A Verona Opera Extravaganza

It is very important that you read and fully understand the booking conditions for the opera tickets!

The Opera 

Carmen is an opera in four acts by French composer Georges Bizet that premiered on March 3, 1875. With a plot based on the 1845 novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée, Bizet’s Carmen was ground-breaking in its realism, and it rapidly became one of the most popular Western operas of all time. 

It is the source of many memorable and widely recognized songs, notably those known by the popular names “Toréador Song” and “Habanera.” Carmen also is the best-known example of opéra-comique, a genre of French opera not necessarily comic but featuring both spoken dialogue and sung portions. Despite its current reputation, however, it was condemned by the earliest critics, who were unaccustomed to seeing the lives of the common folk, much less the world of gypsies, smugglers, deserters, factory workers, and various ne’er-do-wells given centre stage.

Bizet was asked to write a new work for Paris Opéra-Comique, which for a century had specialized in presenting light moralistic pieces in which virtue is ultimately rewarded. No doubt Bizet was expected to write something in that vein. Instead, he chose to bring the underclass and unheroic to light. He was only 36 years old when Carmen premiered, and he was devastated by the initial rejection of his work as immoral and vulgar. Opera was a refined art, not one to concern itself with lowlifes and scoundrels. Such was the immediate response to Carmen that, at the time of Bizet’s death from a heart condition exactly three months after the work’s premiere, he was convinced that he had written the greatest failure in the history of opera. He did not survive to witness the accuracy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s prediction that “ten years hence Carmen will be the most popular opera in the world.”. 

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 Carmen Tickets which have been purchased in the exclusive area of the Arena called the Poltronissima. 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. 

Padova – the City of the Saint

With two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Padova is an underrated beautiful city, with many wonderful activities. The city is picturesque, with a dense network of arcaded streets opening into large communal squares, and many bridges crossing the various branches of the Bacchiglione, which once surrounded the ancient walls like a moat. It is also one of the oldest cities in Italy, over 400 years older than Rome, and it is said to have been founded by Antenore, the mythical hero who managed to escape from Troy. 

It's a city with an outstanding tourism offer that combines a great historical-cultural heritage, centuries-old traditions, faith, and well-being. The city is located in the heart of the Po Valley, in a privileged position in the northeast of Italy, a few kilometres from the Venice Lagoon.

Padova also came to be a nucleus of early humanist research and since 1222 the city is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. The presence in the city of Giotto and Petrarch made it one of the artistic and cultural capitals of the 14th century under the Carrarese dominion. It was a period of great artistic and cultural flourishing due to the many commissions of the Paduan patrons of arts. The fresco cycles painted in different secular and religious buildings throughout the city are now reunited as part of the UNESCO World Heritage propriety, the Padova Urbs Picta.

Present-day Padova is a liveable and active city, animated by the many young people who attend the University and at the same time proud of its culture, traditions, and rich history.

Here you will have a tour of the city with WingsItaly (as one of your hosts Andrea Dal Moro lived here at a Monetary whilst a student at Padova University) and a stop off for a group lunch can be arranged at your own costs..

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. 

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.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/villa-ca-39-ottolina-bernardine-di-bonavigo5.en-gb.html?lang=en-gb&soz=1&lang_changed=1

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.

Provisional Flight information

21/08/25 Stansted to Milan Bergamo Dep: 0650 Arr: 0945

26/08/25 Milan Bergamo to Stansted Dep: 2210 Arr: 2315

21/08/25 Manchester to Milan Bergamo Dep: 0625 Arr: 0935

26/08/25 Milan Bergamo to Manchester Dep: 2115 Arr: 0025(+1)

Luggage Allowance

Small cabin bag and 20kg hold included for all flights

Passport validity

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.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in the first half of 2025 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.

ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to a number of European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport (and other documents if required) and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

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.

Global Health Insurance Card

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

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy