GOLF AND RIVERCRUISING – A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN
The thrill of playing on renowned golf courses that were
far from home have always been tempered by the logistics
of travel and the lack of local knowledge. Add to that the
need to recruit likeminded individuals to join in the venture
and suddenly a trip to Europe to play golf becomes merely a
wistful and unrequited desire.
Does it? Is it just a dream, an unrequited desire? What
if there was a way to combine visiting some of the most
beautiful cities of Europe, such as Prague, Vienna, Budapest,
Amsterdam, Heidelberg, to name but a few? Add to that
gourmet food every day, paired with sumptuous wines, and
top it all off by playing Europe’s leading golf courses that
host some of the European Tour marquee events such as the
Porsche European Open, The BMW PGA Championship,
The Solheim Cup and of course the respective Open
Championships of the various countries?
in Europe, see the most important sites and cities in 5
countries, and their hotel moves with them.”
Stuart Perl, Managing Director for AmaWaterways UK said,
“The opportunity to combine our top-rated river cruises with
the best golf courses in Europe really is a marriage made in
heaven.”
The floating luxury hotel meanders along the Danube River,
and each day passengers can take local excursions or immerse
themselves in the local culture. The golfers, however, will have
been whisked away in their luxury Mercedes V class van, and
arrive at one of the leading golf courses of Europe.
The concept is simple if you can combine all the necessary
elements, which LGT Golf and AmaWaterways have done.
The two companies mixed 2 parts golf fanatic with 2 parts
gourmet food and wine, 2 parts luxury cabin accommodation
and a splash of sightseeing, shopping, and cultural
immersions to create the exclusive Golf River Cruise package.
The cruise and golf package is a 10 day holiday in the heart
of Europe that starts with arrival in Prague or Budapest, and
gives golfer the opportunity to play 5 leading golf courses and
still see the amazing sights of Budapest, Vienna, and Prague,
as well as some of the more historically important sights such
as Castle Dürnstein where Richard the 1st (Lionheart) of
England was imprisoned as he returned from the crusades
from 1192 to 1193.
“I think that this is the real beauty of the product,” said
Nicholas Boekdrukker, Managing Director of LGT Golf.
“Guests have the opportunity to play the leading golf courses
62 | The Gentleman Magazine
“Everything will have been arranged in advance for the guests
– their tee time, practice balls for their warm up and pull
trolleys,” he added, “After their round, they will enjoy lunch in
the clubhouse while their clubs are cleaned by our staff.”
This full service and attention to detail is something the self-
confessed golf fanatic has picked up over the years playing on
championship golf courses in Asia, the United States and in
Europe.