want to see the opera in verona. last year we got bleacher seats, arrived late, got crushed, couldn't see anything, left early to marital breakup. have convinced husband to try again. want to enjoy the opera, but arriving 6 hours before the performance is NOT an option. <BR>four questions <BR>1. i am willing to pay for high price seats. where should i sit? <BR>2. i notice that this year's bleacher seats are supposedly numbered. does that mean there will be some order and control? <BR>3. what's your favorite, charming hotel in verona? <BR>4. what's the best route to london from verona. i have an evening flight out of heathrow.

Darn - - from the header of this message, I was all set to give you advice about trying to let reason prevail - - and not forcing your daughter to marry the County Paris - - but I guess that isn't relevant to your situation. <BR>

We had the second less expensive seats, they were numbered chairs, and we could see everything and listen to all that was happening on stage. We got our hotel concierge ( Accademia, in Verona) booking us the seats, with two days in advance.

anyone else? where to stay?

In principle, Melody, once the gradinata seats are numbered this year, there should be no reason for people to form a queue at 6pm to get better seats. On the other hand, though, best gradinata seats should sell fast. <BR> <BR>As a reference, look <BR>http://194.149.233.39/English/Mappa.htm <BR> <BR>Personally, I don't like to stay too close to the stage. Therefore I'd rule the first row of seat blocks out. Any of the other seats painted in blue or red are fine. Among the seats painted in green, the best ones are located around a radius that makes 40 degrees with the stage front line (from 30 to 50 degrees). In my experience, the angle of view is more important than being higher or lower in the arena. For angles above 50 degrees (up to 90 degrees), though one gets increasingly frontal views, the distance also increases beyond reasonable. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Loved the Due Torri Hotel--stayed on two different trips. Staff there will help to get tickets, I'm sure.