A Verona Opera Extravaganza
“You May Have The Universe if I may have Italy” – Giuseppe Verdi, Composer of Aida
This holiday is for a maximum of 11 lucky few! Due to the nature of the accommodation and the need to buy tickets very soon the booking window for the trip is only until 31 January 2024 - if we don't have enough booked by then we will not be able to operate the holiday.
Verona! Northern Italy with its rich history of The Romans, Verdi’s Aida, Romeo & Juliet’s Shakespeare and of course the world-famous Roman Arena which comes alive with performances during the summer!
Verona has it all and Spice escapes is delighted to announce that we are heading off for an adventure with WingsItaly joining in the magic at the world-famous Roman arena performances built in 30 AD.
We have secured a small number of exclusive tickets to see Giuseppe Verdi’s classic Opera Aida, orchestrated by a team of hundreds of technicians, dancers and more, so take your seats as the orchestra tunes up, joining in with the crowds getting the atmosphere ready with shouting ‘bravo maestro’ and then it all begins.
This adventure is a small intimate 5 - night, wine ,opera and local tours and your home during this stay will be in your very own exclusive
Historical Italian Villa outside of the city of Verona .
About Verona
Verona has had a varied history throughout the ages from the Romans to the 20th Century, it is now considered one of the major cities of northern Italy and Verona’s main attraction has to be its Roman Amphitheatre; the Arena di Verona, its the 3rd largest in Italy.
In addition, our Stratford based Shakespeare also based three of his plays here, but of course it is Romeo and Juliet which has made Verona one of the most romantic cities in Italy and the home believed to be that of Juliet’s family, the Capulets!
Your holiday includes
- Flights
- Transfers to/from hotel to airport
- 20kg Baggage Allowance
- 5 Nights Bed and Breakfast all En Suite @ Villa Ca Ottolina.
- Meet & Greet At The Airport
- Entire Exclusive Villa for Spice Escapes
- Superior Entrance Tickets Roman Arena di Verona Opera Aida
- 2 Meals with Local Wines & Water in the Villa
- 5 Evening Aperitivos * in the Villa
- Unlimited Tea and Coffee In The Villa
- 1 Bottle of Water Per Day
- Wine Tasting in the Valpolicella Valley
- Visit Montagnana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montagnana
- Guided tour of Verona, Home of Romeo and Juliet.
- Stop off in Bergamo on the last day*
- Private Transport included within the Itinerary
Your holiday extras
- Single supplement
- Personal travel insurance
- Some drinks & some meals
- Optional excursions
- Personal extras
This adventure is based in your own Italian villa, for many the best part about having your own private villa is spending time together, and also providing everyone the opportunity to have privacy too.
Its s a semi-informal relaxing adventure and whilst there are planed excursions during this stay, this experience is aligned about staying in an Italian villa together, aperitivos together and trying new local wines and foods, with the joy of socialising, because the very essence of this adventure is spending time together.
Claire says
‘“I like to think of our adventures as doing as the locals do by understanding their way of life and what they value, by these cultural experiences it provides everyone a chance to expand their perspectives, fuel their curiosity and encourage them to get outside of their comfort zone by connecting with an idea, person or activity that is new to them, hopefully creating wonderful memories “.
Location & Itinerary
It is very important that you read and fully understand the booking conditions for the opera tickets!
The Opera
Aida in line with its Egypt’s theme was first debuted at the Cairo Opera House, in 1886, and since then has been performed around the world.
Why Aida – it fits in perfectly with our Egypt Italian Cairo and Nile adventures and in addition Aida is hailed to be one of the most dramatic, stenographic and atmospheric Operas during the festival in Verona.
The first act is set in Egypt, the Arena shimmers and glows and the yellow moon rises in the night sky.
What to wear at the Opera
There is a wide variety of fashion so wearing something comfortable . The poltronissima seating section dress code is “elegant”; lots of women wore beautiful cocktail dresses, some men were in black tie and then there is everything in between. If you like dressing up in something special then go for it, you won’t be out of place here. Or casual attire so don’t be put off by, “having nothing to wear”!
Opera Information
Important Information regarding the Roman Theatre of Verona, The Tickets & Seating Plan.
Your Tickets
Your Aida Tickets which have been purchased in the exclusive area of the Arena called the Poltronissima Silver (PSIL). Here formal dress is always welcome!
Here you can see the Arena Seating Plan
https://www.arena.it/en/arena-di-verona/prices-and-seating-plan
Details of exchanges refunds tickets - https://www.arena.it/en/arena-di-verona/exchanges-refunds-tickets
To summarise the Opera conditions -
- What if it Rains ? Verona open-air theatres, if it rains after the start of the performance, you are not entitled to a refund at all.
- Arena di Verona in order to be customer-friendly provides clients the possibility to buy at a special or discounted price tickets approx. 2.50 each for another opera within the season, if, you do complete finish the first act, this means you can go another time. Alternatively at your own management working directly with the official opera office, clients can return to Verona during the official season of 2024 at their own choice and expense. Pls note WingsItaly and Spice Escapes will not be able to get involved with individual clients that wish to organise and return to Verona at a later stage, we will of course provide the official booking references to clients in order for you to communicate with the official offices.
