July 2025 reading round up

July was an incredibly busy month, but also wound up being a really good reading month. As usual, there's a good mix of ARCs, thrillers, romance novels and more - so without further ado, here's everything I read in July 2025 with my quickfire reviews and ratings...

The Writer's Retreat by Samantha Verant

This was an ARC via NetGalley, and honestly I didn't enjoy it whatsoever. I had high hopes as the premise - a murder goes down at a writing retreat with a cult aspect to it - sounded right up my alley but it felt so flat. It was so complex with all these different POVs and timelines, which didn't flow well at all, and the characters were incredibly insufferable. Just overall felt like a slog to read. 2.5 stars from me.

The Lucky Winners by K L Slater

Another NetGalley thriller ARC, this time centred around a couple who win a stunning Lake District house in one of those crazy raffles - but of course, one half said couple has a past they're desperately trying to run away from, and the publicity doesn't help matters. Their dream home turns into an absolute nightmare. This was well paced and well written, and I really enjoyed it - though the ending was a tiiiiny bit flat. Overall, 4 stars.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

I read this as an audiobook (for free on youtube) and it was fantastic - such a fascinating concept and a really compelling story, which I genuinely enjoyed listening to. We follow a writer, who's wife has disappeared; in the hopes of finally being able to write a new book, he moves into a writing cabin previously owned by a bestselling author - in the middle of nowhere. What could go wrong?! It's expertly crafted and the twist was pretty mindblowing; the remote Scottish island setting is always a treat, too. Easy 4.5 stars from me.

Real When I'm With You by Lucy Powrie

I read this as a NetGalley ARC, and I knew going into it that it was YA etc; I've read Lucy's books before and, as always, this was really beautifully written and it's a lovely story. It has great neurodiversity and LGBT+ representation, but this could also be its downfall - it honestly felt really forced, rather than being a naturally woven part of the plot. It's a shame but overall I still enjoyed this book, which is a fake-dating romance following an autistic girl and a sweet barista. 3.5 stars but I'm definitely not the target audience here...

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk

This was one of the books I got for my birthday this year, and my first ever Lindsey Kelk. I have to say I really enjoyed it! Set in LA, it follows a British copywriter who is supposed to be visiting her sister but ends up playing matchmaker for her hot neighbour. It's just a lot of fun, quite a surface level romance but a really nice summer read nevertheless. 4 stars!

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

Still putting myself through Freida audiobooks on my walks and when I'm working - they're easy listening, but they're really not great books. This one is about a messy student and teacher relationship, and what happens when said teacher's wife finds out. It has a pretty good twist at the very end which I didn't see coming, but overall it's not very thrilling. 3 stars.

Rush by Daphne Loveling

This was an indie pub that I picked up on Stuff Your Kindle Day, and I was really expecting a dark romance given that it's a motorcycle club book, but it really wasn't dark at all. It was actually quite sweet, very 'insta love' with some found family and some decent spice. I enjoyed it, and it's a very quick, easy read, though the writing isn't fantastic. 3 stars!

The Situation Ship by Kate Callaghan

This is billed as a murder mystery romance, and that's basically exactly what it is, but it was a really odd blend of the two genres - with added spice. Bonus points for being set on a cruise ship, it follows an A-list celeb in the wake of a family death who then becomes wrapped up in multiple murders happening on board which she investigates with her new bodyguard, a hot detective. I did enjoy this but it just felt like it didn't know what it really wanted to be. 3.5 stars from me.

Body Check by Elle Kennedy

This was another birthday book, and it's actually Elle Kennedy's first ever book (as far as I know). It's a sports romance (loveeeee) based around a girl having a one night stand with a hockey player, who coincidentally plays for the hockey team her (possibly corrupt) father owns. The story navigates their blossoming relationship alongside the pressures of family life and hockey drama. I really enjoyed this and it's only a short one! 4 stars.

