Issue 1

A Fine RomanceRelax in the world’s ultimate retreats for

true romantics

IMPROVE YOUR DRIVE

Time to spoil yourself with a convertible

Gourmet DelightsFoodie heaven in the world’s most delicious venues

TravellerDiscovering the world in style

Club

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Contents

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In this issue

K Club NewsThe latest news and diary dates from The K Club

Tee & SympathyStressed out golfers can have their tensions soothed away with relaxing spa treatments

A Fairytale Irish WeddingWith plenty of Irish folklore and magic, your wedding at The K Club will be a memorable affair

A Fine RomanceFor sizzling honeymoon hotspots or a romantic couples haven, we have the hottest tips for a fabulous vacation

Amazing CroatiaSet in the sparkling Adriatic, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is Europe’s hidden gem

Pick a WinnerStay in world-class luxury on your visit to top international horseracing events and feel like a winner

6 Tips for Better GolfThe K Club’s resident golf pro Michael Dixon offers invaluable advice to golfers

Improve your DriveGolf is all about the drive, so make sure you arrive in style in a stunning soft-top convertible

The Ultimate Connoisseurs DinnerTreat your friends to The K Club’s Wine Cellar Dinner – a gourmet extravaganza and a snip at 45,000 Euros!!!

Grape ExpectationsRelax and let soothing wine melt your troubles away at Vinotherapy spas around the world

Gourmet DelightsFoodies will be in seventh heaven at our top choice of gourmet hotels around the world.

Special Travel OffersTravel near and far for far less – check out The K Club’s best travel deals

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One of life’s privileges is the ability to travel and discover the world.

At The K Club we are blessed with loyal customers who visit us year after year from around the world, who come and enjoy the quiet, understated luxury of our sumptuous offering here in Straffan, in the heart of the Emerald Isle.

Our two world-class golf courses are a Mecca for golfers worldwide; our spa therapists will sooth away the cares of the most stress-ridden captains of industry; our restaurants will delight most discerning gastronomes and, in our extensive cellar, there is something to delight every palate and every pocket.

But we recognise that variety is the spice of life and that even our most enthusiastic members and guests will want to discover new places for their holidays. For this reason we are proud to bring you the inaugural issue of The K Club Traveller.

Each issue of The K Club Traveller will enthral you with exciting, romantic, challenging and breathtaking venues around the world – and best of all, you can now book it through our brand new dedicated K Club Travel Services.

As a fully bonded travel agency we can offer our members and guests a wide range of wonderful holidays, completely underwritten by ABTA and ATOL so you can enjoy your travels with total peace of mind.

If we have whetted your appetite for luxury travel within the pages of this magazine, please visit www.kclubtravel.co.uk where you will fi nd a tempting array of luxury resorts at unbeatable prices. And if you prefer to talk through your travel arrangements with our experienced travel managers, please call: 00 353 160 17 371 for unrivalled personal service.

Enjoy your travels! It’s great to go away but it’s nice to come home too, so we look forward to seeing you again soon – perhaps a slimmer, more tanned and relaxed version of your former self!

Happy travels

Michael Davern

Letter from the CEO Michael Davern

Michael Davern

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K Club TravellerIsue 1

CreditsPublished byJoint Venture Media5-7 ShamblesWetherbyLS22 6NGTel: 01937 58 58 00Fax: 01937 58 28 00

EditorTerri Cody-Owenterri@worldtitles.co.uk

PhotographyDreamstime

DesignChris Peach at Centrical Solutionschris@centricalsolutions.com

Advertising Sales ManagerEddie Morriseddie@corporatestays.co.uk

CoverThe Waldorf Astoria Beach House, Maldiveswww.beachhousemaldives.com

©Joint Venture Media. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in The K Club Traveller do not represent the views of Joint Venture Media. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of The K Club Traveller magazine assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in any offer, competition or advertisement contained within The K Club Traveller magazine.

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NewsK Club

Royal visit for Vintage CropOur photo, taken on May 19th shows H.M Queen Elizabeth II with Vintage Crop, the Melbourne Cup winning horse owned by Sir Michael Smurfi t, owner of The K Club. It was taken when the Queen visited the world-famous National Stud in Tullymore, Co. Kildare as part of her itinerary on her recent Royal Visit to Ireland.

Have a Ryder Cup experience

You may not have had the chance to take part in the real thing, but now you can do the next best thing by taking part in ‘The Ryder Cup Experience’ a competition which allows players to relive the Ryder Cup Experience at The K Club for themselves. This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for golfers to play The Palmer Ryder Cup Course as per set up from the last day of the Ryder Cup competition. You have to qualify by playing and winning on the Palmer Smurfi t Course fi rst. The qualifying rounds will take place on The Palmer Smurfi t Course until September and the monthly winner’s fi nal will take place on The Palmer Ryder Cup Course in late September. Monthly winners will stay and play at The K Club and relive The Ryder Cup Experience.

Diary Dates

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After a challenging round on the golf course, clever golfers head to the K Spa to soothe tired muscles with luxuriously pampering spa treatments

Tee and Sympathy

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n energetic day on the fairways of the world’s most challenging golf courses, the magnifi cent Arnold Palmer Ryder Cup course and the equally exhilarating Palmer Smurfi t Course can leave even the best golfers with tense, aching limbs and in need of a good massage - especially if they’ve been battling against the elements all day!

It is the perfect time for some serious pampering to soothe away those aches and pains and restore depleted energy in the relaxing confi nes of the K Spa, where much needed TLC is administered by a team of experienced and sympathetic therapists.

Of course, you don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy spa treatments. Set in the shade of lush trees, just a short walk from the main hotel, the K Spa is the place to unwind and relax both physically and emotionally with refreshing and revitalising treatments for men and women, which can be anything from sensual and sublimely relaxing to invigorating and uplifting.

Inspired by its natural surroundings, the K Spa is a spacious, airy environment fi lled with natural light and the delicate aroma of jasmine, lavender and exotic essential oils. Its fl oor to ceiling windows, high ceilings and open-plan design contrast beautifully with the historical opulence and rich decor of the main hotel building.

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Local traditions, cultures and superstitions can add colourful, magical elements to your wedding, giving it a distinctive local fl avour. Irish superstitions and rituals can become an integral part of your celebrations, making your wedding ceremony or reception original and unforgettable.

If you don’t know too much about Irish wedding rituals, you will be intrigued to learn the history and meaning behind them, which can be charming, amusing and whimsical. But before the bride accept the marriage proposal in the fi rst place, it is worth bearing in mind an old English rhyme which suggests that it is unlucky to marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter:

‘To change the name and not the letterIs to change for the worse and not the better!’

The entrance reception is dominated by a glass wall leading to a state-of-the art gymnasium and swimming pool hall which houses relaxation beds set around a good sized swimming pool with water jet massage and Jacuzzi. From here, patio doors open out to a bubbling outdoor hot tub surrounded by mature bamboo plants and the spa’s aromatic herb garden. A Wellness Suite features a hamam, hydro bath, Vichy Shower and an exotic Rasul Chamber and the changing room facilities have individual saunas and steam rooms for men and women.

Covering 20,000 sq ft the spa offers seven luxurious treatment rooms and two private suites, which are

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ideal for couples treatments or groups. The K Spa is a wonderful place to spend some time enjoying an oasis of calm and tranquillity, whilst a range of facials, body treatments and massages for both men and women are administered by the caring hands of highly trained spa therapists.

The philosophy at the K Spa is that nature holds the key to healing for the mind, body and spirit and that is why they have taken the very best of nature’s own ingredients and brought them into the treatment rooms with superior ranges of spa products and treatments from VOYA and Carita.

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Healing ProductsVOYAThe K Spa has recently introduced a new product into the spa, which harnesses the healing power of the sea in its marine ingredients, long since recognised for their healing, detoxing and purifying abilities. VOYA is an Irish spa product range, which uses carefully selected seaweed which, when ripe, is hand harvested off the rugged and beautiful coastline of Co Sligo to create an organic product to purify the body. VOYA have used generations of acquired wisdom about the sea to develop a range of beautifying and therapeutic face and body treatments and products including VOYA’s facial essential range which incorporates unique clock stopping formulations. This is used in a range of VOYA facials for both men and women, from deep cleansing, refreshing and exfoliating to anti-ageing and prescriptive facials for particular skin types.

