Getting to and around Verona

 

1. Flying Directly into Verona

There is an airport located in Verona which is just 20 minutes away from the main attractions in Verona. This makes Verona a highly accessible city to visit by flying directly into the airport.

You may not believe it, I got my air tickets at a steal. Flying into Verona from Manchester was cheaper than buying a bus pass for a day in Manchester, UK. 

2. Getting from the Airport to the City Centre

 

前往维罗纳及其周边地区

 

1. 直飞维罗纳

维罗纳有一个机场,距离维罗纳的主要景点仅20分钟路程。因此,要探访维罗纳非常便利,可以直飞往机场。

令我不可思议的是,我竟然买到了超值廉价的机票。从英国曼彻斯特飞往维罗纳比在曼彻斯特购买一天的巴士通票便宜。

2. 从机场到市中心

 

During my visit, the bus ticket for the transfer from the airport to the city center costs 6 Euro which is about S$9. The bus will bring you to Verona’s main train station called Verona Porta Nuova. This is the transport hub that will get you to other parts of Italy like Lake Garda (15 mins by train), Milan, and Venice (2-3 hours by bus). When you reach Verona Porta Nuova, you can take another bus that will bring you to the main tourist attractions in Verona or you can choose to walk there. I chose to walk as I like to save money and also to get to know the city better. The walk took about 20 mins only. For more information about the bus passes that you can get in Verona, you can check out this blogpost

在我探访期间,从机场到市中心的巴士票价为 6 欧元,约9 新元。巴士将带您前往维罗纳的主要火车站 Verona Porta Nuova。这是前往意大利其他地区的交通枢纽,如加尔达湖(只需乘坐火车 15 分钟)、米兰和威尼斯(只需乘坐巴士 2-3 小时)。

到达维罗纳火车站后,您可以乘坐另一辆巴士前往维罗纳的主要旅游景点,也可以选择步行前往。我选择步行是为了省钱,也为了更好地了解这座城市。步行只需要大约20分钟。

有关您可以在维罗纳获得的巴士通行证的更多信息,您可以查看这篇博文。

 

3. Getting from Verona to Lake Garda

Getting from Verona Porta Nuova train station to Lake Garda only requires 15 mins by train. However, the catch is that there are only 1 to 2 trains per hour. Therefore, it is very important for you to check the train schedule in advance on Google Map, especially if you have a connecting bus or train to catch. Throughout the whole trip, there was only once when I found it challenging to navigate around Italy without knowing the language. It is when I had to figure out the platform to board the train from Verona Porta Nuova to Peschiera Del Garda (Lake Garda). Thankfully, there are always people around whom we can ask for help. I will generally approach the youngest person in the crowd as the chances that he or she can speak English are the highest.

In Italy, there is a very high level of trust between the train company and the members of the public. There are no gantries that we have to insert our train tickets to board the train. It is all based on a trust system.

In addition, do note that the train could change platforms at the last minute and it is best to follow the locals and crowd in such situations as the announcement is likely only broadcasted in Italian. I experienced rushing from platform 3 to 7 with a bunch of strangers to catch our train. The 5 minutes of camaraderie felt a little like I was being transported into the movie Train to Busan. Such great fun! 

Accommodations in Verona

The 2 hostels that I stayed in Verona and Lake Garda were really nice in their own rights. I have done a comparison of both hostels in the table below so that you can assess them based on your own needs. 

I will stay in both hostels if I am visiting Verona again. If I have the budget, I will definitely prefer to stay in a private room as I will not have to put up with people who snack in the middle of the night or refuse to lights out even after 11 pm. 

I like using booking.com to find my accommodations as another travel blogger had also vouched that he can usually find a good deal on booking.com. 

However, do note that there could be scam listings even on booking.com and it may be a good idea to do an independent check of the accommodation on google (e.g. XXX hotel reviews scam) to verify if a number of people had encountered any bad experiences. I have personally not experienced this but I saw someone sharing it on his Instagram account that he had booked a scam accommodation in Rome through booking.com. 

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Scam Alert Credits: https://www.instagram.com/tsubasa_singapore/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Attractions in Verona

A picture paints a thousand words. Each photo evokes a very personal memory and connection in me, some dating back to my childhood. I find myself asking more questions and generating more ideas during the trip. This was something that had been missing in my life for the last 3 months of hibernating in winter. I am really glad that I found my zest for life again in Spring. 

