2023 Circle Ireland Golf Cruise + Optional back-to-back add-on golf cruise to France Spain & Portugal + Optional add-on VIP package Attendance at the 2023 SOLHEIM CUP in Spain.
Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
Our annual GolfAhoy GROUP Circle Ireland Golf Cruise in Aug\Sept 2023 can be combined with our ‘back-to-back’ France, Spain, and Portugal Golf Cruise coupled with our optional add-on attendance at the 2023 SOLHEIM CUP in Spain, Finca Cortesin, Andalusia. CoSport VIP Hospitality 4-Star IberoStar Marbella 5-night hotel and VIP Hospitality Pass package from $4,745 pp/dbl.
Circle Ireland Golf Cruise | 10 Nights | 6 Rounds | Dublin – Southampton | August 29 – September 8 | 2023. This cruise with less than seven hundred guests onboard Azamara Journey will sail from Dublin, Ireland for six ports including Belfast, Londonderry, Donegal, Galway, Foynes, Cork, and finally, Southampton. The arranged golf is exceptional with six of Ireland’s most treasured clubs including Portmarnock Links, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Donegal, Adare Manor, and Fota Island.
Golf Ahoy Azamara Journey Ship Tour – VIDEO
Circle Ireland Golf Cruise August 2023 Cruise Fares
10 Nights | 6 Rounds | Dublin – Southampton | August 29 – September 8 | 2023
Club Oceanview Stateroom from $3,999 pp\dbl + Golf Package from $4,495 per golfer. Non-golfer travel companion discount.
- Upgrade Stateroom & Suite per person fares.
- Club Oceanview Stateroom from $3,999
- Club Veranda Stateroom from $5,499
- Club Continent Suite from $8,299
- Club Spa Suite from $10,999
- Club Ocean Suite from $13,499
- Owners Suite from $15,099
Place your registration and cabin deposit early to avoid disappointment. Limited to the first forty golfers in order of registration. Deposits Per Person: Golf Package $1,250 | Staterooms $550 | Suites $1,100
Circle Ireland Golf Cruise August 2023 | 10 Nights | 6 Rounds | Dublin – Southampton | August 29 – September 8 | 2023 Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
Itinerary
AUGUST 29, TUESDAY: DUBLIN, IRELAND (EMBARK BY 4:30 PM / IN PORT)
Embarkation Azamara Journey begins at 1:00 PM. All aboard by 4:30 PM.
Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening. Meet your fellow participants.
Overnight: In Port – Dublin, Ireland
AUGUST 30, WEDNESDAY: DUBLIN, IRELAND (IN PORT / 10:00 PM)
GOLF: Today play Portmarnock Links was designed by Bernhard Langer and opened for play in 1995. As a three-time winner of the Irish Open at nearby Portmarnock Golf Club and The Royal Dublin Golf Club it was fitting that Langer chose this magnificent setting to design his first links course set on the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks. The course has played host to professional and amateur events including the 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open. Note: Golf cart venue.
SIGHTSEEING: This is one of our two overnights in port (Belfast is the other) which you will appreciate because there is a lot to do in Dublin. A good place to begin is The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street for a well-designed archaeological collection featuring Bronze Age gold jewelry and Viking swords. The stars of the show are the “bog people” — preserved corpses of men who were killed (sacrificed) and tossed into peat bogs during the Iron Age. The preservative qualities are remarkable. Dublin is home to St Patrick’s Cathedral of course but much of Ireland’s history can be read in Christ Church Cathedral, which dates to circa 1030. Dublin’s booming culinary scene is found along Exchequer Street where The Green Hen has won many admirers with its combination of French atmosphere and Franco-Irish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Try the pan-fried duck breast. Finally, while craft beer is certainly the popular new thing, a pint of “the black stuff” is still required drinking on any trip to Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse museum at the St. James’s Gate brewery explains how the stout is made and how to pull a proper pint at the correct 45-degree angle and wait 119.5 seconds before topping it off.
