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Verona & Lucca La Dolce Diva
Break Available: 14 July - 24 Aug 2021
5 days
Price Per Person: £1,845
Enjoy 2 nights at the opera, both in the very best open-air seating. With tailor-made private to you travel throughout, this is the quintessential special occasion break whether you an opera connoisseur or just someone who loves new experiences!
Begin your trip experiencing the thrill of the Arena di Verona, a Roman open-air arena that dates back to 72AD. Choosing from well known operas that can include Aida, Turandot, Nabucco, La Traviata and many others, this is quite an experience.
To see the full Verona Opera Schedule.
The Puccini Festival celebrates the best of this world-renown composer, whilst this time overlooking a lake in your open-air surroundings. Fantastic way to make the most of the Mediterranean climate!
To see the full Puccini Opera Festival Schedule.
Italian Short Breaks are a legally authorised trading body who are officially permitted to sell tickets for both the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago and the Arena di Verona in Italy. Many ticket only web sites are not legally authorised to do so. We will always guarantee your seats and ticket level at booking stage.
Highlights
- Best Seats in the Open-Air Arena di Verona (Complimentary Free Upgrade)
- Best Seats in the Open-Air Arena for the Puccini Festival
- Verona Pass Card giving you free access to most local museums and churches
- 4 nights accommodation in traditional hotels, located within minutes of the arena and main sights
- First Class Train from Verona to Florence
- Private airport and train transfers
Day 1
Fly to Verona and Private Transfer to your hotel
Day 1
Fly to Verona and Private Transfer to your hotel
Fly to Verona where your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your Verona hotel. This transfer is private to you, so there is no waiting for groups.
All of the hotels we use are within an easy 5-10mins walk from the arena, which is the main centre of Verona, affording you the option of being able to wander and explore without the need for taxis.
Alternatively, if this is a special occasion, why not upgrade your hotel to our 5 Star Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta. It’s hard to find a more romantic hotel than this; located overlooking Juliet’s balcony.
See Optional Extra below for more information.
Waiting for you at your hotel will be your opera tickets, along with your Verona Pass Card. This Pass Card provides free, beat the queues access to many of the local sights, and also comes with a helpful map so you can get your bearings quickly.
Rest of day at leisure.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Verona - Upgrade to 5 Star Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta (2ngts)
A la Carte Optional Extras
Verona - Upgrade to 5 Star Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta (2ngts)
The Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta is one of the most romantic relais’s in the world. Located several streets behind the arena, in the quiet shopping district, it overlooks Juliet’s Balcony. With period features in all the stylish rooms, this hotel is perfect for celebrating that special occasion and making your loved ones feel truly cherished!
Price Per Person: From £140
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
Day at leisure to make the most of your Verona Pass Card. Must see sites include the castle Castelvecchio and Juliet’s balcony. Please note if you want to visit her house, there is a €3 per person fee.
Our personal recommendation? Head to the arena to see this incredible building before all the sets go up this evening, buy the libretto and music from the Arena shop, then walk to the Opera Museum to discover all the beautiful sets and costumes used in previous performances, including those worn by Maria Callas.
Alternatively, if you have been to Verona before, you may prefer to add in one of our Optional Extra tours. We would particularly recommend our Lake Garda day or perhaps a wine tasting. Please see Optional Extras below.
This evening attend Aida at the Arena di Verona in the best seats in the arena, which we are currently offering as a Complimentary Free Upgrade. Located on the ground floor and the first 11 rows affords the best view of the stage. For more information on Seating & Practical Advice.
For a flavour of this spectacle please click on the photo opposite. Video, Title photo and Photos 3-8 opposite Courtesy of Fondazione Arena di Verona.
