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

Verona Opera combined with the excitement of The Palio

Arena di VeronaPalio race in SienaArena di Verona at nightHorse Blessing at The Palio in Siena, Italy
Click to see video of Verona Opera
Piazza D'Erbe in VeronaAerial view of VeronaPart of historical parade at Palio in Siena
Click to play video of The Palio
Palio Contrada flagsView of Palio at Casata BendSiena Campo

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.
Call 01722 744695
or
Click to make an enquiry
Price per person: From £2,085
Includes Flights, 6 nights Accommodation with breakfast, Private transfers, Gold Central Opera Tickets, Verona Card, Euro Star Train Verona - Florence, Terrace Trials viewing, Balcony Palio viewing, Guided Introduction, Contrada dinner

Departures from Gatwick to Verona and back from Pisa to Gatwick
A La Carte Optional Extras
Aerial shot of Isola del GardaIsola del Garda
Wine Tasting at Al Cristo
Villa del Quar outside Verona set in VineyardsVilla del Quar dining outside Verona
Villa Novare outside Verona, Italy
Spa Pool at Byblos Villa Amista outside Verona
Boat Trip on Lake Garda
This special day is very popular and for most clients entails a transfer to Lake Garda, followed by lunch in a restaurant with a lovely view over the Lake in the Roman town of Sirmione, the pearl of Lake Garda. (Lunch not included).

In the morning visit the privately owned Isola del Garda , a place of rare beauty, bursting with history, memories and legends. From May to September the Borghese Cavazza family opens its treasures. The Visit lasts approximately 2 hours through untouched nature, English and Italian gardens and a few rooms of the impressive early 20th century neo-gothic-venetian style villa. At the end of the tour enjoy a tasting of local products, olive oil, wine and a little snack.

Enjoy a lunchtime transfer to Sirmione, a town appreciated since Roman times as the remains of the Roman Villa and the moated medieval castle show.

Your chauffeur will drop you back at the hotel early evening.

Price Per Person: From £195
Wine Tasting in Al Cristo in Verona
This family run restaurant is an unexpected gem located on a quiet medieval square in Verona. In the cellar you will have a guided tasting of some of the Tenuta Sant'Antonia wines.

The Maitre will introduce you to the typical wines of the area explaining their history, place of origin and qualities. You will taste 4 wines
- The white wine Chardonnay "Scaia"
- The red wine "Monti Garbi"
- The red wine "La Bandina"
- The most famous wine of Verona "Amarone" della Valpolicella Sant'Antonio

Price per Person: From £39
Tasting Menu in Villa del Quar
This elegant Renaissance villa is set on a vast estate looking across vineyards, meadows and emerald lawns where a pool sparkles in the sun. The cuisine and the service are outstanding, and the attractive outdoor dining terrace supremely relaxing. A private transfer will take you for your wonderful lunch or evening with a 4/5 course tasting menu and back to the centre Verona afterwards.(15 min transfer)

Price Per Person: From £145

The owners have also created a beautiful cellar for wine tasting, which dates to the Roman period and was last renovated in 1539! We can also organise wine tastings here before your dinner if you would like.
Wine Tasting in Villa Novare
Positioned in the heart of a green valley surrounded by vineyards about half an hour outside Verona you will find Villa Novare with a little chapel and wine cellar. The cellar is unique due to its age dating back to the 18th C and means that the wines such as Amarone are produced like it was in the past.

Your host will show you the cellars and tell you more about the history and viticultural tradition of the wines. Tasting is a part of the experience and you'll have the chance to taste 4 different wines.

Price Per Person: From £165
Spa Day at Byblos Villa Amista
Take a private transfer to the Byblos Art Hotel. This is a 16th Century villa with sedate gardens & fountains, an impressive permanent display of contemporary art including Damien Hurst, wonderful Baroque interiors and a stunning Spa.

The Spa day includes 1 Keraskin or Decleor treatment, hydromassage, sauna, steam, room, tropical showers, use of the Technogym equipment, 3 course light lunch at the Atelier restaurant.


Price Per Person: From £239
Find out more
Aerial shot of Isola del Garda
Aerial shot of Isola del GardaIsola del Garda
Wine Tasting at Al Cristo
Villa del Quar outside Verona set in VineyardsVilla del Quar dining outside Verona
Villa Novare outside Verona, Italy
Spa Pool at Byblos Villa Amista outside Verona
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Includes:-
  • Flights
  • 6 nights with breakfast (Palazzo Ravizza, Firenze)
  • Activities as outlined
  • Eurostar Verona - Florence
  • Private Transfers
  • Verona card


Departure Airport
  • Gatwick to Verona and back from Pisa to Gatwick
Call 01722 744695
or
Click to make an enquiry
"We had a wonderful trip thank you. The arrangements and connections were practically seamless and all went according to plan. Our guide in Siena - Paolo Faldoni was outstanding - and the 'icing on the cake' was that the Contrada which we had joined for dinner - won the Palio!! The opera was long (!!!) but awe inspiring and in Sienna the Mossa 2 Windows gave a perfect view of proceedings for the race and parade. Very pleased with both hotels and taxi connections and arrangements ...at least four people have asked for your company details, which I have had no hesitation in recommending to them.”
"We thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Everything went like clockwork. The Hotel was excellent and the staff most helpful. The highlight has to be the Opera, we expected a spectacle and my word we got it."
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