3. 从维罗纳到加尔达湖
从 Verona Porta Nuova 火车站到加尔达湖仅需 15 分钟的火车车程。然而,问题是每小时只有 1 到 2 趟列车。因此,提前在谷歌地图上查看火车时刻表对您来说非常重要,特别是如果您有接驳巴士或火车要赶上。
在整个旅程中,只有一次因为语言不通,觉得有点茫然。那时侯,我得弄清楚从 Verona Porta Nuova 到 Peschiera Del Garda(加尔达湖)的火车站台。值得庆幸的是,我们总是可以向周围的人寻求帮助。我通常会向最年轻的人求助,因为他们会说英语的机会最高。
在意大利,火车公司与公众之间的信任度非常高。不像许多亚洲国家,乘搭火车前不需要插入火车票进龙门架就能登上火车。这一切都基于信任系统。

我本身经历过火车在最后一刻更换站台。在这种情况下最好跟随当地人和人群,因为公告可能仅以意大利语播放。我经历了和一群陌生人从 3 号站台冲到 7 号站台来赶我们的火车。 5分钟的同志感仿佛把我带到了电影《釜山行》中。这是一番有趣的体验!

维罗纳的住宿

我在维罗纳和加尔达湖住的两家旅馆都很好。以下是我对两家旅馆的比较与评估,方便您参考。

如果我再次探访维罗纳,我会再次住在这两个旅馆。如果我有预算,我肯定会更喜欢住在私人房间里,因为我不必忍受在半夜吃零食或即使在晚上 11 点之后也拒绝熄灯的人。

我喜欢使用 booking.com 来寻找我的住宿,因为另一位旅游博主也分享了他通常可以在 booking.com 上找到优惠。

但是,请注意,即使在 booking.com 上也可能存在诈骗住宿的广告。以防万一,你可以在Google 搜寻确认是否有人曾经被诈骗。 我个人没有经历过这种情况,但我看到有人在 Instagram 帐户上分享他通过 booking.com 在罗马预订了诈骗住宿。

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Scam Alert Credits: https://www.instagram.com/tsubasa_singapore/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

维罗纳景点

一幅画能表达千言万语。每张照片都唤起了我个人的记忆和联系,其中一些可以追溯到我的童年。我发现自己在旅途中唤醒了我的好奇感和思考能力。这是我在冬天里窝在被窝里一直渴望的。我真的很高兴我在春天再次找到了对生活的热忱!

In contrast to living near the equator, living in a temperate region reminds me that changes are always lurking around the corner. It felt like a miracle when the harsh cold weather became warm and pleasant, ornamented with blooming flowers around the city! This new experience gave me hope that things will always change for the better and when winter arrives, just hang on and wait for spring. I had never and would probably not experience a change of season in Singapore. 
与生活在赤道边缘相比,生活在温带地区提醒我,变化总是潜伏在拐角处。当严寒的天气变得温暖宜人时,感觉就像一个奇迹,城市周围盛开着鲜花!这种新的经历提醒了我事情总是会变得更好,当冬天来临时,坚持下去,等待春天。这番体验是我毕生在新加坡无法体验到的。

Verona is home to the story of Romeo and Juliet. However, I was not interested in it and I did not even bother visiting Juliet’s balcony. The things that I would like to do when I am back the next time are to

