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Off the Beaten Track Rail Odyssey

Off the Beaten Track Rail Odyssey

11 - 25 March 2022

“We especially were impressed with the way all of the team not only performed their musical duties, who also worked long hours and took on a wide range of tasks from baggage handlers to trolley dollies, to assisting many of the tour party getting on and off the bus and train." Noel and Barbara

A 15 day exclusive musical train charter around the North Island to see many natural wonders only accessible by train, with your hosts and musicians - Karl Perigo, Alex Foster and Grant Winterburn.

$7,960 NZD
per person
twin share
Single Supplement
- ADD $1,960 NZD
Initial Deposit On Booking
$900 NZD
Second Deposit Due 5 October 2021
$1,500 NZD
Final Balance Due 14 December 2021

Off the Beaten Track Rail Odyssey

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  • • Themed music events hosted by Karl, Alex Foster and Grant on piano include 100 Glorious Years of Song, Best of Broadway, The Last Night
    of the Proms, Gatsby Glitter and Glam Gala!, When Irish Eyes are Smiling and Melodies and Memories. 

  • • An exclusive charter train journey on tracks no longer accessible by public rail:

    Auckland to National Park includes three volcanic mountains - Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu and the famous Raurimu Spiral considered to be an engineering masterpiece.
    National Park to Napier includes Taihape to Palmerston North and the picturesque Manawatu Gorge, currently only accessible by rail, and it’s many tunnels.
    Napier to Masterton includes the Heretaunga Plains on towards Dannevirke, before branching off South towards Masterton.
    Palmerston North to New Plymouth includes the Westmere Bank with the mighty Mt Taranaki on our left and the distant slopes of Mt Ruapehu on our right.

     

  • Escorted by Karl Perigo, Alex Foster and Grant Winterburn.

  • • Auckland (2 nights), Chateau Tongariro Hotel (2 nights), Napier (3 nights), Martinborough (3 nights), New Plymouth (3 nights) and Chateau Tongariro Hotel (1 night).
    • Note: our coach will take all our luggage so no need to lug this onto the train.

This trip includes

  • • An exclusive charter train journey on tracks no longer accessible by public rail: Auckland to National Park includes three volcanic mountains - Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu and the famous Raurimu Spiral. National Park to Napier includes Taihape to Palmerston North and the picturesque Manawatu Gorge, currently only accessible by rail. Napier to Dannevirke includes the Heretaunga Plains on towards Dannevirke. Feilding to New Plymouth includes the Westmere Bank with the mighty Mt Taranaki on our left and the distant slopes of Mt Ruapehu on our right.


    • Themed music events hosted by Karl, Alex and Grant on piano include 100 Glorious Years of Song, featuring war songs, comic songs, nostalgic songs and everything in between, The Last Night of the Proms, a rip roaring flag waving singalong time, Gatsby Glitter and Glam Gala!, great songs from the Art Deco era by composers like Porter, Gershwin, Kern, Novello and so many more, Happy Saint Patrick's Day! When Irish Eyes are Smiling with famous fun songs and ballads from Ireland at the famous Old Church, Melodies and Memories in the historic Martinborough Town Hall, The Best of Broadway with songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lloyd Webber/ 


    • Auckland (2 nights) to enjoy a welcome dinner and music and a rare chance to go behind the scenes at Glenbrook Railway to tour their workshops and enjoy lunch on board their historic steam train with a train ride through the countryside to Waiuku.


    • Chateau Tongariro Hotel (2 nights) plus tours of National Park and the National Army Museum, Waiouru.


    • Napier (3 nights) including vintage car tour of the city, wine tasting, Art Deco concert and dinner at the Old Church.


    • Martinborough (3 nights), visits to vineyards, wine tasting, Tui Brewery, Greytown and Stonehenge Aotearoa.


    • New Plymouth (3 nights) mountain drive and visits to amazing museums: Tawhiti, Puke Ariki and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre plus drive the Forgotten Highway to Whangamomona.


    • Chateau Tongariro Hotel (1 night)


    • All breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners and all morning and afternoon teas on board the train are included.


    • Escorted by singers Susan Boland, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Stuart Coats and pianist Paul Carnegie-Jones.

MODERATE TOUR
You need a moderate level of fitness to undertake this tour. You need to be able to get on and off trains, on narrow steep stairs, and also walk through train stations. It would not suit any one on a walker. Our coach will take all our luggage so no need to lug this onto the train.

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.

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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