South Island New Zealand Tour

;

16 - 20 October 2018

So special is our Southern Lakes and Fiords trip that we have sold it out five times in a row. The Sounds of Silence greet us on our exclusive music charter in the magnificent Doubtful Sound, plus we enjoy 2 nights of luxury with themed concerts in Queenstown. Imagine a place where the only sounds are birds and the rustle of trees as we enjoy special events rich in melody, with singers John Cameron, Karl Perigo, Lynette Martin and Tizane McEvoy, all encapsulating peace, music and beauty for the senses.

$3,590 NZD

Single Room Supplement

- ADD $2,225 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$750 NZD

Second Deposit Due 23 May 2018

$900 NZD

Final Balance Due 27 July 2018

Southern Lakes and Fiords

We fly into Queenstown for our late morning coach departure to Manapouri. We travel by coach to The Fiordland Navigator, ours exclusively chartered for the next 2 nights. Doubtful Sound is the second largest of Fiordland National Parks famous for its silent isolation, rugged wilderness and incredible peace.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Magnificent drive through stunning countryside to Lake Manapouri.
• Cruise across its tranquil waters while having lunch.
• Tour the Manapouri Underground Power Station, located deep beneath Fiordland, subject to availability.
• 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 and our concert, Music for Romantics. We begin in silence, and then our soloists gradually start to sing.
We enjoy our own version of paradise!
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Cruising to view the NZ fur seals, some kayaking or exploring in smaller boats, 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.
• After lunch in the dining room we are treated to We’ll Meet Again, our tribute to Vera Lynn, presented by Tizane, Karl and Penny whilst we partake in a high tea.
• Following our dinner, we present the most beautiful melodies in A Golden Era of Musicals and they in turn echo off the hard surfaces of nature’s most beautiful masterpiece.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• 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.
• We then transfer to Queenstown to the centrally located, luxurious, five star Sofitel Hotel.
• A gourmet buffet dinner at the hotel in Cafe de Paris restaurant.
• A Family Style Soirée from our fabulous musicians, singalong and the odd Irish joke!
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A tour of Queenstown and Arrowtown.
• Lunch at one of the most romantic restaurants in NZ, Gantley’s, an historic stone building, surrounded by 2 acres of landscaped gardens amidst majestic mountain scenery.
• Evening at Stoneridge Estate - Stoneridge Estate sits majestically amidst 12 acres of picturesque gardens and vineyards, with breathtaking views across Lake Hayes and beyond to Coronet Peak, followed by a special event A Candlelit Concert in their beautiful private chapel.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• 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.

Book Now

Southern Lakes and Fiords Operatunity 2020.pdf.page 1

Download Brochure

This trip includes

2 nights’ private charter cruise in Doubtful Sound on the beautiful Navigator Explorer, with cruising in Doubtful Sound, Marine Biologist on board, seal, penguin, and dolphin spotting.
2 nights’ in Queenstown at the 5 star Sofitel, including special Cafe de Paris dinner with family style soirée plus bubbly breakfast.
5 themed concerts presented by singers, special events rich in melody: Music for Romantics and A Golden Era of Musicals, a special tribute to Vera Lynn, We’ll meet again, an afternoon tea concert on board. We include 2 other premium music events, a Family Style Soirée at the Sofitel and A Concert by Candlelight in the private chapel at Stoneridge Estate, all with singers John Cameron, Karl Perigo, Lynette Martin and Tizane McEvoy.
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.
Please note that flights are not included on New Zealand trips due to travellers flying from different destinations. We are able to assist with booking flights as required.
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.

5 themed concerts presented by singers, special events rich in melody: Music for Romantics and A Golden Era of Musicals, a special tribute to Vera Lynn, We’ll meet again, an afternoon tea concert on board. We include 2 other premium music events, a Family Style Soirée at the Sofitel and A Concert by Candlelight in the private chapel at Stoneridge Estate, all with singers John Cameron, Karl Perigo, Lynette Martin and Tizane McEvoy.

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