Archive for the ‘Golf holidays in Portugal’ Category

Bargain golf holidays in Spain and Portugal

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Reading the latest on the European debt crisis has left me pondering what next! We’re creeping (slowly) out of the bog but Spain is back in recession with a staggering 50% of under 25s unemployed and Portugal is also struggling.

So you start to think about how you can help, and it’s obvious. You need to book a golf holiday in Portugal, a golf holiday in Spain or perhaps a golf holiday to both Portugal and Spain. Genius…

But, whilst smugly congratulating yourself on your ingenious solution to help your fellow Europeans – you get a golf holiday whilst redistributing some of your money to those in need – you suddenly remember that you’re not exactly flush with cash yourself! What a bummer, and it was such a great idea.

Then your brain kicks in again and you think – If I could get a Special Offer on Golf Holiday Accommodation ie a golf holiday which doesn’t cost a fortune then it all works again.

A quick check of the Golf Special Offers at PackYourClubs shows a golf apartment for six people near Benamor Golf Club, Algarve on offer for £250 for the week, a three bedroom frontline golf villa on Bonalba golf and spa resort, Spain for €495 and others.

So, £40 – £60 per person for a week in your own golf apartment or golf villa. Unbeatable value!! Check out  the deals for yourself at PackYourClubs Golf Special Offers (and then book some…)

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Golf holiday in Vilamoura: Packyourclubs or not Packyourclubs?

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Whilst once again trying to get blood to flow to my extremities following a game of golf on a very cold January day in England the suggestion of a short golf holiday in Portugal was vaguely muted, quickly seconded and then unanimously agreed.

Having been voted in as the golf holiday organiser via an almost unanimous count (I voted against!) I began to consider the options.

I quickly settled on the Vilamoura area of the Algarve as the range of golf villa holiday accommodation around Vilamoura available at PackYourClubs.com was simply fantastic (plus there were several Golf Holiday Accommodation Special Offers available – always an attraction…).

With the golf villa rental sorted the next step was to book the flights.

Faro airport is well served by scheduled flights from Gatwick so the flights were easy (or should I say easyjet?) but then the first problem – an additional £50 per person for taking our clubs! Extortionate!

But wait, don’t ClubsToHire have an outlet in Faro Airport? Yes indeed they do. So no carrying golf clubs for me, a few clicks of the keyboard and I had arranged for a nice set of Taylormade R11s to be waiting for me on my arrival at Faro Airport. Both easier and cheaper than lugging my own clubs to the Algarve – result :)

Now, where to play?

We’d all heard great things about the golf courses at Quinta do Lago where all three courses receive rave reviews (North, South and the new Laranjal course) and a local agent called Peter Lester Golf offered a good discount package on the golf tee times.

Plus, Peter Lester himself is a PGA teaching professional. So, to round off the trip we organised a golf swing tune up whilst in the sun.

So, how did it all go?

Well, the first bit of the plan (jetting off, away from the cold and into the sun) didn’t work quite as expected as we left an unseasonably sunny England basking in 20C temperatures and flew 1,500 miles to a sunny Vilamoura basking in temperatures of 20C. Ce la vie!

However, all else was perfect. Golf clubs collected from a smiling lady at Clubstohire at Faro Airport in under two minutes, golf holiday accommodation fantastic, Laranjal Golf Course probably the prettiest and best golf course I’ve ever played, Quinta do Lago South Course also impressive (but round a little slow) and golf lessons with Peter Lester great and very beneficial (I know I said we wanted a golf swing tune up, but if I’m being honest I needed a lesson not a tune up!).

Plus, to cap it all, we even found a local Portuguese restaurant on the road behind Vila Sol Golf Course where grilled sea bass, potatoes and salad cost €9 and a large beer cost €1.80 (less than half the price charged on the resorts). Happy days…

So, great golf holiday in Portugal but here’s the conundrum: golf holiday accommodation in Vilamoura from PackYourClubs but golf club hire at Faro airport from Clubstohire.

