opera in verona
Jan 27th, 2004, 08:40 PM
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opera in verona
Has anyone been to the summer operas in Verona? Is Verona over-run with tourists at this time? Would it be better to stay outside the city any suggestions re-hotels, apartments (around 100 euros per night) Thanks!!
Jan 28th, 2004, 07:15 AM
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Yes, I was in Verona for the opera in 2001. Certainly, there are many tourists and the hotel prices are higher than at other times during the year. But, I wouldn't have missed it for anything and the crowds were not so bad that it made us wish we hadn't gone.
It is a matter of personal preference, of course, but I wouldn't want to stay anywhere other than the old city center, within easy walking distance of the Arena.
We stayed at the Residence Verona House where our double room came equipped with a kitchen, private bath & air conditioning. They also have multi-room apartments. It is across the street from the Castelvecchio, and about a 5 minute walk from the Arena.
When the opera is over, it is nice to be able to sit at an outdoor cafe and watch the audience disperse & just relax. Then, simply wander on back to the hotel. No hassles. No driving after dark when tired to find our way back to our hotel. No parking woes or expenses.
I might consider staying at a particularly nice place at Lake Garda, and then come in once for the opera. But, if my main reason for being in the Verona area was to attend the opera, and especially multiple times, I'd go for staying in the old town center!
It all depends on your preferences & priorities, of course.
It is a matter of personal preference, of course, but I wouldn't want to stay anywhere other than the old city center, within easy walking distance of the Arena.
We stayed at the Residence Verona House where our double room came equipped with a kitchen, private bath & air conditioning. They also have multi-room apartments. It is across the street from the Castelvecchio, and about a 5 minute walk from the Arena.
When the opera is over, it is nice to be able to sit at an outdoor cafe and watch the audience disperse & just relax. Then, simply wander on back to the hotel. No hassles. No driving after dark when tired to find our way back to our hotel. No parking woes or expenses.
I might consider staying at a particularly nice place at Lake Garda, and then come in once for the opera. But, if my main reason for being in the Verona area was to attend the opera, and especially multiple times, I'd go for staying in the old town center!
It all depends on your preferences & priorities, of course.
Jan 28th, 2004, 07:22 AM
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We attended "Rigoletto" on a summer Saturday night and this was an exhilarating experience. It was unplanned; we were staying at an agriturismo near Mantova, drove to Verona Sat am and parked outside Porta Nuova for a day's touring of Verona. We found we could purchase tickets for that night's performance and got back to our lodging after midnight. A long and a wonderful day!
As for "tourists", I guess other than ourselves, I'm sure there were some, but we didn't notice. Yes, the streets were full (not "over-run"
- of elegantly dressed Italians. It was a beautiful scene.
As for "tourists", I guess other than ourselves, I'm sure there were some, but we didn't notice. Yes, the streets were full (not "over-run"
- of elegantly dressed Italians. It was a beautiful scene.
Jan 28th, 2004, 08:47 AM
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Lolo, too early for the big Arena Opera festival.
We had the unfortunate experience of having our Aida performance rained out. We were staying right in town, and it started raining during our dinner at 12 Apostles (great by the way). Although we were dressed up, we quickly returned to the hotel to get more casual, thanks to the rain, and we donned our rain attire. The opera was delayed several times, then when the rain stopped, they'd sweep off the stage, get ready to start, then more rain and more delays. It was something like 11 PM before they finally cancelled it without ever starting. We had actually gotten our tickets through our hotel almost a year in advance. Since we were leaving the next day and couldn't go get our refund, the hotel took care of it for us -- and sent us the money (nearly $600 in lira -- cash -- through the mail to the US).
Sometime I hope to return and not get rained out. But I'd agree the best would be to try to stay right in town, and not have to fight the crowds (which are enormous) trying to get in and out of the city.
