Victorian Heritage Celebration Oamaru Seniors Guided Musical Tours 2021

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15 - 24 November 2021

We invite you to experience a 10 day tour which includes the amazing annual Victorian Heritage Celebration in Oamaru plus Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, McKenzie Country, Oamaru and Dunedin.

Dress up and step back in time to the Victorian era in Oamaru with its famous Victorian precinct with events like steampunk, costume parades, a Victorian Ball, Fete, picnics and band and vintage car parades, as well as our own musical events presented by our artists.

If you have been on our Art Deco Festival then this is definitely the tour for you with a chance to dress up, have a lot of laughs and step back in time!

$4,910 NZD

Single Supplement

- ADD $1,450 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$900 NZD

Second Deposit Due 21 June 2021

$1,500 NZD

Final Balance Due 10 August 2021

Victorian Heritage Celebration Oamaru

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Numerous special musical events presented by our artists:

Welcome dinner with concert entitled Celtic Celebration presenting great ballads and fun songs from Ireland and the British Isles.

The Hills are Alive, with music theatre songs including The Sound of Music, in keeping with our stay in the Southern Alps.

The Magnificence of the Music Hall, complete with chairman, magnificent melodies and melodramas.

Special dinner tonight at Teschemakers with Get Me to the Church on Time, songs of love, weddings and marriage in their stunning 100 year old private wedding chapel.

Final dinner entitled Victorian Soirée, a feast of Victorian and Edwardian ballads and silly songs in our Victorian Ballroom.

Many festival events with music including:

An amazing parade of bands, vintage cars, steam punk exhibitions and Victorian costumes.

The Victorian Ball with dancing.

A Ceilidh at The Scottish Hall where we wear our tartan or tartan scarf, with a chance to dance and enjoy a rustic supper.
Escorted by the fabulous team of singers Susan Boland, John Cameron, Stuart Coats, Amanda Atlas and Grant Winterburn on piano.
We have chosen this team for their fun and fabulous dynamic personalities but also their diversity of repertoire as we sing lots of the favourite nostalgic songs, present to you our own Music Hall, lots of lovely songs in the music theatre repertoire but also those Edwardian and Victorian ballads and comic songs.
Some of the songs you are likely to hear include The Laughing Policeman, After the Ball, I Was a Good Little Girl Till I Met You, great stirring Celtic songs like Danny Boy, Scotland the Brave, Land of my Fathers, music theatre songs like Get Me to the Church on Time, Memory and Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, love songs through the ages and so much more. It is a trip which is a music extravaganza of great memories over the past 100 years - songs our parents and grandparents sang.
Many special events in Oamaru as part the Victorian Heritage Celebration including:
- Victorian Costuming Talk about the art of millinery and costume making.
- Lunch at Fleurs Place, an iconic restaurant, cafe and bar right on the waterfront at the old jetty.
- Victorian Garden Party - where we admire the elegance of the costumes and enjoy Horse and Carriage rides.
- Queen Victoria’s Birthday Ball - we are invited to celebrate our beloved Queen’s 200th birthday with a four course supper and formal dance.
- Victorian Fete, a day jam packed with non- stop entertainment, costumes, jugglers, street performers and magicians.
- Lunch and tour at Totara Estate to see how the wheels of history rotated making this Victorian Estate so important to our history.
- Tours to Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, Dunedin history tours including to Larnach Castle and Olveston House.
Novotel Cathedral Square, Christchurch (1 night)
Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square (re-opened 2013), a new, stylish 4 star hotel is elegantly positioned alongside the original Christchurch Cathedral. The hotel boasts 154 spacious rooms and suites, from modern and contemporary to charming and cozy, everyone will be delighted.

Peppers  Bluewater Resort, Tekapo (2 nights)
Peppers Bluewater Resort is a 4 star hotel close to the shores of Lake Tekapo and minutes away from the many lovely  landmarks including Lake Tekapo and the famous Church of the Good Shepherd.

Brydone Hotel, Oamaru (4 nights)
Step inside the enchanting Brydone Hotel, Oamaru and we will find ourselves in a gentler more gracious era with its sweeping staircase, grand chandeliers and ornate interiors.
Built of Oamaru limestone in 1881 it is the perfect place in its central location to delve into the Victoria age and all the events and festivities of the Victorian Celebration. We will be staying in their newly renovated rooms.

Distinction Hotel, Dunedin (2 nights)
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.

