My name is Doug. I am 68 YO, retired engineer and a widower. I travel at least one international trip each year and quite a lot of travel through the US in between. I enjoy solo travel and never feel lonely. Solo travelers are magnets for other travelers and locals to have conversations with. So I love it that way.
After my wife passed away in summer 2002 I decided to disappear somewhere in the world and get a grip on my sorrow and figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Her illness was long and difficult so I was kinda exhausted and just needed to get away. I found a delightful thatch-roofed bungalow on Rarotonga...in the Cook Islands. I spent three weeks kayaking in the lagoon, hiking the jungle trails and getting to know the local people in my neighborhood. None of my family or friends knew where I was at all. They just knew I would be gone a while. I came back resolved to travel and carry on.
Some of my travels include three trips to Europe with my fourth trip coming up (see below). I've been to New Zealand (went skiing last August and bungee-jumping)..... Australia (4WD trekking in Western Australia).... Alaska (waded in the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay)....and, last Nov., drove the length of the Baja peninsula as chase truck for three guys who did pre-run of the Baja 1000 race course, culminating in helping #20 pit crew for the KTM factory motorcycle entry in the race...13-15 Nov.
So...you may guess I'm having a lot of fun for an ugly, bald old codger!
So here's my question. I've been to Europe a number of times but never went to an evening performance other than informal church/cathedral recitals or similar, informal things. I'm going to be in Florence late March and have tickets to the Verdi Theater for a combined opera and Mozart performance. My question is...What kind of dress code would be acceptable? I travel VERY light on all my trips and do not plan on carrying a sport coat, slacks, tie and dressy shirt. Is casual OK..... i.e. nice slacks and shirt with a rather informal jacket. No jeans or jogging shoes!
I think that you may receive more of a response to your question if you post in the Italy board down below. My sense from when I was in Italy was that there were very well dressed folk and some who weren't dressed for the theatre at all! Personally I get carried away in Italy because so many Italians are the epitome of fashionable.
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
I am sorry for your loss, but you have truly made your life anew and you have opened your world, and what a wonderful place it is.
I look forward to reading, hearing and talking to you in the near future.
We went to 'La Fenice' in Venice last year for a performance and there were all forms of attire. I wore nice slacks and blouse, Rob wore slacks and jacket - no tie. However this was a 5pm Sunday performance. As Jerry suggests ask in the Italy forum or do a search for someone asking the question in the past.
Again, welcome.
Wendy (and Rob)
Posts: 2898 | Location: Monterey Peninsula, California, USA | Registered: 07 September 2003
Doug, welcome to Slow Travel. Do take a peek at our country forums (Italy sems to be the right one to start) and our main website www.slowtrav.com. Lots of information there on travelling to Europe.
Attire: Since I have stopped travelling on business I have never taken with me a jacket, blazer or suit. I've been at some of the greatest opera houses and concert halls in Italy, France, England, etc., and some pretty good restaurants too, dressed with a nice V sweater or a good quality wind jacket, clean slacks and fake-dressing Mephisto shoes and I never felt out of place. To the contrary, I often found myself a bit overdressed!
Dougtoo, welcome to our forum. You will almost always get an answer to a query.
Since you mention that you are, as you say: "So...you may guess I'm having a lot of fun for an ugly, bald old codger!", I would suggest that you post a picture of yourself so we can all be the judge of that!
