The opera "La Traviata" will be performed at the All Saints Anglican Church Sept. 25 and on other dates October through December. At the same church, you can see "I Musici Veneziani," featuring orchestra members and singers in 18th-century garb performing various operatic arias; it's offered on various dates through January. A summer classical music concert program goes through Sept. 26 at the ruins of Teatro Marcello. The Tribute to Mozart festival is also being held at the Academy of Santa Cecilia.
Contact Rome Tourism (011-39-06-488991, www.romaturismo.com) for an events calendar. For more info and to buy tickets, contact travel agents Cultural Italy (800-380-0014, www.culturalitaly.com) or Select Italy (847-853-1661, www.selectitaly.com).
My wife and I have been invited to Mazatlan this winter. What's to see and do there? Are there any special travel requirements, such as passports or shots?
Bob Hartnett
Lititz, Pa.
Mazatlan is on Mexico's Pacific coast, north of Puerto Vallarta and across the gulf from the tip of Baja California. It's simpler than a lot of the newer Mexican resort towns that are dominated by expensive hotels and golf courses.
The town is best known for its 17 miles of beaches and historic downtown area, which has undergone extensive renovations. It's also a favorite sportsfishing destination.
Sites worth visiting include the Mazatlan Aquarium, one of the country's largest, and the Archaeological Museum. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in the 1800s, and the El Faro lighthouse, the world's second highest, also draw tourists.
Shopping is a popular pastime; the Mazatlan Arts & Crafts Center and the downtown Centro Market are highlights. You can also take day cruises to Stone Island, watch a bullfight at the Plaza de Toros or go for a catamaran ride. For details, contact the Mexico Tourism Board, 800-44-MEXICO, www.visitmexico.com. Another good Web resource is www.pacificpearl.com.
You don't need a passport to visit Mexico, but it's always a good idea to carry one when you leave the country. A notarized copy of your birth certificate and a photo ID are necessary to purchase the required $20 tourist card; the paperwork can be completed onboard your flight. No shots are necessary to visit Mexico.
Send queries by e-mail (travelqa@washpost.com), fax (202-912-3609) or U.S. mail (Travel Q&A, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20071).
