We are flying to Verona in August and hope to go to the opera, but are having problems finding hotels in Verona. I've read about Sirmione and am interested in staying there, but how would we get back from Verona after the opera ? (I've read they finish after midnight)...

Sirmione is close to the Carda lake in north, which is really far away from Verona. You should definately consider staying in Verona.http://www.verona-hotels.net/more-hotels.html

From Verona to Peschiere is only about 15 minutes by train, Sirmione is further on and an easy bus ride. For the opera it would be more convenient to stay that night in Verona and perhaps then move on to Peschiere as a base. The hotels there are more pleasant than Verona, less expensive and it's such an easy commute.

The last train from Verona to Peschiera del Garda is at 00.32 - so you might have to do a Cinderella!

The same train continues to Desenzano, - so that might be another possibility.

[Desenzano is the nearest train station to Sirmione, - though I doubt if there is a bus from there to Sirmione at that time in the morning ]

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Have you tried Residence Verona House? The have a wonderful website (google it) and they are not on hotel lists because technically they are not a hotel. But, we stayed there and it is a lovely place in the old part of town. Each room or apartment has a kitchonette. Across the street form the Castelvecchio and a few minutes walk to the Piazza Bra where the Arena (and opera performances ) take place. On that site, there is a link to a hotel/housing source you can e-mail with your needs. We booked the Residence Verona House (.it?) in August when everything in all the guidebooks was listed as full. Hope this helps!

thanks for all your advice. we decided to stay in verona on the night of the opera.

FYI, there is very good hourly bus service (SAIA Lines) between Verona and Sirmione, but it stops around 10 p.m. Tickets are 2.75 Euros. Some coaches have air conditioning; the older ones don't.