Combine pampering with opera in Verona

Take off to Verona in July/August and stay outside the city and enjoy the four star superior Hotel Caesius Thermae Spa located at Bardolino on the shores of Lake Garda about 25 minutes from Verona.

This hotel offers a virtual bevy of spa and beauty treatments which includes five heated thermal pools and even a large private spa just for two persons. So in the day you can reduce the stress and strains of modern living and in the evening's enjoy the magic of the Opera held in the open air all within the Verona's arena - built by the Romans. Four different operas are staged here during July and August every year.

Back at the hotel there are treatments for both sexes and a number of them sounding like an ancient language - Rasul, Hammam, Shirodhara, Abhyanga and Hastabhyanga are just a few.

The hotel also offers guided walks and bicycle tours along paths besides and above the lake. Horse riding and paragliding can all be organised by the Hotel.

In addition the hotel has it's own wine tasting bar and enoteca and can organise tours of the vine yards as the region produces fine light reds and dry whites.

Auto Plan Holidays features this hotel for 2008 and with costs from £47 per person per night upwards on a B&B basis. At the top end of the scale they offer a five night stay in a Royal Suite with views of the lake, a transfer from Verona Airport and flights with BA from Gatwick to Verona for £988 in July or August. Opera seats start from £25-£100 per seat per performance.

For more information and bookings, visit Autoplanhols.co.uk/lake_garda_hotels.htm#bardolino.