CARITALadies love luxurious spa products and through uncompromising vision and innovation, Carita has defi ned the world of luxury skincare combined with highly results-driven treatments. Led by the advanced research laboratories of Japan, America and Europe, Carita uses only the fi nest and purest ingredients combined with the very latest anti-ageing scientifi c discoveries to offer superior anti-ageing results.

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Therapy for golfers

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Luxury for the ladies

Sardinia, just a doorstep away...

...take a break from your everyday life!

u n A m i c o i n S a r d e g n awww.delphina.it

Delphina Hotels & Resorts - Sardinia - ItalyTel: + 39 0789 790018 – Fax: +39 0789 790058 – E-mail: info@delphina.it – Web: www.delphina.it

“Authentic Mediterranean hospitality in unique places”

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Local traditions, cultures and folklore can add colourful, magical elements to your wedding, giving it a distinctive local fl avour. Irish superstitions and rituals can become an integral part of your celebrations, making your wedding ceremony or reception original and unforgettable.

If you don’t know too much about Irish wedding rituals, you will be intrigued to learn the history and meaning behind them, which can be charming, amusing and whimsical. But before the bride accepts the marriage proposal in the fi rst place, it is worth bearing in mind an old English rhyme which suggests that it is unlucky to marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter:

‘To change the name and not the letterIs to change for the worse and not the better!’

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Why not add a touch of traditional Irish magic to delight your guests on your wedding day by embracing those old superstitions to ensure you have a marriage fi lled with good luck and good fortune!

A Fairytale

Irish Wedding

The John Jefferson Smurfi t Ceremony Room

Claddagh Engagement RingsTraditional Irish Claddagh Rings are an elegant choice for Irish weddings. The Claddagh ring is given as a token of affection and symbol of faithfulness. For hundreds of years Irish couples have worn Claddagh rings in lieu of plain gold bands. Couples can now choose gorgeous Claddagh rings embellished with solitaire diamonds or emeralds, delicate engravings or tiny precious gems.

Irish Wedding VowsThere are many Irish wedding vows to choose from, but if you are looking for simple, beautiful words you can use the Irish Vow of Unity:

We swear by peace and love to standHeart to heart and hand in handMark, O Spirit, and hear us nowConfi rming this, our Sacred Vow.

Wedding VeilIt’s considered unlucky to put on your own wedding veil on the big day. If you want to ensure good luck, have a happily married woman do the honours for you. In many countries, wearing a wedding veil is thought to disguise the bride and outwit evil spirits.

Once you’ve passed the fi rst hurdle with fl ying colours, there’s another traditional rhyme to consider before you pick the wedding day of the week:

‘Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health

Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses

Saturday for no luck at all’

It’s probably best to take that old superstition with a pinch of salt, bearing in mind that most happy marriages take place on Fridays and Saturdays. However, you might like to keep the third rhyme in mind when choosing the month of your wedding:

‘Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind and true.When February birds do mate, you wed nor dread your fate.

If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorry both you’ll know.Marry in April when you can, joy for the maiden and for man.

Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue the day.Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go.Those who wed in August be, many change is sure to see.

Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fi ne.If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.

If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last!’

Now you’ve decided on the lucky date, you can ensure that you have the luck of the Irish by customising your wedding in true Irish style.

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HankiesTucking a pretty hankie, decorated with Irish lace into a wedding gown is thought to bestow fertility and good luck upon the bride. Some Irish brides embroider lucky horseshoes onto their wedding hankies for extra luck.

Shoes for luckFor yet more good luck put an Irish penny into your shoe. To bring good luck to the couple guests should tie a pair of shoes to the back of the newlyweds’ car before they drive off after the wedding to bring good luck to the couple.

WeatherDon’t worry if it rains on your wedding day. It can bring good luck. According to Irish legend a rainy day is a guarantee of a happy marriage, which is just as well, because the Irish weather is unpredictable at the best of times! If you don’t want it to rain on your wedding day then put a statue of the Child of Prague (a holy statue) in your garden the night before the wedding!

Twitter on…It’s good luck to wake up to a twitter on your wedding day, and no, we don’t mean a gossip on the internet, we mean good old fashioned bird song!

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For a fairytale wedding, you won’t fi nd a more magical venue than the Kildare Hotel and Country Club, affectionately known as The K Club. Couples will feel very lucky indeed if they choose to say “I do” at The K Club, with its gorgeously luxurious house and 550 acres of mature woods, parkland and magnifi cent formal gardens offering a wonderful backdrop to your wedding photographs.

Whether you are planning a large and lavish wedding or a more intimate affair, the hotel has the facilities and is the

The Legacy Suite, the Arnold Palmer Room, the John Jefferson Smurfi t Room and the Pantheon Suite are all beautiful wedding locations in and around The K Club. They offer a variety of options catering from just 14 people in the Pantheon Suite right up to 350 guests in the Legacy Suite.

Arnold Palmer Room – golfers treatGolf lovers will particularly enjoy the magnifi cent views offered by the large bay window in the Arnold Palmer Room located in the Arnold Palmer Clubhouse, overlooking the 18th green and lake of the stunning Ryder Cup course and direct access to the spacious balcony. The venue can seat up to 140 guests and has its own private entrance and bar.

The Legacy Suite – dance the night awayWith its own private entrance and views from its private terrace onto the Smurfi t Palmer Course, the Legacy Suite in the Smurfi t Clubhouse is the perfect choice for those wanting to party into the early hours on the black and white tiled dance fl oor. The venue has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and can cater for weddings of 16-350 guests.

The John Jefferson Smurfi t Room – a luxurious settingSituated within the main hotel, this venue is a lovely choice for intimate weddings for up to 40 guests. The room has many original features including cornicing, opulent stucco work and stunning works of art.

The K Club offers several wedding packages to suit everybody’s needs. The all-inclusive package is very popular and it includes red carpet on arrival, a glass of champagne for the bride and groom, pre-dinner canapés, Prosecco, tea and coffee on arrival, a four course dinner, fl owers on the tables, personalised menus, table plans and place cards and a half bottle of house wine per guest. This package also includes an opulent suite for the bride and groom on their wedding night. Wedding packages start at 67.50 Euros per person.

For further details on weddings at The K Club call: (01) 601 7200 or email: resortsales@kclub.ie. Or log on to www.kclub.ie

Magic at the K-Club

A choice of venue

Wedding Packages

ideal location to host your event. Prices start from 67.50 to 120 Euros for an all-inclusive package. You can leave all the arrangements in the safe hands of The K Club’s dedicated wedding planning team who will ensure that your special day is absolutely perfect, so that you can sit back and enjoy the occasion. They can cater for traditional or contemporary style weddings, and incorporate your personal wedding theme, including those special Irish traditions.

The Legacy Suite at the Smurfi t Clubhouse

The Arnold Palmer Room

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Whether you are looking for an idyllic honeymoon or you are a loved up couple in search of paradise, we have found the

world’s most gorgeous retreats for true romance, guaranteed to send your temperatures soaring!

A Fine Romance

Tucked away in Haa Alifu Atoll, the most northern atoll of the Maldives, where tourism has barely touched the soft white sands and turquoise waters of the picture perfect islands, the Waldorf Astoria Beach House offers a charming, chic and totally romantic haven where barefoot sophistication sits comfortably against a backdrop of natural beauty and lush vegetation. Reached by seaplane from the capital, Male, the resort offers plenty to keep guests enchanted and amused, from seven excellent restaurants offering organic, innovative cuisine, including a gourmet wine

cellar restaurant, to world-class diving opportunities on unspoilt reefs and a pampering spa which offers a sensory experience with aromatherapy, Ayurveda and traditional Maldivian spa treatments.

Best for barefoot blissThe Waldorf Astoria Beach House - Maldives

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £2268 per person including fl ights,7 nights B&B accommodation in beach villa with pool, including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

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Best for sensational sunsets

Best for celebrity spottingHotel St Barth Isle de France - St BarthSt Barth is the Caribbean island with a distinctly French charm, where the rich and famous spend their vacations. The tiny eight-square-mile island is smart, sexy and sophisticated and, despite its A-list visitors, has retained its unique character. The luxurious boutique-style Hotel St Barth Isle de France is set on ten acres of golden sandy beach and offers stunning panoramic views of the Baie des Flamands. The hotel offers world-class accommodation in just 33 rooms and suites. The elegant decor is chic with a breezy French colonial style and a glorious mix of antique and contemporary furnishing. Guests can toast the sunset in the Sundowner Deck Bar with an exotic cocktail or chill out in the Zen style Molton Brown Spa and enjoy a Thai Massage in the spa garden pavilion to the magical sound of tropical birdsong.

