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Spring & Song in the South

Spring & Song in the South

30 October - 6 November 2020

We invite you to join Bonnie and Karl on a historic and scenic journey to the bottom of New Zealand in spring, to Otago, the Catlins, Southland and Stewart Island. We may not be able to travel to the rest of the world but we bring the world to you with a musical odyssey instead: New York, London, Paris, Ireland and Italy in one whirlwind week in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand.

$3,970 NZD
Per Person
Twin Share
Single Room Supplement
- ADD $920 NZD
Initial Deposit On Booking
$900 NZD
Second Deposit Due
$0 NZD
Final Balance Due 30 August 2020

Spring & Song in the South

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    • A music travel odyssey in the Deep South with travel concerts. Since we are unable to travel to Europe. We will bring the world to you through a series of fantastic concerts.
    • Welcome dinner tonight: A Celtic Celebration with famous homeland songs of Scotland and England at the hotel from Bonnie and Karl.
    • Dinner tonight with a soirée presented by Bonnie and Karl: O Sole Mio with songs from Europe including from Les Mis, Cabaret and of course O Sole Mio.
    • Dinner at Waxy O’Shea’s Irish pub: When Irish Eyes are Smiling with some good old fashioned Irish singalong and the odd Irish joke from Karl!
    • Dinner at our hotel with Shake, Rattle and Roll with dancing courtesy of Karl and Bonnie. Tonight we take you to the great dance halls of London in the 1950s and 1960s!
    • Farewell dinner with music from Karl and Bonnie in the beautiful Drawing Room at the Civic Theatre. Let us take you to New York with a concert entitled The Best of Broadway! Our daytime concert artists will join us tonight for a big gala finale!
    • We enjoy our daytime concert in the most beautiful theatre in New Zealand on our journey to France: I Love Paris.
  • Escorted by the dynamic duo, Bonaventure Allan - Moetaua and Karl Perigo.

    Bonnie and Karl are our two main singers and tour managers in Operatunity. Their charisma and rapport with each other means we are guaranteed a fantastic time.

    Bonnie has worked for Operatunity for 13 years, and has developed into our principal artist. He has an amazing ability to sing all sorts of different styles of music. He has a beautiful operatic tenor voice but can also sing crooners, rock n roll and music theatre styles as well as has a genuine care of all our customers.

    Known by many throughout New Zealand for being a crooning tenor, Karl possesses a signature collection of flamboyant shoes. What started as a single pair of Maher shoes purchased for his brother’s wedding quickly spiralled out of control to a collection which now sits at around 80 pairs of the shoes. But not only his shoes are what makes him well known to Operatunity audiences, it is his fabulous sense of humour, his great singing voice and his ability to entertain as well as his care and love of us all.

    • Springtime in Southland, beautiful scenery, spring flowers and the charm and friendliness of our Southland locals!
    • Stewart Island, our third largest island, resplendent in its unspoiled, incredibly beautiful scenery, steeped in history, local characters and stories. - Visit to Bunkhouse theatre to see the movie: A Local’s Tail which introduces local characters visit the village and bays sightseeing including Rakiura National Park, Horseshoe Bay and Observation Rock with its stunning views of Paterson Inlet.
    • Special flavours like our own exclusive concerts, chocolate making, visiting exceptional museums and reliving the past in two grand houses; Olveston House and our only real castle Larnach Castle.
    • Catlins, its enthralling scenery: forests, hidden lakes, waterfalls and rugged coastlines.
    • Dunedin, its museums and natural beauty including the Otago Peninsula.
    • The innovation and quirkiness of New Zealand’s most southern city Invercargill
  • Dunedin Distinction Hotel

    The 1937 former Chief Post Office in Dunedin has been transformed into an elegant 4 1/2 star luxury hotel, located in the rejuvenated and vibrant Warehouse Precinct in the heart of the city. Distinction Dunedin is a 2019 Travellers Choice Winner, ranked 3rd out of all hotels in New Zealand on TripAdvisor.

    Ascot Park Hotel

    Ascot Park Hotel is a large, popular venue with a vast array of hotel accommodation, facilities and services. Located in Invercargill, Ascot Park Hotel a perfect base to explore all that Southland has to offer and experience true Southern Hospitality.

     

This trip includes

  • • 8 day, 7 night tour, delving into the deep south of New Zealand.
    • A music travel odyssey to the deep south with travel concerts: When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Best of Broadway,
    O Sole Mio, Shake, Rattle and Roll and I Love Paris at the fantastic Civic Theatre, Invercargill.
    • Dunedin (3 nights’ accommodation) including city tour, visit to Otago Museum and Olveston House and Larnach Castle.
    • Tour of the Catlins including scenic drive to its waterfalls, lakes, forest and rugged coastlines.
    • Invercargill (4 nights’ accommodation) including city tour, visit to Bill Richardson Transport World and Riverton and chocolate making!
    • Full day tour to Stewart Island which includes Village and Bay tour, movie of A Local’s Tail, and catamaran return cruise.
    • All transfers, entrances and tours listed in this itinerary.
    • All breakfasts plus 5 dinners and 4 lunches included.
    • Escorted by Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua and Karl Perigo.


    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 Dunedin and from Invercargill, 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 $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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