Golf & Cultural Tour Vietnam & Cambodia
Golf & Cultural Tour Vietnam & Cambodia August 2014 Anyone who has ever visited Hanoi will probably tell you that it may be the most beautiful city in all of Asia. People have settled here along the Red River for a thousand years. Nestled along wooded boulevards among the city’s two dozen lakes you will find architectural souvenirs left by all who conquered this great valley, from the Chinese who first came in the last millennium to the French, who were ousted last century. Vietnam’s central coast is becoming known as one of Asia's most exciting golfing destinations. Known as 'The Golf Coast', the sand dunes along the coast near Danang now boast 3 world class golf courses, a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and taste, plenty of historical and sightseeing interest, as well as a warm climate and the magnificent China Beach. Siem Reap is the main golf destination in Cambodia. It is a small former French colonial town that has become popular with many travelling to see the 1000 year old cradle of Khmer civilization and the Temples of Angkor Wat. And there are now three international standard courses in the area. With the temples of Angkor Wat nearby, Siem Reap is becoming a world golfing destination.
Itinerary Hanoi Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! After settling in after your flight, you will enjoy a best of Hanoi sightseeing tour. Steep yourself in history, tradition, and legend in a capital that has been inhabited continuously for almost a millennium. Visitors often note that the city is quieter, greener, and "cooler" than other Asian big cities. Visit the famous Old Quarter, Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and “Hanoi Hilton” (POW prison). In the evening you will be a guest for our welcome dinner where you will have a chance to learn about your trip, the country of Vietnam and have your first chance to savour the flavours of Vietnam’s unique cuisine.
Itinerary Halong Bay Day 2 After breakfast you will be transported to Halong Bay. In 1991 a scene of the French movie INDOCHINE was filmed on the Bay. The film was about the life of a French woman who lived in Vietnam during the French domination in Indochina from mid-19th to mid-20th century. Halong, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO, covers 1,500 square kilometres and is part of the Tonkin Gulf in the South China Sea. Halong Bay has nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets. You will stay one night on board a replica junk ship where all meals are included. Day 3 After breakfast at sea you will disembark and be transported to Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club featuring 27 holes of challenging international standard golfing. The club opened in late 2003, and is located about half way between Hanoi and Halong Bay. Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club played host to the first professional golf tournament in the north of Vietnam, the 2004 Carlsberg Masters Vietnam. The pure beauty of the layout was recognized by both golf professionals and amateurs alike. Gorgeous! After golf proceed directly to the Hanoi International airport for the short 1 hour domestic flight to Danang. On arrival transfer to Lang Co for check-in.
Itinerary Danang Day 4 After breakfast at your hotel enjoy a half day tour to the ancient capital city of Hue, including visits to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb. Landmarks are the Perfume River, the old city, and the Citadel. Much of the riverside has been restored, and is now a pleasant promenade and park dotted with bizarre sculptures. Day 5 Today you will play the Laguna Lang Co Golf Club. Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, the course takes advantage of the variety inherent in its environment and features golf holes weaving between trees, through rice padi fields, alongside and over streams, through impressive rock features and alongside the beach. Day 6 After breakfast you will be transported to the Montgomerie Links, Colin Montgomerie’s only Asian creation. The site has an amazing beachscape, which makes the perfect palette for this links style course. Moving boldly through wispy Casuarina pines and sand dunes the Montgomerie Links Vietnam gives you the feeling of being in Scotland without the cold temperatures you find in the British Isles! The golf course takes advantage of its close proximity to the Marble Mountains, which form an impressive backdrop...
