If music is your first love then holiday in Italy this summer. There’s a host of festivals featuring opera and jazz to appearances by Elton John and Bob Dylan.
Italian holiday specialist Citalia can help create your own itinerary around the events – whether it’s a city-break or a twin-centre getaway.
Opera: Verona Opera Festival – until September 6
For two months every summer, Verona hosts the Verona Opera Festival in its magnificent Roman amphitheatre which seats 20,000. The operas to be performed this year include Romeo et Juliet, Don Giovanni, and Carmina Burana.
Three nights B&B at the three-star Hotel Mastino Verona including return BA flights from Gatwick on July 15 from £565 per person.
Popular music: Lucca Summer Fest – July 1-28
Throughout July, the Lucca Summer Festival is the main music event in Tuscany, boasting an impressive line-up of some of the most influential artists in the industry. The festival is made up of several concerts in the open air Piazza Napoleone. This year will see sets from Elton John, John Legend, Robbie Williams, Snoop Dog, and Bob Dylan among others.
Five nights B&B at the three-star Hotel Universo, Lucca, from £575 per person – a saving of up to £150 per couple. The offer includes flights from Gatwick with easyJet on July 15.
Jazz: Umbria Jazz Festival – July 11-20
For 10 days in July, the towns of Umbria, Perugia, and Orvieto become global music villages, as hordes of locals and tourists experience the world’s best jazz festival. You can enjoy the atmosphere of the festival in various historic centres throughout the towns.
Five nights B&B at the four-star Hotel Relais II Canalicchio in Umbria, with flights from Gatwick with Norwegian on July 12, from £339 per person.
Opera: Puccini Festival, Viareggio – July 24 – August 30
Puccini is celebrated as one of the most outstanding Italian artists worldwide, and Torre del Lago in Viareggio is famous for hosting the Puccini Festival since it began in 1930. The outdoor theatre, close to Villa Mausoleo (where the Master’s remains lie) is an amazing setting to enjoy acclaimed operas, such as Madame Butterfly, Tosca, and La Rondine. Take advantage of being located close to Florence and add an extra few days to explore the Piazzale Michelangelo, the Duomo, or book a wine-tasting.
Eight nights to Florence and the Tuscany Coast from £1035 – a saving of up to £475 per couple. Departing on July 27, the offer includes three nights B&B for the price of two at the four-star Grand Hotel Baglioni in Florence, then a further five nights B&B at the five-star Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio. Includes internal resort transfers and return flights from Gatwick with easyJet.