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

I actually really enjoy this series - definitely her best work. This is the sequel to The Housemaid, following the same protagonist a few years down the line as she finds herself still trying to be the saviour for women in sketchy DV situations. They're well written, still popcorn thriller-esque but genuinely very good and I'm glad I've continued reading the series. The twist wasn't really that big of a twist but nevertheless, 4 stars from me and another physical read, rather than an audiobook...

The Baby Group by Jade Lee Wright

This was an ARC from NetGalley, and did I enjoy it? I didn't love it, but it was okay; it follows a couple who have moved to the seaside in anticipation of their new baby, and join a parenting class filled with locals. The plot develops as they form friendships (and rivalries) with the other couples, and it builds up into a huge and devastating drama. Honestly the twist just annoyed me because it was one of those that just wouldn't occur, because you'd know certain information about your partner that would make what actually happens completely avoidable. Trying not to include spoilers but yeah, silly twist and overall not a thrilling read. 3 stars.

11 books in July, and August is already off to a great start! Feel free to let me know your latest read in the comments too, as I'm always open to recommendations...

3 day trips from Verona, Italy

During our week in northern Italy in June 2025, we based ourselves in Verona - we loved the city, but we knew a week would be too long to just stay in one place. So we took the opportunity to do some day trips, and I thought I'd share our experience! I must add, this definitely isn't an #ad for GetYourGuide, although we did use them throughout all of our day trips from Verona...

Verona to Venice, Murano and Burano day trip

Our first day trip of the week was from Verona to Venice; I had been to Venice once years prior, on a cruise, and I already knew I didn't want to spend the whole day there - which turned out to be the right choice for sure. So I hopped onto GetYourGuide and booked an islands boat trip to Murano and Burano.

First things first, though - how to get from Verona to Venice! I booked us a train from Verona Porta Nuova to Venezia Santa Lucia; I used Trainline to book etickets in advance, which cost us £9.13 per person - the same on the way back, too. This was really easy, of course, and I thought the price was amazing too. The trains are huge, comfortable, and have USB charging points at the seats. We actually needed to change the time of our return train, which was quick and easy in the app and didn't cost us any extra!

Upon arrival in Venice we used the ACTV ferry to get from the station to the main tourist area; I had booked our tickets on the app in advance, and it cost us 25euros per person for a day ticket - more expensive than getting from Verona to Venice mind you. But it is what it is, and it was the quickest/easiest way to get there in the rain.

We had some time to spare and grabbed a quick bite to eat down a little side street - just focaccias to eat on the go, which weren't too expensive. We decided to try and hit most of the highlights before our tour, so found ourselves rushing up and down all the streets of Venice; we walked through St Mark's Square to see the Basilica and Doge's Palace, headed to the Bridge of Sighs and also to the Rialto Bridge. Of course we admired the Grand Canal and saw plenty of gondolas too!

Then it was time for our tour, so we headed to the meeting point to pick up our audioguides and then we all walked to our boat together. We had great seats near the front, and our lovely guide chatted to us about all the different areas we passed as we sailed to Murano, our first stop. This portion of the tour included a visit to a Murano glass factory, which was boiling but absolutely fascinating - we learned about the history of Murano glass and watched a demonstration, then you could shop for authentic pieces in the factory shop with a discount. After this, we wandered further along the waterside and stopped for a drink, had a look at the Basilica of Santa Maria e San Donato (one of the oldest churches in the Venetian lagoon) and just generally took in the peace & quiet of Murano.

Our next stop was beautiful Burano, somewhere I've wanted to visit for years. It was genuinely as pretty and colourful and magical in real life as you see in photos, with more beautifully painted houses down every tiny alley and street. Here we visited a lace shop for a quick talk and demo, and sampled some traditional bussola cookies from a nearby bakery. We then had some free time, which we spent literally just admiring all of the stunning houses and taking plenty of photos, before relaxing right at the tip of the island with an ice cold drink.

