This summer, I managed to combine my two favourite European countries, Italy and Croatia, while celebrating my sister and brother-in-law’s silver wedding anniversary. It was a trip filled with lovely memories!
I flew into Verona with Jet2 and spent a fantastic day exploring this underrated gem of a city.
Here are my must-sees:
Roman Amphitheatre
This iconic structure survived a 12th-century earthquake to become the city’s legendary open-air opera house, with seating for an impressive 30,000 people.
Casa di Giulietta
Entering the courtyard off Via Cappello, you’ll find Juliet’s house, where the walls are lined up to two metres high with love notes - many stuck on with chewing gum! Above, the famous balcony draws tourists eager to snap photos against this romantic backdrop.
Viewing Point
The Castel San Pietro Funicular whisked me in just over a minute to the top of Colle San Pietro, offering breathtaking views of Verona.
Next, we headed to Bardolino on Lake Garda, where we'd spend the next few days. Bardolino is one of the most popular resorts on the lake, boasting excellent ferry connections and charming little alleyways perfect for pottering around. It’s also famous for its vineyards. One day, we took the ferry to Desenzano on the southern shore - equally pretty and a bit more tranquil.
Our next adventure took us from Bardolino to Venice, where we boarded our cruise ship. The train ride from Pescheria to Venice was straightforward and efficient! We stayed at the Hilton Molino Stucky on Giudecca, a welcome haven compared to the hustle and bustle of St Mark's Square.
After enjoying rooftop drinks at their famous Skyline bar, we discovered a lovely quiet spot for dinner on Giudecca Island. I highly recommend this hotel if you want to escape the crowds, especially with the shuttle boat that conveniently runs to the main island.
The following morning, we took a water taxi to the port and boarded the Silver Ray, the newest addition to the Silversea fleet and the second of the Nova class. Accommodating just 728 passengers with 544 crew, this ship boasts the world’s first low-emissions cruise technology. Our seven-night cruise took us to Opatija, Split, Hvar Town, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Trieste, and then back to Venice.
Having experienced many cruise lines over the years, I truly fell in love with the Silver Ray. Everything about her was perfect - understated luxury at the highest level, adorned with more than 1,700 art pieces onboard.
Each suite has a balcony, and upon arrival, you’re welcomed by your very own butler. Our butler, Rommel, had it all covered, arranging everything from champagne parties to Eggs Benedict for breakfast on our balcony - absolutely delightful!
The Silver Ray features eight restaurants, including Italian, Japanese, and The Grill, where you can cook your own food on a hot rock. The SALT restaurant offers local flavours, featuring a Terrain menu with recipes specific to the ports visited, along with a Voyage menu inspired by the best flavours of the trip.
Highlights of my time on the Silver Ray? It’s hard to narrow it down, but here are a few:
Breakfast at the Arts Café: enjoying an Americano with an amazing selection of pastries
Pre-dinner cocktails at the SALT bar
The crew was utterly amazing; they couldn’t do enough for you, always with a smile
People-watching in Hvar
All in all, it was a very special trip that combined breathtaking scenery, cultural treasures and unforgettable experiences!
If you’re curious about planning your own adventure, feel free to get in touch!
Gillian x
