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Bavaria, Austria & Oberammergau

Bavaria, Austria & Oberammergau

9 August - 1 September 2020

Join Sue & John on a once in a lifetime tour through Bavaria and Austria including the 42nd Passion Play in Oberammergau. Only presented once every decade and with a 2000-strong cast, the Passion Play is truly a historic spectacle.

$18,750 NZD
per person
twin share
Single Room Supplement
- ADD $4,500 NZD
Initial Deposit On Booking
$3,000 NZD
Second Deposit Due 17 January 2020
$4,000 NZD
Final Balance Due 30 March 2020

Bavaria, Austria & Oberammergau

  • If the magic of the Passion Play is not enough to experience just on its own, this trip will dazzle you with several other awe-inspiring musical events. From the world-famous floating stage performance of Rigoletto at the Bregenz Opera Festival, to an operetta at the Lehár Festival, plus a private concert at the White Horse Inn and spectacular concerts in Vienna at Schönbrunn Palace.

    Famous castles, palaces and abbeys that are more familiar from films (such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!) and the famous Nuremburg Castle will come to life before your eyes, and you can also indulge in wine tasting at Klosterneuburg Abbey.

    We will also enjoy magnificent scenic drives through this mountainous region, taking in the BMW Museum in Munich, the Museum of Fine Art in Vienna, and the Vorarlberg Museum which is the state art and culture museum of Bregenz.

  • Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates

    Welcome dinner & drinks, with a refreshing walk to the wonderful fountains.

    Time to rest, ready for our fabulous tour in Europe.

  • Sofitel Munich

    Munich, the capital and most populated city of Bavaria, is known for its divine architecture and its ‘second to none’ art, science and cultural scene. Not only this, it is known also for various, world class museums and historical landmarks.

    HIGHLIGHTS include:

    City tour including Marienplatz Square, the New Town Hall & Glockenspiel, the Royal Residenz Museum, and Hofbräuhaus, the world’s most famous tavern known as ‘the cradle of Bavarian tavern culture.’

    Daytrip to the architecturally medieval town of Nuremburg. We will tour the Imperial Castle of Nuremburg, known as Europe’s most formidable medieval fortifications, and learn about the Nuremberg War Trials.

    Concert or opera (subject to availability) at the Gasteig Cultural Centre.

    Tour of the State Opera House.

    Visit to the BMW Factory and Museum.

    Tour of Linderhof Palace en route to Bregenz. This is the most over-the-top rococo palace ever built. Here we will see the golden Hall of Mirrors.

  • Schwärzler Hotel

    Bregenz, largely known for its efforts towards sustainability and eco-friendly solutions, is home to the famous Bregenz Opera Festival, performed on an amazing stage set over Lake Constance.

    HIGHLIGHTS include:

    We attend the Bregenz Opera Festival for a performance of Rigoletto on the world’s largest floating stage over Lake Constance! The festival began in 1946, and music lovers from around the world have been attending every year since. 2020 will be our chance to experience the magic of the orchestra and magnificence of the hand-built set. (Confirmed)

    Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, which most will recognise from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Commissioned by King Ludwig II, he was such a fan of composer Richard Wagner that the rooms décor was largely inspired by Wagner’s characters, leading the beautiful structure to be dubbed ‘The Fairytale Castle.’

    Walking tour of Bregenz including the Vorarlberg Museum with a collection of Bregenz art and cultural material, the Upper Town (Oberstadt) built in the 13th Century, and the Kunsthaus Bregenz for a contemporary art exhibition.

    A lunch cruise along the man-made Lake Forggensee.

    Free time to explore this medieval region.

    • En route we take the train to the summit of Zugspitze Mountain for lunch with glorious views, and take the cable car on return.

  • Hotel to be Advised

    Perhaps the highlight of this tour, we will attend the 42nd Passion Play in Oberammergau. Only performed once every decade, the Passion Play truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

    Over 2000 participants (most from the village) including full cast, choir and orchestra, take part in the story of Jesus of Nazareth on the open-air stage of the Passion Play Theatre, in amongst the grandiose surrounds of the Bavarian Alps. This now famous tradition began in 1633 when the villagers made a promise to God to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, so long as no one else in the village were to die of the plague. The villagers believe they were answered by God and performed the first Passion Play in 1634. Their promise has been kept ever since!

