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Southern Lakes & Fiords

Southern Lakes & Fiords

9 - 13 November 2019

Imagine a place where the only sounds are birds and the rustle of trees as we begin our two very special events, Classical Sounds of Silence and the next evening, Music for Romantics. We begin in silence and then the lovely Jess starts playing her violin and our soloists gradually start to sing.

$4,185 NZD
per person
twin share
Single Room Supplement
- ADD $2,660 NZD
Initial Deposit On Booking
$750 NZD
Second Deposit Due 12 June 2019
$1,000 NZD
Final Balance Due 6 August 2019

Southern Lakes & Fiords

  • Experience the Exceptional

    A wondrous time where we enjoy 2 days and 2 nights in Doubtful Sound, with soft winds and birds being our only companions as we come as close to spiritual perfection as you will ever encounter.

    We combine this incredible environment with music and the joy of companionship and togetherness as we embark upon this journey of peace.

    All the engines are turned off and we stand on deck with not a sound and experience beauty and spiritual stillness.

    Following this natural wonder we enjoy the sophistication of Queenstown and the magnificent Sofitel Hotel.

    And to all this we add music presented by Sue, Bonnie, Derek, Kalauni, Stephen De Pledge and our beautiful string trio led by Jess.

    Encapsulating peace, music and beauty, it is champagne for the soul.

  • The Fiordland Navigator (2 nights)

    Doubtful Sound is the second largest of Fiordland National Parks famous for its silent isolation, rugged wilderness and incredible peace.

    • Magnificent drive through stunning countryside to Lake Manapouri.
    • Cruise across its tranquil waters while having lunch.
    • Journey to Deep Cove, drinking in the beauty of the thickest rainforests of Fiordland and the alpine moss gardens in all their colourful splendour.
    • Time for resting and cruising before dinner.
    • Classical Sounds of Silence. We begin in silence, then the lovely Jess starts playing her violin, and our soloists gradually start to sing.

  • We enjoy our own version of paradise!

    • While we cruise, we view the NZ fur seals, penguins and dolphins. You may also choose to explore in small boats or kayaks.
    • A Naturalist talk about sights, bird life and fauna, and Captain’s talk about the adventures of Captain Cook plus time to simply enjoy the scenery.
    Afternoon Delights, a recital from our string trio.
    Music for Romantics and the music in turn echos off the hard surfaces of nature’s most beautiful masterpiece.

  • Queenstown - Sofitel Hotel (2 nights)

    •  In the quietest bay, the captain will switch off all the engines and we are invited to stop moving and stop talking. Now we will really experience the true sound of silence.
    •  A gourmet buffet dinner at the Sofitel in Cafe de Paris restaurant with a Family Style Soirée from our fabulous musicians, singalong and the odd Irish joke!

  • • A tour of Queenstown and Arrowtown.
    • Lunch at Gantley’s, an historic stone building, surrounded by 2 acres of landscaped gardens amidst majestic mountain scenery.
    • Dinner at Stoneyridge Estate, followed by Classics by Candlelight in their private chapel, overlooking Lake Hayes.

  • •  This morning we are treated to a private bubbly breakfast in the hotel ballroom in keeping with the French flavour of the hotel but including some great New Zealand fare.

    A perfect way to finish our perfect Classical Journey.

This trip includes

  • 2 night private charter cruise in Doubtful Sound on the beautiful Navigator Explorer, with a marine biologist on board as well as seal, dolphin and penguin spotting.

  • 2 nights in Queenstown at 5 star Sofitel including special Cafe de Paris dinner with Family Style Soirée plus bubbly breakfast

  • 4 themed concerts presented by singers Susan Boland, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Derek Hill, our string trio led by violinist Jess Hindin and concert pianist Stephen De Pledge, including 2 special classical concerts on board in Doubtful Sound, Classical Sounds of Silence and Music for Romantics.

  • Special gala events at Stoneyridge, including dinner and candlelit concert, Classics by Candlelight.

  • All tours and transfers listed in itinerary including Queenstown and Arrowtown tour and lunch at Gantley’s.

  • All meals, tips, porterage included.

  • Limited to 42 travellers.

  • PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares are not included. We have reserved flights at an excellent rate with Air NZ from the main centres to and from Queenstown, so please contact us if you wish to book these, on a first come basis.

  • 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.

  • 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

The Fiordland Navigator is Real Journey’s purpose-built vessel for cruising in the fiords. The Fiordland Navigator offers spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining room and observation lounge.

Sofitel Queenstown is a 5 star hotel in the heart of the city and minutes away from Lake Wakatipu. The hotel truly embodies the Sofitel concept ‘art de vivre’ – the art of living. 

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Classical Sounds of Silence on board The Fiordland Navigator, we begin in silence, the lovely Jess starts playing her violin, and our soloists gradually start to sing.

Music for Romantics We present the most beautiful melodies and they in turn echo off the hard surfaces of nature’s most beautiful masterpiece.

Family Style Soirée presented by our fabulous musicians, featuring singalongs and the odd Irish joke!

Classics by Candlelight in the Stoneyridege Estate's private chapel, overlooking Lake Hayes.

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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