Four years ago today, I traveled to Verona, Italy in the Veneto region for the first time. I was there for Vinitaly, a massive international wine industry trade event. Several of my clients are Italian wine producers and the show provided the opportunity to meet with many of them in one place. One winery, Cantina di Negrar is just outside Verona.

The Veneto region is famous for Valpolicella and Amarone. It has also been the inspiration for a great deal of my work.

I wasn’t there for long but in a matter of days, I fell in love with Verona. Not surprising perhaps given the most renowned love story of all time, Romeo and Juliet is said to be based on a true story of feuding Veronese families. The “Juliet Balcony” (above) extends from the home of the Capuletti family, said to be the historical, real life family of Juliet. But this tourist attraction is to me, the least of Verona’s charms.

I have been to Rome, Florence and Venice. Each is historically rich and beautiful in its own way. They also attract the greatest number of tourists. Verona is a little off the grid. Life is simple, yet full of energy. The locals, stylish in an unassuming way, fill the streets at night – no purpose required. Life, food and of course wine are to be enjoyed with verve. In a city of such great beauty and understated elegance, little more is necessary. Verona, I shall return.

Photography © Daryl Woods