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Venice and Verona festivals

We fly into Marco Polo airport Sunday Sept 1 and have booked 4 nights in Venice at this point. We were unaware that the Regata Storica is Sept 1 as well. Because of the probable increased congestion we are considering dropping one day from Venice and starting with one night in Verona. But again it is festival season (Centennial Opera Festival). As much as I would love Aida in that arena it IS our travel day and we will not even be awake, much less enjoy anything that night. Do we have reason to rearrange due to these events? Another idea for that day? Perhaps not as big a problem in Verona with the opera, but then Verona is not as big to begin with. We probably wouldn't get to see the arena - although no concert scheduled for Monday. Your experiences may guide us to an unexplored option. Thanks in advance.
Note: For us, one church/museum (inside) per day, parks/gardens/cafe stops, good food,wine, unique architecture and wood craftsmanship top our list.

Posted by
17603 posts

I would give my eye teeth to see the Retaga Storica! If you already have your Venice hotel booked and aren't put off by the price, you could just go ahead with that. It may be difficult to get to your hotel, depending on the location, but I am sure there is a way even if the vaporettos are not running on the Grand Canal. The whole island will be in a very festive spirit and it would be a very memorable way to start your trip. But if you don't want to face the crowds, Verona is a good alternate. The opera festival goes on all sumer, starting late June, so there is nothing particularly unique about Sept. 1. It is one of several nights they will be performing Aida. (We actually went to Aida on our second night in Europe, made it through the Grand March which was our goal). We did not find Verona particularly crowded because it was an opera night. Although this year is the Centinnial, I don't think it will be any different. The Arena sells out for every opera in any case. The problem is that most hotels do double their price on opera nights, so you may find them quite expensive. There is lots to see in Verona even if you don't go to the opera. You should be able to ssee the arena during the day. When we were there, all the sets were outside the arena, in Piazza Bra, and it made for some great photos. The Roman theater, archeological museum, and old castle are all within walking distance and worth seeing.

Posted by
84 posts

Lola, I know it could be a fabulous day, and initially I was excited, but we had such an unpleasant opinion of Avignon after two days there during Festival D'Avignon. The city was plastered in posters (every square inch) and we were thankful our BnB was away from the center of things. In addition to the Regata Storica, Venice will also host their Film Festival, so I don't know what to expect. Even after we get into the city, how would one find a vantage point to watch the regata/races? (our BnB is not on the canal - but perhaps the host may have some ideas). Or Verona might be a better option for one night. Any other thoughts??

Posted by
84 posts

To follow up on my post, if we DID decide to stay in Venice for the Regata Storica, does anyone have suggestions for getting from the airport...and best ideas for enjoying the spectacle?

Posted by
7737 posts

We were fortunate enough to see the Regata Storica in 2003, on our first trip to Italy. The trick is to find a place a couple of hours before it starts. Seriously. Every possible viewing spot will be filled with people by the time it starts. One fun thing is that a lot of the locals bring their boats (like dinghies) into the Grand Canal, tie them all together on the sides of the Canal, and have a big party together. It starts off with a parade of historic boats "for the tourists", one local told me. That is followed by the gondola races "for the locals", he said. Here are a couple of photos I took: Regatta 1 Regatta 2

Posted by
3313 posts

If you have hotel rooms booked, hold onto them! They're worth gold on those days. If you feel crowded, just walk a few blocks away and you'll find a nearly empty, pleasant square. Venice tends to concentrate people and there are wonderful neighborhoods that escape the tourist traffic. The film festival is out on the Lido, by the way, so doesn't really affect crowds in Venice.

Posted by
84 posts

Well, you did it! Your responses have overcome our reservations. We are laughing and looking forward to the excitement of the Regata Storica instead of looking at it as a "problem". Can't thank you enough! Any other comments welcome.

Posted by
17603 posts

Good for you! I think that is the right choice but I didn't want to sound pushy about it. We'll be there a month later and I can't wait!

Posted by
84 posts

Lola ...we are always up for a party...but we didn't want to go blindly (save that for later haha!) Our host at Ca Barba gave us directions for reaching the BnB and told us he would assist us to ensure we enjoy the Regata.
Now Doug, about the cichetti.....didn't Rick have a spot featuring them in one of his videos? It must be one I saw on TV because it isn't one I own. We will certainly have fun checking them out during our 4 days. I am looking forward to the islands for a day (at least)..any special spots?

Posted by
21 posts

I too am having a dilemma. We are flying into Venice on May 30th and we have a B&B booked until June 2nd...we were planning on going to Verona on the 2nd and sightseeing and then going down to Florence from the 2nd thru the 5th and then to Rome on the 5th thru the 10th. I just found out Bocelli, Carreras, Domingo are performing in Verona on June 1st for the Opera Centennial and in honor of Pavorati and tickets are still available. We don't want to miss a day in Venice though. If I was to try and extend our stay in Venice one extra day would we be able to take the train on Saturday and return after the concert by train? June 1st is also the start of the Bienale in Venice.

Posted by
21573 posts

Looks like last train to Venice leaves Verona at 10:29 pm.
You might start a new thread to get other answers.

Posted by
11613 posts

If you have time to go to the islands, don't skip Torcello - it's away from the crowds and I think you'll enjoy that, and it's the original settlement for what became Venice. Fantastic frescoes in the church at the far end of the island. Last year I was in Venice when the America's Cup preliminary races were going on, I had no idea it would be happening while I was there, but it was great - some of the historic gondolas had a procession as well.