Silversea - Rome to Barcelona Golf Cruise
(Including 2 Days at 2020 Monaco Grand Prix)
17 May to 4 June 2020 (18 Nights)
from A$23,814 pp twin share for luxury balcony stateroom including business class return airfare (excludes costs of optional golf programme and attending Monaco Grand Prix)
Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre welcomes your joining us on this delightful cruise aboard the much favoured 608 passenger Silver Spirit, offering a wonderful opportunity to experience beautiful ports and play at selected highly regarded local golf courses, many of which rate as the leading courses in Italy, France Spain and Morocco. Silver Spirit was subject to a major refurbishment in 2018 and offers a selection of 8 different restaurants, available staterooms have a minimum area of 34 sqm (which includes separate bath and shower and private balcony) and unlimited standard wifi. Only Superior and Deluxe staterooms remain available for booking.
The perfect size for enjoying smaller ports, you’ll love waking each morning in a new location, save for two very chilled out days at sea. The itinerary is relaxed, offering particularly long port days to maximise your pleasure ashore. Late May/early June is a perfect time to visit this region – the summer crowds will not yet have arrived but temperatures will remain pleasantly warm to take advantage of your balcony, or relaxing deck-side.
Importantly, Silver Spirit will anchor in Monaco for two long days including both the practice day and the day of the Monaco Grand Prix. Golf is offered as an alternative both days. As well there are various Silversea shore excursions on both days outside of Monaco.
All Silversea cruises include beverage in suite and throughout the ship, gratuities, butler service and open seating at restaurants.
Trendsetter offers a golf programme covering 13 golf courses at 12 different ports. You can choose to play no golf, all 13 possible games or any combination between. Golf costs Euro 225 pp/round and includes coach transfers, green fees, shared motorised cart, drinks post golf and prize money each round. Three of the 13 courses have a price premium of Euro 25 pp/round as the courses charge higher green fees. In almost all cases, the courses we play are the best available with an acceptable driving distance of each respective port.
Your tour hosts Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper, Directors of Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre, are both enthusiastic golfers, and long-time members of one of Sydney’s leading golf clubs. They have golfed and cruised extensively throughout the world.
They invite you to join them on this fantastic cruise, stopping at great ports, with long port days combined with the chance to play up to 13 golf games, all at a wonderful selection of golf courses and all chosen as the best within driving distance of each port.
Our cruise is a combination of two Silversea back to back 9 night cruises on Silver Spirit with the two itineraries to be found on the following links:
https://www.silversea.com/destinations/mediterranean-cruise/civitavecchia-to-barcelona-sl200517009.html
https://www.silversea.com/destinations/mediterranean-cruise/barcelona-to-barcelona-sl200526009.html
The option exists to just book the 1st nine night cruise which includes the Monaco Grand Prix. Further pricing and terms available upon request.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 17 May – Rome (Civitavecchia) (depart 6 pm)
Today board Silver Spirit at Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, to commence your 18 night cruise through the Western Mediterranean concluding in Barcelona.
Pre cruise, Trendsetter Travel can recommend and book your Rome accommodation at the best rates available (often with complimentary breakfast, food and beverage credits and early check in/late check out (subject to availability)).
Day 2 – Monday 18 May – Porto Vecchio (Corsica) – France (Golf) – in port 8.00 am to 6 pm
We arrive early morning in Porto-Vecchio, located on the south eastern corner of Corsica. Corsica, the birth place of Napoleon, was ruled by Vichy in 1940, occupied by Nazi Germany in 1943 and liberated in 1944. While still a region of France, Corsica retains greater autonomy than any of the other 26 regions of Metropolitan France yet still retains much of its Italian heritage.
Golf Option (Game 1): – We are lucky as Porto Vecchio is within driving distance of Corsica’s only 18 hole golf course, the Robert Trent Jones (Snr) designed Golf de Sperone. Built on the picturesque peninsula with a stunning run of ocean holes to compete with such leading courses as Pebble Beach and Cypress Point. This is a not to be missed golf course.
Day 3 – Tuesday 19 May – Livorno – Italy (Golf) – in port 8.00 am to 11 pm
Livorno is the port for Florence. Florence is a circa 90 minute drive from Livorno.
Golf Option (Game 2): Today, for those not planning to visit Florence or one of the many outlying towns in Tuscany, we travel and play Circolo Golf Ugolino, the oldest golf course in Italy and arguably the most stunning having been built on a ridge in the Chianti region of Tuscany.
