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Verona Opera & Florence Getaway Break
Break Available: SOLD OUT FOR 2022
5 days
Price Per Person: From £1,495
For a truly romantic special occasion, being your Italian short break with a stay in Verona to attend the opera. With your Complimentary Free Upgrade to the best seats in the arena, you get to enjoy the opera in incredibly scenic surroundings – from a 72AD Roman Arena!
Then travel onto Florence, the birth place of the Renaissance. You have a private guided Duomo tour included and plenty of time to wander at your leisure and soak up this romantic city.
Highlights
- Attend Open-Air Arena di Verona Opera in the best seats in the arena (Complimentary Free Upgrade)
- Private Guided Tour of the Duomo in Florence
- Verona Pass Card providing free access to key sites avoiding queues
- 4 nights accommodation in traditional, authentic hotels within minutes for the main sights
Day 1
Fly to Verona and Private Airport Transfer to your hotel
Day 1
Fly to Verona and Private Airport Transfer to your hotel
Fly to Verona and take your private transfer to your chosen hotel in the centre of Verona, within walking distance of the Arena. All of the hotels we use are within easy walking distance for your ease. We do not believe in group transfers, all of your transfers are private to you.
Waiting for you at hotel reception will be your opera tickets and your Verona Pass Card. The Verona Pass Card allows free access to many of the local churches and museums, along with a helpful map to help you get your bearings and prioritise the sights of main interest to you.
Day 2
Day at Leisure and Attend the Opera at the Arena di Verona
Day 2
Day at Leisure and Attend the Opera at the Arena di Verona
Spend the day exploring Verona using your Verona Pass Card. You can enjoy Juliet’s Balcony and Tomb, Castelvecchio and the various museums and churches all free with your Verona Pass Card. Head to the Arena Museum to see the old costumes and sets, and to the Arena Shop to buy the libretto for your opera performance.
This evening attend the opera at the Arena di Verona. We are currently offering a Complimentary Free Upgrade to the best seats in the arena. These are located on the ground floor and in the first 11 rows, affording a perfect view of the stage. For more information on Seating & Practical Advice.
For a flavour of this spectacle please click on the photo link to the right.
The Verona Opera Schedule runs from 17 June – 04 September 2022, however we are fully booked for June and July. Schedule:
AUGUST
Aida – 05, 21, 28
La Traviata – 06, 20
Turandot – 07, 10, 13, 19, 26
Carmen – 11, 14, 27
Carmina Burana – 12
Nabucco – 18
Domingo in Verdi Opera Night – 25
SEPTEMBER
La Traviata – 01
Turandot – 02
Nabucco – 03
Aida – 04
Video and Photos 3, 4, 5 and 6 opposite, copyrighted to Fondazione Arena di Verona.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Verona - Al Cristo Wine Tasting
- Verona - Lake Garda Boat Trip
A la Carte Optional Extras
Verona - Al Cristo Wine Tasting
We have two great options for you. The first is for those wine connoisseurs. Located within walking distance of your hotel is this small family run restaurant. The Maitre will take you to the cellar and introduce you to 3-4 wines.
Alternatively, if you have done a wine tasting tour before and want to skip straight to the tasting part, why not combine with a meal, and sampling the wines with each course.
Price Per Person: From £50 for Wine Tasting
Price Per Person: From £95 for Wine Tasting with Lunch
Price Per Person: From £110 for Wine Tasting with Dinner
Verona - Lake Garda Boat Trip
This is our most popular tour and with good reason. You take a private transfer to the pier where you will join a public boat, to be taken across the scenic lake arriving at the privately owned Isola del Garda.
Once there you will be given a tour of the island, perhaps even by the Borghese Cavazza family themselves, and get to learn the history of the island. The tour will include the neo gothic Venetian style villa, the landscaped luscious gardens and the fantastic view over the lake, along with tasting some of the local wine and olive oil.
After arriving back on the mainland, your private transfer will take you to Sirmione, a mediaeval castle town where you can wander at your leisure through the town, purchase some souvenirs and enjoy lunch. We recommend La Speranzina Restaurant which boasts beautiful views over the lake.
Your private transfer will return you to your hotel late afternoon.
Price Per Person: From £245
Day 3
Train Transfer to Florence and Private Transfer to your hotel
Day 3
Train Transfer to Florence and Private Transfer to your hotel
Private transfer to the train station and train transfer to Florence. (Around 1 ½ hrs train transfer time).
On arrival take your private transfer to your hotel, 4 Star Hotel Brunelleschi. This hotel is located just below the Duomo and right in the centre for easy walking distance to all the main sights.
Why not upgrade to a Duomo room, for the ultimate treat? See Optional Extra below for more information.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Florence - Upgrade Hotel Brunelleschi Deluxe Duomo View Room
A la Carte Optional Extras
Florence - Upgrade Hotel Brunelleschi Deluxe Duomo View Room
Hotel Brunelleschi is strategically placed for fantastic views over the Florence Duomo but without an upgrade to a deluxe Duomo view room, you will not be able to enjoy A Room with a View!
