NATURE, CULTURE & THE ARTS MARCH 14-23, 2019 TOUR LEADER: DR KATHLEEN OLIVE

Transcription

1 NEW ZEALAND NATURE, CULTURE & THE ARTS MARCH 14-23, 2019 TOUR LEADER: DR KATHLEEN OLIVE

2 NEW ZEALAND NATURE, CULTURE & THE ARTS Tour dates: March 14-23, 2019 Tour leader: Dr Kathleen Olive Tour Price: $6,350 per person, twin share Single Supplement: $1,710 for sole use of double room Booking deposit: $500 per person Recommended airline: Qantas or Air New Zealand Maximum places: 20 Itinerary: Wellington (2 nights), Napier (2 nights), Rotorua (2 nights), Auckland (3 nights) Date published: July 28, 2018 Overview Although just a few hours from the east coast of Australia, New Zealand is a strikingly different country to our own, and well worth the kind of in-depth investigation that this unique itinerary offers. Unlike most tours to New Zealand, this itinerary visits the North island only and has a strong emphasis on visual arts and architecture, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the performing arts in Auckland. Highlights include a visit to the internationally-renowned Gibbs Farm sculpture park north of Auckland, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Auckland Art Gallery and the privatelyowned Connells Bay sculpture park on beautiful Waiheke Island. The striking landscape of New Zealand and its Maori heritage are everpresent, and have had a profound influence on history, literature and the visual arts. Our journey takes us to sites of dramatic volcanic and geothermal activity, across stunning mountain ranges, along wild coastlines and through rolling green hills. We visit sites of Maori heritage, especially around Rotorua, as well as sheep stations and horse studs created by European settlers. The tour begins in Wellington, the vibrant national capital, before heading up the Pacific coast to Napier, famous for its Art Deco architecture. We then head to the central regions visiting Lake Taupo and Rotorua. The tour culminates in four days in and around Auckland. The journey has all the characteristics of an Academy Travel tour stays in centrally located hotels which have been personally inspected by our staff, background talks before site visits and a maximum group size of just 20. Your tour leader Dr Kathleen Olive has more than 15 years experience in leading tours. She has a PhD in Italian literature, and regularly presents popular courses at the WEA, Sydney and for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS). For Kathleen, it is New Zealand's cinematic landscape and modern approach to culture and politics that makes it an intriguing destination. I remember my first trip to Auckland Art Gallery, where I was absolutely struck by the modernity of the 19th-century Maori portraits: dignified, forward-looking and psychologically intense. Enquiries and bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on (02) or 1800 or jamal@academytravel.com.au 'But then there's also the contemporary view on art patronage and philanthropy, at extraordinary Connell's Bay Sculpture Park and Gibbs Farm. When I think about New Zealand being 1/29th the size of Australia, with a population of barely 4 million, I'm bowled over by how far above its weight it punches.' 'And there's so much variety, from an entire town in the Art Deco style to New Zealand's well-known expertise across both red and white wine varietals.' With these cultural riches so close to our doorstep, it's no wonder Kathleen is looking forward to adding New Zealand to her repertoire.

3 Tour Highlights GIBBS FARM Alan and Jenny Gibbs purchased Gibbs Farm in 1991, entranced by its location on a beautiful stretch of the Tasman Coast north of Auckland. Soon afterward they began collecting large outdoor sculpture, and now have a worldfamous collection with commissioned pieces by Anish Kapoor, Richard Serra, Andy Goldsworthy, Maya Lin, Sol LeWitt and others. WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY The remarkable landscape of Waimangu, close to Rotorua, was forged by the eruption of a volcano in the 1880s and the formation of several volcanic lakes. Our walk through the valley takes us past steaming geysers, hot springs and waterfalls, where an abundance of plant and animal life resides. ART DECO NAPIER After a violent earthquake in 1931, the remote town of Napier on the east coast was rebuilt, mainly in the Art Deco style. Thanks to the informed decisions of local architects, the city today is a showcase of Art Deco with public buildings, beachside promenades, commercial and residential buildings in a harmonious style, untouched by recent development. WAIHEKE ISLAND Auckland Harbour is one of the world s great natural harbours, with kilometres of coastline and minimal human impact. Waiheke Island, at the eastern end of the harbour, was a remote getaway in the 1960s. Thanks to a 45-minute ferry trip, now boasts fine restaurants, wineries and spectacular private residences. It is also home to Connells Bay Sculpture Park, with an outstanding collection from New Zealand sculptors. FOOD AND WINE Due to a pristine environment and a benign climate, the North Island has developed into one of the new world s food and wine hotspots. Cool climate and Bordeaux-style wines abound, while local chefs make the most of fresh local ingredients and the pacific rim culinary style. High-quality olive oils, cheeses, olives and honey can also be sampled.

