The VENETO region of north-east Italy is one of the richest in terms of its art, architecture and culture. Outside Venice however it is little known in the UK and this delightful tour takes you to some magnificent areas.

Highlights of the tour include Venice, of course, as well as Palladio’s Vicenza, Mantova, Sabbioneta, Asolo (where Robert Browning died), Bassano del Grappa (where the famous liquor is made) and Romeo and Juliet’s Verona.

Verona is an ancient and beautiful city famed for its association with Shakespeare's favourite hero and heroine, whoe supposed balcony is adorned with thousdands of latter day lovers' signatures! Sights include the amazing Roman Arena, venue for a spectacular summer opera festival, San Zeno Maggiore and lovely piazzas including in the heart of the city, the piazza delle Erbe.

WORLD CLASS OPERA
Our tour in May includes a night at the opera to see Puccini’s masterpiece, ‘TOSCA’, at the magnificently restored La Fenice Opera House in Venice. Tosca, first performed in Rome in 1900, was Puccini’s fifth opera and is based on a play by the French dramatist Sardou.

Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, 'SWAN LAKE', performed by the dancers from the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, is featured during our tour in November, also at the splendid La Fenice Opera House.

The beautiful university city of PADOVA is famed for one of the greatest works of art, the incomparable SCROVEGNI CHAPELThe Chapel was frescoed by Giotto between 1303 and 1305 upon a commission by Enrico Scrovegni and is one of the most important western masterpieces. The frescoes tell the story of the Virgin Mary and Christ and have been the subject of much conservation and renovation over the years. Special air-conditioning and strict monitoring now allow the masterpieces to be viewed without further jeopardizing their fragile nature.

MANTOVA, situated between Bologna and Parma in northern Italy, is a beautiful, historic city surrounded on three sides by lakes. In the centre of the town are three linked piazzas, lined with cafés and several good restaurants, providing a lively meeting place.

In BASSANO you can still experience the magnificence of the middle ages, its history engraved in stone and the many art treasures and frescoes that adorn its buildings
Bassano is high up on the last hill before spectacular mountains and is divided by the turbulent River Brenta, but rejoined by the town’s symbol, the famous ‘Old Wooden Bridge’, conceived by Andrea Palladio. Bassano is synonymous with grappa and the art of its distillation.

First settled by the Romans, VICENZA is the official home of Palladian architecture and the magnificent city centre reflects the truly inspirational work of Andrea Palladio. His Basilica, in the main city square is surrounded by equally important buildings of different ages and architectural styles.

No tour of this special region of Italy would be complete without a visit to VENICE, with its unique visual extravagance of canals, exquisite bridges and stunning architecture. There will be an opportunity to spend the afternoon in Venice before your evening opera/ballet performance at La Fenice.

TOUR MANAGER
Our Tour Manager will accompany you throughout the tour and do everything possible to ensure you enjoy your holiday.

In the unlikely event of the total cancellation of the opera/ballet due to ill health, adverse weather, or any other reason or change of cast, the ticket price will only be refunded if the entire performance is cancelled. Only the ticket price will be refunded under such circumstances and no reimbursement made for travel expenses such as flights, hotels, meals etc.