Book it!

Maradiva - MauritiusSituated on the west coast of Mauritius, the plush Maradiva resort offers views of truly romantic sunsets, as the sun melts into the crystal waters of Tamarin Bay. The resort boasts one of the most superb locations on the island, with an extensive private stretch of white sandy beach lapped by the turquoise Indian Ocean with its coral reef teeming with colourful marine life and a striking backdrop of jagged mountains – remnants of a long-extinct volcano. Close to the popular seaside resort of Flic-en-Flac, with its shops and restaurants, the 5-star Maradiva is a stunning all-villa resort set in rich tropical gardens, which is designed with a Mauritian-Indian blend of architecture with a colonial infl uence. The Maradiva Spa is situated at the centre of the resort and offers the ancient healing wisdom of India with sensual Ayurvedic treatments.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1535 per person including fl ights, 7 nights B&B accommodation in beach villa. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1159 per person including fl ights, 7 nights B&B accommodation in garden view room, including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

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Best for honeymooning royaltyConstance Ephelia Resort - SeychellesFollow Wills and Kate in their search for romantic seclusion and head to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean to the powder white sands and crystal waters of these beautiful islands. The stunning new Constance Ephelia Resort is situated within lush, tropical grounds on two of the most beautiful beaches on Mahe Island, overlooking the national marine park of Port Launay. The resort offers luxurious accommodation with all the mod cons in a combination of suites and villas. With four swimming pools and plenty of activities on land and sea there’s plenty to keep guests occupied and many places to relax and chill, including in the Spa de Constance, a tropical spa village, which offers the ultimate pampering, experience.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1900 per person including fl ights, 7 nights junior suite accommodation with half board, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371.

Best for breathtaking views The Ladara Resort - St LuciaPerched above the port of Soufriere, the fi ve-star Ladara is one of the world’s most romantic and exclusive hideaways and is absolutely perfect for a couple looking for an intimate love nest with a breathtaking iconic backdrop. Each guest suite has been built without a fourth wall, allowing astounding views of the island’s two iconic volcanic Piton peaks and the azure coastline below, yet the suites have also been cleverly designed to remain sheltered, safe and completely private. The open wall in all suites and villas leads to a private plunge pool and lush, tropical landscaping. The resort offers Dream Wedding Packages for those who wish to tie the knot during their romantic break.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1900 per person including fl ights, 7 nights in Gros Piton Suite accommodation room only. Includes transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

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Singita Sasakwa Lodge - TanzaniaStay at the heart of the Serengeti Plains in pure African style, with a dash of sophistication at the delightful Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania. Built in the style of an Edwardian manor house, Singita Sadakwa Lodge is elegantly designed with stone walls, deep verandas, high ceilings and stately furniture. It offers an intimate, exclusive stay with accommodation for no more than 34 guests in nine luxurious cottages with their own infi nity-edge pools and a main lodge retreat. Guest rooms have four-posters and African infl uenced décor alongside crisp linens and impressive chandeliers. Stays at the Lodge include twice daily game drives with professional guides, plus a spa, yoga and gym. There is an equestrian centre close by offering horse riding across the Serengeti Plains and hot air balloon safaris are offered at extra cost.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1950 per person including fl ights, 7 nights standard room accommodation, room only, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371.

Best for animal magic

Best for romantic dining Breezes Beach Club & Spa - ZanzibarIf you are looking for a picture postcard resort on a pristine white sandy beach then look no further than the truly enchanting Breezes Beach Club & Spa on the mystical spice island of Zanzibar, perfect for beach weddings, dream honeymoons or as a couples retreat. The fi ve-star resort is set in tropical landscaped gardens and offers spacious accommodation in 70 en-suite guest rooms. It is decorated throughout in beautiful Zanzibar style with stunning carvings, glistening brass and rich purple fabrics. Top-notch cuisine is served in a choice of four restaurants and its Tides restaurant is off the scale for romance, offering private dining for two in an intimate setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. Couples can indulge in treatments at the Frangipani Spa, enjoy water sports and fl oodlit tennis and be entertained by colourful local dancers and musicians.

Book it! K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1470 per person including fl ights, 7 nights deluxe room accommodation with half board, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17

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Pankor Laut - MalaysiaCouples wanting to be totally indulged from head to toe should head to the romantic 5-star Pankor Laut Resort, where the troubles of the world will be soothed away in the superb spa. Located on an idyllic private island off the west coast of Malaysia, Pankor Laut is a beguiling mix of luxury, natural beauty and age-old wilderness. Elegant wooden buildings blend seamlessly into forest, which is surrounded by private, pristine bays. The Spa Village at Pankor Laut Resort is a unique retreat that extols the healing cultures and natural resources of the region with ancient healing rituals. The spa offers an extensive range of treatments from China, Japan, India, Thailand, Bali and Malaysia, with spa accommodation offered in 22 beautiful Spa Villas situated over the sea with direct access to the spa village.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1400 per person including fl ights, 7 nights garden villa accommodation, room only, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371.

Best exotic spa

Best for short haul chicGran Hotel Residencia - Gran CanariaThis gorgeous boutique-style hotel in Gran Canaria is just a short fl ight from the British Isles, which proves that you don’t have to go to the other side of the world to fi nd year-round sunshine and pure romance. The 5-star deluxe colonial-style Gran Hotel Residencia offers luxury accommodation in two-storey private villas centred round an elegant pool within a tropical palm garden. Located in the Maspalomas nature reserve, just a short stroll from Maspolomas famous sandy beach and the popular seaside resort, it is an intimate retreat for romantic couples. The hotel’s Wellness Centre offers regenerating spa treatments with a wide choice of indulgent face and body treatments. Fitness programmes offer active rest including yoga and T’ai Chi.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £1650 per person including fl ights, 7 nights B&B accommodation in double room, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371.

All K Club Special Offers are subject to availability, to new bookings only and may be withdrawn without notice. Prices are based on two sharing.

Terms and Conditions

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Sail the stunning Dalmatian Coast or stay and discover historic Dubrovnik – Europe’s best-kept secret

Amazing Croatia

t’s hard to believe that a country so beautiful could be less than a three-hour fl ight away, but it’s true. Croatia is a gem, and it’s practically on our doorstep. Undiscovered by tourists that fl ock to the usual European holiday hot spots, Croatia has retained its magical old-world charm, almost untouched by time. As a holiday destination it is the epitome of easy living and effortless cool.

With an impressive 1778 km of coastline, the crystal blue Adriatic laps against rocky coves and pine-fringed beaches. Its charming fi shing ports remain refreshingly free of high-rise hotels – you are more likely to discover intimate family-run restaurants serving the catch of the day and romantic dining with stunning sea views are always on the menu. Yachts glide lazily up Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, dropping anchor in tranquil coves to watch spectacular sunsets or visit Croatia’s 1185 islands, many still uninhabited. And no trip to Croatia is complete without a stop in Dubrovnik, an UNESCO world-heritage sight, where exploring this gorgeous medieval walled town is an absolute must on your holiday agenda.

DubrovnikFrom the land or sea, one of the most enchanting sights in the world is of the red roofs of Dubrovnik, peeping from within the ancient walls of the old port town that once rivalled Venice in wealth and infl uence.

Each day international cruise ships drop anchor off shore and ferry passengers in tenders to spend the day shopping for souvenirs in the old town’s boutiques before stopping for refreshments in the open-air cafes. The best way to view Dubrovnik is to circumnavigate the ancient walls of the town from which you can view the narrow winding streets, alleys and squares and the sparkling ink-blue waters of the Adriatic beyond.

At dusk, tranquillity falls over the bustling streets of Dubrovnik. The cruise ship passengers have departed for foreign shores and nightlife begins with lazy cocktails outdoors in the old town’s many bars as the mellow sounds of live jazz serenade the romantic candlelit diners.

