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Grand Canada in the Fall

Grand Canada in the Fall

25 September - 24 October 2019

Discover the beauty of Canada in the autumn with all the colours of Fall – oranges, reds  and radiant yellows – in an extraordinary grand tour which includes a 12 night cruise entitled Colours of Canada and New England cruise.

$18,810 NZD
Per Person
Twin Share
Single Room Supplement
- ADD $6,750 NZD
Initial Deposit On Booking
$2,000 NZD
Second Deposit Due 5 April 2019
$3,000 NZD
Final Balance Due 9 June 2019

Grand Canada in the Fall

  • Experience the Exceptional

    A 10 night cruise starting in New York harbour, before travelling to New England and Canada

    Visit charming historical coastal regions of  Canada: Quebec, Prince Edward Island with Anne of Green Gables House and Nova Scotia.

    Wander the beautiful cities of Canada: Vancouver, Montréal, Toronto and Ottawa.

    Wonder at the majestic scenery of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise and Banff National Park.

    Each hotel has been carefully chosen for its historical footprint. Each city, region and activity has been specially selected to provide us with an extraordinary range of experiences. These include spectacular scenery, vibrant  cities and towns, musical events and historical treasures, all with the magnificent backdrop that is the colours of the Fall.

    Escorted with love, care and laughter by Lynette Martin and Stuart Coats.

  • The Blackstone Hotel

    On route to our cruise in New York we will enjoy a one-night stopover in Chicago, featuring a city tour, with limited time to enjoy the city. 

  • The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel

    We enjoy one night in New York, including a city tour and our excellent hotel right on the doorstep of Times Square.

  • MS Zuiderdam

    NEW YORK

    • We sail out of New York on the MS Zuiderdam, enjoying views of the city lights and cityscape, as well as the Statue of Liberty.

    BOSTON - Highlights include:

    • A shore excursion with a city tour.

    • Stop by the oldest American college, Harvard University as well as the historic and popular Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.

    • Visit Louisa Alcott’s house (author of Little Women)

    BAR HARBOR - Highlights include:

    • Explore Bar Harbor’s stunning scenery by land and sea with free time to wander in Maine.

    CANADA - From now on we are in Canada, exploring all the incredible scenery and culture this lovely country has to offer.

    HALIFAX - Highlights include:

    A shore excursion to Peggy’s Cove—the world’s most photographed fishing village.

    Stop at Acadian Maple and sample a sweet treat made from real maple syrup.

    Visit the Fairview Lawn Cemetery where 121 victims of the Titanic disaster are buried. 

    SYDNEY - Highlights include:

     Free time to wander. 

    PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - Highlights include:

    A panoramic drive through Charlottetown to learn about the history of this quaint little town that became the Birthplace of Confederation.

    Visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum at Silver Bush, where descendants of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, await your arrival and invite you to the old family farm.

    Enjoy a visit with Anne, a carriage ride with Matthew, and a delicious picnic lunch. Departing from Park Corner, will you enjoy wonderful views of the North Shore, including Prince Edward Island National Park.

    Visit the Anne of Green Gables National Historic Site—the house made famous in the stories of Anne; or you may prefer to simply enjoy a stroll along Lover’s Lane.

    GULF OF ST LAWRENCE - Highlights include:

    • Today we enjoy time on the boat as we cruise the Gulf of St Lawrence. 

    SAGUENAY, QUEBEC - Highlights include:

    • Free time to wander or book your own shore excursion. This may include a visit to the Musée du Fjord, featuring historic displays and an aquarium.

    QUEBEC - One of the most beautiful cities in the world, we see the history and beauty of this city.

    Highlights include:

    Quebec City sightseeing shore excursion, including Place Royale, Place d’Armes and the Chateau Frontenac.

    Soak up the old world French atmosphere of Old Quebec.

    Enjoy free time to wander, shop and lunch in this beautiful city.

    QUEBEC - MONTRÉAL TOURING DAY - Highlights inlcude:

    • Visit an authentic cabane à sucre (sugar shack) to see how maple products are made and taste sweet maple taffy.

    • Stop at Montmorency Falls. Cascading down a 276-foot cliff, the falls are 1.5 times higher than Niagara Falls.

    • Inside the fortress walls of Old Québec, you will discover the strength and beauty of the cradle of French culture in North America.

  • Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal

    Montréal is a cosmopolitan French speaking city, known as the cultural capital of Canada with its cute lanes and lovely harbour.

    Highlights include:

    • Drive from Quebec, stopping along the way to Montréal.
    • Full guided tour of Montréal.
    • Free time to explore the centre of this gorgeous historic city with both the evening and morning free.

  • Fairmont Chateau Laurier

    Ottawa is Canada’s capital and has at its centre Parliament Hill, plus grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada.

    Highlights include:

    • Gorgeous views of Canadian countryside driving from Montréal to Ottawa.
    • Rideau Canal and Ottawa river cruise.
    • City Tour of Ottawa.
    • Tour of Parliament buildings on Parliament Hill.
    • Visit to National Gallery of Canada.

