GolfAhoy 12 Night Spain, France & Italy Golf Cruise

Departure May 13, 2011

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GolfAhoy Spain, France & Italy Golf Cruise begins near Girona, Spain, at the Melia Golf Vichy Hotel, a day and a half in advance of our GolfAhoy golf cruise. Golfers will play one of the schedule’s best layouts at PGA Catalunya.

In our second port of call Palma de Mallorca, golfers will try their hand at Son Muntaner.

Then, we’ll stow the sticks for the next two days in order to admire Mahón, Menorca and Sète, France. Mahón is an unusual blend of Anglo and Spanish culture built precipitously atop majestic cliffs above a beautiful natural harbor. Sète and its canals is the French equivalent of Venice. There are markets to stroll through, museums to see and beaches to take in the most breathtaking sunsets.

We depart at midnight then arrive in Marseilles at first light.

We’ll take two days in Marseille (and wish for three!). The scene here in Provence ranges from the high mountains of the Southern Alps to the multi-blue waters of the Mediterranean, inspiration you’ll recognize in the paintings of Cezanne and Van Gogh. No where are the local vistas more visible than from Pont Royal Golf Club, a stern test today for our golfers by Seve Ballesteros.

We depart at midnight for Sanary-sur-Mer at the western end of the Cote d’Azur in Provence. It’s quiet here, for a Rivera town, so something of a warm up for St Tropez. Golfers go to outstanding Fregate, set in the famous Bandol vineyards and equally famous for panoramic views of the Med. We depart at midnight for two days in St Tropez.

It wasn’t so long ago that St Tropez was a sleepy fishing village on the French Rivera. Things began to change after World War II, particularly in 1956 when Bridget Bardot visited to film “And God Created Woman”. St. Tropez has never looked back. The golf schedule will conclude with play at St Maxime’s, tightly routed through cork oak with abundant beautiful views over the bay.

At 7am the next day we’ll have our first view of dazzling Portofino. Known as the “Pearl of the Riviera,” it’s hard to image a more captivating place. Immerse yourself in the Church of San Giorgio, the Castello Brown or simply soak in the town’s unadulterated beauty and unique charm.

The pace picks up considerably with our final port, Monte Carlo. The “playground of the Côte d’Azur” sets the bar high with gorgeous beaches, the world’s most prestigious casino and the glorious Oceanographic Museum. This place must be experienced to be believed!

Itinerary

Saturday: GIRONA, SPAIN

Arrive Barcelona.
Make your own way to Melia Golf Vichy Hotel. Welcome cocktail party & dinner.

Overnight: Melia Golf Vichy Hotel

Sunday: GIRONA | BARCELONA, SPAIN

Golf: PGA Catalunya Stadium Course. Since opening in 1999, it has quickly gained an impeccable international reputation and is currently ranked 2nd in Spain, 3rd in continental Europe and, most recently, 88th in the world.  Consistently earning the coveted accolades as Golf World magazine’s Top 10 European venue and Golf Monthly magazine’s Top 3 European venue, the Stadium Course has twice hosted the Spanish Open in 2002 and 2009.

Monday: PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN

Arrive Palma de Majorca 8.00am

Golf: Son Muntaner is crafted to make the best of the natural surroundings of fairly dense Mediterranean trees and rolling hills. At the same time, each hole is so individual, and so cleverly put together that you have to admire the feel and artistry of architect Kurt Rossknecht, as well as the current maintenance and management of the course.

Tuesday: MAHÓN, MENORCA, SPAIN

Arrive Mahón, Menorca 9.00am.

Tour: Built atop majestic cliffs with a beautiful natural harbor below it, Mahón is an unusual blend of Anglo and Spanish characteristics. Visit its well-preserved Moorish remains and uncover a town that was under English rule for the better part of a century.

Wednesday: SÈTE, FRANCE

Arrive Sète, France 9.00am

Tour: Praised for its many canals and quaint neighborhoods, this romantic village is the French equivalent of Venice. There are markets to stroll through, museums to admire and beaches to take in the most breathtaking sunsets.

Thursday: MARSEILLES, FRANCE

Arrive Marseilles 7.00am

Golf: Pont Royal a Seve Ballesteros design which meanders through some undulating terrains that affords for some spectacular golf homes and memorable vistas over the valleys and mountains beyond.

Friday: MARSEILLES, FRANCE

Tour: Enjoy Marseilles on your own.

Saturday: SANARY SUR MER, FRANCE

Arrive Sanary Sur Mer 7.00am.

Golf: Fregate is one of the few golf courses on the French Riviera offering opportunities to take drives out towards the Mediterranean Sea. Panoramic views are stunning and the testing relief is a constant challenge for any golfer. Set in the famous Bandol vineyards, Fregate golf course is one of the most outstanding courses of the Riviera.

Sunday: ST TROPEZ, FRANCE

Arrive St. Tropez, France at 7.00am

Golf: St Maxime Golf offers one of the best views of the bay of St. Tropez. Between sea, scrubland and cork oak forest, the course, rather tight, lays out its 18 holes overlooking the rolling Riviera and the Var hinterland.

Monday: ST TROPEZ, FRANCE

Tour: Enjoy ST TROPEZ on your own.

Tuesday: PORTOFINO, ITALY

Arrive Portofino 7.00am.

Wednesday: MONTE CARLO, MONACO

Arrive Monte Carlo 7.00am. Optional round at the Monte Carlo Golf Club

Tour: Known as the “playground of the Côte d’Azur”, Monaco boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Home to gorgeous beaches, the world’s most prestigious casino and a glorious Oceanographic Museum, this town must be experienced to be believed.

Thursday: NICE FRANCE

Disembark Nice

Cruise Fare from $2,849 pp/dbl

Add Golf Excursions from $3,076

All rates, offers and itineraries are subject to change without notice. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Government taxes & fees are additional.

INCLUSIONS for the Golf Package:

One night pre-cruise stay at Melia Golf Vichy Hotel.

Green fees and starting times for five rounds of golf including shared golf cart.

Transfer from Melia Golf Vichy to join your cruise ship in Barcelona in luxury air conditioned transport.

All transfers to and from the scheduled golf courses in luxury air conditioned transport

Practice range and range golf balls where available

Welcome & Farewell Cocktail parties with hors d’oeuvres

Golfers Social onboard after each round of golf (where scheduling permits)

Two special dinners onboard for passengers on the golf program

Casual tournament format with awards

Golf tee prizes for all participants

All golf bag handling between ship and golf courses plus all luggage handling from pre-cruise hotel to join ship.

Club storage while onboard ship in a secure location

All gratuities for all personnel including starters, bag personnel

Selected special events onboard for non-golfers, such as Spa Experience, Culinary Classes and wine tasting events

INCLUSIONS for the Cruise:

Specified number of nights for the cruise duration in the suite or stateroom of your choice

Breakfast, lunch and dinner while onboard served at your leisure in an open seating format in a choice of restaurant.

Boutique red and white wines with lunch and dinner

Gratuities included for housekeeping, dining and bar staff

Complimentary shuttle bus service in many ports

Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees and teas throughout the day

Complimentary self-service laundry

True English butler service for suite guests

To book this GolfAhoy golf vacation package, please go to our Plan-To-Go Trip Quote Request Form to get started. GolfAhoy Cruise Planners: 877-415-5442 in North America or +001-780-415-5442 International. Fax +1-780-669-5667.