Itinerary Hoi An Day 7 Today we journey to My Son, the former religious centre of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilization which dated from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Today, all that are left are five archaeological sites from different periods. After a brief overview of Cham history and culture, visit each ruin in turn, walking along forested paths. On the way back stop for lunch and explore Hoi An. Built on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An used to be a transit maritime port in the 10th century. Parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did in centuries past and the town retains the old world feel. With its narrow streets and quaint mix of architecture, highlights include old house, the Chinese Pagodas, and the famous Temple Bridge built in 1593 by the Japanese. Hoi An is recognized for its World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Day 8 This morning we play golf at Danang Golf Club. Reminiscent of Scottish links golf, Great White Shark Greg Norman has created arguably Vietnam’s best course. Built on the sandy loam soil of China Beach, the fairways are generous and there is restrained use of water. The greens are well bunkered and undulating and the fairways are well defined by long needle pines, and magnificent bunkering. After golf you will transfer Danang Airport for the flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Itinerary Cambodia Welcome to Cambodia! Siem Reap is a small former French colonial town that caters for visitors wishing to see the 1000 year old cradle of Khmer civilization, and the Temples of Angkor Wat. Day 9 In the morning we transfer to Siem Reap Lake Golf Resort, Angkor’s newest championship golf course. The course layout features generous palm lined fairways, meandering creeks and excellent bunkering giving the golf course a distinctive layout and feel. The club house stands out as the largest structure among the surrounding rice paddies. After golf you will travel to have your first glimpse of Angkor Wat when you ascend the highest temple in the area, Phnom Bakheng. The temple is best climbed at the end of the day by the gently winding path which sometimes is taken by tourist elephants!! From the summit one can enjoy a view stretching across the plain - dominated by the two other peaks that are also each crowned with a temple‌
Itinerary Cambodia Day 10 Today just might be highlight tour of your trip! You will visit the crown jewel of Khmer architecture, and largest religious monument in the world - the Angkor Wat temple complex. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple you must first cross the vast moat, before continuing along a broad causeway. When you enter the main building, you ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary which offers views back over the causeway and the surrounding countryside. The next stop is the fortified city of Angkor Thom . Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. You will enter by the monumental south gate, and cross over a causeway lined by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant sea creature. Visit the ruined Royal Enclosure before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple’s central sanctuary you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. After lunch at a local Cambodian restaurant, we visit Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. It looks very much like it would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across it‌..
Day 11 This morning we play golf at Angkor Golf Resort, designed by Nick Faldo, and host of the 2012 Cambodian Open. The course rewards the thinking golfer and demands strategic play on every hole to score well. The greens have plenty of subtle undulations and encourage a variety of approach shots. Day 12 Home time! You will transfer to Siem Reap airport for the trip home.
Golf Clubs & Course Overview The Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club Set in a magnificent laked valley , and surrounded by rolling forest hills proudly sits “The Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club”. The course boasts immaculately conditioned fairways, fast greens, strategic bunkers and an imposingly large lake – all of which will ensure your golfing experience at Chi Linh Star is challenging, enjoyable and not likely to be forgotten.
Montgomerie Links Golf & Country Club Montgomerie Links (designed by Colin Montgomerie) has been rated the best course in Vietnam in the last few years, and more recently one of the best in Asia. The course has a character all of its own - I could not readily compare it to anything I had seen. Montgomerie Links is built in sand in the vicinity, but not adjacent to the magnificent beach. Water features prominently on a number of holes - some of the water holes were quite spectacular - and more than a little intimidating!
Danang Golf Club Danang Golf Course was designed by Greg Norman and opened for play in 2010. Norman's main lieutenant on the job was Aussie Harley Kruse - and you can see the sandbelt influence in the bunkering and green complexes. Internationally it is regarded as one of the very best courses in the Greg Norman portfolio
Golf Clubs & Course Overview Laguna Lang Co Golf Club It was a warm sunny Sunday at the end of November and we rose early to drive through the city of Danang on our way north to Lang Co. Our destination was the brand new Laguna Lang Co Resort with its Nick Faldo course. The resort was not quite ready for the public when we arrived - the first 2 hotels in the complex are 3 months from opening, and the course was yet to officially open. But what a set up!
Angkor Golf Resort The Siem Reap course is a fair test of golf for all players and requires a strategic approach on every hole to score well.. The greens have plenty of subtle undulations and reward a variety of approach shots.
Phokeethra Golf & Country Club Sweeping fairways and generous greens give the Cambodia golf club a distinctive layout and feel. Natural lagoons and strategically placed bunkers thread through the course to challenge golfers of all abilities. The course provides a good mix of holes which demand a combination of length and control to score well. Water features on all but one hole and the conclusion with signature double water carry provides a daunting finish.