1. Join the free guided tour conducted by passionate residents of Verona at 10 am; and

2. Watch a show in the Verona Arena in the evening. 

Attractions in Lake Garda

维罗纳是启发罗密欧与朱丽叶故事的发源地。然而,我并不感兴趣,甚至在离去朱丽叶的阳台景点十步里内,都不想走去看一看。下次回到维罗纳时,我想做的是

1.参加上午10点由热情的维罗纳居民进行的免费导览,和

2. 晚上在维罗纳竞技场看一场表演。

加尔达湖景点

To me, Lake Garda is a perfect place to relax and unwind. Tourists flood here from spring to autumn to enjoy the water sports, hiking trails, and the serenity of the lake. I was here in the first week of April’22 and it was not too crowded yet. 
对我来说,加尔达湖是放松心情的理想地方。从春季到秋季,游客涌入这里,享受水上运动、远足小径和湖泊的宁静。我在 2022 年 4 月的第一周来到这里,人流量还不算太拥挤。
Even though there is a gelato shop at every corner of a tourist attraction in Italy, I was still very excited to have gelato every other day when I was there. A friend whom I met at the hostel told me that fondue/dark chocolate and pistachio go very well together. She’s right, I love it. This will probably be the flavour combination that I will order at every gelato shop. 
尽管冰淇淋店在意大利的每个旅游景点有如雨后春笋般茂盛,但每当我看到冰淇淋店时,我仍然很兴奋,每隔一天都要吃冰淇淋。在旅馆遇到的一位朋友与我分享,黑巧克力和开心果的口味搭配得很好。我同意而这将是我在每家冰淇淋店都会选择的口味。
I only spent one day in Lake Garda and it was perfect for me after a hectic day trip to Milan the day before. It was a day without any agenda, just wandering around the lake and wondering what I should do in the next few months. I think the resolve to pen down this blogpost was seeded the day in Lake Garda when I was sitting beside the lake and penning down my reflections of the trip. The trip to Lake Garda was the perfect way for me to end my holiday and I hope the next time I am back to Lake Garda, it will be with my loved ones. 
我只在加尔达湖度过了一天。因为前一天我去了米兰一日游,奔波劳碌,觉得疲惫不堪。因此,能在加尔达湖歇息一天,对我来说是结束这趟旅程完美的句点。

这是没有任何日程表的一天,不用担心赶不上巴士或飞机。一天下来,我在湖边闲逛,思考接下来几个月的计划。写下这篇旅游记的决心也是在加尔达湖的那一天立下的。我希望下次我回到加尔达湖时,是和我的家人一起分享这风光明媚的湖岸。

Getting to and around Milan

While researching on the things to do in Verona, I saw pictures of the Duomo Di Milano Cathedral and I was captivated. I wanted to visit it. To my delight, I realised that Milan was just 2 hours away from Verona by bus or train. 

1. Taking Flixbus from Verona to Milan

There are several bus stops that you can choose to alight in Milan when booking your tickets on the Flixbus website.

前往米兰

在网上搜寻维罗纳的景点讯息时,我被米兰大教堂的照片深深吸引。我好想亲身目睹这壮观美丽的教堂。庆幸的是,米兰距离维罗纳只有两小时的巴士路程。因此,我决定前往米兰一趟。

1. 从维罗纳乘坐 Flixbus 到米兰

在 Flixbus 网站上预订车票时,您可以选择在米兰的多个巴士站下车。

I will strongly recommend you to choose Lampugnano bus station as the destination instead of Cormano-Cusano Milanino West, even if the ticket for the former is slightly more expensive. Lampugnano bus station is a proper bus terminal that is right next to the Lampugnano Metro Station which will bring you directly to most of the tourist attractions in Milan.
我强烈建议您选择 Lampugnano 巴士站而不是 Cormano-Cusano Milanino West 作为目的地,即使前者的车票稍微贵一些。 Lampugnano 巴士站是一个巴士总站,毗邻 Lampugnano 地铁站,可将您直接带到米兰的大部分旅游景点。

However, Cormano-Cusano Milanino West is along the motorway/highway. This pick-up/drop-off point does not even have a proper bus stop or signage. In my experience, Flixbus can be delayed for up to an hour if there is traffic congestion along the highway. Therefore, you may have to stand under the hot sun or brace the storm while waiting for your bus to arrive at Cormano, all the while fretting that you may have missed the bus or you are waiting at the wrong place. If you had unfortunately bought your tickets and chose Cormano, you could either request a change before the trip or download the Flixbus app to track the bus in real-time. 
然而,Cormano-Cusano Milanino West 位于高速公路沿线。这个接送点甚至没有适当的巴士站或标牌。根据我的经验,如果高速公路出现交通拥堵,Flixbus 可能会延迟一个小时。因此,在等待巴士到达Cormano-Cusano Milanino West 时,您可能不得不站在烈日下或抵御风暴,同时担心您可能错过了巴士或在错误的地方等车。如果您不幸买了车票并选择了科尔马诺,您可以在出行前申请改票或下载 Flixbus 应用程序以实时跟踪巴士。

Another Pro-tip that I want to share with you is to select the currency in Euro instead of Sterling pounds as sometimes Flixbus may charge the same numerical price in both currencies. In such cases, paying in Euro will give you a better deal. As a rule of thumb, the earlier you book your bus tickets, the cheaper they are likely to be. Flixbus demarcates the bus stops on Google Maps and you should be able to navigate to your bus stop by following the directions on the map. 

