- The Institute launched a four-night tour from 16 to 20 July 2026 featuring La Bohème at the Arena di Verona.
- Marty Whelan hosted lunch in Piazza delle Erbe and broadcast live from Verona for the third year.
- Highlights included welcome aperitif guided historic centre tour Biblioteca Capitolare visit winery excursion and pre-opera dinner.
- Guests enjoyed direct flights from Dublin to Bergamo with private coach transfers and ample leisure time.
- An optional extra evening for Verdi’s Nabucco cost €279 per person with dinner in a local restaurant.
The Institute for Culture Travel announced its third year of sponsorship for the Live Outside Broadcast with Mary Whelan and Lyric FM at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2026. The partnership continued after successful Verona broadcasts and a Vienna celebration of 200 years of Strauss last month. The tour Opera Under the Stars with RTÉ Lyric FM’s Marty Whelan departed Dublin on 16 July 2026 for four nights. Guests stayed at the centrally located 4* Hotel Giberti and attended Puccini’s La Bohème from premium Poltronissima seats. The programme included a guided walking tour of Verona’s UNESCO historic centre a visit to the Biblioteca Capitolare lunch with Marty Whelan at Maffei Restaurant and an excursion to Farina Winery.
Caroline Quigley GM and Director of the Institute for Culture Travel shared “Following on from 2 very successful years in Verona and a Vienna Broadcast celebrating 200 years of Strauss last month Caroline Quigley GM and Director of the Institute is delighted to announce continued partnership with Lyric FM and Marty Whelan for 2026, in July! This time celebrating Puccini!”