Enjoy Dublin on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
AUGUST 31, THURSDAY: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND (8:00 AM / IN PORT)
GOLF: Today play Royal County Down. Located in the town of Newcastle to the south of Belfast. Consistently ranked in the top ten courses in the world, this is a true test of links golf set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne. Host to the 2007 Walker Cup Match featuring a young local by the name of Rory McIlroy, and an all-star USA line-up.
SIGHTSEEING: Belfast in the early 20th century had the largest and most productive shipyard in the world, gaining global renown with the launch of the RMS Titanic. Located on the slipways where she was built is a stunning new museum, opened in time for the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s only voyage and tragic demise.
Today the city and riverfront are undergoing a 21st-century transformation, but many exuberant Victorian and Edwardian buildings still sport the carved heads of kings and queens. As you explore the city, keep an eye out for “the murals.” These troubling freelance works appearing on building walls provide insight into the period known simply as “The Troubles.”
Enjoy Belfast on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 1, FRIDAY: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND (IN PORT / 8:00 PM)
GOLF: Today play Royal Portrush. It holds the distinction of being the only course in Ireland to have hosted The Open which it did in 1951. Royal Portrush returned to The Open rote in 2019 following a 70-year absence. The Dunluce Course is as fine a links as you will find anywhere, with the fifth being a particularly memorable hole to a green hanging on the edge of a cliff. Consistently ranked in the top twenty of the world’s best courses.
A second day to enjoy Belfast on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 2, SATURDAY: LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND (8:00 AM / 8:00 PM)
The city of Derry, or Londonderry, is the second-largest in Northern Ireland behind the capital, Belfast. Said to have been founded in the sixth century by Saint Colmcille (or St. Columba), Derry was renamed Londonderry in 1613 upon the award of its Royal Charter by King James I. Through the siege of the walled city in 1689 to its key strategic role in World War II, Derry has been influential in the shaping of the world around it. In 2013, it holds the honor of being the UK’s first City of Culture.
Enjoy Londonderry on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 3, SUNDAY: DONEGAL (KILLYBEGS), IRELAND (8:00 AM / 6:00 PM)
GOLF: Today play Donegal Golf Club, located on the Murvagh peninsula in South Donegal, which was originally designed by Eddie Hackett, a legend of Irish golf course architecture, and is often called the Muirfield of Ireland. Over the years the course has been re-molded by the ‘Master of Links design’ Pat Ruddy. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Donegal Bay, and a designated Special Area of Conservation, the panoramic views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding countryside are sensational and the peninsula itself is steeped in local and ancient history. It has been a regular host to national Irish events.
SIGHTSEEING: Described by National Geographic Traveler as the “Coolest Place on the Planet for 2017,” Donegal is a nature lover’s paradise, located at the mouth of River Elke in NW Ireland. Any visit here must include a self-guided tour at Donegal Castle, which was built in the 15th century and is adjacent to the town square, providing convenient access to shopping and dining options. While you are there, pick up a jacket or cap made of Donegal Tweed, hand-woven and unique due to its pattern and heathered effect. Sitting on the outskirts of town, the ruins of The Abbey of the Four Masters overlook the water where the River Elke flows into Donegal Bay. Glenveagh National Park is a lush, green oasis. A few miles north of town admire the majestic cliffs of Sliabh Liag and take a comfortable walk around the scenic and serene Lough Eske.
Enjoy Donegal on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 4, MONDAY: GALWAY, IRELAND (8:00 AM / 8:00 PM)
Galway sits on the west coast of Ireland where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Start your day in the town hub of Eyre Square, a public park adjacent to a collection of shops and pubs where traditional Irish folk music provides the soundtrack during the afternoons and evenings. The Galway Cathedral is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city. This Roman Catholic church features a mosaic of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The Spanish Arch, located on the River Corrib, was built in 1584. Those seeking something a little spookier might be interested in the Lynch Memorial Window, where, in 1493, legend has it the town mayor hung his son for murdering a visitor.