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Croatia is a great place for a sublime sunshine spa break, so if you are looking for pampered fi ve-star luxury and stunning ocean views, then look no further than the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel & Spa. Built in a unique cascading architectural style reminiscent of a cruise ship the hotel offers 308 bedrooms and suites, all with a balcony and incredible sea views. The resort also offers an exclusive 37-suite VIP wing with private swimming pool and sun deck. Diverse cuisine choices, personal service and spectacular views defi ne the dining experiences at the hotel, which offers everything from fi ne dining to Japanese sushi. Spa lovers will fi nd spa heaven in the Spa and Wellness Centre’s Comfort Zone Space on the top fl oor, with its extensive spa menu, including the new antioxidant ‘Sacred Nature Ritual’, and wet area with sauna and steam room, indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi. A rooftop deck area has an outdoor hot tub for guests to soak up the breathtaking sea views. There’s also a state-of-the-art gymnasium for keeping fi t and toned.

Book it! K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £643 per person at Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, including fl ights, three nights B&B accommodation with classic sea views, transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

One of the best ways to view the magnifi cent Dalmatian coast is from the sea, so why not take to the waters on a cruise ship or private yacht? A number of leading cruise operators visit Croatia as part of their sailing schedule, including MSC Cruises and P&O. Alternatively, plan your own itinerary and sail aboard your own private yacht. A Dubrovnik barefoot yacht charter enables you to visit tiny remote islands and drop anchor in secluded bays to soak up the sun, dine, swim and snorkel in the soothing waters of the Adriatic. You can visit the island of Mijet, said to be the most beautiful in the Adriatic and explore the fortifi ed town of Ston and its neighbor Mali Ston, famous for its Ston cake and oysters and for exploring the defensive walls that date back to medieval times. Sailing conditions along the Croatian coastline are idyllic in the summer; however, Croatian authorities require an ICC or RYA Day Skipper certifi cate as a minimum to charter a boat. If you don’t sail yourself, let an experienced crew do the work for you and live like a millionaire in the lap of luxury aboard Lupa, one of the world’s most exclusive luxury yachts which is available for hire in the summer months.

Book it! Both Moorings and Sunsail offer barefoot charter sailing holidays in Croatia. For further details: Moorings (www.moorings.co.uk) or Sunsail (www.sunsail.co.uk). For private charter of Lupa contact Dan Stump on 07779 722862 or email: ds@danstump.com

Stay and Spa

Push the boat out

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Are you feeling lucky? Place your bets at the top international racing events

Pick AWinner

Racing at the CurraghFancy a fl utter on the horses? Find out if you have the luck of the Irish at the Curragh Racecourse, one of Europe’s oldest sporting grounds, which is set in the beautiful Kildare countryside, just a short trip from The K Club. There is no doubt about it, the Irish love their horses, and most know how to back a winner!

One of the most important days on the Irish social calendar is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day which took place on June 26th as part of the Irish Derby Festival. It was a day which blended a heady mix of horseracing and glamour as horse-lovers from across the globe, and especially the horse-mad Irish gathered to place their bets, quaff Champagne and enjoy the craic on the stands and in hospitality tents.

If you missed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day there are other world-renowned races at the Curragh racecourse still to come this year, including the Darley Irish Oaks, which takes place on 17th July and the Irish Field St Leger on 10th September. Race-goers will enjoy plenty of excellent entertainment both on and off the track with a variety of bars, restaurants and corporate suites, which make it the perfect place for a day out. Expect thrilling races with a dash of fashion!

In the beginningThe word “Curragh” means place of the running horse, and the history of this famous racecourse is well documented – indeed as early as the third century there was chariot racing on the Curragh. The Irish turf club was founded in the coffee rooms in Kildare and it was soon established as the governing body for horse racing throughout Ireland. The fi rst ever Irish Derby took place in 1866 on the Curragh and since then the most prestigious fl at races in the Irish racing calendar take place here, including the world-famous Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival, Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Darley Irish Oaks and The Irish Field St Leger.

Training winnersThe Curragh is at the heart of the Irish bloodstock industry, and the Curragh Training Centre has been responsible for training over a quarter of Irish racehorses, including the winners of major international races. The K Club president, Dr Michael Smurfi t’s own famous thoroughbreds Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle, both Melbourne Cup winners, were trained here by Dermot Weld. Other recent notable Curragh successes include world champion Sea the Stars, Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, Epsom Derby winner Sinndar and Irish Derby winners Alamshar and Grey Swallow. In addition to the training stables numerous large stud farms, including the National stud, have developed on the fringes of the Curragh.

Stay in style

Why not turn your trip to the races into an especially memorable occasion by staying at the luxurious The K-Club? Splash your winnings by treating yourself and friends to a gourmet feast in the Byerley Turk restaurant and indulge in a bottle of vintage Burgundy as recommended by The K Club’s consultant sommelier Lisa O’Doherty. Of course, if you have had a really exceptional day, you can always treat your friends to the 45,000 euro gourmet meal in the Wine Cellar! (See page 48). www.kclub.ie

Further informationCurragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare, Ireland.Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205Fax: + 353 (0) 45 441 442Email: info@curragh.iehe

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ParisPrix de L’Arc de TriompheThe French love horse racing and fl ock to France’s most prestigious racing event, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, which takes place on Sunday 2nd October at Longchamp Racecourse in the Bois de Boulogne in the west of Paris. The two-day Arc meet is one of the most exciting events on the world’s racing calendar and boasts the best card in European horse racing. Longchamp Racecourse specialises in fl at racing and stages many of the top events in France including the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, respectively as well as the Grand Prix de Paris.

Pick a winning hotel and stay at the Victoria Palace Hotel, a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, to celebrate your victory with a toast in the Cardinal bar lounge. The hotel’s elegant façade has been a landmark on the Left Bank in Paris since it was built in 1913 and its interior décor is stylishly opulent, whilst also comfortable and relaxing. Situated between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montparnasse the hotel offers a tranquil retreat in Paris’s historic centre with spacious suites, a business centre and access to the fi tness facilities of Club Med Gym, just a short walk from the hotel.

Book it! K Cub Special Offer: Prices start from £556 per person including fl ights, three nights B&B accommodation in deluxe room and all transfers and taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Stay in style

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YorkEbor FestivalThe Ebor Festival is an extravaganza of fashion, fun and famous races over four fabulous days including the world-famous Juddmonte International, a contest ranked in the top ten middle distance contests in the world and Totesport Ebor, which was fi rst run way back in the 1840s. Thursday brings the glamour of Ladies Day. However, on all four days there is always a real sense of fashion, gorgeous hats and sharp suits and plenty of sporting action, including Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes, which are highly treasured titles. Friday is a recent addition to this famous occasion and offers the chance to race into the weekend, perhaps enjoying a short break in historic York.

After the excitement of York Races, step back in time into the tranquillity of historic Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, a beautiful retreat in a great location within walking distance of York Racecourse and close to York’s city centre. Middlethorpe Hall is surrounded by private gardens and offers 29 lovely rooms and facilities including an excellent restaurant and Health and Fitness Spa. This William and Mary country house was built in 1699 and was restored by Historic House Hotels in 1984 in 18th century mansion style with antiques and fi ne pictures. In 2008 it became part of the National Trust, with profi ts benefi ting the houses and charity.

Book it! K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £219 per person for three nights B&B accommodation in superior double room. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Stay in style

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DubaiDubai World CupJoin the elite of the international racing fraternity and indulge in the electrifying atmosphere of the world’s richest horserace at the annual Dubai World Cup, which takes place at the end of March each year. Hosted in Nad Al Sheba at the iconic Meydan Racecourse with its state-of-the-art grandstand, the eight-race card is stacked with quality and is classifi ed as a Group 1 Flat Race run on Tapeta. With the establishment of the annual Dubai World Cup, the United Arab Emirates has became the home of one of the world’s top racing challenges, drawing the attention of millions of enthusiasts from around the globe who are attracted by the excitement of the racing against the glamorous backdrop of Dubai. Further information: www.dubairacingclub.com

Horse lovers need look no further than the Desert Palm, a chic boutique-style 5-star hotel set in the graceful manicured surroundings of a private polo estate, just minutes away from the towering skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of Dubai. The hotel basks easily in the desert landscape to provide a refreshing contrast to the conventional fl amboyance of downtown Dubai and offers superb cuisine, a sublime Lime Spa, an infi nity pool, plus four polo fi elds, a riding school and stabling for 300 horses.

