The Western Mediterranean
Golf Cruise to The Western Mediterranean
Aboard Callisto
June 11-22, 2009
In the early summer, when the Mediterranean is at the height of its beauty, we voyage to some of the most inspiring backdrops in the world of golf. Aboard the 34-guest Callisto, we take seasoned golfers where they’ve never before ventured, to pristine courses surrounded by azure waters, shimmering olive groves and whitewashed villages. Opening round is in Nice, at the exquisite Saint-Donat Golf Country Club, followed by tees at Sperone Golf Club, the Robert Trent Jones, Sr., masterpiece situated along the cliffs on the island of Corsica. In Sardinia, the games continue at the exclusive Golf Club Pevero and Is Molas Golf Club, and next it’s on to Tunisia, with its Carthage Golf Course and Golf Citrus Club, both spectacular, challenging layouts. For our finale we play the venerable course at the Royal Malta Golf Club, dating back to 1888. Throughout the voyage, players may take advantage of our onboard golf host, who will be ready to provide instruction and personal feedback on their game. In between games of golf, Callisto will make swimming stops in crystalline bays and visit such timeless landmarks as the Roman amphitheater of El Djem, in Tunisia, harking back to the 2nd century, and Sicily’s memorable medieval town of Cefalu. Our journey of sports and sensation is a true golfer’s paradise.
Host:
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 Dallas, Texas. 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:
Thursday, June 11, 2009
USA
Fly from the United States to Genoa, Italy.
Friday, June 12
GENOA, Italy | EMBARK
Arrive in Genoa and transfer to Callisto.
Saturday, June 13
NICE, France
Golfers will play the opening round of golf at the Saint- Donat Golf Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., creation set in exquisite country near the old and historic Provencal town of Grasse. Those touring will explore Nice and its Matisse museum, housed in a beautiful villa; the small hilltop village of Eze; and the old fortified town of St-Paul-de-Vence and its magnificent Maeght Foundation, a museum with sculptures and paintings by masters of modern art.
Sunday, June 14
ROCCAPINA BAY | BONIFACIO, Corsica
Callisto will anchor in the attractive bay of Roccapina on Corsica’s south coast. We may swim from Callisto’s marina in Roccapina’s crystal-clear water, accessible only from the sea. Later in the day, the ship will navigate the fjord-like waterway that leads to beautiful Bonifacio, where we will spend overnight aboard ship.
Monday, June 15
BONIFACIO
Golfers will play the Sperone Golf Club, one of the Mediterranean’s finest courses. Designed by RobertTrent Jones, Sr., Sperone is located on a breathtaking spot overlooking the sea. Non-golfers will tour Bonifacio, which is built on high limestone cliffs overlooking the strait that separates Corsica from Sardinia. Stroll through the narrow medieval streets and alleyways lined with Gothic architecture.
Tuesday, June 16
PORTO CERVO, Sardinia
Arrive in Sardinia’s Porto Cervo, the center of the famed Costa Smeralda, one of Europe’s premier resorts. Golfers will play the Pevero Golf Club, another outstanding creation of Robert Trent Jones, Sr., which meanders through hills, natural lakes and ponds. Those touring enjoy time to explore elegant Porto Cervo, and also take an excursion to the typical Sardinian town of Arzachena, situated in a lovely setting on terraced hills. Also, visit the two ancient sites near Arzachena, the megalithic tomb of Li Lolghi and the Nuraghic village of La Prisciona, which was inhabited between 2000 and 1000 B.C.
Wednesday, June 17
CAGLIARI
Sardinia’s capital and the island’s main port and largest city, Cagliari was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C. Golfers will play the Is Molas Golf Club, which straddles the sea and pine woods in the resort area of Santa Margherita. Non-golfers will tour the ancient Phoenician-Roman site of Nora and enjoy time at leisure to explore Cagliari.
Thursday, June 18
TUNIS, Tunisia
Tunisia is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the Mediterranean’s best golf destinations. Arrive in Tunis, the country’s cosmopolitan capital. Golfers will play Carthage Golf Course, Tunisia’s oldest course. Located near legendary Carthage, it is set amidst cypress, pine, palm and olive trees. Skill and accuracy are required to achieve par. Those touring will visit Carthage, the Phoenicians’ major settlement in the Western Mediterranean and a power of the ancient world, and the famed Bardo Museum, with its superb collection of mosaics. Also enjoy time at leisure to explore Tunis’s colorful souks.
Friday, June 19
HAMMAMET
Cruising along Tunisia’s coast, we arrive in lovely Hammamet, one of Tunisia’s most attractive resort areas. Golfers will play Golf Citrus Club, a magnificent golf complex located between the Bay of Hammamet, olive groves and forested hills. Those touring will enjoy an excursion to the great Roman amphitheater of El Djem, built in the 3rd century a.d. to accommodate 35,000 spectators. Many of the amphitheater’s stones were re-used to build the local 17th-century village. Alternatively, discover Kairouan, Arabic for “caravan.” This Muslim holy city, founded in a.d. 670 by nomad Arab conquerors, is Tunisia’s spiritual and religious capital, famed for the Great Mosque of Sidi Okba and the Sidi Sahab Mausoleum.
Saturday, June 20
VALLETTA, Malta
Enjoy the morning at sea. In the afternoon, dock in Valletta, Malta’s striking and historic capital. Overnight aboard ship docked in Valletta.
Sunday, June 21
VALLETTA
Golfers will play the Royal Malta Golf Club, one of Europe’s oldest golf clubs, founded in 1888. Beautifully maintained and upgraded, the club remains one of the island’s landmarks. The 1st and 11th holes are considered the signature holes of the course. Those on tour will explore Valletta, with visits to the Co-Cathedral of St. John, a rich repository for some of Malta’s finest art treasures; the Palace of the Grand Masters; and the Museum of Archaeology.
Monday, June 22
CATANIA, Sicily | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in the morning in Catania and transfer to the airport for return flights to the United States.
Program Inclusions:
• 10-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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