European Waterways, Europe’s largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, has announced details of their upcoming Opera Cruises on board La Bella Vita for the European summer 2015. Departure dates aboard the 20-passenger vessel are 5 July and 11 September, both for 7 nights.
Before the cruise from Venice to Mantua begins, guests will be taken from their hotel in Padua to visit the fascinating Arena Opera museum, followed by dinner in the museum’s atmospheric courtyard restaurant. The highlight of the evening will be to watch a magical performance of either Puccini’s Tosca, or Verdi’s Nabucco, from front stall seats in the magnificent setting of the Arena di Verona amphitheatre.
After spending a memorable evening in Verona, the next morning guests will enjoy a guided tour of Padua, one of the Veneto’s most charming cities, before being transferred to embark from Venice on La Bella Vita.
During the 6-night cruise, there are visits to some wonderful baroque theatres: Gran Teatro La Fenice, where the premières of operas by composers such as Rossini and Verdi were performed, and the intimate Teatro Bibiena in Mantua, with its bell-shaped interior that opened with a concert by a 13-year-old Mozart in 1770.
There is a lot to see while cruising across the Venetian Lagoon past its colourful islands and on through the Po Valley – visits to the famous fish market in Chioggia, the Schifanoia Palace in Ferrara and the stunning Ducal Palace in Mantua, as well as wine tastings and a dinner in a private stately home where Lord Byron wrote some of his best poetry.
While cruising, delicious Italian food will be prepared daily by the talented on-board chef, accompanied by fine Italian wines.
Each opera itinerary is for 7 nights and costs from €uros 3,840 per person, including a one-night stay in a 4-star hotel in Padua, the evening in Verona at the opera, all gourmet meals prepared by the chef on-board, fine wines, an open bar, the daily escorted excursions, admissions and local transfers.
For more details on the Opera Cruise see http://www.gobarging.com/opera–itinerary
SOURCE European Waterways