Day 4 – Wednesday 20 May – Cinqueterre – Italy – in port 8 am to 10.00 pm
After anchoring at Portovenere, why not explore one or several of the 5 famous fishing villages that comprise the famous Cinque Terre, located along a 10 mile stretch of rugged coast line. The options to hike, train, boat, or take a shore excursion are all available.
Day 5 – Thursday 21 May – Cannes - France (Golf) – in port 8.00 am to 11 pm
We arrive this morning in Cannes, the iconic port city of the French Riviera. Our visit should correspond with the Cannes Film Festival and be a city with great buzz.
Golf Option (Game 3): we will drive one hour to Terre Blanche the upmarket 36 hole golf resort. We are booked to play the Chateau Course, ranked # 8 in all France. A Euro 25 pp surcharge applies to the standard golf programme cost.
Day 6 – Friday 22 May – Marseille – France (Golf) – in port 8.00 am to 7 pm
Today we berth in Marseille, the 2nd largest city by population in France.
Golf Option (Game 4): driving 50 minutes from the Port of Marseille we play Pont Royal Golf Club, the highly rated course designed by the late great Seve Ballesteros and completed in 1992. This is and will obviously remain the only Ballesteros designed golf course in France.
Day 7 – Saturday 23 May – Monaco – Grand Prix Practice Day (Golf) – in port 8.00 am (anchors over-night)
In 1297, the Grimaldi Family seized this once fortified town and apart from a short time under Napoleon, has ruled this Principality ever since. The Principality of Monaco, at less than 500 acres, is smaller than New York’s Central Park and is home to many of the rich and famous, attracted in part by the absence of income tax. Monaco’s wealth is generated through tourism and its famous casinos. Few can forget the fairy tale marriage of Hollywood’s Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier, an event which sealed Monaco’s position as a destination for the elite.
Our arrival in Monaco coincides with the highlight of the year for Monaco – the Monaco Grand Prix – this will be the 78th running of the Grand Prix. Silver Spirit will anchor just off-shore both days and it is but a short tender to the wharf in Monaco and from there a walk to the race track which would otherwise be the streets of Monaco. There are countless packages to watch the Grand Prix from general entry to grand stands to corporate hospitality programmes. Today is the final practice sessions for tomorrow’s Grand Prix.
Rather than our chose your entry package, they can be pre-purchased from the Automobile Club of Monaco, the official seller of tickets, in Monaco. Based upon the May 2019 Grand Prix, tickets for the practice day start from Euro 60 pp (general entry standing) to between Euro 150 to Euro 300 pp for a grandstand. Exact pricing by area (you can click on and see the exact location of the particular grandstand and the available seats within that grandstand) can be found on the following web page link: https://www.formula1monaco.com/ – choose Grand Prix F1 tab – use the dropdown menu and click on Billet (remember to choose the English language icon at the top of the page which converts Billet to Ticket). You can purchase the tickets by phone or email using credit card. Even only a few months out from the 2019 Grand Prix, there is good ticket availability for most ticket categories on both the Saturday and Sunday.
Hospitality packages are available and one is usually offered for Silversea guests. This includes both the Saturday and Sunday and details can be found on the cruise web page (refer page 2 of this itinerary for the web link) under Itinerary and Excursions. Alternatively Silversea offers various shore excursions if you look to escape the hustle and bustle of Monaco around the Grand Prix. Or you can join the Trendsetter golf option.
Golf Option (Game 5): – For those who would prefer the quiet of a game of golf, we coach south east down the coast of Italy and play San Remo Golf Club, a spectacular location over-looking the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 8 – Sunday 24 May – Monaco – Grand Prix – Golf Option - depart 11 pm
Today is race day with the running of the Monaco Grand Prix. Again for those not looking to watch the race or independently explore Monaco (clearly access is restricted to streets connected with the Grand Prix), there are shore excursions organised by Silversea or golf arranged by Trendsetter Travel. For those attending the Grand Prix, the programme for the day can be found on the official ticket web site – click on Formula 1 GP TAB and choose Programme. You will see the preliminary races start from 10.30 am with the main event commencing from 1.40 pm with the Drivers’ Parade and the actual race starts from 3.10 pm. Using the Billet (or Ticket) TAB, available seats and pricing can be found for all categories – prices are Euro 100 pp for general entry (standing) and between Euro 350 pp and Euro 650 pp for reserved grandstand seats. There are large television screens showing the race at most vantage points.
