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Are operas worth it in europe?
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hey everyone with money and time being of short supply in this economy i was wondering if seeing operas in europe like in vienna or in france or italy is a good idea. i have no idea the effect on my budget or if its worth it. my friend mona and i are for sure going to see moulin rouge but we would like to know with everything considered would spending money on opera in europe be worth it or should we do without and save money on other things?
thanks so much
sammi and mona

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
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Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
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-Sammi and Mona
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Moulin Rouge is very expensive, so be sure to price it out, with the total charges, in advance. Also figure out a way you will get back to your hostel or hotel, because the metro does not run that late generally, and taxis can be hard to get. Night buses should be available. www.ratp.fr – for public transit in Paris

You can get standing tickets for opera in Vienna certainly. This is probably worth it, because they are very reasonably priced, but unless you have excellent endurance, I would not expect to stand through the entire several hours. Lots of people use the standing ticket to view one act, and then leave.

In Venice, I loved being at La Fenice (and it was not too long after the new one opened), but I had terrible seats. I had chosen the cheapest possible, and it had NO view of the stage. I noticed people went to stand where they could see the opera, and then later took unoccupied better seats (after the first intermission). I did not have this all down pat, though, so I just missed seeing most of it.

I took a tour of Opera Garnier, but did not get to see an opera there. I think they may have standing tickets also, but I’m not sure. Try Opera Bastille too.

I personally have a preference for smaller performances in smaller venues. Some concerts I remember that I really enjoyed are: Goran Bregovic in Vienna (it wasn’t in a small venue, but it was truly memorable), a Russian Orthodox group in St. Chappelle in Paris, a Vivaldi concert in Venice (Interpreti Veneziani), another concert at St. Chappelle where I heard the Four Seasons. These are more in the 15-35 Euro range. A nice seat at the opera with a great view can easily be 125 Euros or more – personally I would be very reluctant to pay that. If there’s an opera and a singer you really want to see, though, I’d recommend doing it – if not, you will always regret not going.

(It wasn’t opera, but I am so glad I spent $112 CAD hearing Leonard Cohen in Vancouver. Some events you just know you have to do, if you possibly can.)

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hey Traveler, im so so sorry for not reply back. you took time to tell me about the operas and i completley forgot to write back. but you have some excellent details on here!!! we have decided to not go to the moulin rouge…its just going to be so much and its not worth it right now. as for some other operas we think we might see one in austria depending on funds and such…also i became aware that the paris opera house is a running one…for some reason i didnt think it was running but it is…do you know anything about that??
and thanks again for giving us so much info on our trip and other things it is greatly appreciated!

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”

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if you love opera by all means splureg and go see one…some Opera Houses have student tickets. If you’ve ever seen an opera maybe you should rent a DVD first ( I personally hate opera and wouldn’t spend 2 cets to see one)

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”

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oh lol well i love opera and have seen a few…tix in the states are expensive so i cant afford to do it all the time. student tickets!! thats a great thought i would really like to see a romantic one…but thats not sad! thanks for enlightening me to the student tickets! also a lot of men i know dont like opera i think its all the time women raise their voices at you…you all are programmed to run away when a woman is raising her voice lol (just kidding..i dont know why you all dont like it lol)

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”

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I don’t mind the odd aria, but three hours of singing in a foreign language is a bit much.

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”

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hahahaha thats so true!! i would be done after like 2 hours max lol…unless it was phantom of the opera then im good lol

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”

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If you want to see an opera or ballet at the Opera Garnier in Paris, you can show up an hour or so before the show starts and they’ll sell you unclaimed tickets at a discount. According to their website, students get priority.

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oh that sounds great thanks for the post!! we will def do that!!

