Combining outstanding facilities with a stunning location, Sicily's deluxe Verdura Resort is a 'must-visit' place for all golfers, and players have the chance to get their swings and bodies in shape this summer with the launch of a new range of bespoke golf and fitness packages.

Under the guidance of the resort's expert team of PGA golf professionals and fitness trainers, the three and five-day programmes feature a series of tailored golf and training sessions – with packages available from €425 per person (approx £335).

Suitable for golfers of all standards, the 'Integrated Golf Programmes' include private consultations with Verdura's golf professional and fitness manager as well as daily one-to-one golf lessons, including video analysis, and fitness sessions specially designed to target any individual weaknesses.

Beginners will learn the basics – grip, posture, and the correct body movement – before heading to the range for personal video analysis. The fitness manager will work on rotation exercises and flexibility, while also focusing on how to use the body and the muscles in a golf swing.

For more experienced golfers, the programme begins with private tuition on the range, utilising video analysis to understand faults and how to fix them, while the fitness manager will develop bespoke exercises to help improve the golfer's technique and flexibility.

Host of the Sicilian Open in 2012, Verdura Resort – a Rocco Forte hotel – has quickly risen to become one of the new modern stars of European golf, and recently received international acclaim after receiving an 'Editors' Choice Award for Best International Resorts 2016' from Golf Digest - the world's number one golf publication.

Named 'Best Golf Hotel in Italy' at the 2015 World Golf Awards, the venue has everything needed for a relaxing sunshine golfing break and features two outstanding 18-hole championship courses – the East Course and West Course – as well as a par-three nine hole course, all designed by world-renowned architect Kyle Phillips.

Built to the highest specifications, the three links-style layouts offer a golf experience to remember, with tee times arranged at 12-minute intervals to ensure free-flowing play, five sets of tees making the courses playable for golfers of all abilities and one of its courses dedicated daily to two-ball play only.

Complementing the courses are extensive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and excellent golf academy, while players can also take advantage of the latest state-of-the-art TaylorMade equipment when they hire clubs at the resort after a recent upgrade of its rental service.

Situated on Sicily's southern coast between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, an 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports, Verdura Resort features 203 rooms and suites – all with a sea view.

Away from the fairways, the resort features an array of other luxury sports and lifestyle facilities while guests also have the opportunity to sample a taste of the gastronomy, wine, history and culture that has made Sicily famous across the world.

For details on the wide range of golf packages available at Verdura Resort, go to https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/verdura-resort/promotions/. 

For more information on the resort and to book a stay, phone +39 0925 99 8180 or visit www.roccofortehotels.com 

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Information for journalists

Press release written and distributed by The Azalea Group.

• High-resolution images of Verdura Resort may be downloaded for editorial purposes from https://goo.gl/whK5xs 

For more information on Verdura Resort contact Luke Frary on 01730 711920/ luke@theazaleagroup.com or email Anna Malvezzi at amalvezzi@roccofortehotels.com.

Verdura Resort
Since opening in 2009, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotels resort, (www.roccofortehotels.com) has quickly established itself among Europe's premier contemporary luxury golf and lifestyle destinations.

The resort is set in 230 hectares of stunning landscape overlooking the Mediterranean with 1.8km of private coastline, and offers golfing guests and families an unparalleled modern five-star experience on the largest island in the Mediterranean. The resort is located on the southern coast of Sicily between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, a 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports.

Verdura features 203 rooms and suites, all with sea view, and is a paradise for golfers, with its outstanding facilities. Golfers from all over the world come to enjoy the two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par-three course, all designed by world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips and playable all-year-round. Verdura was the host venue for the European Tour's 2012 Sicilian Open and its three links-style layouts have been built to the highest specifications. The resort's East Course is ranked as one of the finest in continental Europe while its beautiful West Course, also a par-72, provides the ideal complement and features one of the most memorable finishes anywhere in the world with the final four holes set alongside the Mediterranean. The courses are matched by outstanding practice amenities including a double-ended driving range and excellent golf academy.

Verdura's other sports facilities include six tennis courts; a 60m two-tiered infinity pool; numerous watersports, one football pitch; a 170sqm fully-equipped gym and a collection of running trails through olive and lemon groves. The resort's award-winning 4,000sqm spa complex includes 11 treatment rooms, gym, yoga studio, a 25-metre indoor lap pool, four outdoor Thalassotherapy pools, a double-height steam room, male and female saunas and a spa bar for healthy alternatives.

Guests can sample an authentic taste of traditional Sicily with an array of dishes at one of the resort's four restaurants and five bars – with fresh, organic produce sourced straight from Verdura's own garden. In addition, visitors can enjoy an array of cultural and culinary experiences where they can discover the secrets of Sicilian cooking, with menus inspired by celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and taste the many famous wines of the region. There is also plenty to keep the younger members of the family entertained with dedicated kids and teen clubs providing a variety of fun-packed activity programmes throughout the year.

Verdura Resort has received widespread recognition through numerous awards including, most recently, winning the title of 'Italy's Best Golf Hotel' at the 2015 World Golf Awards', retaining its place in Golf World's benchmark 'Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe 2015/16' rankings and claiming a 'Golden Award for Golf' at the 2015 Voyages & Hôtels Readers Awards. In addition, it was also named 'Best Family European Golf Resort' by the 2011 Tatler Travel Guide, Modern Course in Italy' by leading Italian magazine 'Il Mondo del Golf'. In addition, Verdura claimed a 'Golden Award for Golf' at the 2015 Voyages & Hôtels Readers Awards and was named 'Best Family European Golf Resort' by the 2011 Tatler Travel Guide, while it was the recipient of two accolades at the 2015 Spafinder Wellness Travel Awards in the 'Best for Couples' and 'Wow Factor' categories.

Rocco Forte Hotels
Established by Sir Rocco Forte and sister, Olga Polizzi in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 10 individual hotels and resorts. All of the hotels are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations. Led by a family who has been in hospitality for four generations, the hotels are united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas.
Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; Verdura Resort, Sicily; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; Brown's Hotel, London; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg.

Future opening: Jeddah in 2016, Shanghai in 2018

www.roccofortehotels.com 
Media Enquiries:
Rosie O'Brien, Group Communications Director
Rocco Forte Hotels
Email: robrien@roccofortehotels.com