2010 OVERSEAS GOLF TOURS

Golfing holiday

to the

COSTA DEL SOL

2 – 12 September 2010

They say that September on the Costa del Sol is as close to golfing bliss as it gets! Great golf courses, sunshine without excessive heat, whitewashed buildings, the buzz of the coast, long dinners with sangria by the jug full, vibey nightlife and of course shopping, bazaars and markets for the shoppers. And the Europeans are finished with their holidays!

For all those golfers who want to get away to play golf, have an overseas holiday and simply enjoy themselves, we have packaged the tour especially for a group comprising couples.

Based in ever-popular Puerto Banus, the package promises you golf, sun and loads of fun. Even if you have been to Spain before, you don’t want to miss this one! The programme has been structured so that you can be part of the group or you can break away as you like. And once again we have included a car per room to give you total flexibility in your movements. Venues for evening dinners (always an important part of such a tour) have been carefully worked out and an evening or two in beautiful Benahavis is a must for everyone. Tee-off times booked are all morning times on A-category courses which have been specially selected for their challenge and beauty.

While the package includes a car per room, some couples have indicated that they wish to share cars and this will reduce their package price. The size (and therefore price) of the shared vehicle will depend on the number of golfers in the car.

This is what awaits you when you board the plane:

Thursday 2 September
Assemble late afternoon in Johannesburg before departing for Spain.

Friday 3 September
We land in Malaga on the Costa del Sol and collect our cars and drive along the coast, past Marbella to Puerto Banus…the centre of the buzz on the Costa del Sol. Our hotel is situated just two hundred meters from the world-renowned marina and the endless restaurants, bars and nightclubs which line the marina. Many of our previous groups have stayed in the hotel and we again chose the hotel for its modernity, location and facilities, which include a small kitchenette in every room. After checking in, we have the afternoon free for a stroll along the marina, go sightseeing or head for a nearby tapas bar for our first Sangria on the Costa del Sol.

Saturday 4 September
Today is a day at leisure to allow everyone to get over the travelling, but of course there will be some in the group who want to play an extra optional round today. Most of the group will start exploring and enjoying the region in earnest this morning. From the superb modern shopping centre almost alongside our hotel, to the boutiques of Marbella. From the waterfront tourist shops at the marina to the fascinating shops in the Old City of Marbella. From the waterside bars of the Puerto Banus Marina to the sun-splashed tapas bars on the Marbella promenade. Or a short outing to the many tiny villages with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and sun splashed bougainvillea. And for the sun lovers, the famous beaches of the Costa del Sol or the hotel’s own pool await you.

Sunday 5 September
Our first chance to savour the superb golf on the Costa del Sol is at the beautiful Los Naranjos, a short drive from our hotel and always in superb condition. After an afternoon beside the pool or on the beach, take a short drive into the hills and enjoy dinner in the town of Benahavis, where nearly every building houses a restaurant. Join up with the group or enjoy a quiet dinner on your own….either way it will be a memorable evening! And of course Sunday is Bullfight Day in Spain and the nearest ring is just 5 minutes from our hotel – you won’t necessarily enjoy it if you decide to attend, but it is an experience you will never forget.

Monday 6 September
The lovely winding Santa Maria course has enchanted many of our groups in the past and is certain to be a hit with this year’s group. Lying in the foothills, it offers stunning views over the Mediterranean as well some breathtaking holes over lakes and hills. After golf, we suggest that you explore the mountain village of Mijas, an enchanting labyrinth of white buildings and cobbled streets perched tightly against the mountainside with stunning views down the coast and across the Mediterranean. Sip sangria at the street bars and watch the shadows lengthen over the coast below before trying the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants. And if you need a taxi at the end of the evening, remember that the taxis in Mijas are donkeys!