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This trip includes

• 10 day tour which includes 4 nights at the Victorian Heritage Celebration, Oamaru, Christchurch (1 night), Lake Tekapo (2 nights), Dunedin (2 nights).
• Numerous events at the Victorian Heritage Celebration including Queen Victoria Birthday Ball, Victorian Garden Party, Fete, Street Parade, Victorian costume talk, historic walk around Oamaru, tour to Totara Estate and a Ceilidh at The Scottish Hall with a chance to dress up and step back in time.
• Several private music events including our welcome dinner with concert entitled Celtic Celebration presenting great ballads and fun songs from Ireland and the British Isles,The Hills are Alive, a concert of great music theatre songs including of course from The Sound of Music, in keeping with our visit to the Southern Alps, The Magnificence of the Music Hall, complete with chairman, magnificent melodies and melodrama, Get Me To The Church on Time, a concert of songs about love, weddings and marriage in a stunning 100 year old private wedding chapel, and a Victorian Soirée, a feast of Victorian and Edwardian ballads, skits and silly songs in the ballroom at Larnach Castle.
• Numerous driving tours including Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, McKenzie Country, Oamaru, North Otago, Dunedin.
• Special experiences including steam train ride, penguin colony tour, Dark Sky Project, tours to historic houses and tour of Dunedin’s historic sites.
• Meals included: All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 afternoon tea, 6 dinners and 2 suppers.
• Escorted by Susan Boland, John Cameron, Stuart Coats, Amanda Atlas, Grant Winterburn.

PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ,airfares are not included.

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. We have our own travel insurance broker and we invite you to ring direct for your insurance requirements.

Phone Harriet on 09 3629038 Or email Harriet.lawrence@aon.com. You are of course welcome to make your own insurance arrangements for travel, just be sure that your insurance policy covers you extensively especially when travelling to certain countries such as USA with its high health costs.

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.”

2021 Operatunity NZ Trip COVID Policies

We understand the need for flexibility at present but there is also the need to have something to look forward. Operatunity has put the following in place for this year’s trips to protect your health and financial security.

Financial
1. Generally as a policy if we are unable to proceed with a NZ trip due to COVID -19 restrictions, we would, if possible, transfer the trip to new dates. We have done that on other occasions in 2020.
2. However we will refund you IN FULL if this trip is unable to proceed or be transferred due to Covid restrictions, even once you have paid finals for this trip.
3. This does not mean we would refund you if you simply changed your mind and decided not to go at the last minute.
4. It does mean, however, that if you had a medical certificate to say you were unwell to travel that we would work very hard to get as much of a refund back for you depending on hotels and other costs involved.
5. If we have booked your flights and the trip was unable to proceed, we will work hard to get you a credit or refund, but if the flights have already been ticketed this would be a credit for you to use on another occasion. We would be unable to get you a full refund for your airline tickets.
Health and Safety

Please do not travel if you are unwell.
1. If you have any cold or flu symptoms the week before departure, you must see your GP and obtain a medical certificate.
2. Wearing of Masks You are welcome to bring your own mask and wear it at any time.You need to wear masks on the plane and on public transport. Masks will not be mandatory on our own coach, at our own meals or activities, or when we are within our group as we will be in our own bubble.
3. If you fall ill while on the trip, you will be asked to isolate in your room for a couple of days off to rest. You may also be asked to see a doctor and obtain a COVID test.
4. Hand washing - We have provided a travel size hand sanitiser, please use this frequently throughout the day and wash your hands!
5. Sorry, still no hugging!
These policies have been compiled to allow you to travel with confidence and with utmost enjoyment as well as keep you safe and keep our New Zealand bubble safe! Let’s go and have some fun and experience the most beautiful country in the world!

2021 Operatunity Overseas Trip Policies
We have cancelled all Australia South Pacific travel until July 2021. We have cancelled all European trips in 2021.

Operatunity will only travel overseas when the following are in place:
1. There is no requirement to quarantine in New Zealand on return or in the country we are travelling to.
2. The vaccine is given to a high percentage of people and we mitigate risk.
3. There is no risk to us being stranded overseas or border rules changing which results in health risk or increased cost to you.
4. Once borders open that border protocols have demonstrated that it is safe to travel. In other words we will let other people be the guinea pigs!
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.
While we will endeavour to provide the best possible experience and care, all travellers must be fit to travel and be independent. All trips are catering for a senior market but some trips will suit better than others. Some trips also carry an advisory note as they require a higher level of fitness.
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 any costs the company may incur.
After final deposit refunds are unlikely and the refund becomes an insurance claim. We do not charge a cancellation fee.
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: travel@operatunity.co.nz

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