Golf Option (Game 6): – Royal Mougins Golf Club, located in France, this is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in Provence. There should be time for a relaxing cold beverage in the club rooms while watching the finish of the Grand Prix before we make a leisurely trip back to our ship in Monaco and our late evening departure. A Euro 25 pp surcharge applies to the standard golf programme cost.
Day 9 – Monday 25 May –– Palamos – Spain (Golf) - in port 1.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Silver Spirit berths at Palamos, a port 1 hour north of Barcelona. Non golfers may wish to take a ship’s tour to Figueres and visit the large Salvador Dali art gallery – a real experience. An hour north of Palamos by road, Figueres is where Dali lived and died and the museum is believed to be the largest exhibition of surrealist art in the world.
Golf Option (Game 7): We travel 45 minutes inland and play the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya, rated # 1 in Spain and # 4 in Europe. The course was built by the European Tour in 1998 and was intended to rival the PGA Tour’s Sawgrass course. The course has held numerous European Tour events and was the course which Spain proposed for its recent bid to hold the Ryder Cup. A Euro 25 pp surcharge applies to the standard golf programme cost.
Day 10 – Tuesday 26 May – Barcelona – Spain (Golf) – in port 8.00 am to 6 pm
We spend a port day in Barcelona, one of Europe’s finest cities and rated among the best in the world. As Spain’s 2nd largest city and capital of the Catalonia Region, it was home to the 1992 summer Olympics and today is a truly exciting destination. Barcelona has fabulous sightseeing, most notably the remarkable works and influences of Gaudi – Sagrada Familia (destined for final completion in 2026), Casa Battlo and verily the whole city it seems! While we remain in our allocated staterooms, this the change-over day for the 2nd of the two back to back 9 night cruises. For those choosing to golf, on the penultimate day of the cruise we return to Barcelona and there is a full day to explore the city with no golf option.
Golf Option (Game 8): we travel around 45 minutes by coach to play the Greg Norman designed Real Club de Golf El Prat, venue for the 2015 Spanish Open and one of the two best courses in Catalonia. This 27 hole layout has been a favourite with previous Mediterranean Trendsetter golf cruises.
Day 11 – Wednesday 27 May – Sea Day
Experience a rest day at sea today as we travel south down the Mediterranean and through the Straights of Gibraltar to Cadiz.
Day 12 – Thursday 28 May – Cadiz – Spain (Golf) – in port 8 am to 7 pm
Silver Whisper will berth early morning at Cadiz. Founded around 1,100 BC, Cadiz claims to be the oldest continually occupied city in the Western World. Once one of the wealthiest ports in the world, it was made famous in English history when Sir Francis Drake invaded and plundered the port city with a surprise raid in 1587. Post golf, if time permits, we suggest strolling one of the many self-guided walks of the historic areas of Cadiz.
Golf Option (Game 9): we play Montecastillo Barceló Golf Club, the highest rated of the many golf courses near Cadiz. Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1992, it has been the venue for many professional tournaments on the European PGA Tour. It will be a pleasure to play even though it is one of the toughest courses we play on tour. You will need to be on top of your game to play to your handicap on this course.
Day 13 – Friday 29 May – Casablanca – Morocco (Golf) – in port 8.00 am – midnight
We berth in this major North African city (and largest city in Morocco). Morocco was settled by the French and French is still the main language in the country.
Golf Option (Game 10) – after navigating through the suburbs of Casablanca we travel south down the motorway and play the magnificent Gary Player designed Mazagan Golf Course, rated # 3 in Morocco. The course was extremely well conditioned when we last played and offers a links style layout set on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. A highly rated course not to be missed. . On our return from golf, we stop at the historic port city of El Jadida and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site protected walled city. Upon returning to Casablanca there may be time to explore the port in the early evening with our departure not until midnight.
Day 14 – Saturday 30 May – Sea Day
Experience our 2nd and final sea day on the cruise as we travel north again passing through the straights of Gibraltar on the way to Malaga in Spain – with luck we may pass through the straights in daylight hours. As with all sea days on a Trendsetter golf cruise, we will organise a group lunch get together in the main restaurant.
Day 15 – Sunday 31 May – Malaga – Spain (Golf) – in port 8 am to 7 pm
Malaga is the main port city of the Costa del Sol, famous for its over 100 golf courses. For those choosing not to golf, Malaga is an interesting port city to explore and perhaps lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants. Of the many tourist attractions in Malaga, perhaps the best to visit is the Pablo Picasso Museum, walking distance from where Silver Whisper is berthed.
Golf Option (Game 11): we will play Marbella Golf & Country Club, located on the coast, 56 km east of Malaga. The course is a Robert Jones (Snr) design and has many holes with elevation changes.
