The city of Verona is perfect for school trips, with a wealth of history and art on display, spanning a long and varied period of time.
In search of the many faces of Verona
There are many itineraries to suit any age group. From Roman Verona to the mediaeval city, from the days of the Venetian and Austrian Empires to underground Verona. Or why not follow a literary itinerary, in the footsteps of Dante or Shakespeare? There are many tour guide associations which offer interesting tours for pupils from primary or secondary schools, tailored to suit specific study goals.
"Verona was Roman, Gothic, then Byzantine and Lombard. It was held the Carolingians and German emperors, it was a glorious commune and a lordship. Is was Scaliger, it was run the Visconti of Milan and the Venetians; the was a rapid turnover and each era left its own mark on top of the last one. At every stage of history, it played an important part thanks to its strategic and commercial importance, as a major stronghold at the meeting point of the main routes between Italy and the German-speaking world. For its variety of styles, none of which dominates, Verona is unequalled among Italian cities with the exception of Rome." (Guido Piovene)
The beauty of the art and architecture, along with the wealth of culture on offer, make Verona the perfect destination for school trips, a starting point packed full of opportunities for more in-depth study and research into different subject areas. There is also an initiative promoted by the city’s council designed for young children, called Verona for Kids.
To get children involved in learning about the history and art of the city, the council has created two treasure hunt maps which children can use to have fun whilst exploring Verona in search of culturally important sites and details. Anyone completing the treasure hunt earns a special prize. To take part, visit the Verona tourist office in Via Leoncino and ask for your map. A chance to have fun while learning, always a popular choice for children and their parents and teachers.
If you are a teacher
If you are a teacher planning to bring your pupils to the city, I recommend that you contact the Verona tourist office in advance to get useful information and educational materials to help make your trip truly unforgettable! Verona tourist office (IAT, Ufficio Informazioni e Accoglienza Turistica) is close to the Arena at Via Leoncino, 61. A regularly updated list of authorised tour guides is available from the local authorities:
Time for a break! Where in the city can you eat your packed lunch?
Open-air picnic areas in the city:
Via Ponte Aleardi gardens
Raggio di Sole gardens
Park at Castel San Pietro Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes near the Torricelle (run by the Stimmatini centre)
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Viale dei Colli, 27 (dining hall, must be booked in advance +39 3334339772)
Museo Africano, Vicolo Pozzo 1 (dining hall only for groups visiting the museum or participating in museum activities, must be booked in advance +39 0485092199)
CTG - Gruppo Guide & Animatori culturali di Verona, Vicolo Dietro Sant'Andrea, 8c (dining hall, must be booked in advance +39 3451134609)
"Pleasant Verona! With its beautiful old palaces, and charming country in the distance, seen from terrace walks, and stately, balustraded galleries. With its Roman gates, still spanning the fair street, and casting, on the sunlight of to-day, the shade of fifteen hundred years ago. With its marble-fitted churches, lofty towers, rich architecture, and quaint old quiet thoroughfares, where shouts of Montagues and Capulets once resounded...." (Charles Dickens)
Rates for school parties
If you can produce a document stating that you are on an educational trip, admission is just €1 per student to any museum or civic monument, as well as the city’s four most important churches. For more information about guided tours and educational activities in Verona’s civic museums, please contact the Musei Civici di Verona’s educational department:
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 13:00, 14:00-16:00,
from 15 September also open Saturday morning 09:00-13:00
Tel. +39 045 8036353 - +39 045 597140