The Verona Opera 2021 schedule runs from 25 June – 4 September, however, to tie in with the Lucca Puccini Festival, you have the following options:
Cavalleria Rusticana – Pagliacci:
July – 22, 31
Aug – 14
Aida:
July – 15,21
Aug – 08, 12, 21, 27
Turandot:
July – 29
Aug – 1, 5, 28
Nabucco:
July – 17,24
Aug – 13, 20 ,26
Gala Domingo:
July – 30
Requiem Verdi:
July – 18
July – 10, 16, 23
Aug – 19
Beethoven Symphony:
Aug – 22
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Verona - Lake Garda Boat Trip
- Verona - Al Cristo Wine Tasting
- Verona - Villa Novare Wine Tasting
A la Carte Optional Extras
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
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 - Villa Novare Wine Tasting
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 £165
Day 3
Transfer to Lucca
Day 3
Transfer to Lucca
Morning at leisure before your private driver transfers you to the station for your first class train to Florence. Waiting for you in Florence will be your private driver to transfer you to your Lucca hotel.
Alternatively, if you want to go door to door, why not upgrade to a private driver who will take you from your Verona hotel to your Lucca hotel.
Please see Optional Extra below for more information.
All the hotels we use in Lucca are within an easy 5-10mins walk from the centre, so you can easily cover the distance of this small town. Moreover, the hotels we use are typical traditional hotels, authentic to the region.
Rest of day at leisure.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Verona - Upgrade to Private Transfer from Verona to Lucca
A la Carte Optional Extras
Verona - Upgrade to Private Transfer from Verona to Lucca
If you want to travel in style and not transfer by train, why not add in our private transfer from Lucca to Verona direct with your private driver.
Price Per Person: From £150.
Day 4
Day at leisure and Attend the Puccini Festival Opera
Day 4
Day at leisure and Attend the Puccini Festival Opera
Day at leisure to enjoy Lucca visiting the local churches, palaces and museums.
Lucca is famous for being the birth place of Giacomo Puccini and a trip to the Puccini Museum and the composer’s house are recommended. But there are many other reasons to visit Lucca as well.
You can take in the Renaissance-era walls which are still mostly intact, visit the Ducal and Pfanner Palaces, Villa Garzoni known for its water gardens, the Torre delle Ore (The Clock Tower) and many wonderful churches.
If you want panoramic views of the town then head to Guinigi Tower, located in the middle of the town. The views are incredible and well worth the climb.
Make sure you explore the city walls still largely intact.
This evening your private driver will transfer you to Torre del Lago for your opera performance at the Puccini Opera Festival. As Gold ticket holders, you have a free drink at Cafe Momus (located within the arena foyer) waiting for you. For more information on Seating & Practical Advice.
The Puccini Opera Festival runs from the 17 July – 23 August 2020:
Tosca – 17, 24 July, 02, 21 Aug
Turandot – 18, 31 July, 08, 16 Aug
Manon Lescaut – 25 July, 07 Aug (please note this is a concert and not a full opera, so limited staging)
La Boheme – 01, 09, 22 Aug
Madame Butterfly – 14, 23 Aug
Balletto – 13 Aug
Enjoy the performance from the open-air arena overlooking the lake, with your Gold (top level) seating. A beautiful setting to really transport you away!
After the opera your private transfer will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel.
Photos 1-6 opposite copyrighted to the Puccini Festival Foundation.
Day 5
Private Transfer to the airport for flight home
Day 5
Private Transfer to the airport for flight home
At leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your flight home after your Lucca opera break.
Alternatively if you want to make the most of your last day, why not spend some time exploring The Leaning Tower of Pisa en route to the airport. Please see our Optional Extra below for more information.
Perhaps you want to extend your trip? After Verona and Lucca, some time in Renaissance Florence could be the perfect finish to your trip.
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Lucca - Explore The Leaning Tower of Pisa with Private Airport Transfer
A la Carte Optional Extras
Lucca - Explore The Leaning Tower of Pisa with Private Airport Transfer
Today, if you have a late afternoon flight, why not have some time in Pisa to explore. Our private driver can collect you from your hotel and take you to Pisa where you have 3hrs to wander and explore. The driver will hold onto your luggage while you do so.
The Pisa complex has quite a bit to see. Start with the iconic Leaning Tower and see if you can resist taking the photo all tourists take – “holding” the building up! Then explore the church, museums and various outbuildings, the last of which includes some interesting frescos on Heaven and Hell.
Then meet your driver for your onwards travel to Pisa airport for your flight home.
Price Per Person: From £125
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.
