“Play the World!”

Inside

Spring 2014

Mediterranean sunshine golf The best of France Turkey, Bulgaria & Morocco 22 exclusive offers Booking incentives W5077

The Director’s Contents 2

Director’s Cut

3

Booking incentives

3-5

Mediterranean sunshine!

6-7

The best of France

8

Turkey, Bulgaria & Morocco

Front cover: Stunning Thracian Cliffs at the Lighthouse Resort, Bulgaria - see page 8.

PLANET

Dear Golfer, Welcome to the latest issue of Gimme - the exclusive magazine from French Golf Holidays and GolfPlanet Holidays! We’re focusing on an old favourite, sure-fire winners and two sunshine golf destinations, one of which is well-known and the other is up-and-coming... All with great value. France was where we first offered golf holidays in 1981. This year, we’ve got great deals at hidden gems like Golf Parc in Normandy and Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon in Senlis (a beautiful small town where time seems to have stood still for 200 years or more) as well as very attractive packages in favourites like La Bretesche and Golf Hotel Medoc. France is easy to get to and offers real style and fabulous food. With 20 golf courses in Europe’s Top 100, it also has lots of seriously good challenges for players of all standards. Most of the leading courses are spread around the country so, wherever you go, you’ll not be too far from at least one of them. All told, there are nearly 550 courses in France and we know all of them. Clients choose us for France for our knowledge and our ability to create exciting or relaxing tours and classic golf breaks at the likes of Le Touquet, Deauville and Chantilly. Turkey has been the preferred winter destination for many golfers for several years and it’s easy to see why - high-quality golf, fantastic All-Inclusive options and fine hotels. Morocco is becoming a serious contender for winter golf as it’s a little closer, superb value and offers more ‘after-golf’ than the most lively of us could ever want. And with a recent wave of wonderful new courses by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Kyle Phillips and Cabell Robinson, the keenest of golfers will also be satisfied.

Sueno Dunes, Belek, Turkey (see page 8)

As we’re sending more clients to both Turkey and Morocco, we recently went back to both to check out the hotels and courses and sign some new deals. The result is cheaper prices for you and better service from our small, family-run partners based in Belek and Marrakech. Southern Europe has always been a favourite with a myriad of destinations stretching from Faro in Portugal through to Cyprus. Take your pick from our selection of resorts featuring quality accommodation, great golf and the seaside. Our new website should simplify matters for clients past, present and future: www.golfplanetholidays.com is the home of GolfPlanet and French Golf. The website is easier to navigate and shows almost all of what we know and offer. The rest is kept up our sleeve so it’s always best to call us for the latest and greatest information. Play well!

Morgan Clarke, and the team at GolfPlanetHolidays.com Morgan’s direct number: 01277 284285 [email protected]

FRENCH GOLF

Hunter House, 150 Hutton Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15 8NL. Tel: 01277 284 284 www.golfplanetholidays.com Est. 1981

ABTA

Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco (see page 8)

W5077

2

www.golfplanetholidays.com

All prices are based on the Commercial Exchange Rate as featured in the Financial Times on April 6th 2014.

Holiday vouchers

PLANET

Added values from the specialists in golf holidays

ways to make your holiday even more attractive. Just quote the relevant offer when calling or emailing us, or cut it out and post it to us and make the most of these offers.

We do our very best to provide best-value holidays but we all need a little encouragement from time to time. So we’ve come up with two

Winter Giveaway

Eurotunnel Upgrade

Tell us what you want for free! Book a holiday to travel between November 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015 and you can tell us what you want for free and we'll do out best free buggy, free room upgrade, free welcome dinner...Let us know Name:

✃

Offer valid from July 15 to August 28, 2014 or November 1 to February 28, 2015 Name:

Non-combinable with our other promotions. Booking Terms and Conditions are published in our brochure and on our website.

PLANET

Book a holiday for four or more people for three or more nights to France and we'll offer you a free upgrade to Eurotunnel Flexiplus for one car.

✃

✃

FRENCH GOLF

Hunter House, 150 Hutton Road, Shenfield, CM15 8NL. Tel: 01277 284 284 www.golfplanetholidays.com

Gift Voucher FRENCH GOLF

Non-combinable with our other promotions. Booking Terms and Conditions are published in our brochure and on our website.