    As well as experiencing the magnificent Passion Play, we will have free time to explore this quaint village, including a visit to a traditional woodcarver’s workshop, plus a walking tour of the town and its famous fresco buildings.

    En route to Lake Wolfgang we visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, built by King Ludwig II. Sitting on an island in Lake Chiemsee, it was his answer to Versailles.

  • White Horse Inn

    Lake Wolfgang, predominantly in the state of Salzburg, is a popular resort town in the summer months. People come from across the globe to stay amongst the famously idyll mountain ranges. Our hotel is situated right on the lake!

    HIGHLIGHTS include:

    We attend an operetta at the Lehár Festival in Bad Ischl, with the Franz Lehár Orchestra.

    A walking tour of Bad Ischl, including a visit to Lehár Villa in which many of composer Franz Lehár’s art collections and memorabilia are still housed, and the Kaiservilla (Imperial Palace), where Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth spent their summers.

    We stop to see Helbrunn Palace, as well as some of The Sound of Music’s most iconic settings, including Schloss Leopoldskron (the von Trapp residence) and the Sixteen Going on Seventeen rotunda; the most perfect time for a singalong wouldn’t you say?

    Walking tour of Salzburg and free time to wander this exquisite city.

    • En route to Vienna we stop for lunch and a tour of Melk Abbey.

  • Hotel Bristol, Marriott

    Vienna, Austria’s capital is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, quaint cafes, cosy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence, is one of Vienna’s most popular sights and we will have an incredible night of music within its walls.

    HIGHLIGHTS include:

    A night of Strauss and Mozart music over dinner at Schönbrunn Palace, plus private guided tour.

    Tour of the Vienna State Opera House.

    A day of wine tasting in the 900-year-old wine cellar beneath Klosterneuburg Abbey, with a vineyard lunch.

    City tour including the City Ringstrasse known as the most beautiful boulevard in the world, Town Hall, House of Parliament, and entrance to the magnificent Saint Stephen’s Cathedral.

    Guided tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Fine Art, and the National Library.

    Opera or concert (subject to availability).

This trip includes

  • PLEASE NOTE: No booking will be accepted for this trip without the initial deposit.

  • Return economy airfares on Emirates Airline Auckland - Dubai – Munich // Vienna - Dubai - Auckland including all taxes.

  • All accommodation as listed in itinerary – Munich (4 nights), Bregenz (4 nights), Oberammergau (2 nights), Lake Wolfgang (3 nights), Vienna (5 nights), and Dubai (4 nights including early check-in). 4 or 5 star specialty hotels, all boutique!

  • Extraordinary music experiences including Oberammergau 42nd Passion Play, Rigoletto at Bergenz Opera Festival on Lake Constance’s floating stage, Lehár Festival operetta, concert of Strauss and Mozart at Schönbrunn Palace, plus opera or concerts in Munich and Vienna.

  • Special flavours including private concerts at the world-famous White Horse Inn, visit to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle, Melk Abbey (one of the most beautiful in the world), BMW Factory & Museum, iconic settings of The Sound of Music, Lehar’s house and village. Magnificent drives through the mountains and lakes of Bavaria and Austria with its captivating scenery, quaint villages, majestic castles and abbeys (with tours). Historical tours of Nuremburg to learn of the Nuremburg Trials, vaults tour where Nazi stolen art was stored. Small ancient villages like Bad Ischl, Lake Wolfgang and Bregenz, as well as the splendour of Vienna and Salzburg.

  • All tours and excursions as listed in itinerary including city tours of Munich, Bregenz, Vienna, Salzburg and Bad Ischl.

  • All entrances as per our itinerary, all museums and houses/castles/palaces as listed, and Lake Forggensee cruise, plus train and cable car mountain tour.

