‘The whole audience vibrates as one, transfixed by the harmonious melodies of Verdi and Puccini..’
This is the magic of the international music festival of Verona!
Every year, in this marvelous city, a great music festival takes place, the most celebrated festival in Italy, amongst the magnificent building of the ancient amphitheatre.
It is also interesting to observe the unequalled passion of those taking part in the celebration of mass amongst the operatic surroundings. You can appreciate the spectacle of thousands of people who take part with such enthusiasm, and who light their candles as the moon rises behind the scene of flickering stars.
The atmosphere in the amphitheatre provides an unforgettable experience of opera. This tour gives you the opportunity to experience the most prestigious operas in the world and also allows you to spend time exploring the wonderful city of Verona!
1st day: France/Verona
Arrival of the group at Verona airport and transfer by bus to a hotel situated in the center of Verona. Across the centuries, this city has had a distinctive identity thanks to its colourful and romantic history. Accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day: Verona
Breakfast and departure by bus for a sightseeing tour of Verona during which we will experience the beauty of this city, a little gem of Italy. The symbol of the city is without doubt its Arena. This splendid Romanic amphitheatre is a magnificent testimony to the past, and it is the third largest in the world, after the Coliseum in Rome. This monument has been preserved in its original form, when it was used to provide the spectacle of combat between gladiators and / or ferocious and exotic animals, a passion of the ancient Romans.
Nowadays, this amphitheatre is the home of the most important public lyrical theatre. After the Arena, the most famous symbol of the city must be the balcony of the house of ‘Juliet’, the heroine of the famous Shakespearian tragedy – Romeo and Juliet. (Outside visit). Some of the sites we can admire are: the Basilica of San Zeno, decorated by Mantegna, the picturesque Piazza delle Erbe – an ancient roman court that today is a colourful and animated part of the city, and the ancient Scaligero Castle and bridge.
Lunch in the city center.
Free time to wander around the quaint streets and do some shopping.
From the bridge of Scaligero you can cross the streets to reach Piazza dei Signori admiring views along the walk to Castlevecchio (Old Castle), rising up from the shores of the river Adige. And without doubt, this is one of the most important monuments in Verona. The castle is the home of the municipal museum and contains work by some of the great Venetian masters such as Mantegna, Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese.
We also have the choice of visiting the house of Juliet or her tomb. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Free time for dinner. After dinner, we will be transferred by bus to the Arena to experience an unforgettable evening of opera. This is a unique spectacle where we will experience and enjoy some of the finest and most prestigious operatic works in the world. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
3rd day: Valpolicella/Verona
After breakfast depart the hotel by bus for a half day excursion to the area of Valpolicella, where we will explore both Latin and Greek history, and where across the valley, we will uncover many wineries. Wine production has always been the main business of this agricultural area. Visit to a winery and tasting of locally produced wines. Red wine is a specialty of this area and is made with many varieties of locally grown grapes. Return to Verona and free time for lunch.
For those guests with a passion for cuisine, this city offers a vast choice of restaurants providing locally produced regional and national dishes, which give you a true taste of Italy. Free afternoon to discover on your own, the delights of this beautiful city. We would recommend a boat trip along the banks of the picturesque river Adige. The rolling green hills overlook the rich vegetation of this area. The coastal monuments along this water way are impressive and numerous. We will view the ancient theatre, the Benedictine monastery of San Giorgio in Braido, the Old Castle, and the Castle of St. Peter. We can discover and admire, the monumental door and forts that are remarkably preserved and which where extrememly important and strategically placed to defend the city in the past. Return to the hotel, dinner and ovenight stay.
4th day: Departure
After breakfast, depart the hotel by bus for Verona airport. End of our services.
- half board starting with dinner on the 1st day ending with breakfast on the 4th day
- 3 stars hotel accommodation situated in the area of Verona, with private services (classification according to Italian standard)
- bus services according to the above program (parking included)
- half day guided tour of Verone (2 hours) on the 2nd day
- reservation for the Opera of Verona on the 2nd day
- ticket (standard price) for the opera (gradinata laterale numerata)
- half day guided tour of the region of Valpolicella (3 hours) on the 3rd day
- a personalized booklet with all relevant information necessary for your stay
- our assistance throughout the whole stay
- all services specified in the above program
- drinks
- entrance fees to the sites
- all services not specified in the above program
- tour escort for the transfer to the hotel on arrival (max 2 hours) on 1st day
- it is possible to purchase more expensive tickets for the opera if you wish: gradinata numerata,
poltrona, poltronissima, orchestra (rows 1 to 20 central view - poltronissime “Gold”)
Reduction for stay in hotel in the area of Valpolicella or Lake Garda in the south.
Upon request
4 stars hotel costs are also available