Teatro La Fenice

One of Italy's top opera houses, glamorous La Fenice stages a rich roster of opera, ballet and classical music. The main opera season runs from January to July and September to October. The cheapest seats (€15) are in the boxes at the top: the view is extremely restricted, but you will get to hear the music, watch the orchestra, soak up the atmosphere and people-watch. Built in glitteringly lavish 19th-century style, La Fenice (the Phoenix) has burnt down three times, most recently as a result of an arson attack in 1996.