PLACES WE STAY
Byblos Art Hotel Villa, Verona (5 nights) is a 5 star hotel and a living art gallery housed in a 16th-century villa, 20 minutes drive from Verona. It has a delightful garden, swimming pool and fountains which then lead us into amazing Baroque interiors and incredible art.
The Hotel Pierre, Florence (4 nights) 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.
Vis a Vis Hotel, Sestri Levante (4 nights) is perched high above the town providing spectacular views over two beautiful bays. It has an elevator which takes us down to just a few steps from the historical centre of the town and a short walk to the beaches. Awarded second place in the category of Rooms with a View, the hotel offers one of the most exclusive and romantic views anywhere in the world.
Palazzo di Varignana Resort & Spa, near Bologna (5 nights) is a prestigious, elegant hotel in the Emilia countryside. An 18th Century villa, restored to its original splendour, is the setting for relaxation and beauty on 20 hectares of gardens, vineyards and olive trees.
Grand Hotel de la Ville, Parma (7 nights) is the only 5 star hotel in Parma and is within walking distance of the historic centre and all the sights of the city, located in the exclusive Barilla Centre.
Mall of Emirates Hotel Dubai, (4 nights including early and late check in/ stopovers return.) We begin and end our Italy Opera Tour with flights to and from Dubai with 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.
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
FIVE OPERA IN TOTAL (All operas are confirmed).
Verdi Festival: Rigoletto, I Lombardi and Macbeth, all in historic, beautiful opera houses
Verona Festival: Turandot and Aida in the Verona Arena, a 1st century Roman amphitheatre, with extraordinary acoustics.
Plus exceptional exclusive musical experiences include Verdi Homelands tour, organ recitals and concerts in places relevant to Verdi’s life, private concert in Pavarotti’s house, tour to Mantua to see the setting for Rigoletto and the birthplace of opera, Puccini immersion day and Puccini concert.
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.”