Italy Tour for Seniors | Operatunity

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18 July - 16 August 2018

Italy is the home of opera, great food, incredible cultural and historical landmarks, wine, sunflowers, art, gardens & architecture. We encompass all this in our 2018 opera tour of Italy. Our Italian trip is packed with other exceptional experiences: gliding through Venetian canals to the serenade of gondoliers, wandering the small lanes in Rome and Florence, marveling at the art and sculpture in galleries and the beauty of Renaissance gardens, being captivated by Sorrento and the Isle of Capri, wondering at the historical splendor of Pompeii and the Forum, delighting in the flavours of Tuscany and basking in the tranquility of Lake Stresa.

$19,255 NZD

Single Room Supplement

- ADD $5,540 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$2,000 NZD

Second Deposit Due 1 February 2018

$4,000 NZD

Final Balance Due 9 April 2018

Italy Opera Tour

Italy is the home of opera, great food, incredible cultural and historical landmarks, wine, sunflowers, art, gardens & architecture.
We encompass all this in our 2018 opera tour of Italy. We experience seven great operas or opera concerts, to be confirmed - 2 operas at Verona Arena, Puccini Festival Torre del Lago or Puccini concert, opera at La Fenice, La Traviata at Venetian palace, opera at St Marks Church, Florence, opera or opera concert in Rome, as well as numerous concerts and restaurants with music.
Our Italian trip is packed with other exceptional experiences: gliding through Venetian canals to the serenade of gondoliers, wandering the small lanes in Rome and Florence, marvelling at the art and sculpture in galleries and the beauty of Renaissance gardens, being captivated by Sorrento and the Isle of Capri, wondering at the historical splendour of Pompeii and the Forum, delighting in the flavours of Tuscany and basking in the tranquillity of Lake Stresa.
(4 nights - stopovers return) ~ Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel
We begin and end our Italy Opera Tour with flights to and from Dubai on Emirates. 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.
(4 nights) ~ Saturnia and International Hotel
City of love, iconic buildings, San Marco Square, palazzi and canals.
HIGHLIGHTS in Venice include:
• Opera performance at the newly restored La Fenice Opera House, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
• Boat ride entrance to Venice.
• Dinner at local restaurant followed by a Gondola ride with serenade from our handsome Gondolier, we hope!
• Morning guided sightseeing tour including reserved entrances to Doges Palace and San Marco Basilica.
• Tour of La Fenice Opera House & stroll to Venice markets.
• Cruise to Burano, the Fishermen’s Island for a superb lunch and time at leisure.
• Time to stroll and enjoy the beauty of this most romantic of cities.
• Performance of La Traviata at the Venetian Palace, Musica Palazzo.
(5 nights) ~ Hotel Pierre (with Tuscany countryside tour)
City of art, leather goods, markets, Ponte Vecchio, Tuscan food. To Florence via guided tour of Padova including the Scrovegni Chapel with its Giotto Frescoes, the old university and the markets.
HIGHLIGHTS in Florence include:
• Visit to Lucca, Puccini's birth place and visit his house. Opera concert at the Puccini Festival or opera at Torre del Lago dependent on availability.
• Opera performances at St Mark’s English Church.
• Guided city sightseeing with reserved entrances for the Uffizi, displaying some of the greatest paintings in the world from the Old Masters and Accademia Galleries, including Michelangelo’s David.
• Tuscany Experience Day - Full scenic day in Tuscany, including a visit to San Gimignano, wine tasting and picnic highlight plus cooking demonstration.
• Chianti Hills excursion - Eat-alian banquet and music.
• Half day at leisure to explore the markets and sights including the Medici Palace.
CONFIRMED
- Premium tickets to Teatro del Silenzio 2018, with Andrea Bocelli
- La Boheme at the Torre del Lago Puccini Festival, in Viareggio
- A Three Tenors concert at Saint Mark's Church
(3 nights) ~ Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento
Neapolitan song, bays of shimmering light, Isle of Capri. To Sorrento including a guided tour of Pompeii en route.
HIGHLIGHTS in Sorrento include:
• Amalfi excursion including Amalfi town and Ravello with farm lunch.
• Lunch in Italian Agriturismo restaurant on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
• Isle of Capri full day tour including lunch.
• Full day at leisure in beautiful Sorrento to wander, with views over the Bay of Naples.
• Folklore show at the Teatro Tasso, featuring famous Neapolitan songs.
(4 nights) ~ Marriott Grand Hotel Flora Roma
Home of the Vatican, ancient ruins, historic churches, mad drivers and art. To Rome via the Commonwealth Cemetery.
HIGHLIGHTS in Rome include:
• Numerous tours including guided tour of the Vatican Museums, St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel and driving tour around Rome.
• Evening stroll in Rome including the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain with dinner in local restaurant.
• City guided tour with reserved entrance to Borghese Gallery, a jewel of a gallery housed in a palazzo.
• A guided tour and reserved entrances to ancient Rome including the Coloseum, Forums plus panoramic vistas from the top of the Campidoglio.
• Villa d’Este to marvel at Renaissance fountains and statues.
• Hadrian’s Villa with its classical buildings built in the 2nd century AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
• Full free day in Rome to enjoy your own exploring or simply wander and enjoy the incredible atmosphere.
JUST ANNOUNCED
- Romeo and Juliet Ballet presented by Rome Opera, at the Caracalla Baths.
(3 nights) ~ Royal Sporting Hotel
Italian Riviera, the west coast of Italy, Cinque Terre, Portofino. Rome to Portovenere via guided sightseeing tour of Pisa including the Baptistry, Cathedral and Leaning Tower.
(2 nights) ~ La Palma Hotel
The Italian Lake District, magnificent castles, islands, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore.
HIGHLIGHTS in Stresa include:
• Private boat transfer to 17th century Borromea Palace on Isola Bella for guided tour of palace, followed by gardens.
• Cruising on magnificent Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands.
• Boat transfer to the Fishermen Island.
• Boat transfer to Isola Madre, with free time to admire the palace and gardens.
(3 nights) ~ Due Torri Hotel
Exquisite town for walking and admiring all the ancient architecture, Verona Opera in the ancient outdoor Verona Arena, Home of Romeo and Juliet.
HIGHLIGHTS in Verona include:
• Verona Opera in the ancient outdoor Verona Arena, home of Romeo and Juliet.
• Drive to Verona via a lunch stop on the banks of Lake Garda. The Verona Opera is staged in a lovely pink marble Roman amphitheatre built in 1AD, which boasts wonderful acoustics. A truly magical opera experience!.
• Aida, Verdi's most spectacular opera, at Verona Arena! (To be confirmed).
• A second opera performance at Verona Arena. (Note we are in Verona Friday and Saturday when the best operas are performed).
• Half day walking tour of Verona including seeing Juliet’s balcony.
• Free day to potter around this lovely town.
• Final night dinner with drinks in a wonderful restaurant, the walls of which are covered by photos of opera singers past and present.
JUST ANNOUNCED
- Carmen, and the historical production of Aida, at Verona Amphitheatre