So, is the answer PackYourClubs or Not-PackYourClubs?

Answers on a postcard please.

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Algarve Golf Holiday Anyone?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Algarve Golf Holiday Anyone?

I’m happy to report that, even as I write, the snow that blanketed us on Saturday night is slowly melting away, the world is returning to normal and the airports are again open for business (amazing they were closed really, the snow was forecast and expected!).

Pondering the melting snow my attention was drawn by a European weather report which advised that, whilst we are freezing, snowed in and wrapping up to stop hypothermia, the Algarve is a sunny 15c (that’s 57 Fahrenheit in old money!).

In my humble opinion the opportunity to experience 15c of sunshine while playing a manicured golf course on the Algarve out of season when everything is cheaper is an opportunity not to be missed. Following a quick check of flight options it transpires that British Airways will whisk me off to the Algarve and back first week of March for the very reasonable cost of £181 whilst Easyjet appear to offer the same for £140 but then want to charge me £25 EACH WAY for my clubs! So, easy choice, British Airways it is then.

Unfortunately the golf holiday accommodation is a little trickier (in a nice way) because I’m simply spoilt for choice with Algarve Golf Accommodation at PackYourClubs.com. Is it to be an Algarve Golf Villa or Algarve Golf Apartment? Is it to be on one of the fantastic resorts so that the golf is right there for me or in the nearby village for the nightlife?

Having pondered the options on available golf holiday accommodation – Apartment on Vilamoura, Apartment on Vale do Lobo Golf, Apartment near Boavista Golf Resort, Frontline Villa on Quinta do Lago, Villa on Quinta do Gramacho, Villa near Amendoeira – I’ve got a headache. Too many options. But then I have a brainwave, the best thing to do is have a ring around and see who can join my little Spring time golf jaunt and then that will decide the appropriate golf accommodation for me!

PS. I’ve just had a quick check and I can even hire my clubs at Faro airport. Another decision to make!!!!!

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January Golf Holidays in Portugal, sun, sea, golf…

Friday, December 30th, 2011

It’s December 30th and the 7 day weather forecast for Portugal is sunny skies, a balmy 18c and a light 4mph breeze from the east. Now is that perfect for golf holidays or what!

For many Golf holidays in Portugal means the Algarve, the 90 mile long coastline along the southern edge of Portugal with its laid-back appeal, beautiful beaches, fishing villages, history, charm and some of the most iconic golf courses in the world, but for others Golf Holidays in Portugal means the Silver Coast, the coastal area around Lisbon, with its rugged coastline, ancient royal palaces and sophistication.

So, the sun is shining, the weather perfect, the people friendly and the range of available golf holiday accommodation simply vast. Why are you still here?

Take a look at Golf Holidays in the Algarve, book golf villas or a golf apartment and play the Sir Henry Cotton designed masterpiece the Penina Championship course, or perhaps Vale Do Lobo, twice the host of the Portuguese Open, maybe San Lorenzo, voted the 2nd best course in Europe, Vila Sol, twice venue for the Portuguese Open or the superb new Oceanico Amendoeira Golf Resort with the fantastic Christy O’Connor designed ‘Lakes’ Course and the equally stunning Nick Faldo designed ‘Hills’ Course.

Or perhaps you’d prefer the sophistication of a Golf Holiday on the Silver Coast with a luxury golf villa on one of the regions many fantastic golf courses. Perhaps the superb Robert Trent designed Penha Longa Atlantic Course, listed in the European Top 30 Golf Courses, the beautiful Arthur Hills designed Oitavos Dunes, ranked 88th in Golf Magazine’s World Top 100 Courses, the visually stunning coastal resort of Praia D’El Rey deservedly ranked 13th Best Course in Europe and 80th in the World. Wherever you choose, golf holidays here can be as laid-back or full-on as you choose. If you fancy leaving the luxury of your golf villa there’s plenty to see and do to make the golf holiday complete. Cascais and Estoril are popular spots offering shops, bars, restaurants, casinos and nightlife in sophisticated surroundings, Lisbon itself is within easy reach and if you want a taste of the real Portugal head for Costa da Caparica or Sesimbra.

