It is hard to overstate the historic importance of Venice’s opera house, La Fenice. Five of Verdi’s great operas including La Traviata were first perfomed here, and that was after its baroque heyday or when one great belcanto opera after another by Rossini and his contempories was produced here. The beautiful but small opera house of La Fenice, so tragically destroyed by fire a few years ago has been lovingly restored, indeed connoisseurs say that the acoustics are better than ever. Since then it has definitely hit its stride with interesting and varied programmes and imaginatively staged productions. This year’s Opera programme looks particularly good.

In February Venice hosts it’s historic, traditional Carnival, with masked costumed participants filling the streets for the different events across the two weeks. A far cry from our half-hearted pancake day! To coincide with this carnival at the opera House, La Fenice, there is a spectacular performance of La Bohème by Puccini, which we include tickets to on this unescorted Opera break.

The Venice Carnival has its origins in the mid to late 1100’s though it was not until 1268 when the event had grown and masks first made an appearance. By 1296 the Carnival of Venice became an official event and the Senate of the Republic declared the day before Lent as a public holiday. Like Carnivals around the world the specific dates for the Carnival of Venice are dictated by Easter and so they vary somewhat from year to year. The whole of Venice becomes a platform for the Carnival with different events happening here and there. St Mark’s Square is usually the hub, but during the nearly 2 weeks of celebrations you’ll find people wearing masks all over the city. You can combine your Venice Carnival experience with sightseeing around this truly beautiful city; enjoy a gondola on the canals, cross the famous Rialto Bridge, marvel at the architecture of St Mark’s Square, and visit just a few of the many excellent museums.