Book it! K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £750 per person including fl ights, three nights accommodation in deluxe room and all transfers and taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Stay in style

6 Tips To Better Golf

However competent your golf may be, the best players know that there is always room for improvement. Fortunately

Michael Dixon, The K Club’s PGA resident golf professional is on hand to help. He offers six hot tips to improve your game.

Fresh faced and bursting with infectious enthusiasm, Michael Dixon’s passion for golf is clear to see. Michael joined The K Club – home to the Ryder Cup – in 2002 and now teaches professionals, amateurs and celebrities alike, passing on his skills to others through his unique and effective teaching methods. Michael is currently working hard to establish the Michael Dixon School of Golf, by creating an atmosphere where self-learning is encouraged through heightened awareness and structured support. His holistic view of the golf game is at the centre of his teaching and requires a defi nite balance between golf and life.

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Next time you are on the golf course, try Michael’s six tips to see if you can improve your own game. Golf at the

K ClubThe K Club drew international acclaim when it hosted the 36th Ryder Cup in 2006. Already a well-known golfi ng destination, having hosted 13 Smurfi t European Opens, the eyes of the world were drawn to this magnifi cent resort to see the who’s who of the global golfi ng world take their place, centre stage on the Arnold Palmer designed Ryder Cup Course.

Palmer Ryder Cup Course The Palmer Ryder Cup course was designed by the seven-time major winner, and golf hall of fame legend, Arnold Palmer. Opened in 1991, and set around the River Liffey, it consistently ranks as one of the top parkland courses in the world with fairway, water hazards, ‘beach-like’ bunkers and leafy spaces. Greens are lightning fast and too much action on many of the greens could lead you to a ‘watery grave’!

Smurfi t CourseTo offer such a different challenge at the same resort is a unique experience, and Arnold Palmer has delivered exactly that with a second 28-hole course which is every bit as challenging as the Palmer Ryder Cup course with its ‘Swallow Quarry’ rock face that rises 60ft out of a lake proving a hazard for even the most competent golfers. The Smurfi t is an inland links, framed with honey coloured grasses, which can be played extremely fast with sloping fairways and greens, deep pot bunkers and a back 9 with lots of water that can prove a formidable challenge.

Golf PackagesThere are a number of golf events coming up at The K Club over the coming months incuding: the Ultimate Golf Experience, the Ryder Cup Experience, the Titleist Summer Series, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic, the Junior and Senior Scratch Cups. For further information: www.kclub.ie or call (01) 601 7200.

Stay in the presentThe only shot that matters is the one you are playing. No evaluating, no judging, no anticipating the result – just trust and acceptance.

Hands position when hitting a shotI like to see the hands on the inside of your left thigh for every shot except the driver. For the driver, the hands should be just to the left to the zip of your trousers, thus creating a hit on the upswing.

Connect to the targetGood golfers have very good connection to their target. The more you are connected the more your instincts and subconscious will kick in.

Releasing the club & creating your optimum swing speedTurn the club upside down, gripping it just below the club head. Then swing it at your normal swing speed and listen for the SWISH sound. You should be hearing the ‘swish’ at the ball and beyond. If you are hearing the ‘swish’ before the ball, this means you are hitting it from the top and losing out on your full swing speed – this means lost distance.

AlignmentStart by standing behind your ball and pick a piece of grass six inches in front of your ball on the ball-target line. From here, walk into the shot lining your club face up to the piece of grass that you have chosen. Then lining your body up parallel to the ball-target line. A good way of checking if your body is correct is to put your club across your hips and see if they are running parallel to your ball- target line.

Trust your swingLeave the doubting, self-critical, careful side of your mind in the clubhouse! Trusting a fl awed swing will defi nitely produce a better shot than not trusting it. 6

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Go on, drop the roof and embrace the elements, you know you want to, says Martin Owen

G d h f d b h l

Improve your Drive

ne thing we don’t have to sell to golfers is the benefi t of fresh air! When you are out on the fairway with the wind on your face you feel at one with the world.

… So, it’s surprising to see, especially on a bright, sunny day, so many fresh-air fi ends arrive at the clubhouse

O cocooned in their cars with the windows up and the air con on. Isn’t it time to spoil yourself with a convertible?

It may be an open admittance of a mid-life crisis but today’s rag-tops are not only fun but also surprisingly civilised. And as the saying goes: “It’s better to travel in style than to arrive”, so for those of us striving to improve our drive, a convertible seems the obvious choice

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Porsche 911 cabriolet

Take the 2011 Porsche 911 cabriolet. The word icon is hugely overused in today’s hyperbolic society, but the 911 truly is a motoring icon. With a design that has remained broadly unchanged for over 40 years, the 911 is the closest thing to a perfect driver’s car that money can buy.

The drop-top version, the 911 Cabriolet, isn’t the purist’s choice, but if you are in the market for a sporty cabrio, there’s no need to look any further. It drives brilliantly, looks classy in the clubhouse car park and offers all the performance – especially with the bigger 3.8-litre engine – you will ever need on the road.

Fitted with the 3.8-litre, six-cylinder which generates 380bhp at 6,500rpm and 310lb-ft of torque at 4,400rpm, mated to the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double-clutch transmission, the 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds is a good indication of the 911 Cabrio’s pace: it’s rapid! Indeed, the 911 provides all the performance you’ll ever need on the road.

Ride and handling Nothing handles like a 911. The fi rst time you drive one, you’ll instantly get what everyone raves about. The steering is sharp, accurate and feeds back so much information – the driver can feel exactly what’s happening with the wheels so you always look forward to the opportunity to take corners at speed.

Of course, the ride in the 911 is going to be fi rm, but it’s perfectly judged, lacking any harshness. The absence of a roof is naturally going to have an effect on the rigidity of the chassis compared to the coupé version, but Porsche’s

engineers have managed to reduce any shuddering and scuttle shake to an absolute minimum, so you only feel it when going over the worst potholed surfaces.

Build quality and reliability As you’d expect from Porsche, the build quality of the 911 Cabrio is superb. The exterior feels sturdy and well engineered; the bodywork exudes a sense of robust quality. This continues in the cabin where the leather and high-quality materials used in the interior are industry benchmarks.

Space and practicality The 911 Cabriolet is a convertible sports car, so it’s never going to be the most practical car money can buy. That said, there’s plenty of space up front and the driving position is excellent, with a fully adjustable seat and steering wheel. All-round visibility is also good, especially with the roof down. Although technically a four-seater, adults will fi nd it almost impossible to fi t in the two rear seats and only very young children will have enough space: it’s far better to think of it as a two-seater with additional luggage space in the rear to supplement the meagre 105 litres under the bonnet.

Ownership and value The 911 Cabriolet is not a cheap car – the base price is the thick end of £90,000. However, if you can afford one, owning a Porsche is a highly enjoyable experience and something serious car fans (with serious money) should try at least once.

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BMW 650i Cabriolet

If the 911 is too hard-core for you, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible could be the ideal solution – more of a boulevardier and grand tourer than sports machine, but a head-turner nevertheless.

It may be a ‘softer option’ than the 911 but the fl agship 650i is deceptively rapid. Push the accelerator to the fl oor and it surges forwards with real intensity, and there’s little let up in the force as the speed increases. Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine producing 407bhp. It allows the big open-topped four seater to reach 62mph in 5.0 seconds on the way to its effortless 155mph, electronically limited, top speed.

Ride and handling With such prodigious power to handle, the gearbox needs to be up to the job and the 650i shifts almost imperceptibly, and the engine is relatively muted until it reaches high revs. For easy cruising the 650i seriously impresses, and it’s equally adept at holding it’s composure when the twisty bits come along.

The 6 Series can be set up how you like it: a simple push of a button allows you to choose from a variety of sporting, or comfort settings. Even on its tautest, most focused set-up the 650i rides with surprising suppleness and the suspension works effectively, blending control and comfort nicely.

Build quality and reliability This BMW’s sophistication doesn’t fi nish under the bonnet; opening this stylish convertible up to the sun couldn’t be easier, with a simple push of the transmission tunnel-mounted switch dropping the top in just 19 seconds. And if you’re caught short in a shower, it’s possible to open and close the fabric roof on the move too, if you’re doing no more than 25mph.

Standard equipment levels are high, with 19-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjusted and heated leather seats and dual-zone climate control, though running costs on this particular model will also be high.