I'd highly recommend this tour; I'm sure you can visit the islands yourself, but this was great because we had the guide and the factory visits etc included. We headed straight for the train when we got back to Venice; as nice as the city is, it was wayyyy too busy and hot for us in June!

Visiting the Dolomites from Verona

Our second day trip was from Verona to the Dolomites, another tour I booked on GetYourGuide. And what a day it was... the day before our trip, we got a text to say the coach was no longer leaving from Verona so we'd have to get to the meeting point an hour early, to be taken by taxi to where the coach could get us. This happened to be a petrol station in the middle of a junction in Affi, where we waited around 20 minutes for the coach. Okay, these things happen.

Our first stop was at a small town called Ora where we could use the loo and buy pastries and coffee - it wasn't the picturesque village we'd been hoping for, and was more a chance for the driver to take a necessary stop. There was nothing to do here in our 30 minute window and not much to see either. We got back on the coach, and the tour guide pointed out every single thing we drove past, including the lake we were meant to stop at but just... didn't. I had been really looking forward to a nice walk around Soraga Lake as it looked beautiful in the photos we'd seen, but we didn't stop there in the end which was really disappointing.

We reached the Dolomites area itself and the drive was really beautiful - it's a gorgeous mountain range and such a stunning part of Italy. All the chalets and greenery were just lovely. There are a lot of tight corners to get round, and our very long vehicle struggled with this; there was also a terrifying moment where a motorcyclist crashed into our coach as we rounded one particular corner, which then caused a bit of a traffic jam. Thankfully everybody was unharmed, but it was a hairy 15 minutes!

We finally arrived at Sass Pordoi, where we had the option to get the cable car to the top of the mountain; you could get a discount by booking with the group, but this was cash only (not communicated prior to the tour) and we didn't have any, so we just paid ourselves and went ahead to ride.

At the top there was so much cloud cover we couldn't see a thing; obviously this isn't anyone's fault, although I do think if we'd stopped at the lake we would have had much better timing and managed to take in some views. We had a drink and a croissant at the Rifugio Maria restaurant at the top; you could get food, although the menu they gave us only had ribs on it (?) although other members of our tour group did get different menus with a lot more options on and we heard the food was good. It was super cute in here with real chalet/ski lodge vibes.

We stayed a while to see if the clouds would shift but they didn't, so we headed down to get something to eat at Maria Ristorante (very confusing I know) which was recommended by the tour guide. Don't eat here, the food took honestly AGES to come and was both burnt and tasteless.

Our journey back to the petrol station where we'd started the day took a few hours, though we did stop again at the very pretty Ortisei - this actually is a lovely picturesque town, and we really enjoyed wandering around here with a gelato. Probably the best part of the day, honestly!

Overall we were really disappointed with this tour, which was such a shame; we paid over £100 per person, and it just didn't feel worth it at all. I had been so looking forward to this, as a mountain lover, but it didn't end up being the day we'd hoped for. I did get in touch with GetYourGuide who gave us a 50% refund, which I appreciated, but the whole thing left a bit of a sour taste for me. This was the specific tour we booked, in case you want to avoid it.

Verona to Sirmione, Lake Garda

Another place you can easily access from Verona is the beautiful Lake Garda area; we settled on Sirmione, and we decided to get the bus there. From my maps it seemed like the only place to get the bus from was the bus station which is opposite the train station, so we made our way there. I couldn't find any way to book tickets in advance, so we waited for the bus (LN026) and when it arrived went to buy our tickets from the driver - who only took cash, which we still didn't have. We ran round to the ticket office, which a man pointed out to us, and paid for our return tickets there - but then the bus left early and we missed it, which was frustrating.

Note: you can also get the train from Verona to Sirmione, which is quicker, but you will need to get a bus from Sirmione station to the town.