Tuesday 7 September
Time to take a break from the golf and get in some serious sightseeing! Top of the list for many will be nearby Gibraltar, but other popular day outings will include Ronda (one of the most interesting and visited towns in the region) and Granada, where they will see the Alhambra (a World Heritage Sight). For those wanting to play golf today, we shall arrange golf with the hotel’s golf desk’s discounted rates on the course of your choice. If you decide to play Valderrama, the challenge will be to tame the course that played host to the 1997 Ryder Cup. This amazing and controversial course winds its way between long-established trees and remains the most sought after (and expensive) course on the Costa del Sol. It really is a day at leisure to do as you like, with your own car the choice is yours….suntan beside the pool or on the beach with the rich and famous, go exploring the small Andalucian villages in the nearby hills, seek out further Spanish shopping bargains…the only problem you will have is finding time for everything.

Wednesday 8 September
Santa Clara, the exciting course designed by Enrique Canales and which is receiving praise from everyone who plays it, is our course for today. Described as a typically “dramatic” Spanish course, it features spectacular water features on a number of holes and will be as enjoyable as it is beautiful. Even the palm trees come into play!

Thursday 9 September
Golf today is at the stunningly beautiful La Quinta Country Club, the highly-acclaimed course which will remain etched in your memory for a long, long time. The Club Director is an old friend and we can look forward to an extra special welcome. As the sun sets this evening, we shall no doubt be sipping sangria or our favourite long cool drink beside the marina as we soak in the atmosphere with the rich and famous of Puerto Banus for the last time on this tour.

Friday 10 September
After a morning kept open for last minute shopping, tanning or catching the sights missed earlier, it’s a short drive back to Malaga airport to drop off our cars before boarding our flight home.

Saturday 11 September
Our flight arrives back in Johannesburg mid-morning, and it’s time to share our memories with those unfortunate folk who were not with us on the tour!

The tour package includes:

• Return economy airfares

• Experienced tour leader

• 8 night’s accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis

• 4 green fees (additional golf can be arranged at the applicable discounted rate through our hotel as required

• car rental (1 car per room), including unlimited mileage and insurance

• Experienced tour guide

• Daily golf competitions

• DVD with all the photographs taken on tour

• detailed tour itinerary and accompanied outings to major sightseeing attractions

• sightseeing guide-list for non-golfers

Not included:

• visa costs (Shengen visa)

• airport departure taxes (currently R 3 200,00)

• international driver’s licence

• personal travel insurance

• meals not listed

• petrol

• parking

Package price: The package prices for the tour are:

Category	Rc
Golfer – sharing	15 790,00
Non –golfer sharing	13 240,00
Golfer - single	On request

a golfing holiday to

Pattaya, Thailand

14 – 24 October 2010

AMAZING PACKAGE PRICES NEGOTIATED

Golfer sharing – R11 795,00     Non-golfer – R 8 795,00

This is the best value golfing package you are ever going to see!

We have negotiated the very best deals with airlines’ hotels and golf courses and as the world economy slowly recovers, so too will their prices rise.

We have passed these savings on to you…we hope you can make it!!!

Thailand, the “land of smiles”, is a holiday destination that offers a range of experiences not to be found in any other single destination…..….. sweeping coastlines dotted with islands and secluded beaches, rugged jungle mountains, fascinating modern cities, fine shopping and superb cuisine. And of course, magnificent golf courses!

The Golf Travel Company regularly packages exciting 10 day golfing holidays to this exotic golfing destination which offers so much more than the average golfing tour. Pattaya, with an abundance of top courses designed by the world’s best course designers, is the undisputed centre of fine golf in Thailand and we have selected the very finest of these courses for your tour……most of which are rated by our clients as being better than any course to be found in South Africa! And because of the endless attractions away from the golf courses, non-golfers will have the time of their lives as well.

This is what you can look forward to when you board the plane in October:

Thursday 14 October:

Assemble late morning at Johannesburg International before boarding our flight to Bangkok.