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”

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First of all,

10 countries in 28 days is a really BAD idea. (And I actually counted eleven countries in your planned itinerary). For the most part, you’re hopping from big city to big city. If you could only pick one place to visit in a particular country, the capital city isn’t necessarily the place to visit. Also keep in mind that you’ll be commuting long distance every other day. This is a horrible itinerary; believe me, it sounds like fun when you’re thinking about it, but you will not enjoy a single minute of this trip. I advise you prioritize which countries you want to visit on this trip, and reduce it to 5 countries tops, depending (of course) on geography too (you may have to cut it down to 3-4).

On opera: if you like opera, then go. If you’re not really an opera person, don’t go. Don’t go just because you think you have to see an opera in Vienna or Milan. If you already live in a major city, chances are your own hometown has plenty operas going on throughout the year…do you really want to take precious time away from your packed schedule to see an opera? Like I said, go to the opera in Europe because you’re an opera lover, and not because this is a wild idea you just had.


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It’s worth doing stuff out of your comfort zone too. I’m not saying someone on a serious budget should spend 3 days budget on an opera ticket on a whim, but even if you haven’t done opera in the USA (or wherever your home is), I think it could be worth trying abroad.

Of course the same goes for a lot of different experiences you can have while traveling.

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Ok so let me address some things. Like I have said before we are still in plan mode…nothing is set in stone…we have narrowed our trip to a few countries..family visit time doesnt count for the countries were visiting. austria, switz, and liech dont count…were only going there for a few days if at all. so the major countries were visiting are dublin or the countryside of ireland, london england, paris france, and like 3 major cities in italy and maybe santorini. amsterdam and belgium are a maybe right now because of time and travel…but we are doing this big trip because now we have the funds and the time…in the future we wont…at least not the near future. and about the opera…i wouldnt go to an opera because i felt obligated…i do not live in a big city so opera is not redily avaliable to go and watch. by is it worth it i mean like can i see something like it the states because they are expensive tickets and if its not really that different from an opera in the states ill just wait and pay less. thanks to all who have dropped a comment they are all greatly appreciated.

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”

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Well your very username itself “10 countries in 28 days” suggests that you were planning to do far too much in far too little time. I’m not sure why Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland “don’t count”. They are countries, aren’t they? And you originally counted two of these three, in your “ten countries”. Even if you’ll only go to these countries for a “few days”, that’s still time taken out of your itinerary. Unless you’re now planning to start in these countries, and the “32 days” (revised from 28) will now begin when you leave Austria/Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

We all understand that you’re in planning mode; but you came seeking advice in order to help you plan. The itinerary function that swill created for eurotrip is precisely so people can publicize their rough itinerary and get feedback on it. If your plans have changed from the cramped schedule you originally wrote up, then revise it, so that we all know where you now stand.


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i have cleared things up more on my original trip plan i added a new comment. the 3 family countries dont count right now because we are not sure were going there because mona is going there for xmas break. and no they wouldnt be counted in our time because it would only be a few days. i understand that all of you are here to help…but we have planned on our own and mona has been to europe before from london to all around switz, austria, and liech. I honestly dont feel like we are doing too much. dublin, london, paris, vienna, zurich, and some town in liech, venice, rome, and santorini were going over a month…and maybe even a bit longer than a month…i have since stated that my username is not wat we plan to do anymore. in the beggining we thought it would be fun but we have taken all of your advice and limited that down. we were originally going to do so much and had our itinerary completley booked up. now we have limited things to must see and taking things much slower so were not exhausted. we came here for advice not to be accused of bragging rights and things like that. we have been nothing but nice to everyone on eurotrip and thanking everyone for there comments no matter how brisk they were. we would like to continue to ask everyone on there advice for our trip, for hostels and places to eat and things like that. thanks again everyone.

I am leaving from los angeles, ca with $6000 for 32 days
London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, Vaduz, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Athens, Athens, Cairo
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from LOS ANGELES, CA with $3500 for 32 days
Wicklow, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
I am leaving from Fresno, Ca with $900 for 12 days
London, Amsterdam, Paris
Requesting help with Transport, Hostels, Budget, Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights

-Sammi and Mona
“Live life, breathe air, I know somehow we’re gonna get there and feel so wonderful!!”