verona in love

So many people, especially in the States, tend to think of Valentine’s Day as a ‘commercial’ holiday. Sure, it’s meant to be a day to celebrate the love in your life, but in practice, isn’t it just an excuse to sell greeting cards, flowers, chocolates and dinner reservations? 

That’s the cynical attitude, but here at Seduction Meals, we treat February 14th as the rhapsody in red it’s meant to be. Just as love itself can take so many different forms, the demonstration – and celebration – of love can be as understated or as extravagant as feeling dictates. We like to err on the side of extravagance, of course; and luckily for us, there’s one city that’s as shamelessly romantic as we are.

The beautiful Italian city of Verona is the setting of the most iconic love story of all time, Romeo & Juliet. On February 14th every year, Verona celebrates its lovestruck reputation with an all-out, citywide festival: Verona in Love. 

In the week leading up to the festival, the streets and shop windows are decked out in heart-shaped lanterns and festive decorations. Romantic events including photography and art shows, the screening of classic date movies, live music and food and wine tastings take place throughout the week. The House of Juliet, said to be the home of the real Juliet Capulet, is open for free tours on Valentine’s Day. And at the center of it all, the fountain at the Piazza del Signori is transformed into a giant crimson heart.

There’s no cynicism to be found here – just lovers, and lovers of love. The enchanted atmosphere is said to be intoxicatingly contagious. Doesn’t it make you feel a little more amorous just to know that this kind of unabashed romanticism is taking place somewhere in the world?