Southern Spain & Morocco
Golf Cruise to Southern Spain & Morocco
Privileged Golf Yachting Aboard the 34-Guest Yacht
Callisto
December 8 - 17, 2008
Southern Spain and Morocco: lands of spellbinding mosaics, breathtaking vistas, bright spices, festive cultures—and premier golf courses. As winter settles in at home, indulge both your zeal for adventure and passion for golf in one unforgettable voyage.
Over the last ten years, top-notch courses have proliferated in this corner of the world because, in addition to scenic landscapes and piquant cuisine, its balmy Mediterranean breezes and 300 annual days of sunshine make it a year-round golfer’s and traveler’s paradise. Amid green foothills and picturesque Andalusian villages, play on continental Europe’s preeminent courses, including Valderrama, which in 1997 became the only club outside of the U.S. and Great Britain to have hosted golf’s pinnacle event, the Ryder Cup. In dreamlike Morocco, leave the crowds behind and be one of the few to experience such pristine courses as the El Jadida Royal Golf Course, whose flowering dunes are back dropped by the Atlas Mountains. While sailing the blue waters between ports, our onboard golf host will provide instruction and personal feedback on your game. Should you want to take a break from golf, each day offers an alternative touring option—discover the sublime Alhambra and explore fabled Marrakech, among others. If you’re both a sophisticated traveler and a dedicated golfer, this unique voyage aboard the elegant Callisto is a dream come true.
Hosts:
Rick Howard is a Master Teaching Professional whose experience with both PGA TOUR and LPGA players coupled with over 12 years of golf instruction experience give him an extraordinarily deep understanding of both the golf swing and the game of golf. Using state-of-the-art video equipment, Rick’s simple, yet effective, teaching philosophy has improved the golf games of thousands of golfers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Rick has served as the Director of Instruction at Oakmont Country Club, in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. He has worked with several top-name athletes and celebrities, including Adam Baldwin, Rick Rhoden, Al Del Greco, Tony Romo and Dick Anderson, just to name a few. A former Golf Professional of the Year, Rick was a finalist on the Golf Channel’s “Big Break VI.” Rick has also been featured in several golf instruction publications. He is married with three children: Brian, Whitney and Claire. He and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Dallas, Texas.
Deck Plans and Rates:
ITINERARY:
Monday, December 8, 2008
USA
Fly from the United States to Malaga, the gateway to Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Tuesday, December 9
MALAGA, Costa del Sol, Spain | EMBARK
Arrive in Malaga. Meet at the airport and transfer to the port to embark Callisto. In the evening, attend a welcome cocktail reception hosted by the captain. Overnight aboard ship docked in Malaga. Wednesday, December 10
Wednesday, December 10
MALAGA
Golfers will enjoy the opening round of golf at Real Club de Golf Las Brisas. Near Marbella, our intimate group accesses Las Brisas, which hosted the World Cup of Golf in 1973 and 1989. This classic golf course is a great beginning to our golf in Spain and Morocco. Touring travelers will take a full-day excursion to Granada, site of the celebrated Alhambra, the palacefortress of the 13th-century Nasrid sultans. With its splendid palaces, fragrant gardens and spacious courtyards, the Alhambra represents the brilliance of Moorish culture, art and architecture.
Thursday, December 11
GIBRALTAR
Our two days in Gibraltar will make it possible to play two of Europe’s finest courses, Spain’s Sotogrande and Valderrama. Golfers are first treated to Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr., masterpiece on the Costa del Sol, often rated in the top ten courses in Europe. Set in the foothills of the Sierra del Almeria, Sotogrande provides a memorable golf experience. Touring travelers will explore Gibraltar, the famed Rock landmark, one of Britain’s few remaining colonies. Ascend to the top of the Rock and visit Gibraltar’s main sites, including Saint Michael’s Cave, the Upper Galleries and the Gibraltar Museum. Other sites include Nelson’s Anchorage and, of course, Gibraltar’s famed tailless monkeys.
Friday, December 12
GIBRALTAR
Today play at Club de Golf Valderrama, the perennial #1 golf course in continental Europe. The venerable cork oak and olive trees frame this majestic layout and give each hole a distinctive feel. The site of the 1997 Ryder Cup and notorious for the approach shot to the 17th green, Valderrama offers one of the most superlative golf experiences worldwide. Those touring will explore the characteristic Andalusian “White Town” of Casares, set spectacularly on a hillside below a castle. Wander around the twisting and narrow alleyways flanked by the architecture typical of the region, and enjoy the fantastic views from the Alcazar, the remains of a Moorish castle.
Saturday, December 13
TANGIER, Morocco
Arrive in Tangier, Morocco’s historic city, whose strategic position guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean has attracted Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths,Arabs, Portuguese, Spaniards and others. Explore Tangier’s narrow lanes, and visit the interesting Old American Legation Museum.
Sunday, December 14
CASABLANCA | RABAT | CASABLANCA
After docking in Casablanca in the morning, drive to Rabat to play the Royal Dar Es Salam Golf Club, a glorious golf complex designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Royal Dar Es Salam opened because of the late King Hassan II’s passion for golf and is now the heart of golf nationwide in Morocco. Touring passengers will visit Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital, whose position on an estuary has attracted settlers from the earliest times. Experience Rabat’s historic monuments, including the Medina, which encompasses the evocative Kasbah des Oudaias, and other landmark sites.
Monday, December 15
JORF-LASFAR | MARRAKECH | JORF-LASFAR
Arrive at the port of Jorf-Lasfar for our full-day excursion to fabled Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Capitals, founded in the 11th century and set among gardens and palm groves. Our exploration includes the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret; the Bahia Palace; the Ben Youssef Medressa; the Jewish Quarter; and Djemma el-Fna, the city’s central square at the heart of the Medina. There will also be the opportunity to walk through Marrakech’s colorful souks before we drive back to Jorf-Lasfar to spend the night aboard ship docked in port.
Tuesday, December 16
JORF-LASFAR/EL JADIDA/JORF-LASFAR
Golfers play El Jadida Royal Golf Course, recently listed by Golf Digest as the top golf course in Morocco. Situated close to the Atlantic Coast and designed by Cabell Robinson, El Jadida will capture guests with its stunning natural beauty. Those touring will explore El Jadida, whose old Medina has a distinct flavor of the Portuguese, who held the town for over 250 years from the 16th to 18th centuries. Nearby is Azemmour, another Portuguese stronghold, whose walls are built above the banks of a river and circle the city.
Wednesday, December 17
CASABLANCA | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in Casablanca in the morning and transfer to the airport for the Rabat, Morocco, return flight to the United States.
Program Inclusions:
• 8-night cruise aboard the 34-guest private yacht Callisto
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions
• All meals aboard Callisto, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions as described
• All golf arrangements, including green fees and golf carts
• Accompanying golf host
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare; visa and passport fees; luggage, cancellation and accident insurance; meals and beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes and e-mail service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel
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