to be an eye opener for sure. Question again which side of the 2 lanes do you drive in? Here the slower ones are on the left. We will be leaving Piazzle Roma guess we will hire a GPS too. cheers

All of Europe, except the UK and Ireland, drive on the right with left hand drive controls. Automatics are difficult and expensive to get, with no guarantees, so you need to be prepared to change gears with your right hand. In northern Italy if you don't stay in the correct lane you will have people driving in your boot flashing their lights and using their horns. I blend right in because I get into their mindset but driving in Italy can be challenging. You need to meet legal requirements such as each driver requires an IDP - International Driving Permit - which is use in conjunction with your Oz driving licence. You must avoid the dreaded ZTLs in most Italian cities or you will have large fines coming to you 9 months to 2 years after you get home. Ken has a whole list, hopefully he will pop it on. Have a look at what Ron in Rome has to say about IDPs and lots of other things like police rolling roadblocks. Well worth a read.

Verona is well worth a visit. Centro is just a few minutes off the A4. There is a parking area just a few minutes walk outside Piazza Bra (in case you don't want to drive that close to centro). Yeah, you don't want to try driving slowin the left lanes here. :O)

Gosh am wondering now if we should persue this. I will have to find out where to get the permit in Australia. Thought just an international licence would suffice!! Hope there arent any no go zones as we drive out of venice. thanx again

Liz, do you mind my asking why you're renting a car rather than taking the train?

There are no driving restrictions in Venice since you can't actually drive there, all you can do is park.

Thankyou replies. Michael thought it would be easier to drive with all the luggage we will have coming off a cruise and then we would have a car to drive around Lake Como spots. We did drive in America years ago but had our son with us to navigate. Glad I was told about the permit and the fines we may encounter. Will check with our local service centre re permit thanks guys

You guys will be ok Liz.....just sounds like more than what it is. Just a suggestion for parking in Venice......Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto are expensive to park (20-30 euro a day as I understand it). Marco Polo airport has 5 euro a day parking lots and buses that take you into Piazzale Roma for 5 euro a ticket (about a 20 min ride). And meant to mention earlier.....definetly bring a GPS.

I second the suggestion for GPS. They are lifesavers while driving in Italy. And Liz, you can get an International Driving Permit at your local AAA (Australian Automobile Association, in your case). Here's a link:
http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/idp.htm

Still not sure why you're driving, esp. since it's on the "wrong" side of the road for you.

all the luggage Cars are pretty small in Europe, you will need a boot big enough for all the luggage because you don't want any showing when you go to Juliet's Balcony thing. If you need so much luggage you will need such a big car.