Relais Fra Lorenzo

“Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene...”  – 'Romeo & Juliet', by William Shakespeare

Well, one household to be precise and very like in dignity to either the Montague or Capulet mansions. Set back from the ancient city centre in the heart of a large, wild garden of olive trees, lies this stately five star hotel that has made the infinitely romantic tale of Romeo & Juliet its own. These wise old trees are said to have provided shade and rest for the hotel's namesake, Friar Laurence, when he would climb up the hill and gather  his “baleful weeds and precious-juicèd flowers“ and indeed the air is fragrant with their scent. I can easily imagine him pottering about in the brilliant sunshine of these Northern Italian lands and feel him quite real as I arrive to this magical spot to find my own place of rest.

A little more sumptuous than a holy cell, the bedroom could easily have been Juliet's, with its antique furnishings, large, plush, gilded bed, beautiful free standing wardrobe and a large window, from which Romeo could easily appear, looking out onto the immaculately tended lawns and the dreamy city beyond. I see its spires, domes and turreted rooftops that mark the myriad of historical buildings that's made Verona a UNESCO World Heritage Site and I'm transported back in time. I really could be the daughter of the rich Capulet... and yet  I doubt Juliet would have had a minibar, or air conditioning, an electric kettle and an LCD flat screen television with satellite come to that. Ah, the joys of modern living! This contemporary luxury extends to the ample bathroom, which offers a bathtub, hair dryer and complimentary products that smell divine. Perfect, picturesque pleasure awaits within these four walls and outside; strolling in the garden, along the river or relaxing by that magnificent, natural salt water outdoor pool. Now all I need is my Romeo!

Right on cue the door opens and my love waltzes happily in and wraps his arms around me. I suppose there's no need for him to perilously scramble up the elegant, elderly walls to my window... He has been mysteriously lingering downstairs before coming up to join me and is stubbornly secretive as to what he's been up to. Yet I find out that very evening when my man bids me dress up and join him on a surprise date to the breathtaking Verona Arena where we sit, enthralled, in the splendid outdoor theatre and are swept away by the magic of the night air and the spectacular performance. Just the setting itself is so stunning. We enjoy it immensely and with the music still singing in my ears we wind our way back to our love's nest on the Friar's hill, hand in hand. Two lovers luckily allowed to live happily beneath fortuitous stars and enjoy all the romance of Shakespeare's tale, with none of the tragedy, at the Relais Fra' Lorenzo.