Il Sogno di Giulietta - Verona (5 Star)
Il Sogno di Giulietta - Verona (5 Star)
Opposite Juliet’s balcony, in the courtyard of her house, this isn't a hotel, but an historical house destined to welcome the most romantic couples and to envelope them in a night of dreams. Il Sogno di Giulietta is a centrally located hotel.
It is now possible to stay in the kingdom narrated by Shakespeare in one of his most famous works, the lovers’ nest par excellence.
The refined rooms are situated on both sides of the residence, some even having a direct view of Juliet’s balcony.
All rooms are luxuriously decorated with antique rugs, magnificent drapes and jacuzzis.
Palazzo Alexander Hotel - Lucca
Palazzo Alexander Hotel - Lucca
The palace dates back to the 12th century when it was first used as a girls boarding school in the 1400's. It has since been restored to its original artistic decor, which reflects the noble Lucchese style, which includes period features of antique wood floors and fine marble.
All the rooms include original period pieces.
Located in the centre of Lucca’s historic district, Palazzo Alexander Hotel is within a short walk of the main sights of the town.
Palazzo Busdraghi - Lucca
Palazzo Busdraghi - Lucca
This small seven bed boutique hotel is right in the heart of Lucca. This hotel is the idea starting point for exploring the stunning Tuscan town. Just like the town that is home to it, Palazzo Busdraghi is a welcoming hotel that will captivate you with the friendliness of its staff and the attention to detail that you will notice in every nook and cranny of the building.
Being close to the city walls and the amphitheatre as well as the main churches, mean a very easy walk reveals the main sites in Lucca.
The superior rooms offer either a jacuzzi bath or jet shower water as well as the main services.
Maison de Charme - Lucca
Maison de Charme - Lucca
One of the top hotels in Lucca. This warm and friendly hotel is within the ancient walls of Lucca and a 10-minute walk from the cathedral.
All the rooms are individually designed and have a beautiful view across the historic centre. They feature frescoes on the walls and some have wood beamed ceilings.
Santoni Luxury Home - Lucca
Santoni Luxury Home - Lucca
This luxurious historical hotel is perfectly located right in the centre of Lucca, within the city walls. Only a few steps from San Martino Cathedral, all of the main sights in Lucca are an easy walk.
The rooms are all individually designed and named after Puccini's most beloved operas incuding the Puccini Suite, the Turandot room. the Manon Room, La Boheme room, Butterfly Room and Tosca room.
Verona - Upgrade to 5 Star Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta (2ngts)
The Relais Il Sogno di Giulietta is one of the most romantic relais’s in the world. Located several streets behind the arena, in the quiet shopping district, it overlooks Juliet’s Balcony. With period features in all the stylish rooms, this hotel is perfect for celebrating that special occasion and making your loved ones feel truly cherished!
Price Per Person: From £140
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
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 - Villa Novare Wine Tasting
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 £165
Verona - Upgrade to Private Transfer from Verona to Lucca
If you want to travel in style and not transfer by train, why not add in our private transfer from Lucca to Verona direct with your private driver.
Price Per Person: From £150.
Lucca - Explore The Leaning Tower of Pisa with Private Airport Transfer
Today, if you have a late afternoon flight, why not have some time in Pisa to explore. Our private driver can collect you from your hotel and take you to Pisa where you have 3hrs to wander and explore. The driver will hold onto your luggage while you do so.
The Pisa complex has quite a bit to see. Start with the iconic Leaning Tower and see if you can resist taking the photo all tourists take – “holding” the building up! Then explore the church, museums and various outbuildings, the last of which includes some interesting frescos on Heaven and Hell.
Then meet your driver for your onwards travel to Pisa airport for your flight home.
Price Per Person: From £125
What's Included?
- 4 nights bed & breakfast accommodation (Hotel Firenze – Verona) & Lucca (Palazzo Hotel Alexander – Lucca)
- Best seats at Arena di Verona (Complimentary Free Upgrade)
- Best seats at the Lucca Puccini Festival
- Verona Pass Card
- First Class Train from Verona to Florence
- Private airport and train transfers
- Flights from the UK (includes 1 hold bag per person)
Departure airports:
Gatwick everyday
Our international clients are welcome to book their own flights.