The Verdura Resort and Spa, Sicily, Italy
One of the suites, overlooking the golf course in the evening
The Verdura Resort and Spa, Sicily, Italy
Dinner outside in the moonlight, at one the resort's restaurants
The Verdura Resort and Spa, Sicily, Italy
Dinner in one of the resort's restaurants, overlooking the Mediterranean sea
The Verdura Resort and Spa, Sicily, Italy
The 6th hole on the East Course at the Verdura golf club, overlooking the Mediterranean
VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT, SICILY
PERFECT FOR:
- Romantic Breaks: Beautiful setting; luxurious facilities; world-class health spa; his-and-her activities; intimate dining options; Italian ambiance.
- Family Vacations: Dedicated Kids' Club; early dinner setting exclusively for children; a range of outdoor and sporting activities; and, of course, the Italian passion for “bambini” (the children).
LA DOLCE VITA IS AWAITING YOU IN SICILY
Regular travellers to Italy will already know this little adage: the further south you travel, the warmer the climate and the locals become. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that Sicily, the southern-most part of Italy, is so warm it's almost glowing.
“La dolce vita” begins the moment you arrive at Palermo international airport. Italians have a flair and zest for life that you simply can't fake. But it is contagious. Whether or not you speak Italian, hire yourself an Alfa Romeo (or Ferrari or Lamborghini if the urge takes you) and head out onto the stunning countryside road leading from the airport to the Verdura Resort & Spa, an hour's drive away (although you'll wish it took longer), and you'll be adding an Italian intonation to everything you say within five minutes. Go on, time yourself.
LOCATION
Sicily is the southern-most (autonomous) part of Italy, and the largest island in the Mediterranean. It sits at the cross-roads between Europe, Africa and the Middle-East and, consequently, benefits from thousands of years of different cultural heritages.
The Verdura Resort & Spa is on the southern coast of the island (perched on its own 1.8km of private coastline), near to the village of Sciacca.
Click here to see a local map.
THE GOLF
Verdura has two 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole, par 3 course, all designed by Kyle Phillips (famous also for his design of golf links such as Kingsbarns Golf Links in Scotland and The Grove, London, England).
As if the previous night's fine wines in the hotel restaurant weren't enough, epic sea and landscapes threaten to distract you from every shot. The glistening, azure Mediterranean sea can be a most distracting temptress when you have a six-foot putt for birdie.
All three of the courses are set amidst olive and orange groves and feature five sets of tee markers, so whether you're an experienced, low-handicap golfer looking to challenge yourself or a casual, holiday golfer looking for an aesthetically pleasing golfing distraction from the beach, Verdura can cater to your needs.
For those carrying a bit of swing rust into their Sicilian holiday, the resort also offers a double-ended driving range features 80-yard tees at each end; putting and chipping greens; practice bunkers; and PGA-qualified professionals for tuition.
NON-GOLFING ACTIVITIES
The Resort has one of the most advanced spas in Europe. Built around an open-air courtyard, the Verdura Spa has extensive treatment rooms, a 25m indoor swimming pool, a large hammam, saunas, a state of the art gym, a hair and beauty studio, and four outside Thalasso pools.
If you want to get off the resort and do some sight-seeing, Sicily offers a wealth of exploration options. There are historic towns and villages to explore (such as the capital, Palermo, and Taormina); a large number of beautiful and secluded beaches, lapped by crystal-clear azure waters; and natural wonders, such as Mount Etna (the largest active volcano in Europe).
There are also a number of smaller islands surrounding Sicily, most of which are easily accessible by hydrofoil and ferry. Each island is unique but most will provide you with options for sea swimming, excellent diving, long coastal walks and wildlife spotting.