Space and practicality There’s more space inside than the 911 and it’s certainly a more practical proposition than a Jaguar XK Convertible or Mercedes’ venerable SL models. If you need to use those rear seats, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is a more spacious all-rounder.

Ownership and value Overall, the 6 Series delivers in a satisfying way as you would expect of a car with a price tag of just under £74,000, and that’s before you start exploring the options list.

With an average fuel consumption fi gure of just 26.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 249g/km, the 6 Series won’t be a cheap car to run. There will be choices for those wanting a better value 6 Series though, with the twin-turbo six-cylinder 640i improving on those fi gures markedly. The 640i manages 35.8mpg and 185g/km, and takes only 0.7 seconds longer to reach 62mph. However, it’s the promise of diesel power and smaller petrol engines that will really see the 6 Series shine – whether the roof’s up or down.

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Bentley Continental GTC

So, you’ve bucked the trend and had a good year. Or rather, another good year! Sometimes you need to pat yourself on the back – and let the world know that everything’s right in your world. So perhaps it’s time to invest in a new drop head Bentley!

The Bentley Continental GTC isn’t exactly a shrinking violet, but there’s a beauty about it all, which pervades every element of these beautiful cars from one of the world’s most historic marques.

From the deep lustre of the coachwork right through to the hand-stitched hides, gleaming chrome and polished walnut dash, everything reeks of class. When it comes to the ultimate wind-in-the-hair driving experience, nothing but the famous winged badge will do.

Ride and handling So what’s it like to drive? On the move, the GTC is a rocket ship with bags of punch right from the word go. With the top down, the W12 sounds fantastic – Jeremy Clarkson calls it a ‘mellow bellow’.

Given the Bentley’s size, it’s surprisingly agile through bends, and always feels sure-footed thanks to four-wheel drive. The extensive chassis strengthening also means that scuttle shake is minimal. As a result of the variable air-suspension, the ride is soothing too and the GTC is as structurally stiff as the coupé. Bentley engineers have strengthened the chassis by adding extra cross members. The penalty is 110kg more bulk and a hefty total kerb weight of 2,495kg. That’s why the performance of these beautiful beasts is even more surprising.

With 552bhp released from its 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine 0-60mph is despatched in just 4.8 seconds,

while top speed with the roof up is the thick end of 200mph, and 190mph with it folded. With the roof down, there’s very little buffeting, and when it’s in place the hood suppresses road and wind noise brilliantly.

Build quality and reliability As you would expect, inside the GTC is a highly impressive place to be, with acres of sumptuous leather, wood and chrome.

Space and practicality For a big car, as with all drop tops, space is at a premium, especially with the roof down. Roof up, the Continental Supersports works as a grand tourer with 370 litres of room accessed via an electrically operated boot lid. Roof down space reduces to 235 litres, which is just enough to squeeze in luggage for a weekend away. Plus maybe a fi ve iron, putter and a toothbrush!

Ownership and value When it comes to a sense of occasion the GTC is in a league of its own and in terms of pride of ownership, it will put a big smile on your face even if you are just driving to the newsagent to buy a copy of Racing Post!

However, now, dropping the top on a Bentley has cost serious money; the list price of the fi rm’s original convertible, the Arnage-based Azure, starts from more than £230,000. But the winds of change are wafting through Bentley HQ and without losing exclusivity, Bentley ownership nowadays is a more attainable prospect. Whilst the GTC still isn’t cheap, at around £130,000 it’s around half the price of the Azure and something of a bargain!

The Ultimate

Connoisseur’s Dinner!

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Cristal Champagne 1999Seen as the ultimate in Champagnes and easily recognised by its golden bottle, it may be best known as the chosen tipple of models and rappers but Cristal, the top cuvee from Louis Roederer is a complex rich champagne, elegant and silkily textured with notes of hazelnuts and apples. A true vintage champagne worthy

of its accolades.

Clos Ste Hune 2001 Riesling, TrimbachSome say this is not only the fi nest Alsatian wine but also the fi nest Riesling in the world and anyone who has tasted the complexity of this wine would have to agree. Made by the Trimbach family, who have been making wine for generations and bring all their expertise to this astounding wine. Packed with liquid mineral notes and candied lime, it is just beginning to develop its characteristic kerosene aroma.

Montrachet 1990, Domaine de la Romanée ContiThis is the most lavish chardonnay in the world and if it was any other wine I would be hesitant to serve one so mature. But DRC Montra-chet needs time to fully express its distinctive nose of coconut, buttered apples, toasty new oak and its intense opulent palate. It is truly a world class wine and due to its rarity, with only 250 cases produced a year, it is unfortunately only savoured by the few.

Hermitage ‘La Chapelle’ 52, Paul Jaboulet AineThis is a big meaty masculine wine still drinking after nearly 50 years. It only goes to show that Hermitage is the true showcase of the Syrah grape variety. Coming from the Northern Rhône Valley it exhibits full rich fl avours of dark black fruits and sweet spice. Thick and unctuous it is the perfect match with strong cheese.

Domaine de la Romanée Conti ’90. DRCChateau Petrus may have the title of most expensive wine in the world but again because they make so little of this wine, only 450 cases a year, this gem from the fantastic 1990 vintage holds the honour of our most expensive and rare wine. This spectacular vintage has developed a rich deep colour rarely seen in this wine. A nose of sweet clove and spice, cinnamon and blackberry and a lavish full body makes this wine one of the fi nest in the world. Having not reached maturity yet, it still has years to give and some say could be the best DRC has ever produced.

Chateau Fargues 67This is an old style Sauternes, the type to last forever and only reward you after decades spent in a dark cellar. It is rich and unctuous with intense fl avours of apricots and almonds and a sweet honeyed spiciness. In fact you may want to forgo dessert and just sip on this all night...

Middleton 20th Anniversary Irish CoffeeSeen as one of the fi nest Irish whiskeys ever made, only 400 bottles of this truly magnifi cent spirit were released. Harking back to the days before Prohibition, which almost spelled the end of Irish distilleries, this world class whiskey is rich but not fi ery on the palate with a distinctive orange peel aroma and spicy quality. I know it is almost shameful to suggest making an Irish coffee out of this special drink but at The K Club it is all about using the best ingredients in everything so why not indulge...

Offi cial cellar tours are conducted every second Saturday at 6pm. In addition, corporate groups can book their own tour in advance any evening they wish and can enjoy drinks and canapés in the cellar if so desired. When feasible all guests are encouraged to go down to the cellar in the late afternoon to choose their wine for dinner that evening. Individual tastings with consultant comelier Lisa O’Doherty can also be organised.

Take a tour

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The light of the Sun brings out the full majesty of the Pyramids, plays with sparkling exuberance on the ancient and illustrious cities served by the Nile, and caresses the luxurious beaches of the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Beneath the waves, the Sun’s rays highlight the glowing colors of the many sea creatures and corals. You will fi nd the Sun’s light and warmth refl ected in the open smiles and friendly greetings of the Egyptians themselves. Welcome to the land that fi rst worshipped the Sun. www.egypt.travel

EGYPTIANS OFFER YOU THEIR MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE : THE SUN

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If your idea of total pampering is a glass of wine to lift the spirits, just imagine the benefi ts of being completely

immersed in your favourite tipple! ‘Cheers for Vinotherapy’,

says Terri Cody-Owen

Grape Escapes

f you think Vinotherapy means stretching out on a couch and revealing your troubles to a compassionate spa therapist who listens and pours you a glass of full-bodied Barolo, then think again. Vinotherapy is a gourmet spa experience that works its magic by indulging your love of wine with the therapeutic and beautifying properties of grapes – it’s the ultimate spa treatment for wine connoisseurs!

However, if you are worried that being covered from head to toe in your favourite tipple means you will stagger out of the treatment room in a drunken blur, don’t fret. Vinotherapy uses non-alcoholic products and treatments derived from grapes harvested from the world’s fi nest vineyards to leave your mind, body and soul in a state of supreme wellbeing.

Wine can be good for you and that’s offi cial. When drunk in moderation (i.e. not exceeding the recommended units per day), wine not only lifts the spirits but also offers a number of health benefi ts – particularly red wine, which can help prevent heart disease and strokes.

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I

Sowing the seedsThe French are renowned for their love of wine with meals and the low incidence of heart attacks in France, despite a diet high in rich foods, seems to support the research, so it is hardly surprising that the seeds of Vinotherapy were fi rst sown in Bordeaux.