4 Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D. Tour start & finish time The tour starts on Thursday March 14 at 6.00pm, at the bar at the QT Museum Hotel in Wellington. The tour ends on Saturday March 23 at 3.30pm at Auckland Airport. Above: Wellington Harbour Below: Manukura, a white kiwi bred at the Puhaka Wildlife Centre; an Art Deco façade in Napier Thursday March 14 Arrive Wellington We suggest you book a flight that arrives in Wellington in the mid-afternoon. It is a short taxi ride from the airport to our downtown hotel. Meet your fellow tour participants and the tour leader in the hotel bar in the early evening before walking to a restaurant in nearby Courtenay Place for our welcome dinner. Overnight Wellington (D) Friday March 15 Wellington heritage A walking tour from the botanic gardens above the city down to the waterfront introduces us to the history of Wellington from its Maori origins to its establishment as a profit-making colony by Edward Gibbon Wakefield and later the national capital. In the afternoon we visit the impressive Te Papa Museum, across the road from the hotel. A museum specialist takes us through the galleries of Maori heritage and the early colonial exhibitions, to give us a sense of the country s earliest years. There is also an excellent ANZAC gallery to visit. The later afternoon is free to call in at the small National Portrait Gallery or visit other exhibitions. There may be the opportunity to catch a show at the excellent Circa Theatre, adjacent to our hotel. Overnight Wellington (B) Saturday March 16 Wairarapa We farewell Wellington by visiting the summit of Mount Victoria, overlooking Cook s Strait and Wellington Harbour. We then make the spectacular crossing of the Rimutaka Mountains north to Martinborough, in the heart of the Wairarapa district. The pinot noir produced in Wairarapa has an international reputation and we will get a chance to sample it at a local outlet. Our lunch stop is at the Puhaka Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, where we can see Tuatara, Kiwi and other native New Zealand fauna. In the afternoon we travel north through classic New Zealand sheep country, arriving in Napier in the early evening. Dinner is at Mint Restaurant, a local favourite. Overnight Napier (B, L, D)

5 Sunday March 17 Art Deco and Hawke s Bay Napier, on New Zealand s Pacific coast, boasts a remarkable architectural heritage. An earthquake in 1931 destroyed most of the city centre, but it was rebuilt immediately in a consistent Art Deco style. Today Napier is recognised as one of the densest concentrations of small scale Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world. This morning a local guide takes us on a walking tour of the city centre. After some free time to visit the regional art gallery and stroll the seaside promenade (also Art Deco), we head by coach to the Art Deco residential suburb of Marewa and the nearby National Tobacco Factory, and onto Hastings, built mainly in the Spanish Mission style. Hastings is at the heart of the Hawke s Bay wine district. With a climate similar to that of Bordeaux, the area is known for its sauvignon blanc and syrah varieties, which we have the opportunity to evaluate for ourselves at a wine tasting. Overnight Napier (B) Monday March 18 Lake Taupo A morning s coach travel takes us across the Kaweka Range to Lake Taupo. Here, we visit the small but interesting local history museum, and take a short boat cruise to see some impressive contemporary Maori rock carvings on the lake shores. We continue to Rotorua, stopping briefly at the dramatic Huka Falls on the way. This evening we visit the Te Puia hot springs and geyser park, observing this natural spectacle and learning about local Maori history and culture. Overnight Rotorua (B, D) Tuesday March 19 Rotorua We spend the morning exploring the Waimangu volcanic valley with a local guide. The valley was formed through dramatic volcanic activity in We first take a path past craters, lakes and hot springs before joining a short cruise on Lake Rotomahana, with fumaroles and other evidence of the 1886 eruption. The afternoon is free and you can choose to visit the excellent Rotorua Museum, be pampered in a hot spring or take the helicopter ride to White Island, an active stratovolcano in the Bay of Plenty. Overnight Rotorua (B) Wednesday March 20 the Bay of Plenty & Ayrlies garden This morning we head north to the shores of the Bay of Plenty and the attractive town of Tauranga. After calling in at the local art gallery, we continue north to the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula and on to Ayrlies Garden at Whitford, on the outskirts of Auckland. The garden and its founder, the octogenarian Beverley McConnell, featured in the TV series Around the World in 80 Gardens with popular British broadcaster Monty Don. The 15-hectare garden began life in 1964 and today it is rated a Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. We continue to Auckland in the early evening. Overnight Auckland (B) Caption Above: Contemporary Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo; scenery in the Waimangu volcanic valley Below: sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy at Gibbs Farm