There are also sailing and fishing excursions; horse riding trips into the local countryside; 4x4 excursions; personalised private flights over the island by helicopter; and, for the athletic, wind-surfing and kite-surfing on a dedicated beach.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
The Verdura Resort warmly receives children, and provides a range of activities specifically designed for youngsters, such as a special swimming pool and a children’s club for those aged between 4 and 12 (which is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday and is free to attend).
There is a special “hang-out area” for teenagers, where they can meet like-minded guests. A tailor-made leisure programme offers the chance to try a variety of sports and activities, from golf and sailing to tennis and windsurfing. The Resort also organises excursions for older children to explore Sicily sans parents, leaving you free to play golf, enjoy the spa or have a romantic morning on the beach.
The resort will also supply everything from high chairs and crayons to Nintendo WII consoles, and will ask for details of any specific requirements that you may have for your children's vacation at the resort at the time of your booking.
All the rooms at the resort sleep two, but extra beds can be added to some room types and rooms can be added with interconnecting doors to accommodate families of all sizes. Those with children under the age of four will have their rooms specially child-proofed.
WHERE TO STAY
The Verdura Resort & Spa, the first resort built by Sir Rocco Forte (of the luxury hotel group bearing his name), is befitting of the dramatic and attractive location where it is perched overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The resort was designed to allow guests to luxuriate in the Sicilian sun in huge wide open spaces (the resort is set in 230 hectares of stunning landscape and has 1.8 kilometres of its own private coastline, yet has only 203 guest-rooms and suites), whilst still never being far from 5 star service. It is the perfect place for a relaxing and luxurious vacation.
DINING OPTIONS
The resort offers a range of dining experiences: there are four different restaurants and five bars, plus private dining options. Sicilian cuisine is superb and the range of dishes available at the resort will satisfy even the most demanding of palates.
There are special children's menus in each of the restaurants and, in the evening, Buon Giorno restaurant caters exclusively for youngsters. Dishes can be ordered in advance, and are served from late afternoon.
Private dining is also available, either from an extensive room service menu or as part of the resort's Romantic Dining Experience, which will set up a table, white linen and candles at your chosen spot in the resort, whether in the gardens or on the beach.
The nearest local town of Sciacca offers a wide range of local restaurants and bars. The hotel concierge can make recommendations and reservations for you upon request.
WHEN TO GO
As the southern-most point in Italy, Sicily enjoys the best of the Mediterranean climate. The weather is usually perfect for golf between April and October, although winters on Sicily tend to be mild by European standards. July and August can be rather hot, although the position of the Verdura resort on the south coast means that you should be cooled by a sea breeze even on the hottest days.
Click here to see average weather conditions throughout the year, and for a weather forecast for the next five days.
TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOLIDAY
Getting There
Palermo is Sicily's international airport (and the island's capital). The resort is one hour's drive from the airport, through beautiful countryside. Hertz and Avis rental cars are available at the airport.
Alternatively, the resort has its own heli-pad. Private transfers to the resort from the airport can be arranged either by car or helicopter.
Getting around
If you intend to explore Sicily whilst staying at the resort, a hire car is the best way to get around. Alternatively, the resort can arrange for private transfers upon request.
Packing Tips & Dress Code
Don't forget your swimsuit for the beach and the spa. Smart casual clothing is acceptable throughout the resort.
Currency
Euro. For current rates of exchange, click here.
Language Spoken
Italian. However, English is widely spoken in the resort.
If you intend to explore Sicily (or dream of ordering your bruschetta and spaghetti pomodoro in perfect Italian), then a few key Italian phrases should be relatively easy to learn. Click here to order the same language training CD that we used.
Time Zone
GMT+1 (+2 during winter daylight saving time).
Dialing Codes
The dialing code for Sicily is +39, then add the local number.
Travel Money
To order Euros from Travelex at the guaranteed best price availabe in the UK - at 0% commission, and with free airport pickup click here.
Travel Insurance
Insurance isn't fun but it is both important and a sensible investment when travelling overseas (particularly when transporting expensive golf equipment). We recommend American Express .