Enjoy Galway on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 5, TUESDAY: FOYNES, IRELAND (7:00 AM / 6:00 PM)
GOLF: Today play The Golf Course at Adare Manor, a Robert Trent Jones Senior original that was renovated by Tom Fazio in 2018. The club will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. Each hole could be crowned the feature hole: all have been entirely redesigned and reconstructed with the very latest technology and course innovations, creating a challenging, characterful, and profoundly satisfying playing experience for golfers of every level. The result is a course that is strategical, soulful, playable in all conditions, and future-proofed in preparation for premiere amateur and professional golf events. Cared for by an experienced, enthusiastic team of devoted greenkeepers, the condition of this course and its velvet-smooth Pure Distinction bent grass greens is unrivaled.
SIGHTSEEING: Foynes is a tiny village but a major port in County Limerick in Midwest Ireland. While there are less than 1,000 residents, Foynes is home to the Flying Boat & Maritime Museum which features historical archives and interactive exhibits. Tour the only replica B-314 Flying Boat in the world, enjoy a panoramic view in the reinstated control tower and learn about the movie stars and celebrities who spent time here in the 1930s and 1940s. Also, discover the village’s connection to the U.S. Civil War and discover the story behind the origin of Irish Coffee – enjoying a taste for yourself, of course.
Enjoy Foynes on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 6, WEDNESDAY: CORK (COBH), IRELAND (9:00 AM / 10:00 PM)
GOLF: Today play Fota Island Deerpark Course, located on a 780-acre island in Cork Harbour. Routed through mature woodlands and highlighted by pot bunkers and double greens with undulating slopes. The course was the host venue for the PGA European Tour Irish Open in 2001 and 2002.
SIGHTSEEING: Located on Ireland’s southeast coast in County Cork, the quaint seaside town of Cobh (old Irish for cove) is known for its great maritime heritage and seafaring history. As Ireland’s only dedicated cruise terminal, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people that immigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. It remains a popular port of call today for cruise liners from all over the world in part because Cobh was the last port of call for the RMS Titanic. Cobh has remained unchanged since that fateful day in 1912 with brightly colored houses along streets that climb to the top of the hill, which is crowned by the imposing Cobh Cathedral, St. Coleman’s Cathedral with its carillon of forty-seven bells. On the waterfront, there is a statue of Annie Moore who was the first person admitted to the United States through the new immigration center at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892.
Enjoy Cobh on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 7, FRIDAY: AT SEA
Today it is time to relax and reset. Make your reservations early for The Sanctum Spa, a world-class wellness facility offering a full range of health, beauty, and restorative treatments. Complimentary fitness and nutrition classes are available along with a fully equipped gym on Deck 9 offering magnificent sea views. There’s room for everyone on the Pool Deck both in and out of the sun. Service to your lounge chair is available from The Pool Bar where the attentive staff is always ready to offer an inclusive cocktail, beer, bottled water, soft drink, or fresh towel. The Patio restaurant serves casual fare during the day then completely transforms itself into a sit-down al fresco dining experience at night with table linens and candles. Elegant specialty dining is available for beef at Prime C and Italian at Aqualina. Windows Café serves casual buffet dining with every imaginable choice indoors, and out, at the sensational Sunset Bar.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 8, SATURDAY: SOUTHAMPTON, UK (6:00 AM / DISEMBARK AT 9:00 AM)
Golf Schedule Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
PORTMARNOCK LINKS: DUBLIN, IRELAND
Designed by Bernhard Langer, Portmarnock Links opened for play in 1995. As a three-time winner of the Irish Open at nearby Portmarnock Golf Club and The Royal Dublin Golf Club it was fitting that Langer chose this magnificent setting to design his first links course set on the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks. The course has played host to professional and amateur events including the 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open. Note: Golf cart venue.
ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GOLF CLUB: NEWCASTLE, NORTHERN IRELAND
Situated in the shadows of the Mourne mountains. A spectacular location and an outstanding links golf course. Royal County Down’s charm lies in the old-fashioned flavor of both the terrain and the layout. A mix of rugged dunes, colored by a blend of purple heather and yellow flowering gorse combine to a dramatic effect on what is one of the toughest courses in the British Isles. Venue for the Walker Cup in 2007 and consistently ranked in the top ten courses in the world.
ROYAL PORTRUSH – DUNLUCE COURSE: PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND
An outstanding course in a dramatic setting. Royal Portrush holds the distinction of being the only course in Ireland to have hosted the British Open, doing so in 1951, and the championship returned there in 2019. The Dunluce Course is as fine a links as you will find anywhere, with the fifth being a particularly memorable hole to a green hanging on the edge of a cliff. Consistently ranked in the top twenty of the world’s best courses, every legend of golf has accepted the challenge of Royal Portrush.
DONEGAL GOLF CLUB: MURVAGH PENINSULA, IRELAND
Donegal Golf Club is located on the Murvagh peninsula in South Donegal, and was originally designed by Eddie Hackett, a legend of Irish golf course architecture, and is often called the Muirfield of Ireland. Over the years the course has been re-molded by the ‘Master of Links design’ Pat Ruddy. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Donegal Bay, and a designated Special Area of Conservation, the panoramic views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding countryside are sensational and the peninsula itself is steeped in local and ancient history. It has been a regular host to national Irish events.
ADARE MANOR GOLF CLUB: ADARE, IRELAND
A complete remodeling of Adare Manor was completed after two years when Tom Fazio’s newest masterpiece in Europe opened in the spring of 2018. The original routing remains intact but everything else is new, greens and tee complexes. All forty-two bunkers have been rebuilt with the latest Capillary Concrete liner drainage technology. SubAir has been installed to compliment the club’s Pure Distinction bent grass, providing the purest putting surfaces possible. Adare is thought to have its eye on a future Ryder Cup, and it shows.
FOTA ISLAND: CORK, IRELAND
A past host of the Irish Open and Irish Masters, the Deerpark course is part of twenty-seven holes on this 780-acre estate in Cork County. Wide fairways and light rough are pleasing to the powerful player and the receptive greens provide ample scoring opportunities. Still, water hazards are abundant. The diabolical par-5 No. 10 features a tee shot through a narrow tree-lined opening and a green defended by a lake. The home hole is unforgettable as well, due to a water hazard and multi-tiered green.
Back-to-Back Add-On Option | 2023 France, Spain & Portugal Golf Cruise
Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
11-night, 4-round golf voyage from Southampton to Lisbon. This cruise with less than seven hundred guests on board the outstanding Azamara Journey includes six ports of call along the coastline of France, Northern Spain, and Northern Portugal. Enjoy an extended two-day stay in iconic Bordeaux, an overnight stay in Lisbon, and a further three late evenings during the voyage. Golf includes four rounds including the highly regarded Golf du Medoc GC; Uraburu GC; Estela GC; and Oitavos Dunes GC.
11 Nights | 4 Rounds | Southampton – Lisbon | September 8 – 19 2023
2023 France, Spain & Portugal Golf Cruise | Additional cruise discount when booked back-to-back
Club Oceanview Stateroom from $4,899 pp\dbl + Golf Package from $2,595 per golfer
Stateroom & Suite per person fares: Club Veranda Stateroom $5,699; Club Continent Suite $7,299; Club Spa Suite $9,299; Club Ocean Suite $10,899; Owners Suite $11,699 – all subject to availability on date of booking.
Place your registration and cabin deposit early to avoid disappointment. Limited to the first forty golfers in order of registration. First come first served.
Deposits Per Person: Golf Package $1,250 | Staterooms $550 | Suites $1,100
Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
2023 France, Spain & Portugal Golf Cruise. This cruise with less than seven hundred guests onboard the outstanding Azamara Journey includes six ports of call along the coastline of France, Northern Spain, and Northern Portugal. Enjoy an extended two-day stay in iconic Bordeaux, an overnight stay in Lisbon, and a further three late evenings during the voyage. Golf includes four rounds including the highly regarded Golf du Medoc GC; Uruburu GC; Estela GC; and Oitavos Dunes GC.