2. Getting around Milan

I will recommend checking out this guide to find out more about getting around Milan and the passes that you can purchase. However, do note that the prices may change by the time you are reading the guide. The standard metro ticket was 2 Euro and the unlimited day pass was 7 Euro in April’22. 

Attractions in Milan

1. Duomo di Milano

I went to Milan to see the Duomo and this was the only place that I visited in Milan. Even though I bought the most basic ticket which granted me access to the cathedral only, I spent 2 hours inside learning about the Duomo. As I did not want to pay for the audio guide, I educated myself about the Cathedral through some YouTube videos. The 2 things that struck me the most at the end of my tour are:

1.  The Cathedral is a culmination of more than 600 years of deliberation and construction work. It traverses centuries to unite people towards building something Majestic. The ceaseless efforts to improve it are what make it so intricate and beautiful. 

我想与您分享的另一个贴士是选择用欧元而不是英镑付款。因为有时 Flixbus 可能会以两种货币收取相同的数字价格。在这种情况下,以欧元支付会给您带来更好的交易。大致上,您越早预订巴士票,车票可能越便宜。Flixbus 在 Google 地图上划定了巴士站,您应该能够按照地图上的指示导航到您的巴士站。

2. 游览米兰

我建议您查看本指南,以了解有关在米兰周边游览以及您可以购买的通行证的更多信息。但是,请注意,在您阅读指南时价格可能已被调整。在 2022 年 4 月,单程地铁票为 2 欧元,无限制日票为 7 欧元。

米兰的景点

1. 米兰大教堂

在米兰,这是我唯一游览的景点。尽管我买了最基本的门票,只能让我进入大教堂,但我还是花了两个小时体验与探索大教堂。为了节省语音导览的费用,我通过一些 YouTube 视频了解了大教堂。最让我印象深刻的两个体会是:

1. 大教堂是累积了600多年的心血精心设计与建造的结晶。它跨越了几个世纪,将人们团结起来,共同打造宏伟的建筑。所谓百尺竿头更进一步,大教堂能如此精致莫过于世世代代的人不断努力地改进与修建它。

Coincidentally, the night after I visited the Duomo, a Facebook friend also posted about the Cologne Cathedral in Germany which also took 600 years to build. Great work takes time and continuous effort to create.


2.  The Cathedral felt like a tribute to women and motherhood. Every artwork I saw seemed to be celebrating and honouring women. I left the Cathedral thinking about my mum, my grandmothers,  friends who have lost their mums, and friends who are entering or enjoying their motherhood right now. 

恰巧的是,在我参观大教堂的那天晚上,一位 Facebook 朋友也分享了德国科隆大教堂的景点。这座大教堂也花了 600 多年时间建成。伟大的作品需要时间和源源不绝的努力创造出来。

 

2. 大教堂展示的雕像和油画感觉像是对女性和母爱的致敬。这番体验令我思念我的妈妈和外婆。我也想起了失去妈妈的朋友以及周围的妈妈朋友们。

 2. Performances around Duomo di Milano

Another highlight of my visit to Milan is to witness this performance outside the Duomo.

2. 米兰大教堂周边的表演

我想米兰被称为艺术之堂,走在时尚的前锋的其中原因是这所教堂吸引了艺术家前来展示才艺。我探访米兰那天,刚巧见证了这场表演。

 

It was Enthralling. I felt compelled to support his artwork and contributed 2 Euro as that was the only shilling I had. 

After-Thoughts

I have always wanted to travel out of Asia and the opportunity to do so came earlier than I have imagined. This being my first solo trip (even though I am already 32-year-old), I was still a little apprehensive before I set off. I must give credit to the Hindi movie Queen and a few friends for nudging me to take action. I felt emboldened after this trip and I am looking forward to sharing more destinations with you in the next few months. Do check in from time to time for updates. 

在烈日当空,阵阵强风下,能看到这么优美的表演,实在是太美妙了!

反思与总结

探索世界的梦想一直深藏在我内心的小角落里。没想到我竟然有机会朝这个梦想迈进一步。这是我第一次独自旅行(尽管我已经32岁了),出发前我还是有点忐忑不安。

我要感谢一部称为皇后的印地语电影和几个朋友的鼓舞,推动了我采取实际行动拟定旅游计划。我期待在接下来的几个月里与您分享更多的目的地。请您继续关注此网页,查看新动脉。

1 comment

  1. Kok kheng

    Good information

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