Tuscany, Italy. 2 to 12 September 2018

Transcription

1 Join us for an amazing golfing holiday to Tuscany, our top rated destination. - With a re-vamped and improved itinerary for our 2018 tours - Return economy flights from Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg. 8 nights in local hotel, on a bed & buffet breakfast basis. Three full day excursions including Pisa, Lucca, Chianti & more! 3 rounds of A-grade golf (incl Italy s Best Golf Course 2016 ) Golfer from R / Non-golfer from R The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 1 of 11

2 Sunday 2 September: Departure day With Emirates offering flights from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, you can choose which city you wish to depart from and we ll all meet up at Dubai airport. All departures are early evening (CPT: 18:05 / DUR: 18:40 / JNB: 19:10), so you can enjoy your weekend before heading to the airport and flying off on your holiday. Monday 3 September: We all land early morning in Dubai and make our way through the endless shops to make our 9am onward flight to Bologna which is due to land in Italy at lunch time. Our private, air-conditioned coach will then take us on a scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside to Montecatini Terme, our base for the next week. Once checked-in and settled, we ll take a stroll around town to get everyone orientated and familiar with where everything is like pointing out the funicular to Montecatini Alto, some ATM s, the local laundry, bicycle rentals, a supermarket or two, the train station, a pizza shop, places to buy wine and a whole lot more along the way. Remember to get your map from Maria at the hotel to mark off things as we go it will help during the week! We re sure you ll sleep well after the long journey and a night cap in the piazza outside the hotel The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 2 of 11

3 Tuesday 4 September: We head to Florence by train today as an optional excursion. The short, scenic train ride will show you a bit of the countryside and some of the industrial areas outside Florence (watch out for the high speed trains in the yards, as well as camper vans) before we go and explore the old, romantic city with its many churches, cathedrals, statues, museums and monuments. And PLENTY of shopping opportunities. After taking a group walk to some of the major sights and attractions, we ll part ways midday and then everyone is free to explore the city on their own and make their way back to Montecatini Terme at leisure. Wednesday 5 September: Our first round of golf is at the beautiful Castelfalfi Golf Club, Tuscany s only 27-hole club. The recent upgrade incorporated the beautiful landscape with modern standards to create a truly memorable golfing experience and Castelfalfi is now regularly rated as one of the top 5 courses in Italy. The views from the higher parts of the course give one a chance to view Tuscan hills rolling into the distance. The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 3 of 11

4 Not a golfer? Don t worry, because the area offers so much for everyone to enjoy. One option is to head to Pistoia, a short 10-minute train journey through the Tuscan countryside. Known for it s leather goods, street markets and picturesque market square, Pistoia is the perfect small town to enjoy a true Italian experience. Thursday 6 September: We head off today in our private, air-conditioned coach on a full day excursion and our first stop is Pisa. We spend most of the morning exploring the Piazza del Miracoli (the Field of Miracles) and the most famous attraction the leaning tower itself. Will you climb to the top and admire the Duomo and Baptistery from the air? Or will you head to the grass and get a photo taken of you holding up the tower? After a chance to explore the sights and the souvenir stalls of Pisa, we head for Lucca a beautiful historic town where the town centre is entirely enclosed by the old city walls, the only such walls in Italy still accessible. The views from the walls of the surrounding countryside are breathtaking and ideally experience while cycling around the wall. Lucca exudes a unique atmosphere modern blending with the ancient and the narrow streets lined with little shops and restaurants are an insight into the history of Tuscany. The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 4 of 11

5 Friday 7 September: Today s golf is at the impressive Poggio dei Medici Golf Club, home to the Italian Women s Open for many years and crowned Italy s Best Golf Course 2016 in the World Golf Awards. Lying in the scenic Mugello Hills (and within earshot of Ferrari s private test track), it is a course with touches of link-style and parkland. The stream running though the course adds to the beauty (and challenge) and the lasting memory is one of memorable scenery and tranquillity. While the golfers are taking up the challenge of golf in Tuscany, the non-golfers have the opportunity to explore the attractions and sights of Montecatini Terme and the surrounding area or spend a day being pampered at one of the town s famous hot water spas. Also, be sure to check out the market street a short walk up the hill from the hotel you ll find some amazing woodwork and leather goods on sale. Saturday 8 September: We depart after breakfast for a full day experience of food and wine but first, a quick stop at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. Covering 70 acres, this incredibly well maintained memorial site is a burial site and memorial for those who fell while defending the region during the Second World War. Many of these battles were also fought by South African regiments, and many regard South African involvement as the reason the region was held and the Nazi invasion came to a halt in the area. From there, we head off to start our wine journey through Chianti and it s time to consider luggage allowances! The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 5 of 11

