Real Life Letters From Juliet

I woke up early in Verona, the city of love, last July in an our Romeo and Juliet inspired Airbnb apartment. We carefully selected this particular apartment because it was less than a four minute walk from Casa Di Giulietta; Juliet’s house. There was a painting of Romeo and Juliet on the bedroom wall, where sunlight was streaming in from the window. This particular stop during our honeymoon in Italy was planned almost completely by accident. You see, Letters to Juliet is one of my favorite films. I love the sweet and uplifting story, the beautiful settings, the music, and the characters. It is a movie that I know by heart, so I often put it on as background noise while I am editing photos from a recent wedding or adventure. 

Upon planning our honeymoon, I noticed that our train from Nice France to Venice Italy would be stopping in Verona just an hour before Venice. I took it as a sign to book a room for just one night so that we could stop along our journey to see the romantic city of love and visit Juliet’s house. 

Matthew was still sleeping, but I was wide awake with anticipation. Casa Di Giulietta’s doors opened to visitors at eight and I knew that there would be a flock of visitors from all over the world waiting to leave their own letters to Juliet. Verona is the setting for Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Although fictional, Juliet’s house is believed to have belonged to her, or at least, been the home to a woman just like her. It is now a historical museum and people from every corner of the earth come to write letters to Juliet, asking for love advice. Juliet’s secretaries will write you back as long as you leave a return address. 

After coaxing Matthew out of bed, we walked to the doors just before they opened. There was already a line of women waiting to get in. Thankfully, Italians and Europeans in general typically start their mornings later so it was not as busy as it would have been if it was opening in the United States. I counted on my American nature to get me there early and the Italian la bella vita, the good life, to get there before it was too crowded.

The doors were opened. Notebook in hand, we walked through the main entrance and into Juliet’s courtyard, where for just a moment, we had a view completely to ourselves. 

Even if you have not seen the movie, it has a magical presence. Juliet’s House has been accepting visitors for decades and is a symbol of love for the people of Verona. 

I had meant to write my letter to Juliet earlier, but for lack of time as we traveled and a curious case of writer’s block, I waited until we were in the courtyard to pen my letter. I wanted to be inspired by the place and how I was feeling in that very moment. As a newlywed, I wrote about our recent wedding and our journey so far; the beauty of our wedding day, the excitement of the honeymoon, and my concerns about the future. 

As fun as the wall of letters are, the only way to get a reply is by leaving the envelope in the mailbox inside. So up to the balcony we went. 

You can also leave Juliet an e-mail on one of the computers: 

You can imagine what Juliet must have felt like, looking down upon Romeo in her courtyard, or how Claire must have felt writing her letter before leaving Verona, and Sophie as she discovered it. 

After coming down from the balcony, the courtyard was full of visitors. We even had to wait in line to get a picture together in front of Juliet’s statue. 

We felt like we were a part of the story. After lingering for as long as Matthew could handle, we ventured out of Juliet’s house to explore Verona, thoughts on Juliet’s return letter in the back of my mind. 

Six months passed by and the thought of Juliet’s return letter has come up from time to time. When I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear a reply, an envelope appeared in our mailbox. 

And inside was a letter from Juliet. I waited an extra day to read it. A part of the fun is the anticipation. What if the letter did not live up to my expectations? Would it be as thoughtful and wildly romantic as Sophie’s letter to Claire in the movie Letters to Juliet? I wanted to enjoy the moment. So I waited an extra day and when I got home I watched the movie again, this time with sushi for dinner and a glass of wine. When the movie came to an end I opened the envelope and read this:

“Dear Courtney!

First of all: Congratulations! It fills my heart with joy reading that you are happy and currently on your honeymoon!

Life I believe is strange and has many different shades. Sometimes it hurts like a thunderstorm unfolding in your stomach. Sometimes it can be tender and soft like liquid chocolate rushing through your veins. 

Don’t worry about loosing everything -why should you? Maybe you already had your share of darkness that kept hold of you in childhood days. And don’t forget: you made it through! 

This was not fate alone -it was also you who made it happen! It was you who decided for the man you got married to. Life is in your hands -and it will be in the future. We never know what the future holds for us. Don’t waste a thought on them!

Enjoy the happiness you have, hold the joy, open your heart, give into the feeling of being close to someone, marvel at it even, treat yourself with as much ice cream as you can find in Italy, close your eyes softly when you are in his arms, kiss slowly, and have your body changed with Italian sunshine; your soul being scoured in the red light of the sunset in Provence! I’m with you at all days to come and I will remind you of the magic they hold!

Yours,

Giulietta”

I would say that the letter was everything I needed to hear and was hoping for. It had a la dolce vita (the sweet life) message as well; appreciate what you have, make the most of every moment, and love with your whole heart. 

Have you ever watched a movie that inspired you to travel somewhere or add a special place to your travel wish list? I would love to hear about your favorite films and how they have inspired your own travel dreams in the comments below.