Revered as one of the most important landmarks in the history of Italian theater, La Fenice’s sumptuous stage has been the site of famed opera premieres by the world’s great composers, including Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi. Experience its rich history over an unforgettable performance or a guided tour that will also reveal the inner workings of the backstage.

Named ‘La Fenice’ (The Phoenix) after surviving a fire in 1774 and ‘rising from the ashes’ as it were, two fires later and the name seems even more fitting. The most recent occurred in 1996 under mysterious circumstances that were later linked to arson. Thankfully a €90-million investment has restored the old theater, recreating the magic of its original atmosphere. Rebuilt in a 19th-century style to a design by Aldo Rossi, it remains one of the world’s most illustrious opera houses and a must-see when in Venice.