6 /. Above: Connell s Bay Sculpture Park on Waiheke Island Below: up-close-and personal with a Richard Serra sculpture at Gibbs Farm on our 2017 tour Thursday March 21 Gibbs Farm In 1991 Alan and Jenny Gibbs purchased a stunning estate overlooking Kaipara Harbour, about 50km north of Auckland. Over a period of 20 years they commissioned large site-specific sculptures from some of the world s leading artists, including Andy Goldsworthy, Sol LeWitt, Anish Kapoor and Richard Serra. A visit to Gibbs Farm, open to the public just four days per year, is a wonderful experience and the combination of coastline, rolling green hills and truly world-class art is an intoxicating one. We return to Auckland in the afternoon, with the intention of catching an orchestral concert or play this evening. Overnight Auckland (B, picnic L) Friday March 22 Auckland Gallery and Waiheke Auckland has a vibrant visual arts scene, and we spend the day exploring it. Our first stop is the Auckland Art Gallery, home to a celebrated collection of 19th-century Maori portraits as well as more contemporary works. We go behind the scenes, visiting the gallery s well-regarded conservation department. In the early afternoon we take the 45-minute ferry ride across Auckland Harbour to Waiheke Island. This idyllic island has wineries, secluded beaches and a number of art centres. We visit the Connell s Bay Sculpture Park on the eastern tip of the island, where the owner takes us on a walking tour of their excellent collection. We end the day with a sunset dinner at the Mudbrick Vineyard, enjoying the spectacular views back to Auckland. We return to Auckland in the evening. Overnight Auckland (B, D) Saturday March 23 Auckland museum and departure After a late check out, we head through some of the city s best suburbs to visit the Auckland Museum and its excellent collection of Maori history and art. We then head to Auckland airport. We suggest you book a return flight to Australia after 4.30pm. Overnight Auckland (B) Hotels We have selected good four and five-star hotels in convenient locations for sightseeing and free time. Wellington, QT, Museum Art Hotel (2 nights) Napier, County Hotel (2 nights) Rotorua, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Hotel (2 nights) Auckland, Sofitel Viaduct Harbour Hotel (3 nights)

7 Tour Price The tour price is $6,350 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for the sole use of a single room is $1,710 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. Tour Inclusions Included in the tour price All accommodation in selected four- and five-star hotels All breakfasts Lunches and dinners as mentioned in the itinerary Land travel in an air-conditioned coach Extensive background notes Background talks Services of an Australian tour leader throughout tour All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary Expert local guides at selected sites Tips for all services stated as included in the itinerary Not included International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we recommend Qantas or Air New Zealand who have regular flights to Wellington and Auckland. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers. Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on or (outside Sydney) or jamal@academytravel.com.au Weather on tour Early autumn on the North Island is generally mild and pleasant. Expect temperatures to range between 14 and 22 degrees. Average monthly rainfall for March is 30-40mm, so it is reasonable to expect a few showers. A weather-proof jacket and umbrella are recommended. Fitness Requirements of THIS tour GRADE TWO It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. Participation criteria for this tour This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and a more demanding tour schedule with one-night stops or several internal flights. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold, humidity and heat walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites, which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required A note for older travellers If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.