Not to be deterred we went and had an iced tea while we waited for the next bus, which we successfully got on. I actually slept through most of the journey, but woke up as we started to arrive at Lake Garda - the few towns we passed through were gorgeous. Unfortunately there was an issue with the buses on this day meaning we were deposited on a random road where we had to wait for a shuttle bus, with no information in English and a huge crowd of people also waiting to get to Sirmione - this was a little hiccup, but we did eventually make it to this absolutely beautiful lake town.

We stopped for a drink at a hotel right on the lake, just taking in the views and the ambience, which was a real pinch me moment. It's just a breathtaking place!

 

I had booked a lake cruise, again using GetyourGuide (they really are the best way to book tours and excursions, and 9/10 times we've had great experiences). As we arrived later than planned, I messaged the tour operator to move the booking and they were really happy to accommodate us, which was great. And the cruise itself was lovely - the captain was funny, the area is stunning, we got to learn a little bit of history about Sirmione and it was nice to be on the water on such a hot day. We paid just over £10pp for our Sirmione lake cruise and I'd highly recommend!

After our boat tour we just wandered through the streets, admiring the shops and the castle and the beautiful buildings. I also had the best gelato of my life here, which was HUGE and delicious, and despite being much busier than Verona itself it also felt really laidback here. There are restaurants galore with so many foodie options in Sirmione, and this day trip definitely cemented a desire to go back to Lake Garda and spend more time in the area.

While we didn't necessarily *do* much in Sirmione, it was a really beautiful place to visit and I'm so glad we did!

So, a mixed bag when it comes to day trips from Verona - the Venetian lagoon, the Dolomites and finally Lake Garda. I'm really glad we ticked these all off our list, despite the disastrous experience that was our Dolomites tour. I do love a day trip, and I think conquering public transport abroad is something to smile about.

June 2025 reading round up

June was a pretty good reading month for me, as we're now officially more than halfway through the year I'm really pleased to also be halfway past my overall 2025 reading goal! Without further ado, here's everything I read in June with quickfire reviews and ratings...

Access All Awkward by Beth Garrod

I picked this up on a whim in the charity shop for a mere 50p; it's a YA and part of a series, none of which I'd read, and honestly it was fine but just SO cringe. It follows a friendship group finishing their A-levels, and focuses on one of the girls who is (obv) "super awkward". The girls go to a festival and get their exam results and have fall outs and run a protest and it's all just cute and sweet and fun but the language and dialogue is honestly an ick. It's not a bad book, and I generally do love YA, but I found this one more difficult to read than most! I gave this 3 stars.

Matched Up by Jenny Ireland

Another YA pick, and one I read as a NetGalley arc - this one was lovely, following a girl who plays (and loves) football as she navigates relationships, friendships, family drama, injury and more. Well paced with great character development and a really sweet plot. 4 stars from me.

Home Sweet Home by Ruth Irons

Another NetGalley arc, this thriller follows the fairly common trope of 'couple invite someone to live in their home and something terrible happens' - in this case, a woman keen to be the centre of attention at all times. She goes through quite a severe illness and finds community in this, but is everything as true as it should be? I liked this, nothing groundbreaking but a good thriller nevertheless although the characters were all rather irritating. 3.5 stars!

Murder High by Lauren Munoz

I loved the concept of this; it was another NetGalley arc, this time a YA thriller, and I really enjoyed it. It's set at a criminology school, who plan an annual murder mystery game - only this time, the body is real do they have an actual job to do trying to figure out who's responsible. It was just really fun and charming, with a great plot and plenty of drama. 4 stars from me!

Guilt Trip by Jo Furniss

This was another NetGalley arc (can you tell I was going through my requests?!) - a thriller which I had high hopes for. Ultimately it fell very flat for me; it's a dual POV following a mother and a daughter, the latter of which has been involved in an accident/kidnapping situation on her school minibus. We follow what's happening with her and her classmates, as well as what the parents are going through, and how everyone's past is coming back to bite them. It all felt super unrealistic and a lot of it just didn't make sense. Lots of questions. I gave this 3 stars in the end, but it's a low three...