It all began when Professor Joseph Vercauteren of the University of Bordeaux noticed that the most nutritious part of the grape, the seeds, were discarded during the winemaking process. He scientifi cally proved that the polyphenols, which are particularly concentrated in grape seeds, are powerful antioxidants which protect against free radical damage from pollution, cigarette smoke and so on, which, if given a free rein, can damage the immune system and interfere with the DNA structure of cells, potentially leading to cancer. They are also responsible for 80 per cent of skin ageing.

An important ingredient in grapes is resveratrol, the most potent of polyphenols and the plant’s natural defense against fungal attack. This sediment is deposited by the fermenting of wines and can be mixed with clay and used in body wraps to help repair the skin’s elastin and collagen. Another valuable bi-product of winemaking is the pomace - the pips, stalks and dry skin. When mixed into creams, this ingredient has powerful antioxidant qualities.

Vineyard owners soon realised that the seeds discarded at the end of the grape harvest were worth their weight in gold and they now sell them, along with sediment, stalks and skin for use in Vinotherapy products.

Wine spa hotels have added an extra level of luxury and decadence to the whole spa - going experience. What can be better than having a grape-seed scrub at a spa on a wine estate - and then getting to taste the wine derived from the vineyards outside?

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Vinotherapy - Key Benefi ts• Nourishes the skin• Moisturises the skin• Anti-ageing• Exfoliating• Detoxes and rebalances skin• Rich in anti-oxidants• Stimulates lymphatic drainage to combat cellulite• Soothes and revitalises to promote a sense

of wellbeing

The wine cellar at Hotel Marques De Riscal

Les Sources de Caudalie - Bordeaux, FranceThe superb Les Sources de Caudalie boutique hotel nestles amid vines and woods in the heart of the Bordeaux wine-growing region. The hotel was opened in 1999 by Mathilde Cathiard-Thomas and her husband, Bertrand, who are credited with creating both the world’s fi rst wine spa as well as the offi cial term Vinothérapie®. Their hotel is a wine lover’s heaven where guests can enjoy fi ne vintages in the restaurants and be pampered in grape products in the vinotherapy spa. The hotel has 49 luxury rooms and suites, swimming pool, gym, three-hole golf course and tennis courts. The hotel’s Caudalie Spa was created after a chance meeting between Professor Vercauteren and Mathilde, and the discovery of a hot spring in the grounds. This proved to be the inspiration to develop a successful line of grape-based skincare products – the Caudalie range – which are now used in the spa’s revitalising vinotherapy spa treatments, along with the therapeutic waters of the natural spring. Vinotherapy treatments include: Wine Barrel bath, Merlot wrap, Sauvignon massage and Crushed Cabernet Scrub.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £554 per person including fl ights, three nights accommodation including transfers and all taxes Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Santé Winelands Estate & Wellness Centre - South AfricaSet in the lush valley in Stellenbosch which is dominated by manicured vines and magnifi cent mountains, the Santé Winelands Hotel and Wellness Centre refl ects the beauty and tranquillity of its setting in the Cape Winelands region. The hotel is known for its luxurious accommodation, gourmet cuisine and exclusive Wellness Centre where guests are pampered with vinotherapy treatments, including a Shiraz Scrub, a Chardonnay Cocoon Wrap and a Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Bath. As you would expect, to enhance the Vinotherapy programme, the wine cellar at the hotel boasts some of the fi nest Cape and international vintages. If you want to take your Grape Escape into the Cape wine region further, you can enjoy wine tasting excursions to historical wine estates. www.santesa.co.za

Peralada Resort & Wine Spa - Girona, SpainPeralada Resort and Wine Spa in Girona, Spain, pampers guests with three of the most luxurious activities on earth: golf, spa, and wine. This gem of a resort is set close to vineyards and cellars, and many local wine products are used at the spa. The Hotel Peralada enjoys a superb setting, surrounded by an 18-hole golf course and a nature reserve. It offers 55 comfortable rooms and suites with outstanding views to the golf course, the Albera mountain range and the medieval town of Peralada. Indulge yourself with a perfect pampering programme of sunbathing on the pool terrace, toasting the sunset with a delicious cocktail in the Wine Bar or being totally pampered in the Wine Spa with the hotel’s own range of cosmetic products made of grapes from its own vineyards. Vinotherapy treatments include body peeling with grape seeds; body wraps; wine baths and grape massages.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £430 per person including fl ights, three nights accommodation in preferential room including all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Hotel Marques De Riscal - Rioja wine region, SpainThe new landmark Hotel Marques De Riscal is a stunning contemporary hotel, designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry. Located in the heart of the Rioja wine region, the 43-suite hotel oozes 5-star luxury and is the perfect place for a relaxing break and some serious wine therapy. Guests can drink in gorgeous views of the vineyards and the town of Elciego and enjoy fi ne gastronomy in the Michelin star Echaurren Restaurant, which is set to become one of Spain’s leading restaurants. The hotel’s Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa is the backbone of the leisure facilities on offer, with an indoor swimming pool, hammam, fi tness gymnasium, and a wide variety of therapeutic vinotherapy treatments using spa products from the best that grapes have to offer, which include the Crushed Cabernet Scrub, the Pulp Friction Massage, the Honey and Wine Wrap and the Barrel Bath. www.hotel-marquesderiscal.com

Book it!K Cub Special Offer: Prices start from £805 per person including fl ights, three nights B&B accommodation in premium room and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Vinotherapy Spas

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The K Club is a foodie’s heaven and one of the most sensational places to dine in Ireland. However if you are

travelling further afi eld, here are some tasty gourmet hotels around the world - to whet your appetite!

Th K Cl b i f di ’ h d f th t

Gourmet Delights

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F

Other fun ‘foodie’ activities include ‘Catch and Cook’ where hotel guests can enjoy some time out on the river with the resident gillees where they can learn how to fl y fi sh. If they are lucky to land a fi sh they can bring it into Chef Higgins to cook for their supper!

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Cyprus

Greece

Elysium - Paphos The magnifi cent Elysium hotel in Paphos, a member of the Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, offers some of the fi nest dining in Cyprus. The impressive hotel has a grand exterior with a beautiful fountain and large colonnades and boasts six fabulous restaurants offering a range of culinary experiences, inspired by the island’s Mediterranean cooking traditions and using locally grown ingredients.

Gourmet TreatsThe Epicurean Restaurant serves fi ne meat and Mediterranean fi sh in the impressively decorated restaurant or under the stars in the hotel’s extensive gardens. Alternatively, spice up your gourmet adventure in O’Shin, the Japanese sushi bar. Dine beside the sea at Mediterraneo, with its open kitchen for delicious fresh fi sh and pasta. Brasserie Messina serves French cuisine and, for true Mediterranean romance, Lemonia Piazza offers al fresco dining in a setting reminiscent of a picturesque village square. Finally authentic Italian cuisine is served at the intimate Restaurant Bacco both indoors and in its outdoor sunken courtyard

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £410 per person including fl ights, three nights B&B accommodation in deluxe sea view, including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Domes of Elounda - Crete Domes of Elounda, a member of Great Hotels of the World, is a beautifully designed, gourmet hotel set on the coast of Crete with its own private beach and three fabulous restaurants, each serving the fi nest wines and gourmet cuisine with a Michelin starred chef at the helm. It also boasts a Grand Dome Bar for live music and an open-air jazz bar. The hotel offers accommodation in 79 superb suites and spacious villas with balcony pools.

Gourmet TreatsThe Anthos restaurant is directed by Michelin star chef Lefteri Lazarou and offers Greek cuisine with a contemporary twist in a poolside setting with stunning views of Spinalonga. It has introduced dishes from last years’ Festival de la Gastronomie from Michelin Awarded guest chefs. Chef Lazarou is also in charge of Topos 1910, an authentic Greek seafood tavern, which overlooks the bay and has been awarded Best Greek Cuisine 2010. Buffets are served at Tholos restaurant with a different dining theme throughout the week, including Greek, Asian, Cretian and Italian.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £650 per person including fl ights, three nights B&B accommodation in an open plan suite with pool including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Italy

France

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Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte - ViareggioThe Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte offers a gourmet holiday with delectable Italian fare in the gorgeous Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio. Situated close to the beach, the hotel is a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection and offers fi ne dining, a bar with live music and an extensive wine cellar which hosts private dinners and wine tasting sessions in the Wine Cellar Bar. During their stay guests can indulge in water sports, nature rambles and relaxing spa treatments.

