Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 34)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Primm Valley comprises two courses—the Lakes Course and the Desert Course. The Lakes Course opened in 1997 and was joined by the Desert Course in 1998. Both were designed by Tom Fazio and sit along the California border. The Lakes Course features rolling fairways, an extensive lake and river system, acres of pine trees and native vegetation. The par-71, 18-hole championship course plays out over 6,945 yards. The par-72 Desert Course’s landscape is accented with cacti, palm trees and native grasses and plays approximately 7,130 yards. Primm Valley also has a driving range and clubhouse with a restaurant and pro shop. Rates at the Primm Valley courses start at $100. For reservations, call 800-386-7867. High-end players will want to play Shadow Creek, which perennially ranks in Golf Magazine’s top 10 courses in the country. According to MGM Mirage, the Tom Fazio-designed course is renowned for its natural beauty, rolling terrain, glistening brooks and ponds, lush gardens and mature trees. The visual elements, spectacular waterfalls and course design contribute to surprising views. There is a driving range/practice area with target greens, bunkers and trees. A wall of vegetation on each side of the practice tee area creates a feeling of intimacy while golfers warm up. Guests will never know they’re playing in the middle of the desert. A limited number of tee times at Shadow Creek are available, Monday through Thursday, at a cost of $500 for MGM Mirage guests. Limousine transportation to and from the course, a golf cart and caddie are included in the fee. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance by calling 702-791-7161. The Desert Course of the Primm Valley Golf Club is surrounded by native vegetation and provides amenities such as an engraved, personalized brass nameplate for the player’s locker and custom-made meals that are delivered to the course. There is also choice of beverages, including alcoholic drinks, and a staff that includes Class-A PGA professionals to attend to equipment and instruction. Players can be joined by a tour-class caddie. The clubhouse contains a dining room and bar, a cigar room, banquet facilities, a golf shop and locker rooms. A practice facility has a jaw-dropping 417-foot waterfall. For more information and reservations, call 877-4646534. Caesars guests can also make reservations through the resort’s concierge and VIP Services desks. Caesars Palace Cascasta, the golf course of Caesars Palace (www.caesarspalace.com), is in the foothills of the River Mountains on a portion of an 800-acre site in nearby Boulder City. The par-72 course offers views of natural wonders, including the 3,600-foot peak at Red Mountain and the desert valley, which spreads out below the course. Palm, poplar and Joshua trees, yucca and a vast array of shrubs and wildflowers decorate the course. Be on the lookout for multiple waterfalls and resident bighorn sheep. The course opened in December 2000 34 | TravelAgent March 3, 2008 Rio Since 1997, guests staying at the Rio AllSuite Hotel & Casino (www.riolasvegas.com) have had access to the Rio Secco Golf Course. Designed by Rees Jones, who has won Golf World magazine’s “Architect of the Year,” Rio Secco is a par-72 course that stretches 7,250 yards, across 240 acres. The course is 12 miles from the hotel, in the foothills of the Black Mountains. Rio Secco was created to become more challenging as play progresses. Golfers will love how perfectly managed greens and fair- ways intersect with canyons, plateaus, arroyos and ravines. The clubhouse at Rio Secco features a gourmet restaurant with two patios, a golf shop, a full-service bar, a lounge and views of the course, as well as a two-acre lake. There is a special VIP room with a private lounge and catering service. Also here is the Butch Harmon School of Golf, which has seen such luminaries as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Raymond Floyd pass through its doors. Private lessons are available, as well as one- and three-day golf schools. Rates to play Rio Secco vary throughout the year but range between $150 and $395 on average. Summer rates are typically less expensive. Greens fees include a shared golf cart, practice balls and a divot tool. Visit www.riosecco.net to reserve tee times, or call 888-867-3226, ext. 4. Ask about the T-mate program, which costs $200 and gives the player a pro to provide advice throughout the round. I CONNECTING YOU For the latest record-breaking tourism numbers from Las Vegas, visit www.travelagentcentral. com/vegas http://www.caesarspalace.com http://www.riolasvegas.com http://www.riosecco.net http://www.travelagentcentral.com/vegas http://www.travelagentcentral.com/vegas

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Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

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