The Tenant by Frieda McFadden

I don't love Frieda like many readers do, but I find her thrillers are decent enough audiobook reads when I'm working, cooking, cleaning or on one of my daily walks. This was one of her better ones, in my opinion, following Blake who has been let go from his job and takes in a tenant to make back some cash. There's that trope again! Of course, this turns into an absolute nightmare and has him questioning everything - the twist was brilliant, I really didn't see it coming. 4 stars!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Wow. This was our book club read for June, and I read it on the plane on the way back from Italy - I was absolutely, wholeheartedly, blown away. It's not my typical genre, as I'm sure you can tell by my other reviews, but maybe I need to branch out more because this was honestly just brilliant. Following the story of a young wealthy Afghan boy and the son of his father's servant, it weaves through their childhood and the devastation taking place across Afghanistan. As their lives go very separate ways, we learn so much about this country, about power, about fatherhood and trauma and so much betrayal. It's safe to say this book completely gutted me; I felt bereft when I finished it, and I cried a LOT. 6 stars genuinely!!!!

Freeing the Wild by Paisley Hope

The Silver Pines series is definitely my favourite cowboy romance series (sorry Elsie) and this one has been my favourite in the series so far. Following country singer Cassie (sister of Ivy from book 2 if you've read that already) and Haden, who works on the ranch, the story is one of first impressions, incredible chemistry, raw emotion and overcoming personal issues, together. Plus spice. LOVED IT. 5 stars.

Wolf.e by Paisley Hope

Two Paisley Hope books in one reading round up come onnn! She really is fast becoming a favourite author of mine, and for good reason. Her books are bloody brilliant, always balancing spice with plot - and this one certainly delivered. This was my first foray into dark romance, a motorcycle club book, and while parts of it were definitely a bit shocking, the overall story and of course the smut (there's a lot) were both fantastic. It follows a girl who moves back home after a break up, and bumps into an old friend who's dating someone from an MC - at first she disapproves, but time changes everything... I gave this 4 stars!

AD | Carpet vs Hard Floors for Pet-Friendly Homes

Have you ever tried scrubbing muddy paw prints out of the carpet? Or watched fur drift across your hardwood floor? Then, you must know that flooring choices really matter when you live with pets.

You need something that stands up to claws, spills, and the occasional accident. At the same time, it should be easy to clean.

The good news is that you don’t have to guess. Here are all the facts.

Durability

If your dog treats the hallway like a racetrack, you already know durability matters. From the thud of playful paws to the occasional muddy surprise, your floors need to hold up under pressure.

Hard surfaces, like tile, vinyl, and laminate, are solid picks for this reason. They shrug off scratches, cope well with spills, and look neat, even after a few accidents.

Carpets, on the other hand, tend to wear out, especially in pet-heavy zones. Claws can catch and pull at the fibres, and once stains or smells settle in, they are tough to remove. Repairs and deep cleans add up, and full replacements are far from cheap.

Investing in something tougher from the start can save you time, stress, and money in the long run.

Think about how your animals move, play, and relax. A calm indoor cat has different needs than a dog who zooms from room to room after every doorbell ring.

Maintenance

A clean home with pets starts from the ground up, and your flooring choice makes all the difference.

Hard surfaces are much easier to manage. A quick sweep or mop clears away fur, crumbs, and muddy prints without much trouble. They don’t hold onto smells, which keeps your home fresh between deeper cleans.

Carpets, however, need more attention. Pet hair tends to tangle in the fibres, and stains or odours soon settle in.

Vacuuming can become a daily task, but using a machine designed for pets makes a noticeable difference. Spot cleaners come in handy for little accidents, and an air purifier helps tackle lingering smells.

Busy households often benefit from professional carpet cleaning services. It refreshes the fabric, lifts trapped dirt, and gives you a break from scrubbing.

