For those wanting to experience a cultural trip with several days in idyllic surroundings on the lake, this break is hard to beat!
Verona is home to one of the oldest Roman arenas in the world. Every summer from mid June to early September, the doors open and the lavish sets come out, for another season of fantastic operas!
Move onto Lake Garda where you have a wonderful hotel with views over the lake. Here you have a chance to unwind and take life at your own pace.
Verona and Lake Garda are very near to most Italian cities. From Verona it is a short distance to Verona, Florence, Milan, Lake Maggiore, and our favourite – The Siena Palio Race.
We are currently offering a Complimentary Free Upgrade to the very best tickets at the Verona arena.
Fly to Verona and take your private transfer to your chosen hotel in the centre of Verona, within walking distance of the Arena.
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. it also comes with a helpful map to help you get your bearings and prioritise the main sights of interest to you.
Rest of day at leisure to wander and explore.
Spend the day exploring Verona. You can enjoy Juliet’s Balcony and Tomb, walk along the battlements at Castelvecchio or visit the various museums and churches all free with your Verona Pass Card.
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. With the rows sloping down towards the stage, you have the perfect view of the opera taking place in front of you. For more information on Seating & Practical Advice.
For a flavour of this spectacle please click on the arrow on the photo opposite.
The Verona Opera Schedule runs from 17 June – 04 September 2022, however June and July are fully booked. 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
Photos 1-6 inclusive opposite, copyrighted to Fondazione Arena di Verona.
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
Mid morning private transfer to your Lake Garda hotel. Grand Hotel Gardone is a 4 star hotel located near a small town and the pier for those wanting to book the Garda Island boat trip. All rooms have incredible views overlooking the lake.
Spend the rest of your day settling in or enjoy the outdoor pool.
The climate on the lake is much less humid and you have a break from the crowds so you can unwind in style and perhaps a cocktail!
Day at leisure to explore Lake Garda, head into Gardone town, take a taxi to Salo harbour, or Sirmione; the last of which is positioned on the bottom of the lake. Enjoy the castle and some shopping.
Alternatively opt for one of our optional extras. We would particularly recommend visiting Garda Island with its stunning gardens and villas, and the best views over the lake.
For more information please see below.
This is our most popular tour and with good reason. Wander down 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.
Arrive back on the mainland and rest of day at leisure.
Price per person From: £50
Set in the sweeping landscape of the Valpolicello countryside is the Villa Mosconi. The villa is nestled in the ancient region well known for its wine, wine cellars and clear running water. In 1936 Villa Mosconi created the name of Amarone, one of the most respected wines of the region.
On this day you will have your private transfer to drive you to this scenic location and be given a tour of both the majestic house and garden. At the end of the tour, you will be able to taste 4 wines from the local Valpolicello region along with finding out their history.
Your private transfer will take you back to the hotel after.
Price Per Person: From £280
Transfer to Byblos Art Hotel and pamper yourself for the day at their luxurious spa. Enjoy the illuminated pool with hydromassage and chromotherapy, sauna, steam bath and tropical showers.
Included are 1 Keraskin or Decleor treatment, hydromassage, sauna, steam room, tropical showers, use of the Technogym equipment and 3 course light lunch at the Atelier restaurant.
Price Per Person: From £350
At leisure until your private airport transfer for your flight home at the end of your Verona Opera and Lake Garda Break.
Alternatively, if you have more time, why not extend your trip.
You can either head west to Milan and even add on a second night at the opera, this time at La Scala. Then finish your trip in Lake Como.
Another suggestion would be to go east and finish your Italian adventure in Venice. Venice has La Fenice Opera House for those wanting to experience the opera in a stunning opera house, or for another outdoor arena venue to enjoy the opera, the Puccini Festival in Lucca is perfect.
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.
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.
Built in 1884 as the first hotel on Lake Garda, the Grand Hotel Gardone testifies the elegance and style of an era. Amongst the many celebrities that have stayed at the Grand Hotel Gardone are: King George of Saxony, D'Annunzio and Churchill.
The Lakeside Rooms have a splendid view of the lake. Refined cuisine with local specialities can be enjoyed at the pool snack bar, the lakeside Veranda restaurant or a candlelight dinner à la carte on the big terrace. Winnie’s Piano Bar offers the opportunity for a drink and dance after dinner. There is a jetty for motorboats, private beach, new heated swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, relax beds, massage area, and Wi-fi in all the public rooms.
Hotel Olivi is a charming hotel in Sirmione. The hotel is situated right in the centre of the historical town of Sirmione, and is a perfect base for exploring the many attractions of Sirmione and the surrounding area.
This charming hotel is framed by a spacious garden of ancient olive trees, which create a quiet peaceful environment in which to relax. Guests will find sundecks and sofas around the large outdoor swimming pool.
The hotel reception area is elegant and refined - the lobby is furnished with colourful - modern sofas and the American bar is a great place to meet people over a drink. This hotel also offers health treatments on request and there is a spa just outside.
The Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, opened as a 5 stars luxury Hotel since 1953. It is where you can come and celebrate the most important anniversaries and occasions to make them precious memories.
All rooms are elegantly furnished with antiques and precious carpets, parquet floor and Venetian glass chandeliers.
All room face the magnificent park.
Through the secular trees there is a breathtaking view of Lake Garda.
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
This is our most popular tour and with good reason. Wander down 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.
Arrive back on the mainland and rest of day at leisure.
Price per person From: £50
Set in the sweeping landscape of the Valpolicello countryside is the Villa Mosconi. The villa is nestled in the ancient region well known for its wine, wine cellars and clear running water. In 1936 Villa Mosconi created the name of Amarone, one of the most respected wines of the region.
On this day you will have your private transfer to drive you to this scenic location and be given a tour of both the majestic house and garden. At the end of the tour, you will be able to taste 4 wines from the local Valpolicello region along with finding out their history.
Your private transfer will take you back to the hotel after.
Price Per Person: From £280
Transfer to Byblos Art Hotel and pamper yourself for the day at their luxurious spa. Enjoy the illuminated pool with hydromassage and chromotherapy, sauna, steam bath and tropical showers.
Included are 1 Keraskin or Decleor treatment, hydromassage, sauna, steam room, tropical showers, use of the Technogym equipment and 3 course light lunch at the Atelier restaurant.
Price Per Person: From £350
Everything worked brilliantly and our first opera experience was one to remember for ever! It was so very special. A huge part of being able to completely relax and enjoy the holiday was that everything from start to finish with yourselves had been superbly and efficiently arranged. It has been a pleasure dealing with you and having our holiday arranged by you. It helps so much when you know everything has been arranged to such a standard.
I know we discussed on the phone but can confirm that the Opera seats were in a perfect position for us. Grand Hotel Gardone. What a place! As you probably know – very grand – old school – the general vibe was quite like the Ritz (service first class) – stretched out along the shores of the lake!
Departure airports:
Our international clients are welcome to book their own flights.