La Scala is still, for most opera lovers, the world's most important and glamorous opera house. The very fabric of the theatre resonates with the history of the art - this is the high temple of Italian opera. Countless premieres were given here and only singers who were at the pinnacle of their profession were chosen. Some of these came to consider La Scala as their home, notably Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi. Today, La Scala is a truly international house and does not simply produce Italian operas; whatever you are fortunate enough to see you will be able to enjoy the matchless chorus and orchestra as well as the beautifully glittering auditorium. Milan is a much misunderstood city and despite its reputation as Italy's centre of commerce and fashion it is also a centre of great art and history. The holiday will include visits to Milan's major galleries and churches as well as other places that are off the radar of most tourists.

14 February - A four night holiday including one opera performance: Madama Butterfly by Puccini: 16 February.

8 March - A four night holiday including one opera performance: La Fille du Regiment by Donizetti: 9 March.

12 April - A four night holiday including one opera performance: Adrianna Lecouvreur by Cilea: 15 April.

12 July - A four night holiday including one opera performance: La Traviata by Verdi: 14 July.

7 November - A five night holiday including two performances: Cosi fan Tutte by Mozart: 8 November. Verdi Requiem Mass: 9 November.

Hotel...

Hotel de la Ville (4* Superior) - We stay at the centrally located De la Ville, a popular and comfortable hotel in the heart of Milan’s historic centre. La Scala and the Duomo are a short walk away and shops and restaurants are in plentiful supply. There are 109 bedrooms, a stylish restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine; and two bars – the Wine & Cigar bar and the Visconteo, both popular meeting spots .The De La Ville also has a panoramic, glass-covered swimming pool overlooking the cathedral.

Excursions...

Visits during the tour will include Milan's major art gallery, the Brera with its important collection as well as the superb Poldi Pezzoli collection, left to the city by Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli and displayed in the same apartment where he lived, thus giving the museum a most personal and intimate atmosphere. A visit will be made to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, establishd by Carlo Borromeo when he was Archbishop of Milan; this too is a wonderful collection, its most famous painting being the ‘Basket of Fruit’ by Caravaggio.We will visit the magnificent Duomo Cathedral, the museum at La Scala, Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Castello Sforzesca and the superb Romanesque Church of Sant'Ambrogio.

What is included...

Return scheduled flights to Milan
Return transfers to/from your hotel
4 nights’ accommodation with breakfast (5 nights for the 7 November departure)
Two dinners in good restaurants close to the hotel
The services of a tour escort
Opera tickets (stalls category) and synopses
All excursions as described below
Guide Notes to Milan

Departure dates and prices...

14 February from £1,498 per person, single supplement: £240

8 March £1,340 per person, single supplement:  £240

12 April £1,366 per person, single supplement:  £240

12 July £1,366 per person, single supplement:  £240

7 November £1,698 per person, single supplement:  £298

Flight details...

Heathrow departure with British Airways:

Depart 10.55 arrive Milan Malpensa 14.00; return 12.00

arriving 13.00.

Manchester departure with British Airways:

Supplement £90 per person.

Depart 07.15 arrive Milan Malpensa 10.40; return 11.30

arriving 12.55.

Birmingham departure with British Airways:

Supplement £90 per person.

Depart 08.35 arrive Milan Malpensa 11.50; return 12.30

arriving 13.45.

How to book...

Call us on 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631

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