Vietnam - January, 2011

Gary and Marion invite you to join them in one of the most interesting, vibrant and exciting places in Asia. We will be staying at two fabulous hotels, playing some marvellous golf courses including designs by Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie.
We will also be exploring some wonderful, unique destinations with our guides, including a visit to the tranquil Mekong River Delta, and dining in some great restaurants. As the quote from legendary chef Rick Stein describes Vietnam … 'fabulously sophisticated food and breathtaking sights combine in this country of enormous contrasts' (Sunday Express February 1st 2010).

We start off our tour in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) staying at the 5 star Park Hyatt Hotel located at Lam Son Square in the centre of the city, opposite the Opera House and within easy walking distance of numerous bars, restaurants, shops, cultural and historic sites. The Park Hyatt Saigon is a 5 star luxury hotel in the true sense of the word, with world-class restaurants, the exclusive Xuan Spa and an outdoor pool set in lush gardens in a seemingly tranquil oasis right in the heart of the city.

While in Saigon we will be playing three magnificent golf courses:

Song Bé Golf Club
Well known as the first international standard championship course in Vietnam and one of the most challenging and stimulating in the country, Song Bé Golf Course has been gently crafted out of the beautiful landscape and features numerous lakes, tree lined fairways and subtle undulating greens. The 27-hole course is officially rated in accordance with the USGA/SGA (United States Golfers Association) requirements. The different 3 nines offer varying difficulties and a challenge for golfers at any level.

Vietnam Golf & Country Club
Vietnam Golf & Country Club was the first 36-hole golf club in Vietnam and has been widely regarded as Vietnam's Premier Golf and Country Club. Located just 20 kms from the city centre, it is also the nearest golf club to the city.

Set amongst 300 hectares of land, two great golf courses have been carved out of the existing woodland with minimal land movement, leaving you feel that the land was always destined to be a golf course, so natural is the lay-out and design.

The West course first opened in December 1994, and was designed by Taiwanese architect Chen King Shih. The Par 72 Championship Course hosted the Vietnam Open (Asian PGA Tour Event) in both 1995 and 1997.

Lee Trevino, six-time Major Champion Winner (US Open 1968,1971, USPGA Championship 1974, 1984 and The Open Championship 1971 and 1972), designed the East Course which opened in September 1997. The East Course offers more generous fairways than the West Course but is protected by well positioned bunkers, water hazards and undulating Bermuda TifDwarf greens.

We will play the East Course as buggies are not allowed on the West Course and I am confident you will leave Vietnam Golf & Country Club with many fond memories of this golf course and the whole experience.

Long Thanh Golf Club
Long Thanh Golf Club is one of the newest, is nothing short of spectacular with a stunning clubhouse and voted as Vietnam's best golf course in a poll of members, guests and visitors, organized by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Golf Magazine. Come and enjoy Long Thanh Golf Club with us, this promises to be a wonderful golfing experience.

Our Saigon sightseeing wide and varied in such an interesting place and all tours are fully guided. We should leave with a wonderful feeling, fond memories and a greater understanding of its colourful history and heritage.

The second part of our tour is to the coast and the exquisitely preserved merchant town of Hoi An where we will be staying for eight nights at the beautiful 5 star Palm Garden Resort situated on the beach facing the South China Sea. We have upgraded all rooms to ocean view to take advantage of this wonderful beach location. The Palm Garden Resort Hoi An will be a more peaceful and tranquil stay after the vibrancy of Saigon and is in close proximity to our two chosen golf courses.

The Montgomerie
The over-arching design philosophy behind a Colin Montgomerie golf course is to work closely with the natural characteristics of the site. Montgomerie Links Vietnam has the good fortune of having truly outstanding natural features. The sandy soil, wind-blown dunes, and indigenous vegetation combine to create the framework for a very strong links golf course. The course routing is an exciting mixture of heathland and links style holes which cater to players of all abilities. We are playing two rounds at The Montgomerie so it will give us a chance to beat our first performance armed with greater course knowledge.

Danang Golf Club
The newly opened Greg Norman designed Dunes Course at Danang Golf Club already possesses the characteristics that will allow it immediate entry into conversations about the best links layouts in the world. Firm and fast fairways that bleed gently into wild seaside vegetation, rugged waste areas, swales, hollows, even briny ocean air comprise its DNA. Links golf hasn't traditionally exerted the same allure among Asian players as it has with golfers in other regions, but that's about to change and I think Danang Golf Club will be a pivotal element in that transformation. The 18 holes here could just as easily be lifted and placed in Bandon, Oregon, or Doonbeg, County Clare, the homes of a few of golf's most compelling modern links.

During our stay in Hoi An we will also enjoy some carefully selected guided sightseeing tours to help us fully understand and appreciate the wonder of this amazing area steeped in history and culture. We will also have some time at leisure to enjoy the luxurious hotel, the beach or even play an extra round of golf.

We both hope you can join us on this wonderful tour of Vietnam
Marion & Gary

Full Itinerary:

CALENDAR 2010
From:		to	Nights	Country & Location:	Price from
02/09	-	09/09	7	Madeira , Casa Velha 5	£1325*	details
02/10	-	09/10	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 Only 1 remaining place	£820*	details	GS
01/11	-	14/11	13	USA, Myrtle Beach Only 4 remaining places	£1,995**	details
20/11	-	27/11	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5	£795*	details	GS
CALENDAR 2011
8/01	-	24/01	14	Vietnam Escorted Tour, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) & Hoi An	£3,495**	details
31/01	-	13/02	12	South Africa ,The Winelands and Garden Route Escorted Tour. Only 1 remaining place	£3,160**	details
05/03	-	12/03	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 Only 4 remaining places	£855*	details	GS
12/03	-	19/03	7	Portugal, Festival of Golf, Penina / San Lorenzo 5	£955*	details
16/04	-	23/04	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5	£855*	details	GS
07/05	-	14/05	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5	£855*	details	GS
_/05	-	_/05	TBC	Italy , details available soon
10/09	-	17/09	7	Spain, Benalup; Fairplay Hotel and Spa, Luxury All Inclusive 5 £150 single supplement	£1280*	details
15/10	-	22/10	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5	£855*	details	GS
__/11	-	__/11	TBC	Dubai, details available soon
				*Prices per person sharing including golf excluding flights **Prices per person sharing including golf & including flights
GS - Golf School     Available Limited Fully Booked