USA Musicals Seniors Tour

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4 - 28 May 2019

Join Alex Milligan and Paul Carnegie-Jones to 8 of the most loved musical theatre shows including West Side Story, Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, the Boston Pops’ Spring Series, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a Broadway show of your choice and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These unforgettable shows are at iconic theatres including Chicago’s Lyric Theatre, Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre, The Golden Gate Theatre and Broadway.

$18,566 NZD

Single Room Supplement

- ADD $5,940 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$2,000 NZD

Second Deposit Due 31 October 2018

$3,000 NZD

Final Balance Due 14 January 2019

Music Theatre USA Tour

Hilton Universal City Hotel
Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city and the centre of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours.
We fly to Los Angeles direct with Air New Zealand. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for free afternoon and light dinner at the hotel.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Musicals - Fiddler on the Roof and Les Misérables both at The Pantages Theatre.
• Universal Studios - Entry included and then free time to go behind-the-scenes where movies are made and where Hollywood’s biggest stars work daily.
• Take the world-famous Studio Tour for a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at moviemaking secrets and to experience the largest street movie set in Hollywood history.
• Tour of the Getty Museum, one of the most famous art collections in the world which includes Van Gogh’s Irises and The Getty Villa, a re-creation of an ancient Roman country house and filled with 7000 years of ancient art and sculptures.
• Full free day for own choices. Spend the day at Disneyland, doing some great shopping in LA or at the nearby Universal City Walk as well as swimming and relaxing at the hotel.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Paso Robles
One of the most iconic road trips in the world, and certainly in the US (second only to Route 66) is the Pacific Coast Highway drive between San Diego and San Francisco. We enjoy a leisurely drive through some of it stopping along the way to enjoy beaches, museums, castles, vineyards and gorgeous towns.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Music gala event at our beautiful hotel.
• We base ourselves in wine country in Paso Robles and enjoy incredible stops along the way.
• Majestic scenery including coastline and beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway
• We stop in Santa Barbara for lunch and a chance to wander. Surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains and beside the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is California at its best with beautiful Spanish style 18th century architecture.
• Cambria, with views of the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley with its rolling vineyard-covered hills and stop at the beautiful Lake Cachuma and its environs.
• Inland to the beautiful region of Paso Robles, our refuge for the next three nights among the vineyards.
• Visit Hearst Castle and gardens – stop at a beach where you can spot elephant seals lounging on the sand. Next, you’ll take a guided tour of Hearst Castle, an awe-inspiring mansion and estate designed in the early 1900s for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.
• Visit Monterey, including Monterey Bay Aquarium, with time to wander and shop.
Omni San Francisco Hotel
San Francisco, in northern California, is a hilly city on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It is known for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colourful Victorian houses.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the musical at the Golden Gate Theatre.
• Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre (please note: this show is subject to availability and the price is not included in our itinerary. However if we get tickets we will include transport there and help to book. It is very expensive and the tickets are hard to get but we have been told we have a good chance, hence its inclusion here)
• Half day tour of all the city highlights, including Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Park.
• Tour to Alcatraz Island for a close-up look at the site of the West Coast’s first US built fort & lighthouse, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public.
• Free time to enjoy looking at this lovely city at your leisure.
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
New York is the epicentre of the arts, dining and shopping and is the city that never sleeps. Home to Broadway and the Radio Theatre, it is a great destination for Music Theatre buffs like us!
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• 2 Broadway shows - specific shows to be confirmed but looking at Beautiful: The Carole King Story and then one of your own choice.
• City tour which will take us to some of the major sights of the City, including Midtown Manhattan, 42nd Street, Times Square, Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden (the world’s most famous arena), Greenwich Village, Bowery, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, and Ground Zero where the World Trade Center Towers once stood.
• Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art which has launched a complete reconstruction of its four-block-long plaza along Fifth Avenue—one of New York City’s iconic spaces, housing a huge array of art including van Gogh’s Starry Night.
• Horse and carriage ride through Central Park.
• Free time to make your own tours of New York, shopping, sightseeing and also time to enjoy your own Broadway show.
On route to Boston - Highlights include:
• Tour of Newport Mansions – The Breakers, the Vanderbilt family’s opulent summer “cottage” and The Elms, copied from a French Chateau and set in stunning grounds.
Langham Hotel
Boston is one of the States’ oldest cities, situated on the Charles River. It is beautiful in style with stone buildings and magnificent parks and enjoys a fantastic history including the famous Boston Tea Party.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Boston Pops Spring Series iconic music theatre concert.
• Tour of Boston including the Freedom Trail, the famous Charles River, both old and new Boston, the historic countryside towns of Cambridge, Lexington and Concord. We pass the homes of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women and Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet and Harvard University.
• Dinner and music from our escorts.
• A full day drive to Kennebunkport to discover the New England coast with time to explore and shop.
Blackstone Hotel
On Lake Michigan, Chicago is famous for its bold architecture, such as the iconic John Hancock Center, the 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• West Side Story at the Chicago Lyric Theatre, one of the most famous companies in the world.
• Tommy Gun’s Garage which celebrates Chicago’s roaring twenties and an era of mob guys and flappers, Broadway tunes by Cole Porter and George Gershwin and lively dances like the Charleston.
• Chicago half day tour which includes the Wrigley Building, Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place, John Hancock Center, Lincoln Park, Botanical Gardens, Chicago Historical Society and so much more.
• Spirit of Chicago sunset dinner cruise on Lake Michigan - 3-hour luxury sunset cruise featuring dinner, sightseeing and dancing along the shores of Lake Michigan.
• Architecture river cruise – Discover the towers, piers and iconic landmarks along the Chicago River on a 90-minute architectural tour through the heart of the city.
• Explore the Art Institute, Chicago’s world-class art museum and the second-largest in the United States, with its incredible range of impressionist, post-impressionist, modern and contemporary works.
• Auditorium theatre tour - an insider’s look at Chicago’s architectural heritage during this 60-minute tour of Auditorium Theatre, a national historic landmark.
• Final night dinner at the hotel with music themed Showstoppers.