Day 16 – Monday 1 June – Cartagena 9 am to 6 pm – Spain (Golf) – in port 9 am to 6 pm
Today, we’re in Cartagena, a port city located in South East Spain, founded in Roman times and now divided into an old and a new city.
Golf Option (Game 12): Our golf focus today is the magnificent La Manga Golf Resort, specifically the South Course.
Day 17 – Tuesday 2 June - Palma Mallorca – Spain (Golf) – in port 9 am to 11 pm
Still part of Spain, Mallorca became famous in the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939) as the place where the Republicans fought unsuccessfully to expel General Franco’s Nationalist forces in what became known as the Battle of Mallorca. Today it is one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations with a climate guaranteed to be balmy.
Golf Option (Game 13): – a less than 30 minute drive takes us to Golf Son Gual, rated #8 in Spain and the best of Mallorca’s more than a dozen golf courses.
Day 18 – Wednesday 3 June – Barcelona – Spain – in port 9 am (overnight)
A full day in the port of Barcelona awaits – with so many options to consider. No golf is scheduled today.
Day 19 – Thursday 4 June – Barcelona – Spain disembark from 8 am
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a final farewell to new friends and old before disembarkation.
Post cruise, Trendsetter Travel can recommend and book your Barcelona accommodation at the best rates available (often with complimentary breakfast, food and beverage credits and early check in/late check out (subject to availability)).
The Finer Details...
As part of the golf group (regardless whether you are a golfer), ALL Trendsetter clients receive host services by Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper and a US$150 pp on board credit. This benefit is available through Trendsetter Travel’s membership of the Virtuoso travel group. For current bookings on this cruise the following pricing is inclusive of return business class air fares to Europe on a number of major airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Qatar. Net of all discounts including (1) the Venetian Society discount (all guests qualify as a back to back cruise) and (2) the Combo discount (offered on back to back cruises), the twin cruise fare prices per person are as follows:
| 17 May to 4 June 2020 – Rome to Barcelona Golf Cruise | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Favourite Suite Categories (net of all (4) discounts available) | Vista Suite (Deck 4) | Classic Veranda Suite (Decks 5 & 6) | Superior Veranda Suite (Forward Decks 7, 8 & 9) | Deluxe Veranda Suite (Midship Decks 6, 7 & 8) | Silver Suite (Decks 10 & 11) |
| Area (including Veranda) | 28 sqm | 34 sqm | 34 sqm | 34 sqm | 68 sqm |
| Cruise Fare (A$ pp) | WAIT LIST | WAIT LIST | $23,814 | $24,925 | WAIT LIST |
| Golf with 7 Game Option (Euro pp) – no surcharges | 1,575 € | 1,575 € | 1,575 € | 1,575 € | 1,575 € |
| Golf with 13 Game Option (Euro pp) – plus surcharges | WAIT LIST | WAIT LIST | 3,000 € | 3,000 € | WAIT LIST |
Above prices are current as at 20 January 2020 but are subject to revision at any time by Silversea. The option exists to just book the 1st nine night cruise (Rome to Barcelona) which includes the Monaco Grand Prix. Further pricing and terms available upon request.
Cancellation penalties apply. Refer Silversea’s booking conditions – http://www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions/ . Travel insurance is mandatory for this cruise and is able to be arranged independent of Trendsetter Travel.
Maximum of 13 golf games are offered – although you can choose to play anywhere between no games and all 13 games. Advice of the number of golf games is required within 7 days of booking. While the golf package is calculated in Euro, it is payable in A$ at a rate better than the best available quoted A$/Euro by a major bank on the required date of payment. Payment is required within one week of providing your golf game preferences.
The provision of a golf option is priced at Euro 225 pp per round and covers green fees, coach transfers, shared motorised cart, prize money and drinks after golf. Rebate of Euro 15 pp/round if elect to use walking trundler (unless golf cart compulsory). Trendsetter has booked the courses as specified but cannot be held responsible for any cancellation/s necessitated by a change to the ship’s itinerary due to weather or any other event, or late amendment by the golf course. If such an event occurs and, in the unlikely event, Trendsetter cannot organise an alternative golf course, Trendsetter will pass through any refund available. There is an additional surcharge of Euro 25 pp when playing 3 of the named 13 golf courses.
Please contact Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre for further information
| Tel. | + 61 (0) 413 010 638 (Northwood/Longueville office) |
|---|---|
| david@trendsettertravel.com.au |
