The ‘jewel in the crown’, the Adriatic Sea beckons us for a truly remarkable tour of Croatia and Slovenia, escorted by John, Bonnie and pianist Paul. Starting in Venice and ending in “the pearl of the Adriatic” we experience the music, colour and culture of this magnificent region.
Experience the Exceptional
With sparkling seas of sapphire, rich coral buildings and a history steeped in both tragedy and triumph, we journey through Slovenia by land and Croatia by land and sea.
Our exclusive luxury small ship charter ensures we enjoy the best of everything, complete with the Operatunity ‘feel’ provided by Sue, John and Paul on piano.
Rich with music, we experience our own private concert in the Postojna Caves, folklore concerts, concerts on board our private cruise as well as Vivaldi in Venice. We travel through magnificent lakes and mountains, glistening seas, wondrous castles, stunning churches and quaint, charming villages.
If this region is the ‘jewel in the crown of the Adriatic’, our tour is surely the finest white diamond!
Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel
As we arrive into Dubai early in the morning we have arranged another night’s accommodation so we can go to our rooms immediately. On return, we arrive into Dubai late at night so we will again have access to our rooms immediately.
Hotel Ca’ dei Conti
City of love, iconic buildings, San Marco Square, palazzi and canals.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Opera at the stunning Teatro La Fenice Opera House.
• Boat ride entrance to Venice.
• Dinner at local restaurant preceded by a Gondola ride.
• Morning guided sightseeing tour including reserved entrances to Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica.
• Venetian mask making demonstration and a chance for us to make our own mask!
• Time to stroll and enjoy the beauty of this most romantic of cities.
Rikli Balance Hotel (formerly Hotel Golf)
Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled. Coach from Venice to Bled via Trieste and a visit to Miramare Castle near Trieste.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Gorgeous drive through countryside of Slovenia.
• Gala Slovenian evening programme with wine tasting in the wine cellar, accompanied by accordion music and dinner with local folklore performance.
• Pletna boat ride to the St. Mary’s Island located on the lake (church visit included).
• Tour of Bled and a custard cake tasting!
Remisens Hotel Admiral
An elegant tourist destination, lies at the foot of Učka mountain, with the longest tradition of tourism in Croatia.
TRANSFER TO OPATIJA via the POSTOJNA CAVES and PREDJAMA CASTLE
One of the highlights of the trip: A private concert presented by Sue, John, Paul and local musicians in the Postoina Caves with drinks and nibbles and a private special train to transport us within the caves.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Guided Opatija walking tour, including Villa Angiolina, the Croatian Museum of Tourism, Juraj Šporer Arts Pavilion, situated next to Abbey and Angiolina Park.
• Chocolate tasting - watch you don’t leave Sue behind when you leave - she loves chocolate!
• Rest of the day is free to enjoy a walk along the promenade of Lungomare.
• Folk dance ensemble with live music, performed by traditional Opatija folk dancers in traditional costumes.
• Visit Amphitheatre de Pula and a local and family owned olive oil farm for a tour and tasting before a tour of Rovinj.
Hotel Pinija
Zadar, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. Surrounding the Roman-era forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Morning walking tour including visit to Zadar Cathedral and Sea Organ.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Dubrovnik’s proud and turbulent history goes back to 6th century and this magnificent city is known as “the pearl of the Adriatic”.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Lovely hotel with views over the sea and village.
• Guided walking tour of this magical town ending with the cable car from the Old Town to Srđ mountain to enjoy scenic views of the walls and Elaphiti Islands.
• A full day tour to Montenegro, Croatia’s neighbouring country, visiting the UNESCO site of Kotor, alongside the nearby by “Our Lady of the Rocks Islet”.
• Visit to Lokrum Island near the Old Town.
Seven-night private chartered cruise
Avangard is a state of the art small ship with only 18 cabins. Her maiden voyage was in May 2017 so she is brand new!
Avangard is for our exclusive use during our seven-night cruise down the Adriatic Coast. This allows us to enjoy our own special flavour, our own destinations and including several concerts, soirées, sing-alongs and Irish jokes from Sue, John and Paul as well as music groups we will bring onboard, especially to entertain us. Being a small ship it also allows us to enjoy the smaller ports and coastal villages.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Concerts provided by Sue, John, Paul and local artists on board.
• Welcome meet & greet cocktail party and dinner on board.
Dubrovnik, Slano - Ston
• Visit to Slano, a peaceful fishermen’s village and Ston, once fortified small village with medieval ramparts.