PLANET

✃

Hunter House, 150 Hutton Road, Shenfield, CM15 8NL. Tel: 01277 284 284 www.golfplanetholidays.com

FRENCH GOLF

Mediterranean sunshine golf! Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus ***** Paphos

Voted Europe’s Top Golf Resort last year, Aphrodite Hills ticks all the boxes with a large choice of restaurants, a beautiful golf course and superb facilities including the Beach Club. And it’s just 20 minutes from the sights and sounds of Paphos. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Meet & Greet and private return resort transfers Seven nights’ bed and buffet in de luxe seaview bedrooms Four rounds of golf with buggy at Aphrodite Hills £625 per person based on a party of four between June 1 and July 20 and September 12 and October 18, 2014 £565 per person based on a party of eight Free accommodation for up to three children (up to 17 years old) sharing a family room with their parents These prices are for holidays booked by April 30, 2014 - add £60 per person if you book after April 30, 2014 The room upgrade to seaview is for holidays booked by May 15, 2014

Call our team on 01277 284284

3

Mediterranean sunshine golf! Dolce Fregate, Provence, France **** Marseille, Toulon, Nimes or Nice

With an exceptional location overlooking the golf course and Mediterranean, Dolce Fregate has a great deal going for it and the bedrooms add to the attraction with warm Provencal design and sea-view balconies. The sports facilities are impressive with tennis, indoor and outdoor pools, a stunning 18-hole golf course and a nice nine-holer too.

Borgo Egnazia, Apulia, Italy ***** Brindisi

There's a vineyard on site and many lovely villages, seaside resorts and restaurants of Provence are within a 15-minute drive. ● Five nights' bed and buffet breakfast in a twin/double bedroom ● A welcome dinner ● Three rounds of golf at Fregate ● VW Polo five-door hire car with all insurances ● £625 per person until July 4, 2014, based on a party of two

Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, Istria, Croatia ***** Pula or Trieste (over the Italian border)

Beautiful Italian style in the stunning south-east corner of Italy. Unbeatable quality and our unbeatable price. When you add a world-class hotel company like Kempinski and the perfect Adriatic coastline, you're on to a winner. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and close to the old fishing port of Savudrija, this is a luxury hideway to savour. Kempsinski hotels are famous for their spas and Adriatic is no exception with 3000m2 of relaxation waiting for you. The bedrooms are chic and spacious with the latest technology to enjoy while taking in the sea or country views from your balcony or terrace. ● ● ● ● ●

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Private VIP return airport transfers (Mercedes S500 or Audi A8) Seven nights' bed and buffet breakfast in a double or twin bedroom Three rounds of golf at Golf Adriatic £899 per person from September 19 to 30, 2014 and booked by June 19, 2014, based on a party of two £949 per person from May 1 to June 30, 2014 based on a party of two

www.golfplanetholidays.com

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● Seven nights’ bed and buffet breakfast in a La Corte Bella double or twin bedroom ● Welcome Apulian clubhouse lunch ● Five rounds of golf at San Domenico ● or three spa treatments (two massages and one Roman detox bath with salt scrub) for non-golfers ● Free WiFi ● Free access to Beach Club ● Midsize hire car with all insurances ● £1049 per person in June, September and October

Flights can be booked with our ATOL-bonded flight partner - please contact us for details.

PLANET

Is Molas, Sardinia ****

FRENCH GOLF

Castillo Son Vida, Mallorca *****

Cagliari

Palma

Sardinia is one of the prettiest islands on Earth and we’ve negotiated a super seaside deal at the four-star Is Molas hotel with its own golf course created by Henry Cotton and Frank Pennink. With the Mediterranean on one side and the mountains on the other, this resort is great for golfers and their families. ● Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast in Seaview twin/double bedrooms ● Unlimited golf at Is Molas ● Free access to pool and Beach Club from May to October ● People-mover hire car with all insurances ● £599 per person until May 31 and from September 1 to November 2, 2014

This is perfect hotel for many of our long-standing clients. Discreet, stylish and yet relaxed, and not too big, the Castillo Son Vida is a fine five-star hotel with 54 holes on your doorstep or a quick shuttle bus ride away.

