La Dolce Vita offers a special charter cruise program for all aficionados of Italian opera. The Venetian Teatro La Fenice, one of the most important theatres in Italy for opera, will be the centre of these whole boat charter cruises. Recently reconstructed after the 1996 fire, which nearly destroyed it, La Fenice is one of the icons of Venice.

The cruise will include one evening seeing an opera at La Fenice, as well as a guided tour to the theatre and, upon request, a gondola tour with an opera singer performing some of the most famous arias of Italian operas.

Other customization details for charters can be determined at the time of reservation. Due to the opera season beginning at the end of September of each year and ending in June of the following year, such opera cruises are not possible during most of the summer.

Early bookings for chartered opera cruises are highly recommended, because tickets for La Fenice are often sold out well in advance. The extra charge applicable to the cost of the cruise depends on the grade of seat passengers wish to reserve at the theatre and their availability. Ticket for a seat on the upper or dress circle galleries are included in our Opera Cruise pricing below. For a seat in the central boxes or stalls there will be a supplement payable of between €100-120 payable directly to the Captain on board on arrival.

The six-day luxury cruise through the magic Venetian lagoon aboard La Dole Vita is much more than one evening at the opera, and here is the sample itinerary. This itinerary will be adapted depending on the day of the week when the opera is performed. La Dolce Vita is an exclusive way to explore Venice, the islands of Torcello, Burano and Murano, as well as the wildlife resorts of the Southern Venetian Lagoon.

Besides the rich itinerary described below, the cruise’s highlights are the menu’s served aboard by our experienced chef, as well as the choice of locally selected wines served at each meal. A crew of 3, captain, chef and hostess, look after just 6 guests during the entire cruise, ensuring “La Dolce Vita”, and a different and deeper experience of Venetian lifestyle.

Sunday, Opera cruise Day 1
Malcontenta – Casone Zappa in the South Lagoon

Guests are met at the appointed Hotel Meeting Point in Mira at 4 PM and escorted to La Dolce Vita for a Prosecco welcome. After a short 2 hour cruise along the Brenta river, La Dolce Vita will descend into the peaceful Venetian lagoon to take you for dinner in front of Casone Zappa, a masterpiece of early 20th century Italian Art Nouveau style architecture.

Monday, Opera cruise Day 2
Casone Zappa – Lido

This morning we visit the hunting and fishing resorts in the wilderness of the Southern Lagoon aboard a small boat. After lunch we sail to Pellestrina Island and then to Lido Island, where we moor in front of Villa Laguna Hotel, with a breath-taking view of the Giudecca Canal and Basin of Saint Mark. During navigation along the Lido Island it is possible for you to ride a bicycle for about 10 km on the island itself. It is also possible to go to the beach, go shopping, or visit the famous historical hotels Excelsior and Des Bains, where movie stars often stay during the Venetian Film Festival. Dinner at Villa Laguna Restaurant.

Tuesday, Opera cruise Day 3
Venice Short cruise around San Giorgio Island and arrival in Venice.

Guided tour to historical Venice: Saint Mark’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. Gondola tour through the inner canals and under the Bridge of Sights is possible upon request at an extra charge. Time for shopping or further visits in the early afternoon, before our afternoon cruise. Cruise past the Fort of Sant’Andrea, the base of ancient Venetian artillery defence, La Dolce Vita hugs the coast of Sant’Erasmo, Venice orchard and vegetable garden, to reach Torcello Island in the North Lagoon, where we moor for dinner.

Wednesday, Opera cruise Day 4
Torcello – Burano

In the morning we walk on Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We move on to Burano for a walk thought the colourful streets of the island and a visit to the Lace Museum. In the afternoon we slowly sail on to Murano to moor and dine aboard.

Thursday, Opera cruise Day 5
Murano – Venice

We visit a Glass workshop to see the glass blowing process, which made Murano famous worldwide. Later in the morning La Dolce Vita sails further on to Venice, where a boat taxi takes us for a tour of the Grand Canal. In the early afternoon you can choose between a guided tour of art museums or free time for shopping, before leaving the lagoon to start the ascent of river Brenta. Dinner moored in Mira.

Friday, Opera cruise Day 6
Mira - Stra

Further ascent of river Brenta to Stra, where we plan a guided tour of Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with fresco’s from Tiepolo. A short afternoon cruise closes the week for the farewell dinner aboard moored in Dolo

Saturday, Opera cruise Day 7
Dolo

After breakfast we transfer you to the Hotel Meeting Point in Mira.

Note: Pricing includes the Gondola Tour with singer, Private tour of La Fenice Theatre and Opera tickets for the Upper or Dress Circle at La Fenice Theatre. If you prefer for us to purchase tickets in the Stalls or Boxes and supplement of between €100-120 per person will be charged and is payable directly to the Captain on arrival on board. A minimum of 4 passengers is required to guarantee this cruise.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change.