• Visit to oyster farm to learn more about oysters and tasting this delicious treat.
• Captain’s dinner with entertainment.
Mljet
• Island of Mljet with a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park.
• Boat ride to the St Mary’s Islet to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th Century.
Korčula Island - Vis
• Korčula Island, the birthplace of Marco Polo.
• Lunch in one of the secluded bays en route.
• Korčula guided walking tour.
• Excursion to small village near Korčula for traditional Dalmatian dinner.
• Time to stroll and enjoy the beauty of this most romantic of cities.
Vis - Hvar
• Croatian wine and appetiser tasting.
• Cruise towards small island Biševo to visit the Blue Cave.
• Island of Vis, once a strategic naval Yugoslav base and closed to the public.
• Cruise to Hvar.
• Hvar sightseeing tour late afternoon (cathedral, theatre, Benedictine monastery convent).
Hvar / Stari Grad
• The jet set island Hvar with lunch on board at the Pakleni Islands. Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic known for lavish lavender fields and breathtaking beauty.
• Brač Island with swimming at the most famous beach in Dalmatia – Zlatni Rat in Bol.
• A short presentation of lavender products and a tour of the town’s historical landmarks.
• Town fort and free evening to enjoy abundance of entertainment.
Cornaro Hotel
Split is a 1700-year-old city and a UNESCO world heritage site, with the magnificent Diocletian Palace, once inhabited by the Roman emperor.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Split guided walking tour includes the massive substructures of Diocletian’s Palace, the cathedral (one of the smallest in the world) and the Temple of Jupiter.
• Visit to Trogir, a town of many churches and history, often known as ‘the monument town’.
• Final farewell dinner with music.
Return airfares, Auckland - Dubai - Venice // Split - Dubai - Auckland on Emirates, including taxes.
24-day extensive tour of Slovenia by land and Croatia by land and sea, fully guided and inclusive of exceptional music and cultural events.
Music content includes Teatro La Fenice Opera House in Venice, exclusive private concert with Sue, John and Paul plus local musicians in the Postojna Caves, folklore concerts at Opatija and Bled plus concerts, singalongs and the odd joke or two onboard by Sue, John, Paul and local artists.
Seven-nights exclusive charter of the five star small ship Avangard, Dubrovnik to Split, including music and special events.
Accommodation in 4 or 5 star hotels in Venice (3 nights), Bled (2 nights), Opatija (2 nights), Zadar (1 night), Dubrovnik (3 nights), Split (2 nights), Dubai stopovers (3 nights including early check-in).
Numerous tours with special flavours, including guided tours of Venice, Bled, Split, Dubrovnik, Trieste, Montenegro, plus all shore excursions on cruise, Diocletian Palace tour, church tours, castles, wine, chocolate, custard and olive oil tastings, Venetian mask making and gondola ride.
All tours, boat cruises, coach transfers included as listed on itinerary plus reserved entrance and entrance fees to all sights and sites as listed in itinerary.
All breakfasts, 10 dinners and 8 lunches, 1 morning tea, tips, porterage and taxes included.
Limited to 32 people.
Escorted by Susan Boland, John Cameron and pianist Paul Carnegie-Jones.
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
Avangard (Katarina Line) is a five star small ship with only 18 cabins. Her maiden voyage was in May 2017 so she is brand new! Avangard is ours exclusively for our seven-night cruise down the Adriatic Coast. This allows us to enjoy our own special flavour, our own destinations and include several themed concerts from Sue, John and Paul on piano as well as the opportunity to bring music groups onboard for our sole entertainment.
Hotel Ca’ dei Conti is a romantic, elegant hotel set in the heart of Venice, built in the 18th century and situated around the corner from St Marks Square.
Rikli Balance Hotel (formerly Hotel Golf), Bled, is situated in a beautiful park full of old trees in the very heart of Bled. Boasting magnificent views of Lake Bled, Bled Castle and the Julian Alps, we enjoy lake view rooms at this hotel.
Remisens Hotel Admiral, Opatija is a four star hotel, set right next to the sea, just above the Opatija Seaside Promenade. We enjoy sea view rooms at this hotel.
Cornaro Hotel, Split is an award-winning hotel, which enjoys an excellent central city location complimenting its ancient history surroundings and interior elegance.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace (five star) is located a short distance from the Dubrovnik Old Town on the beautiful peninsula of Lapad and enjoys spectacular views of the Elaphiti islands.
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Postojna Caves for a private concert.
Vivaldi in Venice
Concerts on board our exclusive cruise and folklore concerts
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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