Comfort

Pets may not care about decor, but they definitely care about comfort.

Soft carpets feel like an oasis to a tired pup or a snoozing cat, especially if they’re older or have achy joints. That extra cushion underfoot gives them a warm, gentle place to rest, without straining their bodies.

Hard floors like tile or wood can be sleek and practical, but they’re not always the cosiest for your four-legged friend. They can feel cold, slippery, or just plain unwelcoming.

The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for easy cleaning. A few plush rugs or a well-placed pet bed can turn any hard surface into a snug retreat.

A calm pet is a happy one. Creating little zones where they can relax helps reduce stress and makes them feel more secure in their space.

Every pet is different, though. Some love flopping on cool tiles, while others seek out the fluffiest spot in the house. Pay attention to what your pet prefers, and you’ll be able to create a space that feels right for everyone.

Air Quality

If you or someone in your household struggles with allergies, your flooring choice can make a real difference.

While carpet adds warmth and texture, it also traps pet hair, dust, dander, and pollen. That build-up can irritate sensitive systems, especially since pets spend their time close to the floor, playing, napping, or simply lounging.

For pet owners dealing with allergies, routine matters. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, steam-cleaning regularly, and staying on top of dust can help manage symptoms.

Still, it all starts with the right flooring. Choosing materials that support cleaner air helps you create a more comfortable and breathable home.

Solid surfaces like tile, sealed wood, and laminate are often a smarter choice for allergy-conscious households.

These materials don’t hold onto allergens the way carpets do, and cleaning them is quick and effective. One sweep or mop clears away fur and dust, leaving your home fresher and easier to breathe in.

Cost

Carpets are often easier on your budget. They also bring that soft, snuggly vibe that pets seem to adore. Of course, they need a little extra TLC to stay fresh, but regular vacuuming and the occasional deep clean can go a long way.

Hard floors like tile or sealed wood tend to cost more upfront, but they’re brilliant at handling pet messes. They’re easier to clean and usually need fewer repairs down the line. This can translate into savings over time, especially if your pet has a knack for drama.

The truth is, both options can work beautifully in a pet-friendly home. Carpets offer comfort and charm, while hard floors are durable and make cleaning a breeze.

It all comes down to what fits your home, your budget, and your pet’s personality.

Design

Flooring sets the tone for your entire space. In a pet-friendly home, the goal is to find something that looks good, feels inviting, and survives the daily challenges of cute animals.

Carpets come in endless designs, from soft neutrals to bold patterns. They offer a quiet, cushioned surface that’s quite welcome in homes with kids and pets.

Hardwood, tile, and stone come in a wide range of colours and finishes, making it easy to match your style. Whether your home leans modern or traditional, these floors create a clean look that can make even small rooms feel more spacious.

Style doesn’t have to come at the cost of practicality. A mix of both often works best, so you can install durable flooring where it matters, and soft touches where comfort counts.

You can also add small details, like stylish pet beds or coordinated storage, to tie it all together.

Conclusion

Finding the right flooring for a pet-friendly home takes some thought, and you’ve already done the hard part.

Take a walk through your space right now, and imagine how each type of flooring would look in real life. Whether you’re updating a single room or rethinking your whole home, creating a pet haven is quite easy when you know what you’re looking for.

Everything we did in Verona (June 2025)

During our recent trip to northern Italy, we based ourselves in Verona; as a huge Shakespeare fan, it's somewhere that's always been on my list so it was the perfect way to kick off my 30th birthday celebrations. The city is amazing with so much to offer, so I thought I'd pop together a list of all the best things to do in Verona!

Shakespeare in Verona

Of course, there is a lot of Shakespeare-related sites and activities in the city. If you didn't know, Romeo and Juliet is set here; the main attraction is definitely Juliet's balcony (and house). You can visit the courtyard and see the balcony for FREE, but to go inside and stand on the balcony itself you need a ticket. We paid around £25pp for skip the line tickets; at 10.30 on a Wednesday morning there actually was no line, and it was really quiet meaning we got to go on the balcony THREE times! However, as we left at around 11.30am it was significantly busier so it really is the luck of the draw. I loved it here; of course it's a "tourist trap" but it was just so much fun and it's a beautiful setting. There is plenty of artwork, costumes and more to see within the house, too.

