Verona Opera 2013 with Il Palio 2013
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The very best Opera seats (Gold Central Stall)
- Balcony or GrandStand viewing of the Palio bareback horse race.
- Participation in good luck outdoor Contrada dinner
- Guided Introduction to Palio including seeing Church Horse Blessing and Contrada Museum
- Terrace Palio Trial viewing
- Verona Card to give you free access to most museums and churches in Verona.
For lovers of opera, the Arena di Verona is the most dramatic setting for a truly memorable evening. Combine this great experience with exclusive access to a balcony or window viewing of the Palio in Siena and you have a truly remarkable break away.
2013 is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the Verona Opera and to celebrate it the season is longer with a fuller schedule with some special Gala performances, and there is the unusual opportunity to see Aida with the beautifully restored and original 1913 Staging.
To see feedback from previous clients from their trip to Il Palio and Verona Opera
DAY 1:
Fly to Verona. Private transfer to start your combined Verona and Palio Break
Fly into Verona and take a private transfer to your chosen hotel.
On arrival at your hotel your opera tickets and your Verona pass will be at reception. Valid for 5 days the Verona Pass offers you access to most monuments, churches and museums in Verona.
Start your Verona Opera 2013 and Il Palio break by exploring Verona at your leisure.
DAY 2:
Attend the Verona Opera at Verona Arena
Breakfast and day at leisure to make full use of your Verona Card or alternatively choose one of our optional experiences below to add to your private tailormade Verona Opera Package.
This evening attend Verona Opera at the Arena di Verona.
2013 is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the Verona Opera and to celebrate it the season is longer with a fuller schedule and there is the unusual opportunity to see Aida with the original 1913 Staging.
The Verona Opera 2013 season runs from the 14 June - 08 Sept and features the following:
AIDA New Staging- June 14,23,27- July 3,7,9,14,18,21,28 - Aug 3 (Please note June 14th is on request only)
AIDA- 1913 Staging- Aug 10,17,24,29 - Sept 1,3,8(Conducted by Placido Domingo on 24th Aug)
NABUCCO- June 15,21,29 - July 4,11,25 - Aug 1,4,11,14,18,21 - Sept 5(Nabucco played by Placido Domingo on 4th July and 18th August)
TRAVIATA - June 22,28 - July 5,12,19,23,26 - Aug 2,8
TROVATORE - July 6,10,20,24,27
ROMEO & JULIET - Aug 31 - Sept 4,7 (Production set from 2010)
RIGOLETTO - Aug 9,13,16,23,30 - Sept 6(Conducted by Placido Domingo on 16th and 23rd Aug)
VERDI REQUIEM MASS- July 13 (No staging)
VERDI GALA - July 17(La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore). Please note tickets are on request only.
GALA DOMINGO HARDING - Aug 15 (Tenor sung by Placido Domingo. No Staging and also obligatory you also purchase a ticket on either 14th-Nabucco or 16th August-Rigoletto as well as Gala ticket on 15th)Please note tickets for the 15th is on request only
SERATA DI GALA - Aug 20 (Featuring Placido Domingo singing with the winner of the Operalia competition. No Staging and also obligatory you also purchase a ticket on 21st-Nabucco as well as Gala ticket on 20th)Please note tickets for the 20th are on request only.
For a taster of the drama you can expect by attending a night at the Verona opera run the short video opposite
DAY 3:
Day at leisure
Breakfast and day at leisure to make full use of your Verona Card or alternatively choose one of our optional trips to enhance your Verona Opera Holiday.
Further down you will see a listing of all our a la carte experiences that can be included. We would particularly recommend the boat trip to Garda Island followed by lunch at the Lake.
DAY 4:
Private transfer for EuroStar train to Florence and private transfer to Siena
A private transfer will pick you up after breakfast to take you to the train station for your train to Florence on Eurostar. Here you will take a private transfer to your hotel in Siena (@ 1hr). Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the atmosphere and build up of The Palio.
Day 5
Palio Trials, Contrada open air dinner
Morning at at leisure. This afternoon have a guided introduction to Siena and the Palio prior to taking your positions on a terrace with great views over Siena. Witness the proves or pre Palio trials where the jockeys test out the horses in order to select the chosen one for race day.
After this event participate in one of the authentic open air dinners hosted by the ladies of the different Contrada to celebrate and anticipate the Palio race scheduled for the following day. This rustic event captures the Palio build up and many of our clients will adopt the contrada for the Palio race.
Day 6:
Attend The Siena Palio 2013
Morning is at leisure. Early afternoon your guide will walk you through the streets to ensure you witness the traditional build up to the event and the very colourful historical parade through the centre of the town. You might even get to see a blessing of the horse in a Contrada church !
Balcony positions for viewing of the Palio are in very short supply and we are fortunate that we have secured some with a superb vantage point.
For a taster of the event please watch the Palio video below
We have four options for viewing the Siena Palio.
1. On the Terrace you can see 80% of the race from a birds eye view of the Palio Horse race.
2. The Balconies are right on the square with a superb vantage point, overlooking the Campo at the Casato bend so you have the perfect view from which you will be able to see close up the Palio Horse race and immerse yourself in the passionate atmosphere and unfolding spectacle of the Palio Siena Horse race
3. The GrandStands offer the opportunity to sit with the Sienese and be at the heart of the passion and electric atmosphere. The GrandStands are closest to the track with all the drama that that provides.
4. For those looking for a private viewing experience we can investigate on request VIP private apartment window viewing of the Palio in Siena. As these are extremely limited early request for these locations are critical.
After dinner (not included) we suggest you visit the victorious Contrada of The Palio where you can immerse yourself in the celebration with the people. Flags, colours and singing will be the order of the night.
Day 7:
Private Transfer to Pisa or Florence for your flight home to UK
A private transfer will pick you up to take you to either Pisa or Florence for your flight home after your Verona Opera and Il Palio break
Please see "Download detailed itinerary" below for some ideas of what to do in Verona in your free time and for suggestions as to where to eat.