We are late in even attempting this, but we would like to go to the opera in Verona in July and I need help with tickets. One ticket website showed some of the performances I was interested in to be sold out of certain seat options. (we want to have reserved seats) We also don't have our hotel yet, but we want to be in the Lake Garda area. Does anyone know of a hotel that would have tickets available (either by block purchasing or by doing packages)? Thanks for the help!

The reserved "floor" seating does go quicikly. The areana seating usually has openings if you buy a few weeks in advance. If you sit in the "stadium" seating be sure to rent a cushion. (you will need it, its hard stone.) That is probably why you are looking for reserved seating.<BR>I do know of any hotels that have tickets, but music shops often have ticket sales. ( i.e. the "saxaphone" shop in downtown Vicenza)<BR> Try the website www.arena.it you can order tickets directly from the arena.<BR> Aida and Carmen are the best of this years offerings. Both are fantastic. The arena is a beautiful setting for any opera. I really hope that you enjoy it.

Chris, a lot of performances might be sold out by now and if you don't have a hotel yet, try to find something asap. A lot of packages include hotels not in Verona, but around Lake Garda. So...<BR>You will probably be lucky if you go to the Tourist Office in Verona (ENIT = Ente Nazionale Italia Tourist or alike). They usually have tickets for the stairs (not reserved seats though). We bought ours there only the day of the performance, because we wanted to be sure to have no rain. In that case, they will interrupt or even stop a started performance and then, money is not refunded. But it is great fun ton the stairs and observe the crowd. The Italians bring everything they need for a good evening out. <BR>Bring food, drinks, cushions to sit on, layers, etc.<BR>I am not sure hotels have tickets, better try with a travel agent in your town or, if there is, the Italian Tourist Office. They usually buy blocks of tickets and will sell them later, at a higher price though.<BR>Good luck and enjoy Verona!

To be correct:<BR>ENIT = Ente Nazionale Italiano per il Turismo.<BR><BR>Have a look, whether there is one in your city, usually they have offices in most larger European cities. But, I don't know where you live, so maybe a travel agent is the way to go.

This is late for reserving a hotel room in the city center where you can walk to the Piazza Bra for the opera. Have you tried the Residence Verona House? It is not on hotel lists because it is not technically a hotel. But, it is lovely and you get kitchen facilities with your room. It is in the city center across the street from the Castelvecchio. As for opera tickets, they also will help you secure them, although we got ours from the arena.it site itself. I couldn't tell from your posts whether you'd tried the arena's site.

Have a look at the Verona Opera infomation I have on my special events page:<BR>http://www.italywithus.biz/main_pages/iwu_eventv.htm<BR><BR>Hope you have a great visit.<BR>

Now I am even having trouble with hotel reservations! I am REALLY late in this plan, I know!! We really enjoy the Riva area because my family can also enjoy the water sports. If you have a recommendation for hotel in the Riva area, please let me know!! We loved Hotel du Lac et du Parc, but they are full. Would love something similar.

Hi I have 4 tickets to Aida (best seats) on Tuesday 19 July. Unfortunately I cannot go.

Yep, the "www.arena.it" is where i got my tickets a few years back. I sat in the unnumbered upper tiers (the stone steps)and just rented a cushion for the nite. it was fantastic atmosphere to be sat amongst the locals.