Romeo's house is another Shakespeare landmark in Verona, but it's just the outside of a building - you can't go in. There is a plaque with a quote from the play, and you'll see a few of these across the city like at Juliet's house and the Portoni del Bra archway, where there is also a bust of Shakespeare.

We also visited Juliet's tomb - this is located at the Fresco Museum, and we paid to go into the museum for a wander round before visiting the tomb itself. The museum is incredible, with so many frescoes that have been carefully extracted and displayed here. It also had excellent (and much needed) air con. The tomb is just that, a tomb, but of course we had to tick it off the list of Shakespeare locations in Verona!

The tourist train

From the window of our hotel room we saw a little tourist train go past, and I immediately knew I wanted to ride it. Unfortunately information online was severely lacking, but we did manage to find it. The train leaves from the taxi rank at Piazza Bra, and it cost us 5euros per person - it's cash only, and there is a cash machine on the strip of restaurants in the piazza. The tourist train itself was great, we saw a lot of the city and there is a little voiceover sharing information about the churches, bridges, piazzas and more. However, it's a bumpy ride! Verona is a city of cobblestone streets, and we definitely felt them...

Giardino Giusti

I love nature and gardens and generally just being outdoors, so Giardino Giusti was definitely on my list of things to do in Verona. We walked here from Castelvecchio, which was quite a long walk, but it was so worth it; we paid 12euros each to get in, and spent around an hour or so here. It was so peaceful (we went around 10am on a Sunday) with not many other people there, and it was so nice to just wander through the gardens, admire the statues, see the terrapins playing in the fountain and explore the maze. We also walked right up to the top, where you have an amazing panoramic view of Verona. We were the only ones up here and it just felt so special.

Lomberti Tower

From our hotel window, we could see the Lomberti Tower - and I knew the views would be amazing. We paid around 6euros per person, and while they preferred cash you could pay on card. It's over 300 steps to get up to the top, but there is also a lift! I was right that the views were amazing; you don't need long here, but it's definitely worth ticking it off the list of the best things to do in Verona.

Castel San Pietro

We actually went to Castel San Pietro twice; the first time, we went the wrong way and ended up walking up A LOT of steps to get to the top. But it was worth it for the most amazing sunset, cocktails/mocktails, buskers and generally peaceful vibe up here. There is a bar here, as well as quite a nice restaurant. We stayed for a couple of drinks watching the sun go down, and it was stunning.

However, we had actually wanted to get the funicular up here - and we found it the following night. It's super cheap at 3euros per person for a return ride, and you can pay on card at the ticket machine. The funicular only takes a few minutes to get up and down, but it's much easier than the steps...

Castelvecchio area

Another part of Verona we loved was Castelvecchio; the grounds of the castle itself are stunning, and while we didn't go inside it was still nice to explore. The nearby Gavi Arch is lovely (and huge) with a lot of cool history behind it, and the Scaliger Bridge was great too with some brilliant views along the river.

Piazzas and more

Of course, there are also beautiful piazzas to explore - full of things to see too. Piazza Delle Erbe has a daily market (except for Sundays) as well as the mysterious whale bone hanging from Arco della Costa. Piazza Bra is home to the arena - which we didn't visit inside, but is fantastic to see from the outside - as well as multiple restaurants and a small park area. Even just wandering the cobbled streets you'll see so much: the Scaliger Tombs, Porta Bosari (ancient Roman gates) statues, churches and loads more.

So that's pretty much everything we did in Verona - there is so much to see and do in this gorgeous Italian city, and you really don't need to spend a lot to see the highlights.