Scandinavia Seniors Tour

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2 - 27 June 2019

Join John and Stuart Coats to experience this amazing part of the world: wandering the cobblestone lanes of Copenhagen, watching Swan Lake in the theatre of the Tsars, marveling at a Norwegian glacier, or experiencing a concert in Greig’s house, the very place where he composed the famous Peer Gynt Suite.

$18,935 NZD

Single Room Supplement

- ADD $5,280 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$2,000 NZD

Second Deposit Due 13 December 2018

$3,000 NZD

Final Balance Due 11 February 2019

Scandinavia & St Petersburg

Experience the Exceptional
Musical events include operas in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, Swan Lake in St Petersburg, a Russian folklore concert, a Greig recital in his house in Bergen, Opera tour and performance at Swedish Royal Opera and a private recitation in the original Hamlet castle.
Experience Operatunity’s unique blend of stress-free travel delivered with care and love by Sue and John with a healthy dose of fun as we introduce you to one of the most diverse, picturesque, musically and historically rich regions of Europe.
Wonder at some of the greatest castles of Europe including Frederiksborg, Kronburg and Peterhof. Learn about the history of the Tsars and the Vikings.
So many cultural highlights include the Hermitage, Munch Museum, ABBA museum, Vasa museum, the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park and Sibelius House.
Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates
Stopover in Dubai to rest with welcome dinner before beginning our wonderful trip, then a direct flight to Copenhagen.
Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
From the winding streets of the beautiful old town and grand royal palaces to the city’s cutting-edge buildings and attractions, Copenhagen is the perfect blend of old world and new. Founded as a fishing village in the tenth century, Copenhagen has been the capital since the 15th century.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Special welcome dinner at restaurant Zeleste.
• 5 hour guided tour of the city which includes the Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, Hans Christian Andersen’s statue, Gefion Fountain, the old harbour of Nyhavn and the famous Little Mermaid statue.
• The Tivoli Gardens and dinner at Paafuglen Restaurant in the Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843, the second oldest amusement park in the world.
• Copenhagen Opera performance (subject to availability).
• Full day tour to the castles of North Zealand which includes: beautiful countryside, Frederiksborg Castle, the Museum of National History, the collection of priceless paintings, silver and porcelain items, furniture and tapestries and the imposing Kronborg Castle, which was the setting of ‘Hamlet’, including a private Hamlet recitation.
Outside cabins with private facilities included, plus dinner.
Oslo, the capital of Norway, sits on the country’s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord, and is known for its citywide green spaces and museums.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• 7 hour sightseeing tour of Oslo including visits to the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park, Royal Castle, the Parliament building and Norsk Folkemuseum.
• A full day museum tour of Oslo including: guided tour of the Opera House, a visit to the Munch Museum featuring a large collection of paintings of the famous Norwegian painter and also the Nobel Peace Centre
Today we depart by train for our journey to the Norwegian Fjords. This journey is considered one of the best in the world and it links with the amazing Flåm Railway. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery, then we take the ferry across the Sognefjord from Flåm to Balestrand.
Kviknes Hotel
Balestrand is a lush and beautiful village situated in the world’s most beautiful adventure-land. From here, three branches of the fjord stretch inland between fjord and mountain.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Lake view rooms at the beautiful Kviknes Hotel.
• Full day in the fiords including cruise along the fjord to Fjærland for a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum, Boya and Supphelle Glaciers plus drive along the Sognefjord.
Clarion Hotel Admiral
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is the most popular gateway to the fjords of West Norway and is renowned for its beautiful scenery.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Troldhaugen, the home of the great composer Edvard Grieg, with concert in Greig’s house plus entrance to the exhibition and a guided tour through Edvard Grieg’s villa.
• Ferry to Vangsnes and drive across the Vika Mountains via Voss to the magnificent Hardangerfjord.
• The mighty Vøringsfossen Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180m, the highest in Norway.
• Scenic tour alongside the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards.
• Tour of Bergen including the famous Fish and Flower Market, the old Bryggen Harbour, the popular Hanseatic Quarter and the ancient Maria Church, the funicular to Mount Fløien with views of Bergen.
Best Western Premiere Hotel Kung Carl
This morning we fly to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, which encompasses 14 islands of the vast Stockholm archipelago on the Baltic Sea. The cobblestone streets and ochre-coloured buildings of medieval Gamla Stan, the old town, are home to a 13th-century cathedral, the royal palace of Kungliga Slottet and its underground armory, cafes and restaurants.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• An introductory city sightseeing tour of Stockholm with local guide - The Blue Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place, the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, the island of Djurgården and the Old Town.
• A 6 hour tour to Drottningholm Castle – a World Heritage Site, by cruise.
• Opera performance at the opera house (subject to availability).
• Day in the country and tours of Sigtuna, the oldest town in Stockholm and Uppsala Cathedral and historic centre.
• Visit to Vasa museum -the impressive warship Vasa sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 but was salvaged 333 years later in 1961. She has since been restored and can now be seen with her complete rigging at the Vasa Museum.
• Under the bridges of Stockholm canal tour.
• Visit to ABBA museum which includes memorabilia and costumes worn by the group.
Outside cabins with private facilities included, plus dinner.
Hotel Haven Helsinki
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and arts events.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• 3 hour sightseeing tour of Helsinki - The Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, University of Helsinki, New Opera House, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple.
• A full day tour out of Helsinki - the old wooden town of Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland and Järvenpää where the Jean Sibelius composed five of his seven symphonies.
Grand Hotel Europe
Saint Petersburg, Russia’s cultural capital, was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. Much of the world’s greatest literature, music & art have been inspired by the lavish architecture and extraordinary history and rich cultural traditions of this beautiful city. • The famous Allegro train from Helsinki to St Petersburg.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• All major attractions in St Petersburg - The Russian Museum, the Cathedral of our Saviour on Spilt Blood, the Palace Square, the Winter Palace, the Menshikov Palace, the Bronze Horseman, St Isaac’s Cathedral and Square, Peter and Paul Fortress, resting place of the Czars.
• Russian Folklore show at Nikolaevsky Palace.
• Visit and guided tour to the Hermitage Museum.
• Swan Lake at Catherine the Great’s Private Theatre in the Hermitage (dependent on availability).
• Peterhof Palace including the lower parks with fountains.
• Farewell dinner with live music at the Grand Hotel Europe.
• A tour of the famous waterways of St Petersburg on a Neva Channel Cruise tour and visit Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was famously murdered.
Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel
We have a direct flight from St Petersburg to Dubai and we will stopover here on the way home.