We had the unfortunate experience of having our Aida performance rained out. We were staying right in town, and it started raining during our dinner at 12 Apostles (great by the way). Although we were dressed up, we quickly returned to the hotel to get more casual, thanks to the rain, and we donned our rain attire. The opera was delayed several times, then when the rain stopped, they'd sweep off the stage, get ready to start, then more rain and more delays. It was something like 11 PM before they finally cancelled it without ever starting. We had actually gotten our tickets through our hotel almost a year in advance. Since we were leaving the next day and couldn't go get our refund, the hotel took care of it for us -- and sent us the money (nearly $600 in lira -- cash -- through the mail to the US).
Sometime I hope to return and not get rained out. But I'd agree the best would be to try to stay right in town, and not have to fight the crowds (which are enormous) trying to get in and out of the city.
Jan 28th, 2004, 02:30 PM
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Ooops, no. There were four of us and the tickets were nearly $150 each. That's because we were splurging and took the special "VIP" fully upholstered seats back about 12 rows or so in the main center area. The hotel had offered to handle the tickets for us, and I checked. There was no extra fee for them doing so (I believe the owner is on the board of the opera, in fact). In the end, I was sure glad I did that, because otherwise I don't know how we would have ever gotten our refund since we left the next morning for Switzerland.
Jan 28th, 2004, 03:11 PM
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eliztrav,
We'll be staying for 8 nights at Residence Verona House in May. It sounds like you were happy there...is it as convenient and charming as it seems? And did you happen to notice if there was a laundromat nearby? We're really looking forward to spending time in Verona!
We'll be staying for 8 nights at Residence Verona House in May. It sounds like you were happy there...is it as convenient and charming as it seems? And did you happen to notice if there was a laundromat nearby? We're really looking forward to spending time in Verona!
Jan 29th, 2004, 06:05 AM
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Hi Jocelyn,
Yes, we were very happy with Residence Verona House. Room was very clean. A/C worked well. Plumbing worked well. Kitchen had everything we needed for a short stay, although we used it very little. And, the room looked like it had been redecorated quite recently. It was very convenient (walking distance - as I said, just 5 minutes to the Piazza Bra & Arena, the heart of the old city center). The Castelvecchio is almost literally across the street, although the entrance is around the corner toward Piazza Bra. It is near the beautiful river. But no, I wasn't looking for a laundromat so can't help you there. Since it IS a short term residence for some guests, though, I'd recommend e-mailing them. They may have machines on site you can use. I assume you've visited their nice website. I found the woman who worked the desk when we were there to be very polite, but not effusively friendly. But, don't hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it. I loved the location and the room. My other half found the decoration (gold & royal blue) a bit on the wild & busy side, but he was ok with it! I envy you your 8 days at the Residence and in Verona in May! Have a great time.
Yes, we were very happy with Residence Verona House. Room was very clean. A/C worked well. Plumbing worked well. Kitchen had everything we needed for a short stay, although we used it very little. And, the room looked like it had been redecorated quite recently. It was very convenient (walking distance - as I said, just 5 minutes to the Piazza Bra & Arena, the heart of the old city center). The Castelvecchio is almost literally across the street, although the entrance is around the corner toward Piazza Bra. It is near the beautiful river. But no, I wasn't looking for a laundromat so can't help you there. Since it IS a short term residence for some guests, though, I'd recommend e-mailing them. They may have machines on site you can use. I assume you've visited their nice website. I found the woman who worked the desk when we were there to be very polite, but not effusively friendly. But, don't hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it. I loved the location and the room. My other half found the decoration (gold & royal blue) a bit on the wild & busy side, but he was ok with it! I envy you your 8 days at the Residence and in Verona in May! Have a great time.
Jan 29th, 2004, 06:08 AM
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PS to Jocelyn -
While this may not matter in May, I said the A/C worked well at Residence Verona House. Yes, it did. But, that's the Italian a/c, not the full blast American version of a/c. Just so you know. It was nearly 100 degrees while we were there, but by the time we got to Verona, we had become accustomed to the, er, gentler form of a/c found in most of Italy!
While this may not matter in May, I said the A/C worked well at Residence Verona House. Yes, it did. But, that's the Italian a/c, not the full blast American version of a/c. Just so you know. It was nearly 100 degrees while we were there, but by the time we got to Verona, we had become accustomed to the, er, gentler form of a/c found in most of Italy!