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This trip includes

Return airfares Auckland - Los Angeles// San Francisco - New York// New York - Chicago// Chicago - Auckland with Air New Zealand and partner airlines.
All flights include all taxes, airport fees etc.
8 incredible music theatre experiences at iconic theatres including West Side Story at Chicago Lyric Theatre, Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof at Hollywood’s famous Pantages Theatre, Boston Pops Orchestra concert, 2 Broadway shows, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical at the Golden Gate Theatre and Tommy Gun flappers show. (Please note: The show taking the world by storm at the moment Hamilton is not included but we will do our best to get tickets if we can, own cost. It is on in San Francisco while we are there and we are in line to get tickets.)
22 nights accommodation in specially selected quality hotels including 4 nights Los Angeles, 3 nights Paso Robles, 3 nights San Francisco, 4 nights New York, 3 nights Boston, 5 nights Chicago.
Numerous special flavours including Arts Institute of Chicago, Metropolitan Museum of Arts, a carriage ride through Central Park, Getty Museum and Getty Villa, Hearst Castle and gardens tour, Louisa May Alcott’s house (author of Little Women) and iconic Pacific Coast Highway drive and wine tasting tour.
All tours, entrance fees and coach transfers as listed in itinerary including Newport Mansions, Alcatraz, Universal Studio and city tours in San Francisco, New York, Newport, Boston, and Chicago.
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 11 dinners.
All taxes and tips are included.
Escorted by Susan Boland & 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 $150.
• 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.

PLACES WE STAY

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hotel is a 4-star hotel set in the Universal City district with a view over the hills. Founded in 1984, the hotel underwent a renovation in 2007 and is conveniently located near Universal Studios and Hollywood.

Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Paso Robles is a magnificent resort with Mediterranean-inspired architecture surrounded by acres of sprawling vineyards. We will enjoy a chance to rest and enjoy the lovely surroundings here with a spa, vineyard and swimming pool.

The Omni San Francisco Hotel provides luxury accommodation in the heart of downtown San Francisco - the jewel of California. This beautiful Nob Hill hotel is located right on the cable car line and is only a short walk to Union Square.

Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is a luxury hotel rising 26 stories above Times Square ensuring we are close to vibrant Times Square and Broadway theatres. With theatres and shops right on our doorstep we will be able to immediately walk to and soak up the atmosphere of Broadway and its famous music theatres.

The Langham Hotel, Boston, formerly the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, retains its classic British elegance and style in the heart of America’s “walking city” with hints of its 1920 heritage.

The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago is an historic iconic architecture hotel located in the Michigan Boulevard Historic District. Situated in a historic French Beaux-Arts building , this hotel is part of the Autograph Collection Marriott which features unique, historic hotels in Chicago.

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables at Hollywood's famous Pantages Theatre.

West Side Story at Chicago Lyric Theatre.

Boston Pops Orchestra concert.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical at the Golden Gate Theatre.

Hamilton (subject to availability, own cost)

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