Discover the magic and mystique of the Far North as we explore this magnificent region and see some cultural highlights of Auckland and Northland. Alex, Paul and Stuart present musical events in iconic places, taking each special setting and matching it with special concerts.
We present musical events in some iconic places, taking each special setting and matching it with special concerts: a haunting sacred concert Mystical Melodies in Russell’s Christ Church, Memories Are Made of This in the old Duke of Marlborough Hotel and Showstoppers in a vineyard setting in Kerikeri.
In Auckland we stay at the multi award winning Grand Windsor Hotel, Art Deco in style, which won the 2019 Best New Hotel in the World coveted title!
The eight-day tour includes many breathtaking experiences, including Cape Reinga, and a cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands where we might find some Dolphins!
We step back to the time of Shakespeare with the Pop-up Globe performance in Ellerslie.
All this with our own special flavour with fabulous themed concerts from our hosts Alex, Paul and Stuart.
Grand Windsor Hotel (2 nights) is situated in a chic historic building on Queen St within walking distance of the viaduct and harbour, as well as lots of shopping!
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• A coach drive of Auckland, including Tamaki Drive, Bastion Point, Auckland Domain and the beautiful Wintergardens, before arriving at the Viaduct with some time to explore the area; visit the Maritime Museum and then check into the Grand Windsor Hotel.
• A lovely lunch at one of Auckland’s premier restaurants Harbourside Ocean Bar & Grill.
• A welcome gourmet dinner at one of Auckland’s top restaurants where you will be entertained by our artists in a welcome concert.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• A Victorian garden party, plus tour at historic Highwic House with music from our string trio.
• Shakespeare play at the incredible replica Pop-up Globe set in the beautiful Ellerslie Racecourse. (Subject to availability).
Scenic Circle Hotel - Paihia (5 nights)
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Today drive to the Bay of Islands with historic Puhoi for morning tea, and lunch at the Whangarei Basin.
• Dinner at Hotel.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Sail to Russell, the original capital of NZ, with historic buildings.
• Enjoy a beautiful sacred concert Mystical Melodies at Christ Church.
• A visit to Pompallier House built in the 19th century.
• A half day cruise on board the historic sailing ship with a chance to see dolphins and enjoy a BBQ lunch.
• Dinner and our concert entitled An Evening with Stu.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Day tour to Cape Reinga.
• Visit the fascinating Ancient Kauri Kingdom.
• Lunch and a drive down or up Ninety Mile Beach (depending on tides).
• A casual dinner and a sing-along movie night with My Fair Lady.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Foodies tour of Kerikeri including a visit to Makana Chocolates and Ake Ake Vineyard for some tastings!
• Visit to Kemp House (otherwise known as Kerikeri Mission House) and adjacent to this is the oldest stone building in NZ, the Stone Store built in 1832.
• Lunch at the lovely Peartree Restaurant.
• Visit Marsden Estate for an elegant dinner, with music theatre concert Showstoppers.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• A Bay of Islands cruise to Cape Brett Peninsula and the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.
• Final night dinner in the Duke of Marlborough ballroom with a concert entitled Memories Are Made of This.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a chance to look around and enjoy a cultural concert at New Zealand’s most important historical site.
• Journey back to Auckland stopping at central points to drop people off on our way home.
An eight-day tour of Auckland and Northland with accommodation at Grand Windsor Hotel, Auckland (2 nights) and Scenic Circle Hotel, Paihia (5 nights).
Musical events in iconic places, taking each special setting and matching it with special concerts including a haunting sacred concert Mystical Melodies in Russell’s Christ Church, Memories Are Made of This in the old Duke of Marlborough Hotel and Showstoppers in a vineyard setting in Kerikeri.
Shakespeare at the Pop-up Globe (dependent on availability) and half day cruise on board R. Tucker Thompson including lunch, lunch at Harbourside Ocean Bar and Grill, Auckland Viaduct and the Maritime Museum, and a Victorian garden party at the historic Highwic House.
All tours, including tours of Auckland and Bay of Islands, coach tour to Cape Reinga, Kerikeri foodies tour, historic tour of Russell, and cruises around the beautiful Bay of Islands.
All breakfasts, 1 morning tea, 1 high tea, 4 lunches and 7 dinners.
Hosted by Alex Milligan, Paul Carnegie-Jones and Stuart Coats.
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.”
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
Shakespeare Pop-up Globe in Ellerslie (dependent on availability)
Mystical Melodies in Russell's Christ Church
Memories Are Made of This in the Duke of Marlborough Hotel
Marsden Estate for an elegant dinner and concert Showstoppers.
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
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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