Archive for September 22nd, 2008

Sicily: Stay in Portopalo like Michael Schumacher

It’s sometimes hard for us earth-bound peasants to get a glimpse of the beautiful people, especially if they drive fast like Michael Schumacher–you know, the formula uno Ferrari guy. But…an opportunity might just be heading your way.

You see, Michael might be buying Castle Tafurilocated nearby Portopalo in Sicily, according to Sicily Guide.

Grecale, Sicily vacation rental

Grecale, Sicily vacation rental

So, if you’re a fan, maybe you’d like to be residing close by. Maybe in that rather nice Sicily vacation rental over there, called Grecale. It’s located on a hill behind the above referenced town of Portopalo. Hidden from view, with a pool and gardens.

But just imagine, If Michael Schumacher’s wife gets her way and Michael buys this castle of his, then maybe one day you get in the rental car and happen to pull up at a stop sign right next to Mr. Schumacher’s beast. You blip the throttle, then you speed off down the road toward the supermarket, with Schumacher in close pursuit. The cars touch lightly at the big right hander entering the parking lot, but you hold your ground and nurse the car into the best spot near the door of the super ahead of the exasperated Mr. Schumacher.

Can you imagine? I mean imagine the scenario as presented, rather than imagine the crap you’re gonna get from the wife and the guy at the rental car desk.

I’m pretty sure Michael will be cool with it.

But then, you better hide out for a bit, with or without the wife depending upon the amplitude of her ire. I’d try the island of Pantelleria, between Sicily and Tunisia. Nobody would come looking for you there, I’m sure.

Eco-friendly Golf Resort Vacations in Lake Tahoe

Golf and green are often uttered in the same breath, but of late, green has come to mean one more thing – Eco-friendliness. Put all three together in a jar and shake well, and what do you have? An eco-friendly, green golf course.
Now this may not be at the top on your list of priorities, but you have to think whether your recreation, and your vacations, end up doing harm to the earth and the environment. Trees are cut down to make room for the golf course, it consumes a heck of a lot of water, and the fertilizers used to keep it green seep through into the surroundings and make things even worse.
How about I make it easy for you? How would it be if you could get everything you want – A world class resort, an impossibly beautiful and scenic 18 hole course, a par 71 Robert Trent Jones, Jr. championship links layout, which, FYI, uses all natural biostimulants and compost. And it is included in Audubon International’s list (pdf file) of certified golf courses as an Audubon Certified Cooperative Sanctuary.
The Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, CA

The Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, CA

I’m talking about The Resort at Squaw Creek in the Olympic Valley in Lake Tahoe, CA, which has everything you want in a golf vacation. The resort itself is extremely family friendly, and offers excellent vacation homes suitable for both couples and an entire family. In addition to the golf course, there’s also 2 tennis courts, 3 swimming pools, 4 restaurants, and a host of other facilities and amenities, including ski in/ski out to Squaw Valley and use of private triple chairlift to access Squaw Valley.

As for the golf course, well, like I said, its impossibly scenic. And challenging. Surrounded by the granite peaks of Squaw Valley, the course meanders along the Valley floor at an elevation of 6,200 feet, weaving in and out of the wetlands, measuring 6, 931 yards from the gold tees. It will test your skill and temparament, and accuracy is more important than the distance.
The first 9 holes climb up along the mountainside through the trees, and its pretty narrow, which explains the stress on accuracy. The 9 holes that come after that are set in the wetlands of Squaw Valley, through marshes and tall grass. Even if your abilities are not on par (forgive the pun) with the class and reputation of the course, its still a great palce to have some fun, with 4 sets of tees, and family tees just off the green.
Its a tough course, but its hard not to fall in love with the rolling greens and the panaromic view when you look around. This course was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympiad, and has been named as one of the top 10 courses by Golf magazine. If you’re a serious golfer, then you don’t want to miss out on a chance to play on such a fine course. The bonus, of course, is that Lake Tahoe is a fun place for the entire family, and you enjoy the green while your family hits the slopes.


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