Friday 15 October:
On arrival at Bangkok’s magnificent new airport, we are transferred by air-conditioned coach to our 4-star resort hotel in Pattaya. Situated at the northern end of this bustling seaside resort town, this will be our base for the next eight nights on a bed and buffet breakfast basis. Guests have the choice of the comfortable Standard rooms or the luxury Superior rooms. The hotel also has two swimming pools with sun tanning in a tropical garden atmosphere and even a “swim-up” bar.

Pattaya, Asia’s premier beach resort, offers a wide diversity of fine restaurants, shopping and entertainment. It is also the centre of Thailand’s best golfing region and is the ideal environment for an active golfing holiday.

After unpacking and freshening up and the chance to relax beside the pool, start exploring or catch up on sleep, we shall head for the Lobster Pot, Pattaya’s ever-popular waterfront restaurant to sample the internationally famed Thai dishes from the region and get to know the other members of the group a little better.

Saturday 16 October:
Today is a day to settle into Pattaya, our home for the next 8 days…check out the beaches, the shops, the top sights, leisure activities and the bars. After a leisurely breakfast join us for an orientation outing to the beach, the market and of course the chance to have lunch beside the ocean. This afternoon enjoy a Thai massage to relax those muscles and move into true holiday feeling.

This evening after sundowners in the hotel’s el fresco bar head down to “Walking Street” … Pattaya’s frenetic restaurant and nightlife mall for dinner and watch the amazing world go by!

Sunday 17 October:
This morning it is time to finally play golf here in the “land of smiles” and the ideal choice for your first round of golf in Thailand is Pattana GC. Built on over 1,000 acres of land, the palm trees, large water hazards, undulating fairways and fast greens make it a challenging but beautiful layout. Widely considered as the second best golf course in Pattaya, just behind Laem Chabang.

All transfers to the golf courses during the tour are by air-conditioned coach and caddy fees are included in the package price.

Today, the non-golfers are sure to be found experiencing the wonders of the country or shopping at markets where bargains are the word, or visiting the world-renowned jewellery factory just a five minute walk from our hotel.

After golf, there is time to relax beside the pool at our hotel before heading out for dinner at one of Pattaya’s fine Thai or international restaurants, followed by a stroll through the stalls in the night bazaar.

Monday 18 October:
Golf today will be at the magnificent Burrapha GC, which lies in rolling and the design takes full advantage of the beauty of the land…lakes, hills, mango plantations, palms and tropical vegetation. A truly Thai environment.

Dinner under the stars at a beach front restaurant is the norm, followed by the customary stroll along Walking Street and a nightcap at one of the many bars.

Tuesday 29 October:
Today is a break from golf and you have the opportunity to choose from the many attractions and outings offered in and around Pattaya. From elephant shows to catamaran cruises along the island-dotted coastline, from ancient arts and crafts to simply soaking in the sun and enjoying the local scenery and cuisine, it will be the perfect day to recharge batteries. And for those who want to play golf today, our local guide will be on hand to arrange it all for you. A visit to Coral Island, an hour’s boat cruise off the coast is always a highlight, where the warm crystal clear waters are perfect for cooling down and for the adventurous there is parasailing, snorkelling and jet-skiing.

Wednesday 20 October:
Today’s golf is at the Khao Kheow Golf & Country Club, a Pete Dye design with numerous large lakes, bunkers and hills that surround the greens and fairways creating a truly tropical experience. The course layout is based on the renowned PPC Sawgrass in the USA. The local knowledge of the female caddies will help you read the lines on this magnificent course, which has a number of water hazards including the replica of the famed island green of Sawgrass on the par-three 17^th hole.

Thursday 21 October:
Laem Chabang Golf and Country Club is Jack Nicklaus’s highly-acclaimed contribution to golf in Thailand and is guaranteed to be long remembered by all who walk its luscious green fairways. This championship course is undoubtedly one of the finest you will ever play, with its

27-hole layout……the ‘Mountain’, ‘Lake’ and ‘Creek’ loops each offering interesting variations in terrain. The rolling hills of the surrounding countryside have been used to good effect and the exposed rock formations add to the beauty of the fairways.

