| A golf holiday to Portugal may be something that a | | | | Quinta do Lago Laranjal and several clubs in the |
| great many foreign visitors would not initially consider. | | | | Oceanico resort. The eastern Algarve climate is a little |
| In terms of European golf, the country is competing | | | | cooler and green fees become a little pricier the |
| against the golfing super-powers of the British Isles, | | | | more east you travel. Highlights of the area are the |
| with its golfing heritage, and neighboring Spain, with | | | | Seve Balasteros designed Quinta do Vale golf course |
| its range of courses. | | | | and the Jack Nicklaus designed Monte Rei. |
| In the past thirty years the Portuguese golfing | | | | The island of Madeira (a small island 500 kilometers |
| industry has really taken off and is finally maturing | | | | due west of the Algarve in the North Atlantic) is a |
| with a number of regions containing excellent golf | | | | different proposition. It prides itself as a paradise |
| resorts and a high caliber of courses to play. | | | | island location and it is truly that. |
| The main golfing holiday regions are centered on the | | | | For the avid golfer, this island provides 3 exceptional |
| Lisbon region in the south west, the Algarve region in | | | | courses to play. So, while it doesn't have the breadth |
| the south, the island of Madeira and the Oeste region. | | | | of course choices to offer, it can definitely provide |
| For those wishing to combine their golf holidays in | | | | for an idyllic golf location for those seeking something |
| Portugal with sight-seeing and culture, then a stay in | | | | different. |
| Portugal's capital Lisbon and the Estoril Coast could | | | | Finally, the Oeste region marks a more recent golfing |
| make the ideal solution. Given that the IAGTO | | | | area which doesn't yet boast the range of golf seen |
| organization voted the region as the Best European | | | | elsewhere, but what it lacks in championship clubs it |
| Golf Destination in 2007 you can be sure that the | | | | makes up for in tranquil scenic countryside and |
| services, facilities and range of clubs are going to be | | | | charming villages. Of all the regions it is also the one |
| enough for the most demanding tastes. The Estoril | | | | place where a number of new courses are springing |
| coast has over 10 quality golf resorts. To the west | | | | up with future developments expected in Sizandro |
| there are some challenging and windswept (by | | | | Village, Vimeiro, Paimogo, Falsia del Rey and the |
| Atlantic breezes) clubs - most notably, Praia d'El Rey, | | | | Rainha Golf and Spa. |
| which would have to be the most famous in the | | | | On the subject of green fees, the cost can vary |
| region and really is one to savor. | | | | widely across the country. Expect to pay a minimum |
| The Algarve region, on the south coast of Portugal, | | | | of 50 Euro for a regular quality course in low season |
| offers the broadest range of courses to play and for | | | | and around 80 to 90 Euro during the high season |
| many is the ideal base for a golf vacation. The | | | | (July & August). |
| western part faces onto the Atlantic Ocean so | | | | Generally, a round of golf can be booked online with |
| provides some great links courses to challenge any | | | | many courses and there are now various service |
| golfer (such as the Boavista golf club and the scenic | | | | providers online offering this tee times booking |
| hillside Parque Da Floresta course). | | | | service, sometimes at a discount to the 'turn-up' fee |
| Vilamoura, in the central Algarve, hosts an abundance | | | | (cost if you just walked in for a round). |
| of golf resorts and world class courses including the | | | | |