Summer in The City….10 Great Culture Break Destinations
Stylish Summer Breaks for Music Lovers
Fancy a bit of culture on your next trip but not sure where to go? If your music taste is more Beethoven than Beyoncé, we’ve got the lowdown on where you should be jetting off to this summer. Even if you’re not a big fan of classical music, these are just fabulous places to visit anyway. If you feel the urge to inject a touch of culture into your break, you can. If you don’t, that’s cool too.
Last week we told you where the top pop and rock music festivals were happening so you’re all set for that. We know some of our tripsologists are a cultured bunch so why not start making plans to experience some of the world’s best loved composers and musicians live in some amazing settings.
This week, we look at some dazzling live classical music events around the world. From London to LA and Salzburg to Sydney, let us show you where the culture vultures are hanging out this summer and you can be there too.
Even if classical music or opera isn’t your bag as a rule, hearing some of the best arias ever written in romantic locations is just wonderful so don’t rule it out just yet. If you happen to be in any of these cities in the coming months, open your mind to a new experience and you never know, you may come back a convert…or at the very least you might fall in love all over again. Let the music fill your heart and just go with the flow…
Los Angeles, California
Imagine a few days in the City of Angels, taking in some glorious live music at the famous Hollywood Bowl. Hugh Jackman, the LA Philharmonic playing Rachmaninoff, John Williams Maestro of the Movies and Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf are just some of the performances you can put in your diary if you’re heading to LA this summer. There’s also a Tchaikovsky spectacular with fireworks taking place on 9/10 August which promises to be a magical evening.
Check out www.los-angeles-theatre.com for more info and tickets
Sydney, Australia
If you find yourself ‘down under’ in Australia, there’s simply one spot you shouldn’t miss and that’s Sydney Harbour. Here you’ll find another iconic landmark and the city’s top music venue – Sydney Opera House.
From 28 June until 10 August, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is showing and for something more contemporary you can catch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince ™ in concert. Either take in a show or simply do the 90-minute tour that is available in several languages.
London, England
All year round, you’ll never be stuck for some music or theatre in London but a summer talking point and ‘must see’ has to be the Proms. The BBC Proms is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts, usually held in the magnificent Royal Albert Hall. For a full guide to what’s on and how to book tickets go to www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Salzburg, Austria
Austria’s cities are awash with cultural delights as well as fairy-tale architecture – the perfect backdrop for making memories and stories of your own. Music is big on the agenda here and one of the top things to do in Salzburg is the famous Salzburg Music Festival. This classical spectacular runs from 20 July – 31 August and you can see what’s on and when at the official website https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/en/
Lucerne, Switzerland
Another idyllic setting for a music festival, Lucerne in Switzerland offers four weeks of over 100 concerts featuring international classical music stars. This year’s theme is ‘power’ so there’s bound to be some rousing pieces on the programme. Find out more at www.lucernefestival.ch
Torre del Lago, Italy
This charming Tuscan town near Lucca is host to the famous Puccini Festival which takes place at an outdoor theatre by the lake. Sounds divine!
Celebrating the life and works of the great Giacomo Puccini, the festival runs through July and August and features some of the Italian composer’s best loved operas such as Tosca, Turandot, La Boheme and Madama Butterfly.
Verona, Italy
Now, this an unmissable experience if you happen to be in Verona in the summer months. In the heart of the city is the beautifully preserved Roman Amphitheatre which is a mecca for opera lovers. The setting alone is worth the price of a ticket but to experience some of the greatest operas ever written being performed under the night stars is just something you’ll never forget. See what’s on this year’s programme and book tickets from www.arena.it
Paris, France
There are plenty of opportunities for romantic musical interludes in Paris, city of love.
Catch some sounds of the summer at the annual Paris Jazz Festival or if a trip to the opera is one the cards there are some superb productions on at the Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille. For something more intimate, there are three dates in July to experience selected works by Chopin, Debussy, Schubert and Tchaikovsky played by pianist Natasha Kadyrova.
Prague, Czech Republic
Lots of cultural festivals take place throughout the year in Prague; opera and music lovers are in for a treat. An annual Verdi festival happens in August and September but you can catch an array of performances in the city and there’s usually something to suit every taste. Among the highlights this summer is Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Klementinum Mirror Chapel and the best of Mozart, Vivaldi and Pachelbel in Prague Castle. Amazing settings for both, don’t you agree?
Munich, Germany
Last but by no means least, the German city of Munich shows off its annual Opera festival from 27 June – 31 July 2019. There’s a full programme of classical delights going on in the Bavarian capital this summer and this spectacular music event is bound to attract visitors from all over the world. However, if you are an opera fan and want to book a specialist holiday to be at the Munich Opera Festival this year, you can travel with Opera in Style. According to their website, early booking is advisable.
Have you been on a specialist music tour or culture holiday? Where did you go and what can you share with fellow music loving tripsologists?
Did it hit the high note or did it fall flat for you…they’d love to hear all about it.