6 Our next stop will be in the town of Greve the hub of the local wine industry with an amiable market town vibe. We will spend some time, focussed around the incredibly impressive Enoteca Falorni (for the wine lovers) and the attractive, historical town square. Make sure you head to the deli for some cheese & meat From Greve we head to the Castle of Verrazzano, dating back more than 1000 years with Etruscan and Roman origins and the vineyards have been referenced in manuscripts dating back to In this ancient building, with it s great tradition of wine making, we ll have our first group wine tasting followed by a guided tour through their impressive cellars. Remember, you have a 46kg luggage allowance! Our next stop is the hill town of San Gimignano, encircled by 13 th century walls and home to the world s best gelato (a titled claimed by two shops). The town centres around Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses. Be sure to check out the stone Torre Grossa, as well as the Duomo di San Gimignano (a 12 th century church). Here you re free to explore at leisure, before we head off to our final stop. At Poggio Alloro, we ll sit down on the deck for a wine tasting with snacks looking across the valley at San Gimignano. The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 6 of 11

7 Sunday 9 September: Our last non-golf day in Tuscany is completely at leisure so whether you want to head to Cinque Terra on the coast or back to Florence for the day, go on an Italian cooking course or go on a shopping spree, the day is yours to select what you do with it. If you haven t yet gone up to Montecatini Alto, this is a great time to go enjoy sunset from up top followed by dinner and wine in the central piazza. Followed by gelato, of course. Monday 10 September: Our last round of golf in Tuscany is at Arnold Palmer s tour-quality championship layout Le Pavoniere - beautiful scenery and widely regarded as the best course in Tuscany- and a Top 5 in Italy. In the shadow of the Tuscan hills, the course is relatively open with several small lakes adding to the challenge of the natural terrain. Tuscanstyle brick walls and bridges add to the ambience and the day s golfing experience will be remembered for a long time! The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 7 of 11

8 Tuesday 11 September: We say farewell to Hotel La Pia and Montecatini Terme mid-morning, and head for Bologna Airport to commence our homeward journey. At the same time, we say farewell to those extending their holiday and breaking away from the tour schedule. We leave the hotel late morning to make our way to Bologna, for our homeward Emirates flight to Dubai departs mid-afternoon, and we settle into inflight entertainment or looking back through all the photos and happy memories of our time in Tuscany. Wednesday 12 September: Having landed around midnight, our homeward flights from Dubai to Cape Town & Johannesburg depart around 4am, arriving back in South Africa mid to late morning. For those flying to Durban, please note that you would fly out of Dubai mid-morning and arrive in South Africa late afternoon. The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: 8 of 11

9 The package pricing» GOLFER NON-GOLFER Sharing Single Sharing Single Standard Package: Standard Room R R R R Standard Package: Balcony Room (only 4!) R R R R The package includes» Return economy flights on Emirates from Johannesburg or Cape Town o Durban flights available, but please chat to us first (long layover enroute home) o Big luggage allowance to accommodate golf bags (2 bags of up to 23kg each) 8 nights in a hotel in Montecatini Terme (bed & full buffet breakfast basis) Air-conditioned coach tranfers 3 rounds on the regions top courses o With transfers in air-conditioned luxury coach Two full day excursions (with sightseeing, wine tasting, etc) Experienced tour leader, with you all the way (from Dubai, and back to Dubai) Sightseeing programme and on-site assistance for activities for non-golfers as well as on non-golf days Not included» Airport taxes (currently R4900) Medical and cancellation insurance (chat to us about Travel Insurance) Visa (we will provide the required supporting travel documentation) Activities & entrance fees not specified Optional golf Golf buggies (you ll be able to pre-book 8 weeks before departure) Meals not specified Gratuities Extension tours / breakaways How to book» In order to book, please complete BOTH pages of the booking form and them to ray@golftravel.co.za along with a copy of your passport and payment confirmation for the deposit (R4500/person). Got some questions? Need more information? Please get in touch with Ray (your tour manager) via ray@golftravel.co.za We hope you will join us in Tuscany in September 2018 The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 9 of 11