The Azamara Journey, which serves as a perfect floating boutique hotel and clubhouse, is a mid-sized luxury vessel nimble enough to access smaller ports yet large enough to provide every amenity you would expect.
Azamara proudly boasts two unique signature events – an AzAmazing Evening℠ and the White Night party.
Every aspect of the golf program is fully managed onboard and ashore. Your clubs will be ready and waiting at each venue. Tee times and pairings arranged and will be posted in advance. Carts are always included, subject to availability. A snack lunch is included on-course plus an open bar operates in the clubhouse at the conclusion of the round.
Itinerary
SEPTEMBER 8, FRIDAY: SOUTHAMPTON, UK (EMBARK BY 3:30 PM / SAIL 5:00 PM)
Embarkation Azamara Journey begins at 1:00 PM. All aboard by 3:30 PM.
Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening. Meet your fellow participants.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 9, SATURDAY: GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS (8:00 AM / 5:00 PM)
Guernsey, or the Bailiwick of Guernsey by its official title, is a self-governing possession of the British Crown found off the coast of Normandy, France in the English Channel. It is a wonderful juxtaposition of England and France with an English lean by virtue of the Norman invasion of England in 1066. St. Peter Port overlooks the harbor, with rows of brightly painted houses, and terraced gardens. The island is ideal for rambles along cliffside paths and through the bucolic interior. While fishing, flower growing, and dairy farming are still important, Guernsey’s favorable tax climate has brought an influx of offshore banks and insurance companies with their attendant bistros and boutiques. It was here in exile from 1855-1870 where Victor Hugo wrote some of his best-known works including Les Misérables.
Enjoy Guernsey on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 10, SUNDAY: AT SEA
Today it is time to relax and reset. Make your reservations early for The Sanctum Spa, a world-class wellness facility offering a full range of health, beauty, and restorative treatments. Complimentary fitness and nutrition classes are available along with a fully equipped gym on Deck 9 offering magnificent sea views. There’s room for everyone on the Pool Deck both in and out of the sun. Service to your lounge chair is available from The Pool Bar where the attentive staff is always ready to offer an inclusive cocktail, beer, bottled water, soft drink, or fresh towel. The Patio restaurant serves casual fare during the day then completely transforms itself into a sit-down al fresco dining experience at night with table linens and candles. Elegant specialty dining is available for beef at Prime C and Italian at Aqualina. Windows Café serves casual buffet dining with every imaginable choice indoors and out at the sensational Sunset Bar.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 11, MONDAY: BORDEAUX, FRANCE (9:00 AM / IN PORT)
GOLF: Golf du Medoc crafted from the genius of American architect Bill Coore, this Scottish links-style course opened in 1989 and has earned its reputation for immaculate putting surfaces. Consistently ranked in the top one hundred in Continental Europe, the Chateaux course evokes images of classics such as Sunningdale and Swinley in the British Isles, combining heather, gorse, broom, and, of course, the menacing wind. No. 11 is an intriguing risk/reward par four. A creek bisects the fairway and demands a decision, offering bold and conservative routes to the green.
SIGHTSEEING: Bordeaux’s fortunes have long been tied to viticulture, beginning with an expansion of the wine trade with England in the 14th century. As a result, it is a handsome and cohesive city of uniform classical and neoclassical style, with monumental buildings and many fine estates financed by the almighty grape. The nearby countryside is alive with wine chateaux sporting impressive appellations such as Pauillac, Sauternes, Margaux, and Saint-Emilion. A visit is an excellent opportunity to gain experience more about wine production and appreciation, which of course requires a considerable amount of tasting to accomplish.
Enjoy Bordeaux on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: In Port – Bordeaux, France
SEPTEMBER 12, TUESDAY: BORDEAUX, FRANCE (IN PORT / 9:00 PM)
A second day to enjoy all that Bordeaux has to offer.