Price Per Person: From £65 per person per night
Day 4
Private Guided Tour of the Duomo and Evening at Leisure
Day 4
Private Guided Tour of the Duomo and Evening at Leisure
This morning your guide will take you to the Duomo for your private guided tour.
The Duomo is the main gothic style church in Florence. It was completed in 1436 with the famous dome created by Filippo Brunelleschi. To date it is still one of the largest in the world. The cathedral consists of the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile, which between them are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
At this point your guide will leave you to your own devices for your rest of day at leisure.
There are quite a few options on offer for how you spend your afternoon. You can either choose from one of our Optional Extras below, or perhaps head to Santa Croce Church to see many famous tombs, the Medici Chapels or the Galileo Museum. Or maybe head to the Ponte Vecchio and explore the streets south of the river. The choice is yours!
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Florence - Priority Line Passes for the Accademia & Uffizi Galleries
- Florence - Private Guided Tour of the Pitti Palace
- Florence - Vasari Corridor & Uffizi Gallery
A la Carte Optional Extras
Florence - Priority Line Passes for the Accademia & Uffizi Galleries
Visiting these two museums is quintessential Florence, but the queues can be horrendous. These timed entrance tickets means you get to see both Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery, before moving onto the Uffizi Gallery, bypassing the long lines and getting to witness Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus painting, amongst many others.
Price Per Person: £40 for both the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery tickets
Florence - Private Guided Tour of the Pitti Palace
Your guide will take you on a private guided tour of the Pitti Palace.
The Pitti Palace was built in 1458 and was later bought by the Medici family in 1549. It then became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In this time is amassed many fine paintings. By the 18th century it became the royal palace for Napoleon. From 1919 it opened its doors to the public, showing these valuable collections.
Price Per Person: From £90
Florence - Vasari Corridor & Uffizi Gallery
Today you will take the “Prince’s Itinerary;” the elevated passageway which connects the Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti Palace. Continue over the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi gallery. View the Uffizi highlights of “Birth of Venus” in all her glory, before moving onto Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael’s exhibits.
Venture along the Vasari Corridor, created so that the ruling families could safely travel between government and their homes. Finish the tour at the enchanting Boboli Gardens and admire Buontalenti’s Grotto.
Price Per Person: From £85
Day 5
At Leisure until Private Airport Transfer for flight home
Day 5
At Leisure until Private Airport Transfer for flight home
At leisure until your private airport transfer for your flight home from Pisa Airport after your Verona and Florence Weekend Break.
Alternatively why not extend your trip to take in more of the main Italian cities.
You could either choose to spend some time in Milan and Lake Como, visit Lucca where in July and August the open-air Puccini Opera Festival takes place, or maybe opt for a longer trip, in which case we recommend our Simply Authentic Italy – Venice, Verona, Florence and Rome.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Florence - Explore Pisa and Private Airport Transfer
A la Carte Optional Extras
Florence - Explore Pisa and Private Airport Transfer
With few flights departing from Florence airport, most UK flights land in nearby Pisa. Why not extend either your first or last day in Florence with a few hours to see Pisa en route. Pisa is best explored under your own steam. As well as climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower, make sure you leave enough time to visit the church and the frescoes in the buildings within the complex.
Price Per Person: From £135 for 3hrs with driver waiting for you. Please note this does not include entrance tickets which vary between €15-20 per person depending on how many of the sights you want to visit.
Where You'll Stay
Hotel Firenze - Verona (4 Star)
Hotel Firenze - Verona (4 Star)
The Hotel Firenze is located in Corso Porta Nuova. From this elegant hotel, guests can reach all the most important monuments and touristic places of the city:
the Arena, the House and Tomb of Juliet, the Roman Theatre, Castelvecchio with its unique military bridge and Scaligeri Arches along with the tombs of the medieval Signoria family.
All rooms have recently been refurbished, have air conditioning and bathrooms either with Jacuzzi or shower with steam sauna.
This hotel is only a 10 minute walk from the Arena.
Hotel Accademia - Verona (4 Star)
Hotel Accademia - Verona (4 Star)
The Accademia Hotel is in the centre of Verona. The hotel is in the heart of the exclusive shopping area of Verona, conveniently positioned between the Brà Square with the Arena and Erbe Square with Giulietta's House and balcony.
All rooms are spacious and feature air conditioning.
A breakfast buffet is served every morning and includes both sweet and savoury options. Restaurant Accademia specialises in Veneto food and wine, with meals prepared with fresh local products.
This is our most popular hotel for Verona, which consistently comes out top on fantastic feedback.
Hotel Brunelleschi - Florence (4 Star)
Hotel Brunelleschi - Florence (4 Star)
Hotel Brunelleschi is a luxury hotel in the centre of Florence: only a stone’s throw away from the Uffizi Gallery, “Piazza della Signoria” and one of the world’s most famous shopping street.
This 4 star hotel offers 2 restaurants, a gym and 96 rooms and suites some with jacuzzi and spectacular views of the “Duomo”.
Hotel Brunelleschi was created within a circular Byzantine tower and a medieval church, reconstructed, but keeping the original characteristics. Inside you can find a private museum with the ruins discovered during the restoration. It is mentioned in Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”.