Doubletree Hilton Emporda, Costa Brava, Spain **** Girona or Barcelona

A stylish and sporty four-star with two great golf courses and 87 spacious bedrooms with balcony overlooking the golf course and Catalan countryside. The restaurant serves exciting Spanish dishes and Chef has trained at such legendary establishments as El Bulli and La Cuina de Can Pipes Mont Ras. The bar comes complete with fireplace and a lively atmosphere. Emporda is 30 minutes from the ancient city of Girona. For golf, you're spoilt with Robert von Hagge weaving his magic among 18 holes of links and 18 holes of forest. Four nights' bed and breakfast in double or twin bedrooms Four days’ unlimited golf at the two Emporda courses Estate hire car with all insurances £350 per person before June 30 or between September 1 and October 31, 2014, based on a party of four ● Stay a fifth night with extra round of golf and free spa entrance for £89 including hire car ● ● ● ●

There are 164 bedrooms - all detailed to perfection. For food, two restaurants, the bar, the Pool Bar and the Lounge should keep you happy! And you can enjoy a Dine Around facility with the two restaurants of the adjacent Arabella Sheraton if you fancy more choice. Son Muntaner - one of the best courses in Spain - Son Vida and Son Quint provide a super variety of challenge and design. ● Five nights' bed and breakfast in a Classic twin or double bedroom ● Two dinners ● Welcome fresh fruit in bedroom ● Free access to the spa ● Three rounds of golf (with free shuttle and practice balls) at the three resort golf courses ● Ford Focus hire car with all insurances ● £699 per person until May 28, 2014, based on a party of two ● £739 per person from May 29 to July 5, 2014, based on a party of two

La Manga, Costa Blanca, Spain ***** Murcia or Alicante

One of the leading golf resorts in Europe for the past 40 years, La Manga is looking fresh and continues to be a true five-star destination for every generation. Superb facilities for all the family and cracking value too. ● Three nights’ bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Principe Felipe ● Two-course dinner (excluding drinks) every night at a choice of four restaurants ● Two rounds of golf at North, South or West courses ● Second drink free at the Piano Bar (same drink as the first one) ● People mover hire car with all insurances ● £339 per person from April 1 to June 30, 2014, based on a party of four

email us: [email protected]

5

The best of France! Le Manoir, Le Touquet ***

Check out the extra value with our deal at the most famous golf hotel in France. A fabulous price for a great destination - and just 45 minutes from Calais. ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Three nights’ bed and buffet breakfast at Le Manoir golf hotel A welcome dinner (excluding drinks) Three rounds at Le Touquet La Mer and La Foret One round at Hardelot Les Pins or Les Dunes P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car £365 per person valid Sunday to Thursday nights from April 11 to October 19, 2014 Stay an extra night and play an extra round at Hardelot for £100 per person

Golf Parc, Normandy ***

La Porte Bellon, Senlis, Paris ***

Senlis is just two hours from Calais and an hour from Paris and yet it’s in another world - with all the medieval history and charm of Senlis and close to Chantilly. Senlis offers restaurants, cobbled streets and museums and is handy for ten golf courses which range from good to world-class. We’ve been looking for a good hotel in Senlis for many years. Now, with management changes and serious investment, the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon comes up trumps. It’s fantastic value and offers a popular brasserie, cosy bar and renovated bedrooms - a wonderful inn where you can’t help but relax. ● ● ● ●

Three nights’ bed and buffet breakfast One round each at Raray, Apremont and Club du Lys P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car £315 per person midweek April 1 to October 31, 2014

Chateau d’Augerville, South of Paris ****

Hidden Gem might be an overused phrase but Hotel Gingko and Golf Parc in the Normandy countryside justify the phrase perfectly - and they’re just three hours’ drive from Calais. Rated in the French Top 10, Golf Parc is one of the prettiest courses in Europe and can be one of the toughest tests if you’re on the attack. The food in the beautiful clubhouse is good, too. With just 22 bedrooms, you’re spoilt the moment you arrive at the Gingko. This is a golfing retreat to savour and there are six other quality courses within an hour’s drive, and Monet’s Gardens at Giverny and the magnificent Palace of Versailles are also within easy driving distance. ● ● ● ● ●