  • All breakfasts, 12 dinners, 9 lunches, all tips, all taxes and all porterage are included.

  • Hosted by Susan Boland and John Cameron.

  • EXPLORING TOUR

    This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace.

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    • All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.

    • Deposits refundable until final payment date minus any costs incurred, or an administration fee of up to $300.

    • Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.

    • Travellers are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance for all international trips.

    • Please refer to terms & conditions on our booking form

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

42nd Passion Play in Oberammergau. Only presented once every decade and with a 2000-strong cast, the Passion Play is truly a historic spectacle.

Bregenz Opera Festival for a performance of Rigoletto on the world’s largest floating stage over Lake Constance! (Confirmed)

An operetta at the Lehár Festival in Bad Ischl, with the Franz Lehár Orchestra.

Concert or opera (subject to availability) at the Gasteig Cultural Centre.

PLACES WE STAY

Sofitel Munich - Who knew the former Bavarian Royal Post Office could be so glamorous. This five-star neoclassical gem will be our home in the heart of vibrant Munich.

Schwärzler Hotel, Bregenz - Only a 15-minute walk from the old town, this family owned hotel offers traditional Bavarian friendliness and comfort while we enjoy the Bregenz Opera Festival.

White Horse Inn, Lake Wolfgang - The original White Horse Inn which spawned imitators around the world, this marvelous hotel was also the setting of the Robert Stolz musical which was first performed in 1930 – 90 years before our trip. This will be our base for the Salzburg, Bad Ischl and lakes part of the journey. We are proud to be staying in this 5-star hotel for the first time ever on this trip and certainly won’t want to say “Goodbye”!

Oberammergau Hotel to be advised.

Hotel Bristol, Vienna - Overlooking the Vienna State Opera building, our beautiful historic hotel has been an inspiring meeting point for Vienna’s cultural elite and the stars of the State Opera since 1892. Many of the hotel’s rooms are named after famous singers and conductors. It is also within easy walking distance to the main shopping area and several key tourist attractions.

Travel Insurance

Every customer is required to take out insurance for all international travel when taking a trip with Operatunity Ltd. 

DOMESTIC INSURANCE
Insurance for Domestic travel is currently available from many companies. Insurance for New Zealand trips is entirely at your discretion. Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice.


INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
Insurance for International travel is currently available from many companies. For our trips overseas it is a requirement that proof of cover be sent to our office some time before departure from NZ. We can not accept travellers who hold no cover for international travel as per our term and conditions.
Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice. Email travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz Phone 0508 886 489

 

MOBILITY

Operatunity provides group senior travel and with this in mind we plan trips to suit our target market. But not every trip is created equal in terms of mobility. We want to give you the best possible experience but that will only be achieved if you are able to enjoy everything that our trips have to offer.
Most of our long haul trips require a better level of mobility. We will look after everyone as well as we possibly can, but we cannot look after one at the expense of the rest of the group. We also cannot have one person slowing the rest of group to the point where the group is not able to enjoy every experience we are able to provide.
With this in mind we have put a mobility clause into every trip. Under each explanation here I have popped a statement. Ask yourself if this is ‘you’, when booking on a trip.

None of the following mobility clauses preclude you from ordering a wheelchair at the airport if required.

1. GENTLE TOUR This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot. “I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily.” 

2. EASY TOUR This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances.  ”Walking is fine. I can get on and off a coach. I am happy to stand for an hour or two in museums and galleries and gently stroll through places of interest. I am happy to climb the odd set of stairs.” 

3. MODERATE WALKING TOUR This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports. “I like walking at a moderate pace. I love to keep my days full and experience everything the tour has to  offer. Stairs, tender transfers and cobblestones don’t bother me.” 

4.  EXPLORING TOUR This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple  of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace.  “I like to spend most of the day exploring. Whether walking historic neighbourhoods on cobblestones at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I want my days full. Stairs don’t bother me and I am keen to see and do as much as I can with the odd day off to recuperate.” 