Hotel Degli Orafi - Florence (4 Star)
Hotel Degli Orafi - Florence (4 Star)
The Hotel Degli Orafi is well known worldwide as the setting for James Ivory’s film “A Room with a View”.
This magnificent hotel is located in an ancient Florentine building dating back to the 13th century.
It is in the centre of the city next to the River Arno and just a few steps away from the famous Ponte Vecchio & the Uffizi Gallery.
You can enjoy original 12th Century frescoes in the modern library. From the roof terrace bar you can admire the view over Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River, the Georgofili Academy, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Vasarian Corridor & the Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Relais Santa Croce - Florence (5 Star)
Relais Santa Croce - Florence (5 Star)
A perfect balance between the luxury of a bygone era and modern comforts. In the historic centre of Florence, an eighteenth century residence hosts the exclusive, refined Relais Santa Croce.
Surrounded by its sumptuous furnishings and frescoed ceilings, you will be assisted by highly professional staff and delighted by the evocative nature of this truly extraordinary location.
The hotel restaurant, Guelfi e Ghibellini, offers innovative, seasonal regional menus. Furthermore, situated within the same building as the Relais Santa Croce is the Enoteca Pinchiorri, a three-star Michelin restaurant.
Verona - Al Cristo Wine Tasting
We have two great options for you. The first is for those wine connoisseurs. Located within walking distance of your hotel is this small family run restaurant. The Maitre will take you to the cellar and introduce you to 3-4 wines.
Alternatively, if you have done a wine tasting tour before and want to skip straight to the tasting part, why not combine with a meal, and sampling the wines with each course.
Price Per Person: From £50 for Wine Tasting
Price Per Person: From £95 for Wine Tasting with Lunch
Price Per Person: From £110 for Wine Tasting with Dinner
Verona - Lake Garda Boat Trip
This is our most popular tour and with good reason. You take a private transfer to the pier where you will join a public boat, to be taken across the scenic lake arriving at the privately owned Isola del Garda.
Once there you will be given a tour of the island, perhaps even by the Borghese Cavazza family themselves, and get to learn the history of the island. The tour will include the neo gothic Venetian style villa, the landscaped luscious gardens and the fantastic view over the lake, along with tasting some of the local wine and olive oil.
After arriving back on the mainland, your private transfer will take you to Sirmione, a mediaeval castle town where you can wander at your leisure through the town, purchase some souvenirs and enjoy lunch. We recommend La Speranzina Restaurant which boasts beautiful views over the lake.
Your private transfer will return you to your hotel late afternoon.
Price Per Person: From £245
Florence - Upgrade Hotel Brunelleschi Deluxe Duomo View Room
Hotel Brunelleschi is strategically placed for fantastic views over the Florence Duomo but without an upgrade to a deluxe Duomo view room, you will not be able to enjoy A Room with a View!
Price Per Person: From £65 per person per night
Florence - Priority Line Passes for the Accademia & Uffizi Galleries
Visiting these two museums is quintessential Florence, but the queues can be horrendous. These timed entrance tickets means you get to see both Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery, before moving onto the Uffizi Gallery, bypassing the long lines and getting to witness Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus painting, amongst many others.
Price Per Person: £40 for both the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery tickets
Florence - Private Guided Tour of the Pitti Palace
Your guide will take you on a private guided tour of the Pitti Palace.
The Pitti Palace was built in 1458 and was later bought by the Medici family in 1549. It then became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In this time is amassed many fine paintings. By the 18th century it became the royal palace for Napoleon. From 1919 it opened its doors to the public, showing these valuable collections.
Price Per Person: From £90
Florence - Vasari Corridor & Uffizi Gallery
Today you will take the “Prince’s Itinerary;” the elevated passageway which connects the Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti Palace. Continue over the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi gallery. View the Uffizi highlights of “Birth of Venus” in all her glory, before moving onto Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael’s exhibits.
Venture along the Vasari Corridor, created so that the ruling families could safely travel between government and their homes. Finish the tour at the enchanting Boboli Gardens and admire Buontalenti’s Grotto.
Price Per Person: From £85
Florence - Explore Pisa and Private Airport Transfer
With few flights departing from Florence airport, most UK flights land in nearby Pisa. Why not extend either your first or last day in Florence with a few hours to see Pisa en route. Pisa is best explored under your own steam. As well as climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower, make sure you leave enough time to visit the church and the frescoes in the buildings within the complex.
Price Per Person: From £135 for 3hrs with driver waiting for you. Please note this does not include entrance tickets which vary between €15-20 per person depending on how many of the sights you want to visit.
Testimonials
What's Included?
- 4 nights accommodation with breakfast (Hotel Firenze – Verona), (Hotel Brunelleschi – Florence)
- Activities as described including a Complimentary Free Upgrade to the best seats in the Verona arena
- Flights from the UK (includes 1 hold bag per person)
- Private airport & train transfers
- 1st Class Train
Departure airport:
Gatwick only
Our international clients are welcome to book their own flights.