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Three nights’ bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Gingko Two rounds at Golf Parc (with buggy) and one round at Vaucouleurs P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car £289 per person midweek April 1 to October 31, 2014 Add £20 per person if over a weekend

www.golfplanetholidays.com

Under new management, Chateau d’Augerville has quickly regained its reputation for food and style and the golf course, always pretty, is well-maintained. A perfect golf-chateau hotel with the sights of Fontainebleau and the vineyards of Burgundy within easy reach. Allow fourand-a-half hours’ drive from Calais. ● Five nights’ bed and buffet breakfast in twin or double bedrooms ● Welcome drink and home-made chocolates ● Five dinners including drinks ● Up to five rounds at Augerville ● One golf day (up to 36 holes) at Fontainebleau with lunch and trolley included ● P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car ● £799 per person from April 1 to May 31 and from July 15 to August 17, 2014

PLANET

Auberge de la Source, Normandy ****

FRENCH GOLF

Golf du Medoc Resort, Bordeaux **** Bordeaux

Our deal at the four-star Auberge de la Source just outside the beautiful seaside town of Honfleur and three hours’ drive from Calais is exceptional. And we think the hotel is set to become a real hit with our clients looking for something a bit more ‘French’ than the big resort hotels in Deauville. Auberge de la Source has more design and class than a bumper issue of Vogue and you will not find a more balanced use of warm, natural materials. You can’t help but feel at ease - and that’s even before you enjoy the gardens, the delicious food and bar. A winner! ● Three nights’ bed and buffet breakfast ● One round each at L’Amirauté, Saint Julien and Champ de Bataille ● P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car ● £399 per person midweek April 1 to September 1, 2014 ● Add £20 per person if over a weekend

Top golf - including a French Open venue - warm weather, beautiful countryside and the best wine in the world... What more could you ask for? Enjoy golf in Bordeaux at its finest with our super package at Medoc. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Five nights’ bed and buffet breakfast. Three rounds of golf at Medoc Les Chateaux, Medoc Les Vignes, Margaux or Lacanau Free access to spa One informative wine-tasting visit at a Medoc Grand Cru Classé vineyard People mover hire car with all insurances £585 per person from September 1 to October 30, 2014, based on party of four £599 per person from May 1 to June 30, 2014, based on party of four £650 per person from July 1 to August 31, 2014, based on party of four

Cottages de la Bretesche, Brittany ****

Our most popular resort in Brittany and it’s no wonder with our prices and the quality on offer. La Bretesche has the most beautiful golf course in southern Brittany, two restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere, pool, tennis, spa, lake... All overlooked by the chateau and the luxury hotel. The cottages are dotted around the golf course and in the annexe of the main hotel and clubhouse area. ● ● ● ● ● ●

Seven nights’ self-catering in a two-bedroom/two-bathroom Forest Cottage Unlimited golf at La Bretesche One round at La Baule P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car £475 per person from May 1 to September 30, 2014 £399 per person from October 1 to December 31, 2014

Hotel du Parc, Hardelot ***

Having offered Hardelot as long ago as 1981, we have been fundamental in the resort's development from a one-course and two-hotel village to the rather smart (but still very French) offering of 2014. The Hotel du Parc is as good-looking as it was when it opened over 20 years ago and boasts renovated bedrooms and an ever-popular restaurant, tennis and pool. For golf, Hardelot is iconic Les Pins being one of the very best in Europe and Les Dunes showing that courses don't need to be tough or long to be good. Classic France - just 40 minutes from Calais. Three nights' bed and buffet breakfast Two rounds on Hardelot Les Dunes One round on Hardelot Les Pins P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel to Calais based on four in a car £299 per person midweek between May 1 and October 30, 2014 ● Add £30 per person if over a weekend ● ● ● ● ●

Call our team on 01277 284284

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Cornelia Diamond, Belek, Turkey *****

Sirene, Belek, Turkey *****

Lighthouse Resort, Black Sea, Bulgaria *****

Antalya Varna

Antalya

Our most popular resort in Turkey, the Cornelia Diamond offers style, five-star facilities and good choice of restaurants plus a Nick Faldo-designed European Top 100 golf course. ● ● ● ● ● ●

Meet & Greet at airport Welcome meeting and 24/7 tourist assistance Seven nights’ all inclusive at the Cornelia Diamond Resort Three rounds of golf on the Faldo course Airport and golf transfers £775 per person from October 1 to October 27, 2014, based on a party of four

With an impressive range of golf courses, Morocco is set to impress whatever your needs and handicap. Marrakech leads the way but Casablanca is close behind and Fes, Rabat and Agadir are also on the golfing trail.