  • Operatunity is a company specialising in music lovers tours to the senior market. Each trip has been especially planned to include music and arts experiences and has a level of friendliness and care which cannot be found anywhere else! Our trips are packed with features not found anywhere else

  • Yes we have lots of people who travel on their own. We endeavour to match you up with someone who lives close to you or is close in age to you. Often you will get a chance to meet with your matchup or ring them before you leave on your trip. You also may prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement price. We travel as a happy band so there will be lots of chances to meet people. You will find fellow music lovers and those with other similar interests. In fact those like the nicer things of life so you will travel with like-minded people. It is also important to remember that our singers are our escorts so you will see at least a couple of familiar faces as you leave.

  • If you live outside of Auckland, we can arrange travel and accommodation on your way to meet up with our group. We have access and can book domestic airfares in conjunction with Air New Zealand international airfares. Plus we can book your pre and post tour accommodation if required.

  • It is compulsory for our international trips and highly recommended for our domestic tours. 

  • No as most airlines offer various special meals and any restaurants we visit are happy to accommodate special dietary requirements.

  • We seek to accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities whenever possible. However in most cases we are unable to take customers with walkers, wheelchairs or other mobility issues. Certain trips may be unsuitable due to walking or limited availability of accommodation with disabled facilities. We cannot be responsible for the care of customers suffering from significant cognitive illness (such as dementia). We ask such customers to consult with your doctor to obtain medical clearance. Guests needing assistance mustbe accompanied by an able companion who will be available to assist them and assume full responsibility for their wellbeing.

  • We ask that you can walk at least 100 metres unaided and be able to get on and off buses with little or no assistance. We cater for a senior market but it is important that you do not jeopardise the enjoyment of others by requiring more care and holding up the rest of the group. Talk to our office or staff at concerts and any advisory notes for individual trips to get a better idea of your suitability for each trip.

  • We stay at 4 and 5 star character hotels, avoiding package, tourist or big hotel chains. We choose  hotels with a more personal feel often with historic content or hotels of beauty and character, centrally located or in parks, by the water, or with beautiful gardens.

  • Breakfast is included daily, and many dinners and lunches are also included as per our itinerary.

  • There are no hidden costs. Included in the trip are tips, taxes, porterage, breakfast, meals where specified, inclusions listed in the itinerary, entry fees where listed in the itinerary, concert/show tickets where listed in the itinerary, tour escorts and local specialised guides. 

  • Some of our trips sell out very quickly and we recommend you make your booking as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. 

  • We will ask you to pay an initial deposit when making your booking. We will then follow up for a second deposit and then a final balance payment prior to travel.

  • All deposits up until final payment are refundable minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs the company may incur.

    After final deposit refunds are unlikely and the refund becomes an insurance claim.

  • Our numbers vary from destination to destination, please contact our office for further information.  We have a minimum number required to operate a tour. Should minimum numbers not be met, a full refund will be made. 

  • For international trips, all guests must have a valid passport that does not expire earlier than at least 6 months beyond their intended stay. 

  • Music is a key element in making our experiences special. There are special experiences and events every day, such as themed dinners, impromptu concerts, music, art tours with art experts and garden tours with garden experts.

  • Most hotels now have internet connection and all hotels have telephones in the room or at reception. If using your mobile telephone check calling and text rates, and disable data roaming before leaving New Zealand. Consider purchasing a prepaid SIM card. And you can keep in touch using social media such as Facebook. We have a copy of your next of kin details in case of emergency and we are also happy to help out with texts, phone calls and emails if you can’t get in touch with your family and need to while away. We are also happy to help out with getting your phones, ipads and cameras to work if needed while away.

  • We spend less time travelling between regions, allowing more time to enjoy experiences when you arrive. We avoid one night stops and “conveyor belt” travel, so you really can capture the local colour and vitality of the region. Our trips are planned so that there is a balance of included activities and free time for you to relax or do some exploring on your own.

  • Contact Operatunity Travel 

    Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
    Mail your booking form to PO BOX 132 150, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644
    Email: travel@operatunity.co.nz

  • Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
    Email: travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz

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