Puccini in a Lucca wine shop window
St Guisto Church, Lucca
Independent Opera, Puccini Festival
11 July - 25 August 2013
This independent Opera holiday is based in the attractive Tuscan town of Lucca, and includes the Puccini festival on the lake-side at Torre del Lago. 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Giacomo Puccini.
Most years since 1930, a stage has been set up by the Massaciuccoli Lake to host a handful of performances of Puccini’s Operas and this year, as ever, some of his greatest works are being staged. There are only a total of 15 performances this year, so availability is very limited and if you are thinking of attending – do not delay – as these will sell out quickly.
Stay in an excellent, traditional 4* hotel in Lucca, which is only a short walk to all the town’s attractions. The holiday includes one first class ticket to an Opera of your choice, (subject to early booking and availability) with the option to attend other Operas on request (please see the table below for dates of each Opera). The Puccini operas being performed this year are Cavalleria Rusticana and Tabarro, Turandot, Tosca and Rigoletto.
Lucca
Puccini’s birthplace, Lucca was an independent city-state until the nineteenth century. The complete 16th century walls enclose a labyrinth of medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stately palazzi along with designer shops, mouth-watering delis and great trattorias and wine bars. We will provide you with the Arblaster & Clarke recommended restaurant list, as well as our wine notes on the wines of the Lucchesi hills.
Sites to visit include the C12th and C14th San Michele in Foro church on the site of the Roman Forum, with its magnificent towering facade; the Cathedral with a striking green and white marble facade and the Piazza dell Anfiteatro, a ramshackle oval of medieval buildings incorporating elements of the Roman Amphitheatre that stood here.
The Puccini Festival
18 kms away is Torre del Lago, where Puccini lived and wrote many of his Operas. Most years since 1930 a stage has been set up over the Massaciuccoli Lake to host a handful of performances of some of Puccini’s most loved works. The 3400 seat open air theatre is just 100 metres from where Puccini lived for 30 years.
2013 will be the 59th Festival and the special package price includes one first class ticket, and transfers to and from the opera with the option to attend another opera on another evening if you wish for an additional cost.
The Hotel
Our hotel, a comfortable family run 4*, is between the outer and inner city walls of Lucca. You can either stroll the short level walk into the centre or get around, like the locals do, by bicycle as these are on loan from the hotel.
The Opera tickets
First category tickets to an Opera of your choice are included. Hotels and opera tickets will not be available at the last minute – so you must book soon!
| Opera | Performance Dates |
| Cavalleria Rusticana & Tobarro by P. Mascagni & G. Puccini | 12 July; 10 & 17 August 2013 |
| Turandot by G. Puccini | 13 & 20 July; 8 & 24 August 2013 |
| Tosca by G. Puccini | 26 July; 7 & 22 August 2013 |
| Rigoletto by G. Verdi | 19 & 27 July; 9 & 23 August 2013 |
11 July - 25 August 2013
£749.00 
per person
Places available.This three night tour is available on the following dates (all Thursday departures):
11 – 14 or 18 – 21 or 25 – 28 July
8 – 11 or 15 – 18 or 22 – 25 August
Price Includes:
3 nights in 4* hotel (in twin or double), central Lucca, including breakfast.
First Category ticket to the Opera of your choice.
Transfers to and from the Opera of your choice only.
A&C restaurant notes & chosen opera synopsis.
Arblaster & Clarke wine notes on the Lucchesi Hills.
Additional tickets available on request, including private transfers (subject to availability). For dinner before the Opera we are happy to make a reservation at our favourite restaurant near Torre del Lago for an a la carte menu, which is payable locally.
Transfers are not included, taxis from the airport are available at the terminal. We recommend Pisa as the closest airport (approximately €80 per taxi, one way).
Full payment is due at time of booking. In the event of your cancellation this is non-refundable. Please ensure that you have relevant travel insurance in place to cover you in the event of insurable reasons for your cancellation. All payments made directly to us are protected by our 100% financial guarantee.
Bookings should be made no later than 12 weeks before departure. After this date we are unlikely to be able to get the tickets or rooms at the best hotel, the Opera programme this year is again small.
Travel: Unescorted, own choiceSole Occupancy: See details
Deposit: £749.00
Room Upgrade: N/A
Independent Opera, Puccini Festival
Outline Itinerary
Day 1. Thursday Check into Hotel, free time to explore Lucca. Overnight 4* Lucca.
Day 2. Friday Free day to explore Lucca. Depart at 18:00 for dinner at our favourite restaurant by lake Massaciuccoli (extra cost for dinner, payable locally). Opera performance, with transfers to and from included. Overnight 4* Lucca.
Day 3. Saturday Free time in Lucca. Transfers for another Opera available this evening (extra cost). Overnight 4* Lucca.
Day 4. Sunday Check out of hotel.
Extra Tickets
Please request extra tickets and extra hotel nights at the time of booking. Additional Operas and additional hotel nights are payable in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. For extras added at a later date, there is a £35 per person additional cost.
Additional Opera ticket prices are available upon request (subject to availability), including return private transfers to Torre del Lago (based on 2 people sharing the transfer).
Sole Occupancy and Extra Hotel Nights
Sole Occupancy: If you are travelling on your own the tour price is £1024. If you are two people or more travelling together, requiring separate rooms the sole occupancy price is £275 per person (plus £749 tour price).
Additional nights at the 4* hotel are £95 per night per person (based on twin/double sharing) or £180 per person for a double for sole occupancy, when booked at the time of main booking.
Travel Details
Travel is not included and the tour starts at the hotel.
We will be pleased to book your scheduled flights from the UK at the price prevailing on the web at the time of booking, plus £35 per person administration fee. All payable in full at time of booking, and non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. We regret that we cannot book the low cost airlines.
Your nearest airport is Pisa, the easiest way to arrange a taxi for the 20 minute (approximate) drive to your hotel is on arrival at Pisa airport. The taxi transfer cost from Pisa airport to the hotel is around 80 euros one way.
Florence airport is also an easy taxi ride away, though more distant and therefore more expensive with the one way journey from Florence airport to Lucca costing approximately €130.
Wine Notes...
Click here to read wine notes by Tim Clarke and other guest writers on the wine regions visited.