Friday 22 October:
Our last full day in Pattaya has been left open to enable everyone to spend it the way they would like to. Playing an optional round of golf, enjoying the sights and excursions, shopping or just relaxing beside the ocean or the pool, it will be as busy or relaxed as you want it to be.

This evening it will be time to enjoy one last dinner beside the ocean and enjoy the friendly Thai service that goes with it.

Saturday 23 October:
This morning there is time for some last minute shopping before we board our coach at lunchtime for the transfer to Bangkok Airport and our flight back home.

Sunday 24 October:
Our flight arrives in Johannesburg early-morning, and it’s time to share our memories of wonderful Thailand with all those unfortunate folk that were not with us on the tour (and to find a way past customs with all our purchases from the bazaars of Pattaya).

The tour package includes:

• Return economy airfares from Johannesburg

• 8 night’s Resort Hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis

• 4 rounds of A-Grade golf (optional additional golf easily arranged)

• All caddy fees

• Golf cars included at all courses

• Air-conditioned coach transfers

• DVD featuring the photographs taken of the group during the tour

• Experienced tour leader and the services of an English speaking local tour guide throughout the tour

• On-site assistance and support for activities for non-golfers

• Comprehensive pre-tour literature about the tour, the destinations and the attractions

Not included:

• visa costs (no visa required by South Africans into Thailand)

• medical and cancellation insurance

• airport taxes (currently R2 600,00)

• gratuities

Package price: The “per person” package prices for the tour are:

CATEGORY	Package Price	Surcharge per person for 8 nights in Upgrade room
Golfer sharing a room	R 11 795,00	550,00
Non–golfer sharing a room	R 8 795,00	550,00
Golfer alone in a room	R 14 245,00	980,00

a golfing holiday to

BUENOS AIRES

ARGENTINA

7 – 15 November 2010

Golf on world class coursesHuge steaksAmazing Latin American experience
4 star luxury

Buenos Aires is a city of Paris-inspired boulevards and historical neighbourhoods. Home of the tango and the finest steaks to be found. Where leather work is an art form and nightlife is rumbustuous and elegant. Where natural beauty and passionate inhabitants define a lifestyle centred around fine music, excellent food and endless shopping.

Buenos Aires is also home to some superb golf courses…

so book early and join us on a golfing holiday to this pulsating country

….then experience it all for yourself!

Our 2009 tour is scheduled for November in order to avoid the cold of winter

and the heat of the Argentinean summer in the early part of the year.

This is what you can look forward to when you board the plane in November:

Sunday 7 November
Assemble early morning before boarding our flight in Johannesburg for our departure for Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thanks to the time difference, we arrive in Buenos Aires mid-afternoon and will be able to enjoy the sights of this beautiful city en route to our central hotel. After checking in, we have the late-afternoon free to start exploring the City or just relaxing in one of the many nearby restaurants and sampling the food, wine and musical pleasures of Buenos Aires.

Monday 8 November
This morning we go on a guided city tour, which includes all the “must see” sights of Buenos Aires. These include the “pink palace” where Evita waved to the crowds from the balcony, “Caminito” where the entire street is a museum and which features the most colourful buildings, the world famous Colon Theatre (the 2^nd most important Opera House in the world), Avenue 9^th July which boasts no fewer than 27 lanes and is accepted as the world’s widest street, the exclusive waterfront redevelopment lined with shops and restaurants, Florida Street (the busiest shopping mall you will ever see), a street-walk tango dance and much more.

Later today take a stroll down Florida Street to compare prices and get into the mood of this throbbing city before heading for an “Asador Parrilla”, or Argentinean grill-house, to savour one of the region’s legendary steaks.