With arguably the strongest 36-hole combination in Turkey, the Sirene is big on value and big on quality. ● ● ● ● ● ●

Meet & Greet at airport Welcome meeting and 24/7 tourist assistance Seven nights’ all inclusive at the Sirene, Belek. Three rounds at Pasha and one round at Sultan. Airport and golf transfers £725 per person from September 1 to September 30, 2014, based on a party of four

Royal Palm, Marrakech, Morocco ***** Marrakech

Bulgaria is stealing a slow march on the popularity of Turkey and it’s easy to see why with our prices and the quiet fairways in a very scenic region by the Black Sea. The accommodation at Lighthouse Resort is good and the welcome is warm. We reckon you’ll soon be coming back for more. ● Meet & Greet and return airport and golf transfers ● Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast in twin or double bedrooms ● Unlimited golf with trolleys at Lighthouse ● £515 per person from July 1 to August 3 and September 29 to November 2, 2014, based on a party of four

You will not find a better new resort in 2014 - anywhere. Royal Palm is top-class in every respect with huge and luxurious bedrooms, fantastic facilities for all the family and a gorgeous golf course set against a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Meet & Greet at airport and return VIP transfers to resort Six nights’ bed and buffet breakfast in a Junior Suite Two rounds of golf at Royal Palm Two rounds of golf at Samanah (with return transfers) £1300 per person sharing a twin or double bedroom from June 16 to September 30 ● £1495 per person sharing a twin or double bedroom from April 23 to June 15 and from October 1 to October 29, 2014 ● ● ● ● ●

Mazagan Resort, El Jadida, Morocco *****

Palmeraie Palace, Marrakech, Morocco ***** Marrakech

Casa Blanca

The front-runner of golf in Morocco, the Palmaraie Resort is a village of fun with three smart hotels, an enjoyable golf course, restaurants and bars galore, fabulous gardens and sports facilities and even a nightclub and cabaret. All this within 15 minutes of the enchanting city of Marrakech and no fewer than six other golf courses - three of which you'd be hard pressed not to be very impressed by! We feature the amazing Clubhouse bedrooms, the traditional Palace and the contemporary Hotel du Golf...All five-star, all very different. Take your golfing party to Morocco - you will be delighted, especially with our prices. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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Meet & Greet at the airport Private return airport transfers Welcome Moroccan tea, pastries and rose-water towel on arrival Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast in a twin or double deluxe bedroom Drinks credit of £50 per person Three rounds at Palmaraie (with free practice balls) One round with private return transfers each at Samanah and Al Maaden £599 per preson from June 1 to September 14, 2014, based on a party of eight £699 per person from May 1 to May 31, 2014 and September 15 to October 31, 2014, based on a party of eight £775 per person from November 1 to November 30, 2014, based on a party of eight

www.golfplanetholidays.com

Mazagan Resort is an ideal holiday destination if you're looking to chill out in the Moroccan sunshine and not have to leave your resort, whatever you want to do. The 500 bedrooms are huge and of a very good five-star standard, the Gary Player-designed links course is one of the best we've played anywhere, the seven restaurants would satisfy the most discerning client and there's topnotch tennis, spa, gym, football and children's facilities to keep you and your loved ones busy. And even on the warmer days there’s usually a soft and cooling breeze coming off the huge Atlantic beach. We send a lot of happy clients to Mazagan - hence the amazing deal. ● ● ● ●

Meet & Greet and resort shuttle airport transfers Seven nights' bed and breakfast in a Pool View bedroom Three rounds of golf at Mazagan £525 per person from June 1 to August 31, 2014, based on a party of four

PLANET

FRENCH GOLF