8 Anish Kapoor s Dismemberment, Site 1 (2009) at the stunning Gibbs Farm

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10 About Academy Travel Each year Academy Travel organises around 60 journeys to Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas, each focusing on a distinctive historical, artistic or cultural theme. The aim of every Academy Travel journey is to combine the pleasures of independent travel with the benefits and shared enjoyment of a group. Academy Travel is an Australian-owned travel company, founded in The company s staff includes both academic experts and travel professionals with over two decades industry experience. We also have our own office in Rome which organises our tours in Western Europe. This means we have direct control over the selection of hotels, restaurants, coaches and local guides, guaranteeing superior quality. Great itineraries Academy Travel works hard to create itineraries that provide a balanced experience walking tours, museum and gallery visits, live performances, city and countryside. We re proud to be constantly innovating, from opening up new destinations, creating tours around festivals and special exhibitions, to providing unrivalled depth in our residential tours. Like-minded groups Over the years we ve been in operation, we ve developed a loyal band of Academy Travellers, some of whom have travelled with us more than 10 times. They say the small groups (maximum 20, average 17) and distinct themes of our tours attract like-minded travellers and create a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Long stays Feedback from our clients consistently tells us that creating itineraries with three and four-night stops, or even longer, is far more appealing that rushing from place to place. Wherever possible, we plan our tours around a limited number of stops, making your travels more relaxed and more meaningful. Special Events A private viewing of the Sistine Chapel? Tickets to a sold-out concert by the Berlin Philharmonic? A worldfamous art fair? Access to private homes and gardens? Behind-the-scenes visits? Many of our tours feature access to places and events that are usually not offered on most group tours. Expert tour leaders We work closely with a team of academically qualified and highly experienced tour leaders. They don t just rattle off the facts they help us plan our itineraries and, on tour, freely share their deep knowledge and genuine passion. Most of our tour leaders are still teaching at an advanced level and many are still undertaking academic research. Years of experience Academy Travel was founded in 2004 by a team with decades of prior experience in small group travel. On average, our tour leaders have over 11 years experience, some with 25 or more years. To ensure quality, we have our own office in Rome, Italy and a network of trusted suppliers around the world. ACADEMY TRAVEL TAILORED SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS info@academytravel.com.au academytravel.com.au

11 TO SUBMIT YOUR BOOKING: Complete form on screen. Simply click in the box to fill in your details and press Tab to progress to the next box. Save the completed form and it to us. Or print the form, complete the fields and send it back to us. Name of tour: Departure date: A Your details This is my first tour with Academy Travel I have previously travelled with Academy Travel PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 Your title (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr etc): Your full name (as it appears on your passport): Your title (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr etc): Your full name (as it appears on your passport): Preferred first name: Date of birth: Preferred first name: Date of birth: Postal Address: Postal Address: State: Postcode: State: Postcode: Phone - Area code: Phone: Phone - Area code: Phone: Mobile: Mobile: Passport number: Expiry date: Passport number: Expiry date: Frequent flyer number(s) Seating (Aisle or window) Frequent flyer number(s) Seating (Aisle or window) Name of next of kin (not travelling with you): Name of next of kin (not travelling with you): Relationship to you: Contact number of next of kin: Relationship to you: Contact number of next of kin: PROOF OF IDENTITY Please provide a photocopy of the photo page of your passport together with this booking form. ROOMING PREFERENCES I am travelling: on my own with a friend or family member. Name of friend or family member (if not passenger 2) I/we would like: a room for sole occupancy a twin-bedded room a double-bedded room B Your special requirements MEAL REQUIREMENTS/ALLERGIES Please indicate below if you have any special dietary requirements. Appropriate meals will be requested for you on all flights and group meals based on this information. PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 I do not have any specific dietary requirements or allergies I have the following specific dietary requirements/allergies I do not have any specific dietary requirements or allergies I have the following specific dietary requirements/allergies MEDICAL CONDITIONS Please indicate below if you have any serious health issue that may affect your travel insurance coverage, your physical capacity to undertake some activities on tour or may otherwise need to be considered by the tour leader/manager during the tour. PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 I have no specific medical condition that Academy Travel needs to know about Academy Travel needs to know about the following medical condition(s) I have no specific medical condition that Academy Travel needs to know about Academy Travel needs to know about the following medical condition(s) Level 1, 341 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: or (outside Sydney) ACADEMY TRAVEL