  • King Edward Hotel

    Today we drive from Ottawa to Toronto. Canada’s most cosmopolitan city is situated on beautiful Lake Ontario and is the cultural heart of south central Ontario and of English-speaking Canada.

    Highlights include:

    • Half day city tour of Toronto including the historic centre with dinner at the hotel.
    • A full day tour to Niagara Falls through the Niagara Peninsula, lunch at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, and an exhilarating boat ride aboard the Maid of the Mist (subject to weather) to the base of the majestic Horseshoe Falls.

  • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

    Situated on the banks of a breathtaking lake with the majestic Rocky Mountains providing an astounding backdrop, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise combines beautiful scenery with unrivalled service to make our stay stunning with Deluxe Lake View rooms.

    Highlights include:

    • We fly to Calgary and then enjoy an incredible mountain drive through the changing colours of the forests to Lake Louise. 
    • Be on the lookout on the way for bears as we drive for three hours through the Canadian Rockies! Last time we were here we saw a mother bear with her cub, luckily from the comfort of our coach
    •  Experience the Ice Age as we travel along the worldfamous Icefields Parkway, featuring one of the largest bodies of ice south of the Arctic, the Columbia Icefield. Feeding a chain of eight glaciers, the icefield reaches a depth of 250 - 320 metres and covers almost 325 square kms.
    • A day of spectacular scenery including Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. 
    • Ice Explorer Tour which includes driving onto a glacier!

  • Rimrock Resort Hotel

    We travel to Banff on another amazing scenic drive, which includes the Bow River Valley, Castle Mountain, Hole-in-the-Wall as well as a visit to Johnston Canyon. Situated in the mountains and a popular ski region, Banff is a beautiful, thriving town, with activities all year round.

    Highlights include:

    • Private room for dinner and music in Banff.
    • Tour of Banff and surrounds including Bow Falls, the Hoodoo Lookout, Lake Minnewanka and Surprise Corner.
    • Afternoon is at leisure.
    • Banff Gondola and sightseeing.
    • Dinner/theatre show (dependent on availability).

     

  • Sutton Place Hotel

    Vancouver is a beautiful city, which has at its doorstep the Pacific Ocean, mountains as its backdrop and acres of trees throughout the city.

    Highlights include:

    • City tour of beautiful Vancouver.
    • We visit Stanley Park with over 100 acres of trees, which is a great way to finish our tour in the fall. Our visit also includes the West Coast Native Totem Poles, colourful Chinatown and British-flavoured Gastown, featuring its unique steam clock. 
    • Cruise to Victoria Island, visit to Butchart Gardens to see the Autumn colours, high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel plus time to explore Victoria.

This trip includes

  • Return airfares Auckland -Chicago // Chicago - New York // - Toronto - Calgary // Calgary Vancouver // Vancouver - Auckland with Air New Zealand and partner airlines. All flights include all taxes, airport fees etc.

  • 10 night Colours of Canada and New England cruise with all meals included and accommodation on the Holland America cruise ship, MS Zuiderdam. Cruise between New York and Quebec in Verandah Vista A suites. Experience Quebec, Gulf of St Lawrence,  Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Maine and Sydney.

  • 15 nights of hotel accommodation in specially selected historic central hotels including 2 nights Montréal, 2 nights Ottawa, 2 nights Toronto, 2 nights Lake Louise, 2 nights Banff, 3 nights Vancouver, 1 night stopover Chicago, 1 night stopover New York. 

  • 4 shore excursions in Boston, Quebec, Prince Edward Island including Anne of Green Gables House and Farm, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

  • Numerous special flavours including Butchart Gardens, afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, Icefields, Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise, Rideau Canal ride and gondola ride plus visits to Canada National Gallery and Parliament.

  • All tours, entrance fees and coach transfers as listed in itinerary including city tours in Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Ottawa, Banff, Lake Louise, Victoria, and visit to Niagara Falls. 

  • All breakfasts, 1 afternoon tea, 11 lunches and 19 dinners included.

  • All tips, taxes and porterage.

  • Escorted by Lynette Martin and Stuart Coats.

  • 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 (see photos below)

Holland America MS Zuiderdam is one of Holland America Line's cruise ships and is named for the capital of Northern Netherlands's peat colonies. Features on the vessel include the two-tiered Rotterdam Dining Room, suites with private verandas, multiple lounges, and a wide teak deck. It is well known for its spaciousness, exceptional service, great entertainment and fabulous food. We enjoy Vista A suites on upper decks, with private balconies.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa is a magnificent landmark next door to the Parliament Buildings on the banks of The Rideau Canal. 

The Omni King Edward Hotel, Toronto is a luxury hotel, centrally located in a magnificent historical building  with a fantastic palatial lobby.

Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel, Montréal is a boutique hotel which exudes the charm and authenticity of this French speaking region and is located downtown in the heart of Old Montréal. 

Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise is located on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. This iconic hotel is all about yesteryear charm and has been accommodating the rich-and-famous for over 100 years. We enjoy lake view rooms in this prestigious hotel.

The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff offers luxury decor and experiences, including fine dining in a lodge-like setting.

Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver is a beautiful boutique style hotel situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver, filled with elegance, European charm and hospitality.

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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