Years ago I saw that "Aida" was being performed by the pyramids in Egypt. I've tried to find out if this still takes place but haven't had any joy. Do you know if it was a one-off (to celebrate the opening of the Suez canal) or has it now become a regular feature? Maureen Stagg, Croydon

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: Aida wasn't written to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal, or of the new Cairo Opera House, which both opened in 1871, but it has been performed at Luxor and at the Pyramids at Giza on many occasions since.

It doesn't look to be happening at the Pyramids next year, but another spectacular venue to see Aida in is the pink-flushed Roman amphitheatre in the heart of Verona. It's being staged there next June, July and August, 2008. Or you could head north to the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland, which takes place in the magnificently moody Olavinlinna Castle, surrounded by a lake. Aida is on July 4 and August 2.

Or, if you can go without Aida in 2008, there are some stunning outdoor stages across Europe, where you can take in a summer festival. There's Austria's Bregenz Festival for example, which takes place on the shores of Lake Constance, on an extraordinary floating stage, France's Les Chorégies d'Orange in one of the world's best kept Roman arenas, and Sweden's The Dalhalla Festival, which takes place inside the towering horse shoe walls of an old quarry

For details on tickets or packages, contact Travel for the Arts (020 8799 8350), Ablaster & Clarke, or JMB Travel (01905 422282).

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