The arrival of winter doesn't have to be the cue for golfers to put their clubs into hibernation, and Sicily's deluxe Verdura Resort is offering players the perfect excuse for a sunshine break over the coming months – with four-night packages available from only €460 (approx £400) per person.

Serving up a combination of sunny skies, breathtaking scenery and mouth-watering cuisine, the Mediterranean's largest island has all the ingredients for a relaxing overseas break, and guests can take advantage of award-winning golf at an outstanding price at Italy's top golf resort from now until April 30 next year.

Named as the country's number one golf venue in a recent industry list of continental Europe's top 100 golf resorts and host of the 2012 Sicilian Open, Verdura's world-class golf facilities include two outstanding 18-hole championship courses – the East Course and West Course – and a par-three nine-hole course.

Designed by world-famous golf architect Kyle Phillips and built to the highest specifications, all 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 Verdura's golf courses are extensive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and excellent golf academy, while guests can also enjoy access to the latest TaylorMade golf equipment with the resort's outstanding rental club service.

Four-night winter breaks at Verdura – a Rocco Forte hotel – start from €115 (approx £100) per person per night and include daily breakfast, two rounds of golf, full use of the golf practice facilities and access to the luxury spa facilities including sauna, steam bath and swimming pools.

Players seeking a longer stay can take advantage of outstanding value by booking a seven-night bed and breakfast stay from €805 per person (approx £700) including four rounds of golf and the same leisure privileges. All prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double standard room.

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

Ends

Winter golf packages terms & conditions: Rates are per person sharing a double room. Offer is subject to availability, valid for new bookings and cannot be combined with any other offer. Children or extra adults will be charged separately. The offer is subject to black out dates and not available to group (above nine rooms) or golf clinic bookings. Verdura resort reserves the right to withdraw the offer at
any time.

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 Daniele Trombacco at dtrombacco@roccofortehotels.com .

Verdura Resort
Since opening in 2009, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotels resort, (www.roccofortehotels.com ) has quickly established itself amongst 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 international recognition and won numerous awards since opening. Among its most recent honours, it was ranked fourth in Golf World's inaugural list of the 'Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe' and named by Golf Digest as a recipient of an 'Editors' Choice Award for Best International Resorts 2016. In addition, the resort won the title of 'Italy's Best Golf Hotel' at the 2015 World Golf Awards'; retained its place in Golf World's benchmark 'Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe 2015/16' rankings and claimed a 'Golden Award for Golf' at the 2015 Voyages & Hôtels Readers Awards. It was also 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, Rome in 2018

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