Adelicious tasteofitaly
The luxury Verdura resort on Sicily is one of the finest on Europe – and this is why...
The Verdura Resort, which is draped across Sicily’s south-west coast, returned to the limelight this spring when European Tour golf returned to the venue after a five-year absence. It proved a big hit among players, visitors and spectators alike with eventual victor, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, leading the praise.
He summed up its appeal in one sentence: “It’s an unbelievable sight, my room is unbelievable and the golf course is a paradise – it is a very complete resort.”
He’s not wrong – and he was backed-up by Italian Matteo Manassero, who said: “It’s a great place, and it’s great to be back in the south of Italy – everything seems to taste better... the air is fresher. It’s just wonderful.”
Overlooking the Mediterranean, The Rocco Forte Open was played over a composite course combining the finest holes
from the two 18-hole Kyle Phillips-designed East and West courses, with the final six holes all running next to the coast. It will surely be one of the most dramatic layouts seen on this year’s European Tour calendar.
Memorably nestling in 230 hectares of stunning landscape between the sea and mountains, European Tour Property member Verdura is a golfing paradise, also featuring a splendid nine-hole par-3 course – also the handiwork of Phillips – and impressive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and outstanding academy.
Non-golfers are well looked after too via numerous other sports and leisure amenities including six tennis courts, an array of different watersports, a 170m2 fully-equipped gym, an award-winning 4,000m2 spa with a 25m pool and a 60m outdoor pool.
After expending all that energy, you can savour the produce in the four restaurants as well as its cluster of bars.
The vast resort – you can get around it via complimentary cycles which can be picked up and dropped off at various points – offers 203 rooms and suites, all with a sea view. If money is no object then you might opt for the Presidential Suite, which has its own pool, a Jacuzzi and three terraces.
In the unlikely event you want to leave the all-encompassing resort, there’s lots to keep you occupied too.
We can recommend visiting the nearby seaside town of Sciacca and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento as well as the ruins of ancient Greek town Selinunte. Both are a 40-minute drive away.
That’s half the time it takes to get to the resort from Palermo and Trapani airports, but on arrival you’ll swiftly realise the effort was well worthwhile…
The Facts Getting there: You can fly there from Gatwick (easyjet), Stansted (Ryanair) and Heathrow (British Airways). Flight time is approximately three hours and prices start from £33 (one way).
Useful websites www.roccofortehotels.com www.agrigentoexperience.com
Try it yourself Deal 1: In October - Four nights, dinner and two complimentary rounds from €225 per person per night (sharing a double room). Deal 2: November-april – B&B plus golf starts from €115pppn (sharing a double).