About us
In 2011 Renaissance Tours celebrates 15 years of operation.
It all started when Hugh Hallard, founder and director, was asked to arrange a tour for the Patrons and Friends of The Australian Opera (now Opera Australia) to the Chicago Lyric Opera production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle in March 1996. The success of this tour led to a long-term association between Opera Australia and Renaissance Tours, now in its 15th year – and over 100 opera tours later!
In 1999 The Australian Ballet – and 25 loyal supporters – travelled to New York for a week of performances, including Stephen Pages’ Rites. This led to our tradition of ‘supporters’ tours’ when Australia’s leading performing arts organisations travel abroad and perform on the world stage.
In 2002 we began our program of Music Lovers’ Tours for the supporters of the Sydney Symphony, since expanded to also include the supporters of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. This year also saw our first tour for the Friends of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia.
In 2002 we were asked to arrange our first tour – to Russia and the Ukraine - for the discerning members of the Art Gallery Society of NSW, a collaboration which has built up to more than 10 tours annually.
In 2005 we met Scott McGregor. His infectious enthusiasm for trains and rail travel has led to our very successful Rail Adventures. After many requests, in 2009 we launched our first Garden Discoveries tour, a program which has quickly found a place in our collection of cultural and special interest tours. In late 2011 we launch our latest special interest, Wine Lovers' Tours.
A lot of work goes into the planning and operation of our tours. Here is an introduction to the team at Renaissance Tours:
Left to right, back: Callum Billinghurst, Barbara Lischka, Hugh Hallard, Max Adler Ring.
Front: Frances Conti, Athina Koutsougeras, Aurelie Gueydan, Sonya Mathew, Yvonne Fong.
Product Planning and Development
The planning of our tours begins well in advance, sometimes up to two years prior. To develop the tour concepts, inspect, negotiate and book all the suppliers (hotels, airlines, coaches, guides etc) and to write and produce the tour brochures, our ‘product team’ consists of Hugh Hallard (Director), Barbara Lischka and Aurélie Gueydan (Product Managers). In 2011 graphic designer Karen Reynolds joined our team.
Operations
Once a tour is launched (on our website and in brochure format), it passes to our ‘operations team’, consisting of:
- Max Adler Ring (Operations Manager)
- James Cao (Tours Manager)
- Sonya Mathew (Tours Manager)
- Callum Billinghurst (Tour Consultant)
Accounts
Behind the scenes, our accounting function is expertly managed by Frances Conti.
Tour Leaders
An essential ingredient in our tours are our expert tour leaders, amongst the most accomplished in their fields of expertise. Each of our tours features a series of in-depth talks by your tour leader to ensure you get the most from your travel experience. Your tour leader will enhance your journey with the kind of exceptional insights which can only be gained from a lifetime of experience and the pursuit of a lifelong passion.
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