Enjoy Bordeaux on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 13, WEDNESDAY: ST JEAN DE LUZ, FRANCE (1:30 PM / 9:00 PM)
One of France’s most picturesque beach retreats, St. Jean de Luz is a prosperous Basque town best known for its architecture and cuisine. Once a modest fishing port, it grew rich in the 16th century from fishing and whaling, supplemented by piracy that was backed by the French king – many of the handsome old houses in town were in fact built on the proceeds. The Sun King, Louis XIV King of France, married Marie-Therese of Spain in 1660 in the magnificent Church of St John the Baptist, with its fabulous baroque altar.
Enjoy St Jean de Cruz on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 14, THURSDAY: BILBAO, SPAIN (8:00 AM / 11:00 PM)
GOLF: Uraburu Golf was designed by revered two-time Masters Champion José María Olazabal, a native of this area. Each hole is an example of the marriage of golf and its surroundings, highlighted by centennial oaks, conifers, and other native trees, providing magical surroundings and views for the golfer. The beauty of the course lies in its diversity, and it provides an outstanding experience for the visiting golfer.
SIGHTSEEING: If Bilbao was not always a household name, it was transformed into one with the opening of Frank Gehry’s groundbreaking Guggenheim Museum in 1997. Located in the heart of the Basque Country, Bilbao became an instant media darling and tourist mecca. And that was just the beginning of an exciting phase of development in infrastructure and cultural activity which, combined with the Basque love of food, wine, and laughter, solidified the city’s place in the annals of tourism.
Enjoy Bilbao on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 15, FRIDAY: GIJON, SPAIN (9:00 AM / 6:00 PM)
While not as overtly glamorous as some of Spain’s other coastal cities, Gijón is the apple of the Bay of Biscay’s eye. What wine is to Rioja, cider is to Gijón and the surrounding region, Asturias. Try the Cider Trail, a guided tour to some of the best cider houses and restaurants in the city to get a taste of this important cultural tradition. Gijón also has the distinct honor of having the largest number of bakeries per capita in all of Spain. It is also rumored that the best croissants in the land can be found in this charming city.
Overnight: At Sea
SEPTEMBER 16, SATURDAY: LA CORUNA, SPAIN (7:30 AM / 5:00 PM)
You would be hard-pressed to find a city more shaped and impacted by the sea than La Coruna, Spain. You can see this influence in the Roman Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage Site-designated stone lighthouse. Standing guard over the city, the 180-foot Tower marks one end of the spectacular Paseo Marítimo promenade – one of the longest in Europe – and has been in operation since the second century AD. Walk some or all of the eight-mile-long promenade to see some of the city’s other waterfront highlights like the Marina, Castelo de San Antón, and the Millennium monument. The strong nautical influence can also be seen in the characteristic glazed window balconies (also known as galerias) that give La Coruna its nickname the Glass City.
Enjoy La Coruna on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
SEPTEMBER 17, SUNDAY: PORTO, PORTUGAL (9:00 AM / 6:00 PM)
GOLF: Private and exclusive, Estela is located a half-hour drive from Porto, shaggy dunes border narrow fairways on a 6,800-yard layout that includes two miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. The spectacular scenery is complemented by the excellent condition of the Penncross bentgrass greens and Tifton Bermuda fairways. Duarte Sottomayor, who studied golf course architecture under the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Sr., designed Estela with the touch of a minimalist, allowing stiff breezes and the natural terrain to create a formidable, enjoyable challenge.
SIGHTSEEING: At the mouth of the Rio Douro lies the city of Porto, famous for its port wine trade. With origins dating back to the fifth century, there is plenty to see in this town that was named the European Capital of Culture in 2001. Stroll the Ribeira neighborhood along the river, explore the Cathedral area, or tour the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river. Savoring a taste of tawny port, seafood while here is highly recommended.