12 BOOKING FORM C Your travel plans I/we wish Academy Travel to arrange air travel from Australia. Economy Class. Premium Economy Class. Business Class. I/we will organize our own air travel. I/we are undecided about air travel. Please contact us to discuss the available options. I plan to leave Australia before the tour commences. Planned departure date: I intend to take part in the extension tour offered in the itinerary (if applicable). I/we plan to undertake additional travel before/after the tour and would like Academy Travel to organise this (please describe destinations and length of stay required below). To discuss your travel arrangements please contact the travel consultant for your tour. You can also enquiries to info@academytravel.com.au. D Your acceptance of booking conditions PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SIGN BELOW DEPOSITS A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your booking on a tour. Final payment of the tour fee, insurance and any additional travel will be due 60 days before departure. CANCELLATION FEES If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply: More than 60 days before departure: $500* days before tour start: 25% of total amount due days before tour start: 75% of total amount due 14 days or less before departure: 100% of total amount due *This amount may be credited to another Academy Travel tour within 12 months of the original tour you booked. UNUSED PORTIONS OF THE TOUR We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers. TRAVEL INSURANCE Academy Travel requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. We offer a comprehensive policy with a reputable insurer if required. PASSPORT AND VISA A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you do not hold an Australian passport you may require a re-entry permit. Some countries require a visa to be issued before you depart Australia. We will advise you of all passport and visa requirements, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet passport and visa requirements before you depart. WILL THE TOUR PRICE CHANGE? If the number of participants in a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates Academy Travel reserves the right to amend the advertised price. If this occurs you will be given the option of canceling your booking and obtaining a full refund. If an Academy Travel tour is forced to cancel you will get a full refund of all monies paid. WILL THE ITINERARY OR AIRLINE CHANGE? Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of Academy Travel make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make slight amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes as soon as they occur. FINAL PAYMENT Full and final payment for the tour, airfare travel, insurance and any additional travel you book is due 60 days before departure. Payment may be made by bank deposit, cheque, cash or credit card. Please note there is a surcharge for payments made by credit card. Academy Travel reserves the right to decline the booking or terminate the holiday of any traveller. I/we accept the conditions on this booking form I/we have read the information about the physical requirements of the tour in the detailed itinerary and confirm that I/we are able to meet these requirements. Date: AUTHORISATION By submitting this booking form, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions above and on our website, and the inclusions and non-inclusions listed in the detailed itinerary for the tour. E Deposit payment f How did you hear about this tour? A non-refundable $500 deposit is required for each person listed on this booking form. Please indicate which method you have chosen to pay your deposit: Number of passengers: Amount of deposit: $ Paid directly by cheque (Please make cheques payable to Academy Travel) Paid by credit card (Please complete details below) MasterCard Visa American Express Card Number: 3 or 4 digit security code: Expiry date: Please select where you first heard about this tour: I receive the Academy Travel tour program I receive the Academy Travel weekly s I saw an advertisement online please specify I saw an advertisement in please specify I attended a lecture at... please specify Searching the internet please specify A friend recommended Academy Travel tours Other... please specify Name on card: Amount: $ AUTHORISATION Date: By submitting this booking form you are authorising us to charge the cost of deposits for booking on this tour. No further charges will be made without your prior authorisation. g SEND Please send your completed booking form to: Academy Travel GPO Box 5057 Sydney NSW 2001 Or info@academytravel.com.au or fax it to (02) Additional booking forms can be downloaded from our website: academytravel.com.au /18 ACADEMY TRAVEL TAILORED SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS info@academytravel.com.au academytravel.com.au