Activity Overview Hanoi Sight Seeing Steep yourself in history in a capital that has been inhabited continuously for almost a millennium. Visitors often note that the city is quieter, greener, and "cooler" than other Asian big cities. Visit the famous Old Quarter, Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and “Hanoi Hilton� (POW prison).
Halong Bay In 1991 a scene of the French movie INDOCHINE was filmed on the Bay. The film was about the life of a French woman who lived in Vietnam during the French domination in Indochina from mid-19th to mid-20th century. Halong, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO, covers 1,500 square kilometres and is part of the Tonkin Gulf in the South China Sea. Halong Bay has nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets. You will stay one night on board a replica junk ship where all meals are included.
Hue City Tour Enjoy a half day tour to the ancient capital city of Hue, including visits to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb. The main landmarks are the Perfume River, the old city, and the Citadel.
Activity Overview My Son Visit the former religious center of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilization which dated from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Today, all that are left are five archaeological sites from different periods. After a brief overview of Cham history and culture, visit each ruin in turn, walking along forested paths.
Hoi An Built on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An used to be a transit maritime port in the 10th century. Parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did in centuries past and the town retains the old world feel. With its narrow streets and quaint mix of architecture, highlights include old house, the Chinese Pagodas, and the famous Temple Bridge built in 1593 by the Japanese. Hoi An is recognized for its World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, boasts 194 historical sites and includes 87 pagodas, temples and communal houses, 82 ancient tubeshaped houses, 24 ancient wells and an ancient tiled bridge.
Angkor Wat - The Temples Visit the crown jewel of Khmer architecture, the Angkor Wat temple complex. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout. To approach the temple you first cross the vast moat, then continuing along a broad causeway. When you enter the main building, you ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary which offers views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. To complete this wonderful experience we visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm
Accommodation Overview Silk Path Hotel Hanoi’s Silk Path Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Hang Gai and the French Quarter. The top floor fitness centre has a steam bath offering panoramic views of Hoan Kiem Lake. Free Wi-Fi is provided. Guests can rejuvenate with a work-out at the fitness centre or sauna. Silk Path Hotel has a hot tub, a quiet reading lounge and a 24-hour business centre. The air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box and a work desk. A minibar and tea/coffee making facilities are also provided.
The Bhaya Bhaya Cruises offers a fleet of new vessels with a direct link to Vietnamese imperial history. A true traveler of his time, the Vietnamese Emperor Khai Dinh (1885-1925) defied the custom of taking thousands of courtiers on a royal trip. In 1917 he took just twelve of his most trusted advisers on a very exceptional trip to Halong Bay. His vessel was one of the most wonderful wooden junks to have sailed the waters of Halong Bay
Angsana Lang Co Set on the beach front on warm sands with the Truong Son (Annamite) Mountain Range as a backdrop, Angsana Lang Co is the one of the region’s newest five-star resorts. A part of the 280-hectare integrated resort of Laguna Lang Co, this modern retreat features brilliant scenes of unspoiled natural beauty and is in close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Complex of Hue Monuments.
Accommodation Overview Fusion Maia Fusion Maia is the child of belief in the harmonious fusion of health services and that of World class resort surroundings. The Fusion Maia lifestyle combines healthy living with a life of indulging luxuries. Manmade wonders are waiting. And so are the tropical sun, the ocean breeze, and the famously charming beach.
Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa Experience ultimate luxury and bask in the splendour of elegance at the Prince D' Angkor Hotel & Spa - the perfect base from which to explore the legendary Angkor temples and undiscovered treasures of Cambodia. It is conveniently located in the heart of the city just a minute’s walk from shops, restaurants and markets.
Package includes:
Package excludes:
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1 nights’ Hanoi accommodation at Silk Path Hotel 1 nights’ Halong Bay accommodation aboard The Bhaya with full board 3 nights’ Lang Co accommodation at Angsana Resort & Spa 2 nights’ accommodation in Hoi An at Fusion Maia including unlimited spas and massages 4 nights’ Siem Reap accommodation at Prince D’Angkor Resort & Spa Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, & 3 dinners 6 rounds of golf at 6 different golf courses with prebooked tee times 1 caddy per golfer at each golf course 1 golf cart per 2 golfers at each golf course All privately guided sightseeing tours as described above All airport, land, and golf course transfers All transfers by private air-conditioned VIP coach Fully guided with English speaking guide Local knowledge, expertise, suggestions, and support throughout trip All taxes and service charges
All airfares, visa fees, airport taxes Personal items, meals (other than those mentioned), gratuities .
