|
 What's
new from Gary and Marion ... ?
Volcanic ash
Sitting stranded in Spain, as we are, after what has been an unprecedented
halt to flying, it makes us realise just how much we rely on air
travel. We had just finished our April Golf School at Le Meridien
Penina when 'whoosh' up goes some Volcano in Iceland, of all places.
At first the full implications did not register but they soon became
very apparent, with most of northern Europe becoming a 'no fly'
zone. Our guests at the Golf School handled the situation fantastically
well, resigning themselves to their fate of an extra weeks' enforced
holiday. Le Meridien Penina Hotel, a very class act, as always,
did not profiteer and also offered golf at a very affordable rates
for their stranded guests. All our guests were eventually flown
home by their respective airlines and should eventually be reimbursed
for reasonable costs incurred as a result of their delayed return,
in accordance with current EU legislation.
From my own point of view I tried to get back to the UK for a week
at the Golf Academy at Forrester Park. I was booked with Ryanair
and they were about as helpful as a 'chocolate teapot' in the circumstances!
I was given a choice of a refund, or re-booking, only the re-booking
option on their website would not work and their customer helpline
number had not even been assigned to a user, so no help at all!
Even Ryanair have now accepted they must pay legitimate expenses
incurred as a result of delayed return flights, but will not pay
any compensation.
South Africa
Since Christmas we have had a fabulous time, firstly with our tour
to South Africa which was absolutely fantastic … and we are
already taking bookings for next years South Africa tour to Franschhoek
in the Winelands region just outside of Cape Town, and then along
the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay staying at a hotel overlooking
the Goose Valley Golf Club. Full details of this tour are now available
on our website … but this tour is popular so don't miss out
give Marion or I a call and get your place reserved … Call:
01376 563104 or, 07801 428174
Penina
I have been happily running the Golf Schools at Le Meridien Penina.
This concept has continued to prove popular and still represents
great value at £820 per person (sharing) and includes six
rounds of golf, three meals with wine, return airport/ hotel transfers,
and of course, the services of 'yours truly'. It is wonderful that
so many guests return to continue to progress their game and also
enjoy the social side of things, including those great evenings
up at Fernando's restaurant! We have two more schools planned for
the autumn, one in October which is booking at the moment and one
in November. Dates for next spring will be posted up on the web
site soon.
Madeira
Madeira in September is booking well, though there are still spaces
available at present. I have spoken to Sonja at Casa Velha and after
the difficulties with the recent flooding, which affected the whole
of southern Europe, life on the island is now completely back to
normal. In its high position overlooking Funchal, the hotel was
in no way affected and the staff are looking forward to seeing us
again in the autumn.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach in November is my favourite place to 'stay and play'
… great courses, fantastic food, and the Tanga outlet centre
to re stock on clothes! This is a holiday for the keen golfer and
this year we have included all transfers in the cost of the holiday,
not just to and from the airport but also to and from all the golf
courses, so anyone a little apprehensive about driving in America
but would like to play the great courses, this is the tour for you.
We have also included a bit of history and culture by way of a sightseeing
tour of the area, guided by Chuck, which should be fun.
Vietnam
January the 8th 2011 we will be heading for a spectacular tour of
Vietnam, starting in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) staying at the luxury
five stars Park Hyatt and playing some wonderful courses, Song Be,
Vietnam Country Club, and Long Thanh Golf Club voted best course
in Vietnam in 2007. As well as some unbelievable sightseeing,
The second leg of the tour is to the beach resort of Hoi An, here
we are staying at the Five Star Palm Garden Resort, again playing
three rounds over two fabulous courses designed by Greg Norman and
Colin Montgomery. We will visit some historic sights but also some
time to relax after the busy City of Saigon.
The full itinerary is now on the web site garypikegolf.com or call
Marion or Gary on 01376 563104 or 07801 428174, we have several
bookings for this tour already so please call as soon as possible
to reserve your place.
Holiday Reunion Day
A date for your diary … 6 August 2010 at Forrester Park. It
has been a couple of years now since our last Reunion Day at Forrester
Park in Essex. For those that haven't played in one before, it is
an 18 hole Stableford competition where you can enter individually,
or as a pair or even a group providing you have all been on one
of our holidays or golf schools. There will be golf, dinner and
prizes and most importantly, a chance to meet some of your fellow
travellers again that you met at some other time and place around
the world. Booking forms will be sent out towards the end of May.
As ever, Marion and I sincerely thank you all for your continued
and valued support and hope to hear from you and hopefully see you
again very soon on another holiday, school or escorted tour.
Gary and Marion
April 2010
|
CALENDAR 2010
|
| From: |
|
to |
Nights |
Country & Location: |
Price from |
|
|
|
|
02/09
|
-
|
09/09
|
7
|
Madeira , Casa
Velha 5 |
£1325*
|
|
|
 |
|
02/10
|
-
|
09/10
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£820*
|
|
GS |
|
|
01/11
|
-
|
14/11
|
13
|
USA, Myrtle Beach |
£1,995**
|
|
|
 |
|
20/11
|
-
|
27/11
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£795*
|
|
GS |
|
|
CALENDAR 2011
|
|
8/01
|
- |
24/01
|
14
|
Vietnam Escorted
Tour, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) & Hoi An |
£3,495**
|
|
|
 |
|
31/01
|
-
|
13/02
|
12
|
South Africa ,The Winelands and Garden Route Escorted Tour.
Only 1 remaining place
|
|
|
|
 |
|
05/03
|
-
|
12/03
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£855*
|
|
GS |
|
|
12/03
|
-
|
19/03
|
7
|
Portugal, Festival
of Golf, Penina / San Lorenzo 5 |
£955*
|
|
|
|
|
16/04
|
-
|
23/04
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£855*
|
|
GS |
|
|
07/05
|
-
|
14/05
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£855*
|
|
GS |
|
|
_/05
|
-
|
_/05
|
TBC
|
Itay , details
available soon |
|
|
|
 |
|
10/09
|
-
|
17/09
|
7
|
Spain, Benalup;
Fairplay Hotel and Spa, Luxury All Inclusive 5
£150 single supplement |
£1280*
|
|
|
 |
|
15/10
|
-
|
22/10
|
7
|
Portugal, Western
Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5 |
£855*
|
|
GS |
|
|
__/11
|
-
|
__/11
|
TBC
|
Dubai, details
available soon |
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
*Prices
per person sharing including golf excluding flights
**Prices per person sharing including golf & including flights |
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|
|
|
|
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For
your peace of mind: 
inclusive
holidays Distant Landings sell are ATOL protected under ATOL licence
number 2898. This means that in the unlikely event of Distant
Landings insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded
abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to Distant
Landings for any advance booking.