Verdi’s homeland beckons for the annual festivities dedicated to the much-loved composer. We visit Parma for a weekend featuring Il trovatore and I vespri Siciliani in the opulent Teatro Regio, surely one of the jewels of this intimate city of the Emilia-Romagna region. During our tour we visit important sites of Verdi’s life in a weekend that will be long-remembered by fans of his works.


Fri 8 Oct Midday arrival in Bologna, and transfer by coach to Parma (approx. 1 hour). We check in at the 4-star Palace Hotel Maria Luigia, in the city centre and within walking distance of the Teatro Regio. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Sat 9 Oct Join your guide for a walking tour of Parma. Visit the beautiful Romanesque Duomo and the graceful octagonal Baptistry in rose-coloured marble, containing late-Renaissance frescoes by Correggio. We continue to the birthplace of Arturo Toscanini, one of the greatest conductors of the 20th-century. Afternoon at leisure. Early evening performance at the Teatro Regio.

Sun 10 Oct Today we follow in the footsteps of Verdi, visiting the Villa S. Agata, the country retreat built by the composer after he had achieved international fame. We continue to the village of Roncole to see Verdi’s birthplace, a humble tavern-residence, and the church where he played the organ in his youth. We also visit Busseto where he studied as a young man, to see the Teatro Verdi, built in his honour. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. Return to Parma for the evening performance at the Teatro Regio.

Mon 11 Oct Morning at leisure for last-minute shopping and sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to Bologna for the homeward flight.

Flights: British Airways

Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.