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Italy Opera Tour Operatunity 2018.pdf.page 1

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This trip includes

Return airfares, Auckland Venice return, via Dubai on Emirates, including taxes.
Music content includes 7 operas and opera concerts to be confirmed - 2 operas at Verona Arena, Puccini Festival Torre del Lago or Puccini concert, opera at La Fenice, La Traviata at Venetian palace, opera at St Marks Church, Florence, opera or opera concert in Rome.
Accommodation in 4 or 5 star hotels in Venice (4 nights), Florence (4 nights), Sorrento (4 nights), Rome (4 nights), Portovenere (3 nights), Stresa (2 nights), Verona (3 nights), 4 nights (includes early check in) Dubai stopovers.
Numerous guided tours with special flavours including Tuscany Experience day with Tuscan picnic and wine tasting, reserved entrance to the Borghese Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, cruises on Lake Maggiore, tours to the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Riviera.
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, 8 dinners and 6 lunches, tips, porterage and taxes included.
Limited to 30 people. Escorted by Bonnie and Jess and our European guide, the fabulous Fred.
Important Information
• For further information please ring our office or visit our website.
• All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.
• All deposits are refundable up until final payment date minus any costs that the company has incurred.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on our booking form.
• While we carefully plan our trips to be well paced, all travellers need to possess a certain level of fitness. Some trips are more arduous and carry an advisory note in the itinerary that a specific level of fitness is required.
• Operatunity Travel requires all travellers to obtain comprehensive travel insurance.
Please be sure to ring our office if you require any information or clarification about insurance or any questions regarding travelling with Operatunity Travel.
All our trips are specifically designed for our core market but this trip does contain travel challenges, either because of the region visited or the walking distances or uneven surfaces that arise at some sites. We do advise that you and your doctor evaluate your level of fitness before you consider booking this tour.

PLACES WE STAY

Saturnia & International Hotel enjoys a strategic position in town as it is located on one of the main streets in the heart of Venice, five minutes from the famous St. Mark’s Square.

The Hotel Pierre Florence is housed in a 13th century historic building and is situated in the heart of the historic centre of Florence, just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery.

Royal Sporting Hotel, Portovenere occupies a stunning beachfront location, perfect for exploring the Cinque Terre and the surrounds of this magnificent region.

Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento offering views of the Bay of Naples and the city of Sorrento. This 4 star hotel is 1km away from the central square, Piazza Tasso.

Marriott Grand Hotel Flora Roma is a 5 star historic hotel, located in the heart of Rome, close to the Borghese Gallery & Park. Its breakfast terrace enjoys sweeping views over Rome.

Regina Palace Hotel, Stresa, located beside Lake Maggiore, was built in 1908. This beautiful, elegant hotel is centrally located only 5 minutes walk from the town and is surrounded by parkland.

Due Torri Hotel, Verona is a 5 star historic hotel set in the heart of Verona and situated a short walk from the famous Verona Arena.

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

All tickets confirmed;

Andrea Bocelli in Teatro del silenzio, in the Tuscan Hills

Opera performance at the newly restored La Fenice Opera House, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

Tour of La Fenice Opera House & stroll to Venice markets.

Performance of La Traviata at the Venetian Palace, Musica palazzo.

Visit to Lucca, Puccini's birth place and visit his house. Opera concert at the Puccini Festival or opera at Torre del Lago dependent on availability.

Opera performances at St Mark’s English Church.

Folklore show at the Teatro Tasso, featuring famous Neapolitan songs.

Tickets to Carmen and Aida, Verdi's most spectacular opera, at Verona Arena!

A second opera performance at Verona Arena. (Note we are in Verona Friday and Saturday when the best operas are performed).

Romeo and Juliet Ballet presented by Rome Opera, at the Caracalla Baths.

Final night dinner with drinks in a wonderful restaurant, the walls of which are covered by photos of opera singers past and present.

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