- Only in the case the Opera does not even start at all, then you are entitled to a refund, of which WingsItaly will manage working with the offices. Once refunds have been granted these will be return to Spice Escapes. Pls be assured we will work on obtaining refunds but you can expect some delays in the process of managing these refunds.
August, It doesn't rain often, in 2023 it only happened twice, but this is of course completely out of our hands!
The Roman Arena Piazza Bra
Once accommodated 30,000 seats & was used in the Roman times for gladiator fights, circus, horse racing and more. Like the Colosseum in Rome, the Arena is formed of two open air amphitheatres, many of the features are almost unchanged with the tunnels underneath where animals used to be kept for Roman gladiator fights.
In 1913 celebrating 100 years since the birth of one of Italy’s most distinguished composers, Giuseppe Verdi, Verona decided to use the Arena to stage his most famous opera, Aida, which was such a success that it spawned a yearly opera season running every summer except during the periods of the two World War.
Wines Of Veneto
During this adventure you will explore the local world-famous wines & vineyards of several northern Italian wine regions from Soave to the Valpolicella Valley. Veneto is a region with opposing styles of wines, from the crisp elegant whites of Soave, through to one of Italy’s most iconic wines, the rich red seductive Amarone.
Here you will have the opportunity to taste a range of these wines including cheery bright Valpolicella, Ripasso and irresistible dessert wines, eating local specialities such as risotto from the nearby rice fields through to fish caught in Lake Garda, Europe’s largest lake.
Bergamo
Many visitors flying into Bergamo airport sadly bypass this beautify city, however on your last day prior to your departure it is planned to visit Bergamo Alta by taking the funicular to the old walled city ("Upper Town”). The upper town is encircled by massive Venetian defensive systems that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site , here you will have a tour of the city with WingsItaly and a stop off for a group lunch can be arranged at your own costs .
Please note sometimes flight schedules change and these changes are out of our control, and the trip to Bergamo may not be possible on your last day.
Travel & Stay
Villa Ca Ottolina
Our base for this wonderful trip is the historical Villa Ca Ottolina dating back to XV11 Century. It is set in the middle of rural agricultural countryside (note there is not a nearby village or town within walking distance).
Villa Ottolina is set on three floors, all bedrooms have a private toilet, all bedrooms are different. Some bedrooms have showers, others have baths.
All bedroom windows have nets and electrical fans are provided in the bedrooms.
Wif fi please note it is only available on the ground floor as often the case in old historical Italian villas.
This Villa has been inspected by WingsItaly and has been chosen for its exclusiveness and location. It is old, unique and is not a grand palatial Villa.
You can view the villa on the link below.
There is a large patio area at the rear of the Villa, and front and a private swimming pool about 100 metres away set int the Villa gardens.
26/08/24 London Stansted to Milan Bergamo Dep: 0740 Arr: 1035
31/08/24 Milan Bergamo to London Stansted Dep: 1720 Arr: 1825
26/08/24 Manchester to Milan Bergamo Dep: 0650 Arr: 1000
31/08/24 Milan Bergamo to Manchester Dep: 1655 Arr: 1805
Luggage Allowance
Small cabin bag and 20kg hold included for all flights
Availability & Pricing
| Accommodation | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Place in a Female Twin Share Room | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a Sole Occupancy Room | £250.00 | Sold Out |
| Flights | Price | |
| Own flight without transfers | £1575.00 | Sold Out |
| London Stansted | £1835.00 | Sold Out |
| Manchester | £1885.00 | Sold Out |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
The latest FCO travel guidance for Italy
Host & Everything Else
This adventure will be led by WingsItaly, Claire and Andrea. Claire and Andrea love traveling and meeting new people and sharing their Italian discoveries with you, their experiences require a high level of flexibility, as WingsItaly really want you to enjoy real Italy.
What is a typical Italian Aperitivo know in Veneto as Cicchetti (pronounced chi-KET-tee).
- Local wines of Veneto - Whites, Red and Rose.
- Water, non-alcoholic drinks, orange juices etc
- Commence at approx. 5. 30pm until 6 30 pm
- Crips, olives, focaccia, local chesses and meats, pizza
In addition, there will be a cash only, small bar available in the Villa.
Gallery
Why Book with Spice Escapes?
Financial Security
40 Years’ Group Travel Expertise
Travel with Friends
1300+ trips, 10000+ smiles
Not floating your boat? Check out our other Escapes…
The scent of orange blossom, the swish of a flamenco dress, the glimpse of a white village perched atop a crag: memories of Andalucía linger. Come and join us as we explore the wonderful region of southern Spain
Known for its beaches, ancient biodiverse rainforest and exotic wildlife, if the mystical Borneo is not on your bucket list, it should be!
Everyone who has visited Cantabria with us has said that the description doesn't do the area and holiday justice, but they have been more than delighted with everything when they arrive and on this trip we will be visiting both Santander and Bilbao, home of the world famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. So if you fancy a short break in the Spanish sun you might want think about this one!