Venice Opera Holidays, Breaks & Tours

Venice Opera Breaks

4 days from £432 per person

Venice opera house with Italian flag flying outside

Teatro La Fenice, is an iconic landmark in Italian theatre and one of the most historic of all opera houses in Italy, not to mention one of the most beautiful and alluring. The nightlife in Venice may be low key, but the city makes up for this through its strong tradition of classical music and opera performances, many of which can be enjoyed at La Fenice. Many people choose to travel by gondola to La Fenice, which as the sun sets only adds to the romance and ambience of a night at the opera in Italy. Venice itself is an archipelago of 117 small islands, an enchanting city standing above the water showcasing its beautiful, ancient architecture. Separated by a maze of around 200 canals and connected by nearly 400 idyllic bridges, enjoy immersing yourself in the local way of life as you amble through tiny side streets, cross grand palazzi’s, soak up the fascinating history and discover authentic eateries and cosy wine bars.

Route: Venice

Itinerary Highlights

Travel by gondola to Venice’s famed Teatro La Fenice for a night of romance, drama and sophistication; a fine example of elegant Italian Opera.

Admire views of Doge’s Palace from the Venetian Lagoon and cross the Rialto Bridge; Venice is brimming with cultural landmarks just waiting to be explored.

Enjoy watching the sunset over beautiful Venice as you sample local delicacies and toast a glass of wine along the banks at a canalside bistro.

Itinerary: Venice Opera Breaks

Day 1 UK to Venice

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Venice Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle from the airport to your hotel in Venice. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the city. You might choose to head to St Mark’s Square, a bustling piazza that’s home to centuries old architecture, the Palazzo Ducale and St Mark’s Basilica; as well, the square is wonderfully lit up at night. (N)

Accommodation in Venice: Mercure Venezia Marghera Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Venice

Today is free for you to explore the city’s maze of waterways and cobbled streets at your own leisure. A great way to begin is to pick up a map from your hotel and just start walking, admiring the passing gondolas, enjoying the café culture and Italian atmosphere as you go. Stop to photograph the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, grab a slice of pizza from a ‘hole in the wall’ and then visit a gelato parlour before spending the afternoon ambling along the city’s waterfront. This evening, enjoy your chosen opera performance at Teatro La Fenice. (B)

Accommodation in Venice: Mercure Venezia Marghera Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Venice

You might choose to spend today visiting Venice’s famous islands in the Venetian lagoon, wonderful to explore and easy to travel to by water bus. Admire the Venetian glass makers in Murano, hop to Burano, home to colourfully painted houses and then Torcello, where you will find the renowned Devil’s bridge. If you didn’t travel by gondola to the opera last night, you might choose to take a gondola ride this evening at sunset, a romantic way to spend your last night in Venice. (B)

Accommodation in Venice: Mercure Venezia Marghera Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Venice 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 Venice 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.

Venice Opera Schedule for 2020/21

Please contact us to book your Venice 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.