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Opera Holidays

Whether you are looking to experience the woe of Verdi’s 'La Traviata', the emotion of Puccini’s 'La Boheme' or Bizet’s sultry and magnificent ‘Carmen’, you are sure to be captivated by the poetic drama and raw passion during an evening at the opera. Europe is the location of some of the world’s finest opera houses, each unique in their own special way and all beautifully maintained – from Teatro alla Scala in Milan and Teatro La Fenice in Venice to Prague’s stately National Theatre and the ancient Arena di Verona. Completely tailor-made, there are numerous flights to the continent from most UK regional airports and, once there, a wide variety of hotels to choose from. With a well established reputation in arranging opera holidays we will be delighted to advise you on the different performances and schedules, recommend the most suitable seats, arrange any additional excursions or offer advice on how your holiday could be extended.

 
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TAILOR-MADE OPERA HOLIDAYS

 

OPERA HOLIDAY EXPERTS

We have many years' experience in creating tailor-made European opera breaks. Whether it’s recommending the best hotels within walking distance or booking the best seats in the house, we have all the inside knowledge and expertise when planning this type of holiday.

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Your Opera Holiday With Pettitts Travel

Your Opera Holiday with Pettitts Travel

Pettitts Travel opera holidays are all tailor-made and personalised exactly to your requirements. With a well-established reputation in arranging opera holidays, we will be delighted to advise you on the different performances and schedules, recommend the most suitable seats, arrange any additional excursions or offer advice on how your holiday could be extended. Our opera holidays take place in Europe, ranging from Verona to Vienna, and Paris to Venice. With numerous flights to the continent from most UK regional airports and, once there, a wide variety of hotels to choose from, Pettitts Travel will arrange the perfect opera holiday for you.

All of our opera holidays include international flights from the UK, hotel accommodation, return airport transfers in-country and opera tickets as specified. Many clients also like to add on additional excursions and experiences which we can arrange for you pre-departure. Popular additional experiences include a day out to the excellent Spanish Riding School in Vienna, an afternoon of wine tasting in the Italian countryside when in Verona or Florence, a night at the Moulin Rouge or other cabaret venues in Paris, or a historical and cultural walking tour whilst in Rome, Berlin or Prague.

Popular Opera Performances

Popular Opera Performances

With hundreds of operas spanning over four centuries, there are a huge range and variety of opera performances, from stories of death and tragedy to tales of love and romance. One of the world’s most loved and popular operas is La Traviata by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. This masterpiece created in 1853 combines love and tragedy, all set in Paris to Verdi’s faultless score. Turning to one of the world’s greatest composers - Giacomo Puccini - Puccini scored some of the best-known operas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tosca is a tale of power and passion set against crashing orchestral cords, Madama Butterfly explores love and loss between a young Japanese girl and an American sailor whilst La Bohème, one of the most adored operas, follows the pains and pleasures of young love and money. Other recommended performances include Bizet’s Carmen, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Verdi’s Aida and Mozart’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’.

European Opera Festivals

Not only is Europe home to some of the most beautiful and renowned opera houses, it is also famous for hosting some of the finest opera and arts festivals in the world. With Italy as the ‘birthplace of Opera’, it is no wonder that this beautifully boot-shaped country boasts some of the most prominent and spectacular festivals including the summertime Arena di Verona Festival and the classic Rossini Opera Festival celebrating the composer Gioacchino Pesaro. For something a little different, enjoy performances in Rome’s open-air opera festival located in the Roman Bath of Caracalla. Elsewhere, combine music, drama and dance at the Salzburg Arts Festival, celebrate all things opera in Munich during July, enjoy the breathtaking location of Ireland’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival or discover classical music in the picturesque lake-side city of Lucerne at the end of summer. For something a little closer to home, Glyndebourne is an elegant choice for a night at the opera.

European Opera Festivals

 

Common Opera Questions

A1 - All of Europe’s great cities are home to an acclaimed opera house. The European cities best associated with opera are Vienna, Milan, Verona, Venice and Berlin, Paris, Rome, Prague and Florence, however, many other cities and smaller towns regularly have performances during the season. Many opera houses are beautiful and historic buildings famous the world over including Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Vienna’s impressive Staatsoper, Teatro all Scala in Milan and astonishing Arena di Verona Roman amphitheatre in Verona, northern Italy.
A2 - All of our opera holidays include return international flights from the UK, airport transfers, hotel accommodation and opera tickets as requested. We can also arrange additional excursions, sightseeing and experiences at an extra cost, one of our Travel Specialists will happily advise you on what there is to see and do in your chosen destination.
A3 - Generally the best advice is to attend in more formal attire. For most, an opera is a special occasion and an opportunity to dress up. Although most opera houses do not operate a strict dress code, jeans, trainers and other casual clothing is best avoided. However, ultimately, wear what you feel most comfortable in.
A4 - Our opera holidays will typically last 4 days, however as all our opera holidays are tailor-made you can choose the duration to suit your requirements.
A5 - Your choice of seat will depend on your budget, how much you are willing to spend and also the availability of tickets for a particular performance. On the whole, the most expensive seats tend to be found in the dress circle whilst the cheapest seats are in the balcony. However, every opera house is unique and in most it is possible to have a good view and hear every note from wherever you are sat.
A6 - Operas can be long or short and last anywhere between 1 and 5 hours but some can be even longer taking place over several evenings. As a guide, a performance of Carmen usually lasts over 3 hours whilst Madama Butterfly a little under 3 hours. Longer performances always have interval breaks and the timings also include the length of these intermissions.
A7 - Attending an opera is very similar to any other classical performance and in essence revolves around common courtesy to both attendees and performers. It is recommended that all mobile devices are switched off, talking or singing avoided and that no food or drink is consumed in the auditorium.
A8 - Europe is known for hosting some of the world’s finest opera and arts festivals. As the ‘birthplace of opera’, Italy plays host to a number of renowned festivals including the famous Arena di Verona Festival and the Rossini Opera Festival which celebrates the composer Gioacchino Pesaro. In Germany, the Munich Opera Festival is a popular choice whereas the Salzburg Festival incorporates opera, music, drama and dance. Closer to home, Ireland’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival combines opera with a spectacular location and Glyndebourne offers an elegant summer festival experience.

HOLIDAYS WITH PETTITTS TRAVEL

With over 30 years' experience, Pettitts Travel specializes in creating memorable holidays around the globe. As an independent tour operator and travel agency, we can help to both craft or source your perfect holiday and pride ourselves in providing the very highest level of service and advice.

Whether you are looking to travel closer to home or further afield, on a short break or a longer adventure, looking to simply relax beside the beach or undertake a once in a lifetime cultural tour, our experienced team will be delighted to assist you.
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