Estimated Pricing •Price per golfer, twin share $3634AUD •Price per non-golfer, twin share $2717AUD •Single supplement $1,490AUD •Additional night in Hanoi, twin share $110AUD *All pricing is subject to change, availability and currency fluctuations.
Further details can be found on our website www.thetravellinggolfer.com.au
For more information call or e-mail Peter +61 438 573 271 peter@thetravellinggolfer.com.au
Steve +61 402 218 016 steve@thetravellinggolfer.com.au
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2. Credit Card: (2.5% credit card fees apply) VISA or MasterCard. Phone Peter on 0438573271 The balance of payment is due 70 days before departure (28th October, 2013). In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date, The Travelling Golfer will treat the booking as cancelled unless advised to the contrary.
For more information call or e-mail Peter +61 438 573 271 peter@thetraveliinggolfer.com.au
Steve +61 402 218 016 steve@thetraveliinggolfer.com.au
Travel Insurance It is highly recommended you obtain Travel Insurance at the time you make payment for your travel. Travel insurance should protect you against any medical expenses arising from sickness or injury during your travels and against any loss of or damage to your belongings. It should also provide cover against trip cancellations and flight delays, and offer 24 hour emergency assistance. You can apply for "AIG Travel Insurance" or "QBE Travel Insurance" through The Travelling Golfer website. The benefits each policy offers is slightly different. You must read the Policy documents carefully to ensure they are providing the benefits that best suit your circumstances. In summary, both policies provide*: Unlimited overseas medical expenses Unlimited cancellation costs Unlimited emergency expenses $2,500,000 legal liability *Note: the policy wording differs with each plan AIG also provides up to $3,000 worth of cover for golf clubs automatically on its single or multi trip plans. The excess is $100 per claim. QBE provides automatic cover of $3,000 on golf clubs only on its multi trip plan. You would need to pay an additional premium (3% of items value) if you wish to cover your golf clubs on their single trip plan. QBE's excess is $200 per claim. To obtain a quote from AIG To obtain a quote and read the full PDS/Policy terms and conditions, and apply for cover over the internet, please click on the following AIG link: AIG Insurance- Get a Quote If you have a pre-existing medical condition or health disorder you wish to cover you will need to contact AIG assessors on 1800008473 to establish whether they will provide cover for it. If you have any questions regarding the policy please contact AIG customer service on 1800017682. To obtain a quote from QBE To obtain a quote and read the full PDS/Policy terms and conditions, and apply for cover over the Internet, please click on the following QBE link: QBE Travel Insurance- Get A Quote If you have a pre-existing medical condition or health disorder you wish to cover you must complete a Travelers Medical Appraisal Form. If your application is approved you will be advised of any restrictions, excesses or additional premiums that may apply. If you have any questions regarding the policy please contact QBE Customer service on 1300555017.
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peter@thetravellinggolfer.com.au There is no refund for cancellation for unused services on or after the tour commencement date. Note: Airlines have there own cancellation terms and conditions. Tour Rates Tour prices are set as a guide only and may vary due to currency fluctuations and component cost increases. All rates advertised are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change until receipt of payment in full. The Travelling Golfer reserves the right to adjust our tour cost as necessary. Any surcharges will be passed on in respect to currency fluctuations unless full payment has been received and no changes are made to your booking The tour price is for the package as detailed in the itinerary only. If changes are requested to the itinerary, then an administration fee of $100 plus any additional costs incurred will be charged, on top of the tour price. Airlines All airfares are not included in the tour itinerary, however we can assist with all of your international travel arrangements. All airfare bookings are subject to individual airline terms and conditions. Airlines have their own luggage restrictions. If you do not adhere to these limitations excess baggage fees may apply and are at your own expense.
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