10 PERSONAL INFORMATION» BOOKING FORM Please note: Both pages are to be completed, signed and submitted along with your passport scan & tour deposit. TITLE: SURNAME: [exactly as per passport] FIRST NAMES: [exactly as per passport] PREFERRED NAME: [for name tag] POSTAL ADDRESS: CODE: DATE OF BIRTH: CELLPHONE: TELEPHONE: [work] ID NUMBER: TELEPHONE: [home] FAX: [in CAPS please] PASSPORT INFORMATION» COUNTRY: DATE OF ISSUE: NUMBER: DATE OF EXPIRY: TUSCANY MAY 2018 PACKAGE» WILL YOU BE PLAYING GOLF? YES NO CURRENT HANDICAP: ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED: SINGLE SHARING IF SHARING, WITH WHOM? WHAT IS YOUR EMIRATES SKYWARDS NUMBER? EK WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXTEND YOUR STAY IN ENROUTE? YES NO WOULD YOU LIKE A STOPOVER STAY IN DUBAI ENROUTE BACK? YES NO MEDICAL / EMERGENCY INFORMATION» EMERGENCY CONTACT: FAMILY DOCTOR: PHONE: PHONE: DO YOU WISH TO RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING TRAVEL INSURANCE? YES NO SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: SIGNATURE: DATE: Please also complete page 2 The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 10 of 11

11 PAYMENT» Please send payment confirmation directly to I have transferred R into the account: Account name: The Golf Travel Company Account name: The Golf Travel Company Bank: Investec A/C Number: Branch: 100 Grayston Drive Branch Code: Reference: Your Surname + TuscanySep Unfortunately, no credit card payments can be accepted. The bank charges on cash & cheque deposits will be for the depositor s account. GENERAL INFORMATION AND TOUR CONDITIONS: Price: The price of the tour is subject to Standard Terms and Conditions, exchange rates and airfares and taxes at time of final payment. The price of the package is based on a minimum of 32 passengers and a reduction in this number may lead to a price adjustment for the tour package. Deposit and Payment: A deposit of R4 500,00 PER PERSON is payable on booking and is not refundable unless in the case of the cancellation of the tour by the tour operators. You are therefore encouraged to take out travel insurance which includes a cancellation clause. A final account will be ed to you 8 weeks prior to departure, or on a date shortly thereafter, and is payable within 96 hours (4 days) of presentation, No cancellations can be accepted after 8 weeks (56 days) prior to departure and the full relevant package price for the tour is payable if cancellations are received after this date. If the booking is made 8 weeks or less before said departure date, the full contract price is to be paid at the time of booking and may be subject to late ticket issue fees from the airline. A late payment fee of R250,00 pp will be charged on all accounts not settled by the stipulated date. Itinerary: The itinerary details are subject to airline timetable changes, as well as weather and technical influences. Handicaps: All golfers must be able to provide proof of handicap if required by golf clubs while on tour. Passport, Visas & Health requirements: We provide basic advice to South African passport holders regarding visa requirements. Clients travelling on a passport of a different nationality should check with their embassy or consulate and must make sure they have all the necessary valid travel and health documents to comply with the requirements of the country they are visiting or travelling through. Liabilities: The Golf Travel Company and/or their agents, in making arrangements for air and land services, act as agents only and on condition that they shall not be liable for any injury, death, damage, loss, accidental delay or irregularity that may be occasioned by any defect in any vehicle or form of conveyance or mishap at any place of accommodation, or for any reason whatsoever. Insurance: Passengers are advised to have travel insurance for injury, death, accident and medical expenses, enforced pre-tour cancellation and loss of luggage. Changes to bookings: In the event of a change being made to your flight arrangements, including post-tour extensions and breakaways, an additional fee will be charged by the operating airline. Please consult our office for this additional charge which varies by airline and destination. Cancellations and Refunds: No refund can be made for visits, sightseeing, meals, transfers, accommodation, golf or other services included in the tour price which were not utilized. Should the client wish to cancel for whatever reason, The Golf Travel Company must be advised in writing under the signature of the customer. No air tickets will be issued until full and final payment is received and the airline s late ticket issue levy will apply in the event of late payment. Medical Certificate: A doctor s certificate confirming good health will be required for passengers 65 years and older. Golf cars: The Golf Travel Company will book golf cars when requested to do but cannot accept responsibility for availability on the day. Acceptance: The payment of the deposit by you will be deemed to be your acceptance of these tour conditions. No booking can be confirmed until the booking form and deposit are received. NAME [print]: SIGNATURE: DATE: The Golf Travel Company Established 1999 T: E: Info@GolfTravel.co.za 11 of 11