Germany’s 2010 World Cup Squad ‘regenerates’ at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort
21 May 2010
The German national football team has chosen Rocco Forte’s Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, near Sciacca, Sicily, to unwind after a long season in the Bundesliga and to prepare for the imminent 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Verdura was selected as the location for a ‘Regeneration Camp’ by Team Manager Olivier Bierhoff, known for his love of Italy after his stints as a striker for AC Milan and Udinese Calcio. Mr Bierhoff comments: ‘The warm service and exceptional hospitality, as well as the stunning location on the Mediterranean coast, excellent facilities and high level of privacy make Verdura Golf & Spa Resort the perfect place for us to prepare for football’s biggest event.’
All players – bar those playing the Champions League final with Bayern Munich next week – have been joined by their partners and families to ensure they enjoy complete relaxation during their stay. With the World Cup never far from anyone’s mind though, stars such as Andreas Beck, Sami Kedhira and Marcel Jannsen are meeting daily for training exercises on the football pitch, created especially by the resort for the team, whilst injured captain and Chelsea player Michael Ballack watches from the sidelines.
Luciano Lusardi, General Manager comments: ‘It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Germany’s national football squad at our resort. As would be expected from a luxury resort we have tailored the services we offer to the players and many have been able to enjoy facilities such as our 4000 square metre spa as well as spend quality time together with their loved ones before what will hopefully be a successful campaign for them in South Africa next month.’
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is Europe's most exciting new resort, located on the south coast of Sicily near the fishing village of Sciacca. Recently picked by Condé Nast Traveller to appear on their 2010 Hot List, the resort offers discreet exclusivity that few places can match.
The resort is set over 230 hectares of stunning landscape with 1.8km of private coastline, yet has just 203 rooms and suites, giving a true sense of space and privacy. All rooms have private terraces and sea views and the Olga Polizzi-designed interiors combine modern luxury with authentic Sicilian motifs. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses and a 9-hole, designed by leading architect Kyle Phillips; six tennis courts; a 80m infinity swimming pool; a fully-equipped gym and running trails which meander through the olive and lemon groves. The resort's restaurants and bars celebrate Sicilian cuisine with menus created from fresh organic ingredients complemented by a superb wine list. For those seeking deep relaxation the Verdura Spa is exceptional - with four thalassotherapy pools, an extensive treatment menu and personalised well-being programmes.
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For more information and/or images, please contact:
Anna Martin/Ilse Van Steen
The Rocco Forte Collection
Tel. 020 7766 3137
Email. pressinformation@roccofortecollection.com
Notes to Editors
The Rocco Forte Collection
The Rocco Forte Collection was established in 1996 to create a group of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The properties are linked together under The Rocco Forte Collection brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.
The Rocco Forte Collection comprises 13 hotels and resorts: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; The Augustine, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily.
Future openings: Abu Dhabi – 2010; Jeddah – 2012; Marrakech – 2012; Cairo - 2013
For further information and online reservations, please visit The Rocco Forte Collection website: www.roccofortecollection.com.