Tuesday 9 November
Our first round of golf in Argentina is at Argentina’s most prestigious golf club, Jockey Club GC, a Golf Digest Top 100 course. Designed by Augusta National designer, Allister Mackenzie, Jockey Club has hosted The World Cup, the European Tour and the Argentinan Championships.

While the golfers are enjoying the “Jockey Club experience”, the non-golfers will no-doubt be exploring the endless shopping attractions, both in the up-market malls and the street markets. Argentinian handcrafts and clothing are world-renowned and there are bargains aplenty awating the shoppers in the group. The famous landmarks, buildings and European style squares with coffee shops make for fascinating sightseeing and relaxing in Buenos Aires.

After today’s round on a course which will be long remembered, the restaurants and live-entertainment venues of Buenos Aires await you…and you will be pleased to learn that the locals take pride in never disappointing their visitors!

Wednesday 10 November
The course today is PILAR GC, where a truly round of golf awaits us today! The stunning Pilar GC is destined to become South America’s premier golf course and already has critics raving about the beauty of its natural setting. Perfectly nestled in the rolling Argentinean countryside, the course winds around numerous lakes, wetland, native trees and ornamental grass outcroppings. It hosted the 2006 and 2007 Argentinian Open and is certainly a course where you need your camera close by.

This evening we have the opportunity to attend a live Tango show…an unforgettable evening which always has the crowd on its feet. Bring your camera to capture the beauty and elegance of the most passionate dance of them all.

Thursday 11 November
Today is time to take a break from golf and spend the day relaxing, shopping and exploring the sights of spectacular Buenos Aires or experience the life and legends of the gaucho (the Argentinean cowboy) during a full-day excursion to an estancia (cattle ranch). The outing to the estancia includes a spectacular horse and skills show by the gauchos, the largest Parrilla (braai) you will ever see with the largest steaks imaginable and a live-show featuring song and dance including the passionate tango. For those who want to play an optional round of golf today, we can arrange tee-off ties on many of Buenos Aires’ famous and challenging courses to suit your preferred start time.

Friday 12 November
The stunning ESTANCIA DE PILAR GC is the ideal course to continue our golfing week in Argentina! Designed by the renowned Randall Thompson (President of the USA Course Designers Assoc), the course moulds the rolling Pampas countryside and numerous water hazards into a visual and golfing pleasure. The club’s infrastructure is world class and is a golfing experince to be remembered.

Saturday 13 November
Golf today is on the San Eliseo Golf & Country Club course, Considered as “the golf course of my dreams” by the great Roberto de Vicenzo. Feature of the course are the 7 lakes and magnificent landscaping. The club has hosted the Argentine Senior Championship, the Roberto De Vicenzo Classic and the Argentine PGA Championship

For dinner this evening, a visit to an Asador Parrilla with live entertainment is always a good idea for a final dinner.

Sunday 14 November
Our flight home only departs this evening, so there is still time to catch up on shopping and sightseeing and enjoying the food, drink and music of Buenos Aires before our coach transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Monday 15 November
Our flight arrives in Johannesburg early morning. Then it’s time to share our memories of wonderful Buenos Aires with all those unfortunate folk who were not with us on the tour (and to find a way past customs with all our bargains from Argentina).

OPTIONAL EXTENSION

A 3-day optional extension to the spectacular Iguazu falls is available.

The tour package includes:

• 7 night’s accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis

• 4 rounds of golf

• Half day City tour of Buenos Aires

• All transfers

• Experienced tour leader

• CD-Rom featuring the photographs taken of the group and destination during the tour

Not included in the tour package:

• visa costs where relevant (not required by South African passport holders)

• travel insurance

• airport departure taxes

• sightseeing not specified

• Day outing to an estancia on the Pampas

• optional extension to Iguazu Falls

Package prices per person:

CATEGORY	PACKAGE PRICE PP
Golfer sharing a room	15 245,00
Non–golfer sharing a room	11 860,00
Golfer alone in a room	18 430,00

Click here for enquiries – send us your mail – info@golfinthegardenroute.co.za