Gourmet TreatsLocated on the hotel’s rooftop, with stunning sunset sea and Alpine views, Il Piccolo Principe Restaurant offers classic dishes with the robust fl avours of traditional Italian food created by Michelin star-winning chef Giuseppe Mancino. Diners can choose from two tasting menus: the meat tasting and fi sh tasting menus, or from the á la carte menu. Alternatively, enjoy traditional Italian fare in the Regina restaurant where you can dine on the veranda overlooking the sea. The Wine Cellar Bar offers 400 different labels of prestigious wines for your delight, many from the Tuscan region.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £352 per person including fl ights, three-nights B&B accommodation in classic front sea view room. Including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Hotel D’Europe - AvignonThe Hotel d’Europe in Avignon, a Great Hotel of the World, exudes an old-world charm and elegance in the heart of Provence, home to many fi ne vineyards. Most people would probably head straight to Paris to experience fi ne gastronomy, but head further south to fi nd sunshine as well as fabulous cuisine at the Hotel d’Europe, which offers a blend of plush antique décor with modern amenities. Guests can spend an enjoyable day shopping in Avignon, take a boat trip down the Rhone or simply relax at the hotel and enjoy the opulent ambience.

Gourmet TreatsLa Vieille Fontaine is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant which offers fi ne dining indoors or on the terrace beneath a 250-year-old plane tree. Gifted chef Bruno d’Angelis has incorporated the best locally produced products, herbs and oils in the restaurant’s highly acclaimed contemporary cuisine, which is delicious and full of the colours and fl avours of Provence.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £350 per person including fl ights, three nights accommodation in classic double room, including transfers and all taxes. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

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England

England Stoke Place - BuckinghamshireStoke Place, a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, is a three-storey house set in gorgeous grounds designed by Capability Brown in the picturesque English countryside, just 30 minutes from central London. Once a family home, it has been lovingly converted into a luxury hotel offering just 30 stately rooms and a gourmet restaurant serving sumptuous dishes with local ingredients. Guests can also get fi t with outdoor personal training sessions or simply relax with in-room spa treatments. It’s a perfect escape from the stresses of the city.

Gourmet TreatsThe Garden Room, run by Head Chef Craig Van der Meer, has garnered a reputation as one of the best restaurants serving contemporary British cuisine. It has received 2 rosettes for fi ne dining by the AA guide and a rating of 4 in the latest edition of the Good Food Guide. An á la carte menu features innovative dishes such as Lobster Tortellini, Baby Fennel, Pernod Jelly and Bisque Foam, and traditional Sunday roast is also unmissable. Guests can enjoy cocktails and fi ne wines in the beautifully decorated Garden Bar and the hotel provides picnic hampers and rugs for dining in the hotel grounds.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £225 per person for 3-nights accommodation in executive double room. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Lakeside Hotel - Lake WindermereThe Lakeside Hotel is a stunning country house retreat in the middle of the English Lake District on the banks of Lake Windermere, with beautiful views across the lake. Richly decorated throughout, Lakeside is a member of Great Hotels of the World Premium Collection and preserves the warm atmosphere of its 17th Century origins with open wood fi res, oak panelling and grand fl oral displays. Traditional bars and snug lounges create a relaxing retreat for guests, who can also indulge in luxurious spa treatments or use the hotel as a base for walks and bike trails around the Lake District.

Gourmet TreatsThe hotel’s 2AA rosette winning restaurants serve Cumbrian and classic English dishes using only local produce. Unsurprisingly, due to the lakeside location, the fi sh dishes are sublime. Fresh fl owers, candlelight, and fi ne wines set the atmosphere for a great dining experience. Lakeview restaurant offers fi ne dining in elegant surroundings – try the tasting menu and sample every dish by the talented chefs. Alternatively, Ruskin’s Brasserie is a light, airy restaurant, which creates brasserie favourites in an informal setting.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £275 per person courtyard view accommodation with breakfast. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

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Switzerland

England Vineyard at Stockcross -BerkshireLocated between Newbury and Hungerford, the 5-red star boutique hotel and spa is a gourmet and wine buff’s heaven. The hotel takes its name and inspiration from owner, Sir Peter Michael’s world-class winery in the Northern California. The hotel’s stylish restaurant is its centerpiece with its bold, contemporary furnishings, and an unrivalled collection of original art adorns the walls throughout the hotel. Its 49 luxurious bedrooms range from traditional rooms to contemporary suites and have been named after iconic wines from around the world. The stunning Vineyard Spa is the icing on the cake!

Gourmet TreatsAt the heart of the hotel, the restaurant offers a relaxed and truly memorable dining experience, with a multi-award winning wine list that features over 2,500 bins, including 600 from the Peter Michael Winery in California – the hotel’s cellars contain over 23,000 bottles of wine! Executive Chef Daniel Galmiche produces delicious modern French cuisine, which is designed to complement wine. Light refreshments are served poolside in the Vineyard Spa.

Book it!K Club Special Offer: Prices start from £350 per person for 3-nights B&B accommodation in luxury double room. Call: 00 353 160 17 371

Carlton Hotel - St MoritzThe striking, ubër chic Carlton Hotel in glamorous St Moritz offers traditional luxury with a contemporary twist at the edge of the world’s most prestigious ski resort. It’s the perfect romantic Alpine retreat offering the very best in gourmet dining in two fabulous restaurants. The hotel enjoys a prime mountainside position with panoramic views of Lake St Moritz and the valley below. Designed by celebrated Italian interior designer Carlo Rampazzi, the hotel’s interior cleverly integrates modern design with gracious opulence. A luxurious spa and fi tness centre provides sublime pampering.

Gourmet TreatsThe hotel’s Executive Chef Salvatore Frequente and his 20-strong team spoil their guests in both restaurants – you can experience masterly cuisine in the Romanoff Restaurant, an elegant venue for exquisite fi ne dining with a variety of selected vintages on the wine list, perfect for special occasions. For informal dining, the new Tschinè offers contemporary cuisine with a creative fl are in a trendy setting serving intensely fl avoured, Mediterranean specialities to delight guests. The Carlton Bar and Lobby offer cozy open fi res and afternoon tea and snacks on the sun terrace.

Book it!The Carlton in St Moritz is closed for the summer months, reopening on 8th December 2011 for the winter season. For further information and reservations call: 00 353 160 17 371

All K Club Special Offers are subject to availability, to new bookings only and may be withdrawn without notice. Prices are based on two sharing.

Terms and Conditions

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Special Offers!K Club Traveller

You can jet off to some of the world’s most exciting and stunning destinations at signifi cant discount if you book through The K Club’s exclusive travel service.

BOOK IT NOW! CALL: 00 353 160 17 371

RomeThree nights 4* hotel accommodation on a B&B basis, including return fl ights.

Prices from £319pp

ParisThree nights 3* hotel accommodation on a B&B basis, including return fl ights.

Prices from £289pp

BarcelonaThree nights 3* hotel accommodation on a B&B basis, including return fl ights.

Prices from £329pp

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JamaicaSeven nights all-inclusive accommodation staying at the 4* Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa.

Prices from £869pp

MaldivesSeven nights accommodation staying at the 5* Kurumba Resort on B&B basis.

Prices from £829pp

DubaiFour nights accommodation staying at the 4* Towers Rotana on B&B basis.

Prices from £519pp

58BOOK IT NOW! CALL: 00 353 160 17 371

New YorkThree nights accommodation staying at the 3* Edison Hotel, New York City on a room only basis.

Prices from £639pp

Thailand, PhuketEight nights accommodation staying at the 4* Andaman Seaview Hotel on a B&B basis.

Prices from £879pp

MajorcaFour nights accommodation staying at the 5* Grupotel Valparaiso Palace in Palma on

a B&B basis, including return fl ights.

Prices from £754pp

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CyprusSeven nights accommodation at the Aphrodite Hills resort on a B&B basis, including return fl ights.

Prices from £990pp

Gran Canaria

Three nights accommodation staying at the 4* Sheraton Salobre on a B&B basis, including

return fl ights.

Prices from £469pp

MauritiusSeven nights all-inclusive accommodation staying at the 5* Heritage Awali Golf Resort and Spa Mauritius, including return fl ights.

Prices from £1899pp