Roman ruins and a world-renowned romance make Verona one of Italy's must-see destinations. As the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, one would be hard-pressed to find a more romantic city. Indeed, a visit to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House) overwhelms the emotions with the passion and chivalry expressed by these star-crossed lovers in what is arguably one of Western culture's most influential love stories. However, Verona, with its history and culture dating back to Roman times, has much more to offer than strictly love tales. The city is home to one of the most well-preserved Roman Amphitheaters and outdates the Colosseum in Rome by nearly a half century! Once the sight of deadly Gladiator fights and war reenactments, the arena is still used today for the city's annual opera festival.