Milan Opera Holidays, Breaks & Tours

Milan Opera Breaks

4 days from £598 per person

Frontage of La Scala opera house in Milan

The very words La Scala immediately create an exciting image of glamour and drama, a classic representation of Italian Opera. Renowned for its elegance, history, high musical standards and real life dramas, everyone who has even a passing interest in the art form must visit Teatro all Scala. The repertoire includes iconic Italian operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi and Puccini as well as bel-canto gems hardly ever performed. Additional to exquisite opera performances, Milan offers a diverse variety of sights and activities for visitors to enjoy during their stay in this sophisticated, cultural hub. From museums, monuments and churches including the Gothic cathedral 'Il Duomo', to the 'Santa Maria della Grazia' where you can marvel at Da Vinci's 'Last Supper'. As well, Milan is a gateway to the beautiful Italian lakes region, the perfect extension for those wishing to explore Italy for a little longer.

Route: Milan

Itinerary Highlights

Become immersed in the sheer dramatics, intensity and glamour that a night at an Italian opera performance in Milan provides.

Explore the chic clothing outlets that reflect Milan’s devotion to fashion and admire prestigious art collections including da Vinci’s show stopping fresco.

Work your way through the traditional mouth-watering Milanese dishes conceived with creativity, passion and flair.

Itinerary: Milan Opera Breaks

Day 1 UK to Milan

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Milan Linate Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle from the airport to your hotel in Milan. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the city. You might choose to take the metro to the impressive Duomo, or head to the Navigli area and enjoy a late afternoon boat cruise through Milan’s maze of winding canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci. (N)

Accommodation in Milan: DoubleTree by Hilton Milan (or similar)

Day 2 Milan

After breakfast this morning, you might choose to join a guided city tour to take in the main highlights of Milan, including the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii, Sforza Castle and Leonardo da Vinci’s great masterpiece, the Last Supper. Or, if you prefer to explore at your own pace, the hop-on, hop-off bus is a great way to travel directly to the main sights in the city. This evening, enjoy your chosen opera performance at Teatro alla Scala. (B)

Accommodation in Milan: DoubleTree by Hilton Milan (or similar)

Day 3 Milan

Today is free for you to explore Milan at your own pace. Enjoy exploring the chic, clothing outlets and sampling authentic Italian culinary delights, with risotto, polenta and salami being typical Milanese dishes. If you’re looking for a retreat from city life, head to the Parco Sempione and follow its curving pathways that lead you over charming bridges to picturesque ponds and quiet grassy areas, perfect for relaxing in. (B)

Accommodation in Milan: DoubleTree by Hilton Milan (or similar)

Day 4 Milan to the UK

Enjoy spending your last day in the city at your own leisure. Later on today, you will be transferred by private vehicle back to Milan Linate Airport for your direct flight back to the UK. When you arrive back into the UK, continue your journey home. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Hotel accommodation and taxes
Opera tickets as specified
Return private airport transfer

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Meals unless specified

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Milan Opera Schedule for 2020/21

Please contact us to book your Milan opera break and for specific performance dates and prices.

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

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.