Enjoy Porto on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
SEPTEMBER 18: LISBON, PORTUGAL (8:00 AM / IN PORT)
GOLF: Oitavos Dunes is located on the most westerly tip of Europe and mixes wondrous views of the Atlantic Ocean against the stunning backdrop of the Sintra Mountains. Oitavos was designed by the renowned Arthur Hills and is one of two European Courses that bear his name. The course was inaugurated in 2001 and has been ranked in the top one hundred in the world. Oitavos Dunes is a par seventy-one course that measures 6,900 yards from the competition tees. The layout is a lovely mixture of woodland and links-type holes that capitalize on the existing landscape.
SIGHTSEEING: Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th-century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers. The city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to postmodern, and crisscrossed by monument-studded grand boulevards.
Enjoy Lisbon on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: In Port – Lisbon, Portugal
SEPTEMBER 19, TUESDAY: LISBON, PORTUGAL (IN PORT / DISEMBARK AT 9:00 AM)
Disembark Azamara Journey at 9:00 AM.
Golf Schedule Azamara Golf Cruises\PerryGolf
GOLF DU MÉDOC – LES CHATEAUX COURSE: LE PIAN-MÉDOC, FRANCE
Crafted from the genius of American architect Bill Coore, Les Châteaux at Golf du Médoc is a Scottish links-style course that opened in 1989 and has earned its reputation for immaculate putting surfaces. Consistently ranked in the top one hundred in Continental Europe, the Chateaux course evokes images of classics such as Sunningdale and Swinley in the British Isles, combining heather, gorse, broom, and, of course, the menacing wind. No. 11 is an intriguing risk/reward par four. A creek bisects the fairway and demands a decision, offering bold and conservative routes to the green.
URABURU GOLF: BILBAO, SPAIN
Uraburu Golf was designed by the revered two-time Masters Champion José María Olazabal, a native of this area. Each hole is an example of the marriage of golf and its surroundings, highlighted by centennial oaks, conifers, and other native trees, providing magical surroundings and views for the golfer. The beauty of the course lies in its diversity, and it provides an outstanding experience for the visiting golfer.
ESTELA GOLF CLUB: PÓVOA DE VARZIM, PORTUGAL
Private and exclusive, Estela is located a half-hour drive from Porto, shaggy dunes border narrow fairways on a 6,800-yard layout that includes two miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. The spectacular scenery is complemented by the excellent condition of the Penncross Bentgrass greens and Tifton Bermuda fairways. Duarte Sottomayor, who studied golf course architecture under the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Sr., designed Estela with the touch of a minimalist, allowing stiff breezes and the natural terrain to create a formidable, enjoyable challenge.
OITAVOS DUNES GOLF CLUB: CASCAIS, PORTUGAL
Oitavos Dunes is located on the most westerly tip of Europe and mixes wondrous views of the Atlantic Ocean with the stunning backdrop of the Sintra Mountains. Oitavos was designed by the renowned Arthur Hills and is one of only two European Courses that bear his name. The course is a recent addition to the area in golfing terms and was inaugurated in 2001 while now ranking in the world’s top one hundred courses. Oitavos Dunes is a par seventy-one course that measures 6,300m from the competition tees. The course is a lovely mixture of woodland and links-type holes that make the most of the existing landscape.
Our Circle Ireland Golf Cruise August 29 – September 8, 2023, can be combined back-to-back with our SOLHEIM CUP add-on package (attend SOLHEIM CUP September 18-24, 2023, at Finca Cortesin, Andalucía, Spain) on the Azamara Journey, leaving from Southampton right after the Circle Ireland Golf Cruise, for Lisbon, on September 8, visiting France, Spain, and Portugal.
Optional add-on. SOLHEIM CUP attendance.
Optional add-on attendance at the 2023 SOLHEIM CUP in Spain, Finca Cortesin, Andalusia. CoSport VIP Hospitality 4-Star IberoStar Marbella 5-night hotel and VIP Hospitality Pass package from $4,745 pp/dbl.