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This trip includes

24 day tour to Scandinavia and St Petersburg, including all accommodation in character filled hotels: 3 nights Dubai plus early check in, 2 nights Copenhagen, 2 nights Oslo, 2 nights Balestrand, 2 nights Bergen, 4 nights Stockholm, 2 nights Helsinki, 3 nights St Petersburg, 2 nights overnight ferries.
6 music concerts including Greig’s house in Bergen, Swan Lake in St Petersburg, Operas in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo and Russian folklore (All subject to availability).
City tours with local guides and all famous sights included in Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm, Helsinki and St Petersburg.
Numerous tours with special points of interest and flavour including entrances to Frederiksborg Castle, Hermitage Museum, Vasa Museum, ABBA museum, Norsk Folkemuseum, Norwegian Glacier Museum and Drottningholm Castle.
Out of city excursions including Sigtuna, Porvoo, Balestrand and Järvenpää.
All transport including return international airfares (Emirates), regional airfares, all trains, ferries as stated in itinerary.
Meals: all breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners, many with music and local flavour.
Escorted by Sue and John Cameron. Limited to 30 travellers.
This trip requires you to walk over cobblestones and have a good level of fitness. We do advise that you and your doctor evaluate your level of fitness before you consider booking this 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

Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is located by the harbour, close to Nyhavn, next to the Amalienborg Palace, and facing the Opera House, (harbour view rooms).

Scandic Victoria Hotel is a centrally located hotel by parliament and within walking distance of Akershus Fortress.

The Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand lies on the shore of the Sognefjord and overlooks the Fjord and the mountains.

Clarion Hotel Admiral, Bergen is a vibrant hotel in the heart of Bergen with a beautiful view over Bryggen and Mount Floyen.

Best Western Premiere Hotel Kung Carl is Stockholms oldest family run hotel in a central location close to designer shops, restaurants and many tourist attractions.

Hotel Haven is Finland’s first member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, set in the second oldest stone building in Helsinki.

Considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Grand Hotel Europe is situated in the heart of St Petersburg within walking distance of the Winter Palace Square and Hermitage Museum.

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Operas in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, Swan Lake in St Petersburg, a Russian folklore concert, a Greig recital in his house in Bergen, Opera tour and performance at Swedish Royal Opera and a private recitation in the original Hamlet castle. (All subject to availability).

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