Whether you choose Golf Holidays Algarve or Golf Holidays Silver Coast, Golf Holidays in Portugal are simply fantastic and PackYourClubs.com offers the best range of golf accommodation on the web, with a superb range of golf villas, golf apartments and golf accommodation available at ‘direct from the owner’ prices.

To recap, sunny skies, a balmy 18c, light breeze, fantastic golf courses and vast range of available golf accommodation. Searching for flights yet?

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Self-Catering Golf Villa or Hotel, what’s best for your Golf Holiday?

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Golf Villa or Hotel, what’s best for your Golf Holiday?

No one can have missed the massive construction boom in golf holiday resort since the mid-90s.  Whilst there is variety, these golf holiday resorts all have a common theme – set within easy striking distance of the coast, with a top quality golf courses as the centrepiece (offering an oasis of green, a sense of peace and fantastic views) and offering numerous other leisure activities (swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches, cycling paths, bars, shops and restaurants, plus a range of holiday accommodation to suit every requirement (budget golf apartments, stylish townhouses, luxury golf villas and perhaps a golf hotel). In fact, everything required to make the resort a ‘one stop’ centre for golf holidays and activity packed family holidays.

So, the resorts offer the environment and all the leisure activities you need for fantastic golf holidays, but with a range of holiday accommodation options which is best for you?

Self-catering Golf Holiday Accommodation or Hotel?

Most obviously your choice of holiday accommodation is dictated by how you intend to spend your holiday.

If your holiday routine is: get up, want breakfast, get ready, get to course by 11am ready for 11:30 tee time, finish golf at 4pm, couple of beers at the clubhouse then, quick change, out all night, bed by 1am, start again tomorrow.  Then all you need is a bed and someone presenting you with breakfast, so a cheap hotel is probably your best bet.

If on the other hand your holiday is more than that, if it’s more varied, or not so booze soaked, if you want more than a single room, the flexibility of catering for yourself, your own drinks available from your own fridge any time you want them, the ability to lay in until midday or perhaps laze by the swimming pool or have a BBQ, then you need the flexibility which can only come from renting self catering golf apartments or golf villas.

So, group of boozy golfers, probably hotel. All other holiday makers, self catering golf holiday accommodation is definitely your better choice – cheaper, more flexible, more of a ‘group’ holiday experience.

PackYourClubs.com, the self-catering golf holidays accommodation specialist offer a superb range of holiday accommodation at ‘direct from the owner’ prices plus an online golf tee time booking facility. PackYourClubs has a range of Golf Holiday Accommodation to suit every requirement – from budget golf apartments to 12 bedroom luxury golf villas with private gardens and private pool. From golf holiday accommodation on the beach to frontline golf villas on the golf holidays resort.

So for cheap golf holidays in Portugal or golf villas in Spain look no further than PackYourClubs.com

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Golf holidays in Portugal

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Portugal has everything you could wish for in a golf holiday – sunshine, pretty villages, good food, friendly people, miles of beaches plus some of the best golf courses in the world; and all this at under 3 hour flight time from the UK.

And the best bit? With direct flights from most UK airports Portugal is extremely easy to get to and for everything else you only have to go to one place – PackYourClubs.com. PackYourClubs.com offers a vast superb range of golf holiday accommodation at ‘direct from the owner’ prices plus an online tee time booking facility via their partner Golf Switch. So, whether you want a Luxury Frontline Golf Villas on Praia D’El Rey, a Townhouses on Vila Sol Golf Resort, an Apartments on Vale do Lobo or in Vilamoura Town, PackYourClubs has the range of golf holiday accommodation in Portugal that you are looking for.

So for a cheap golf holiday in Portugal look no further than PackYourClubs.com

Essentially golf in Portugal can be split between the Algarve and the Silver Coast (around Lisbon).

The Algarve

The Algarve, 90 miles long with beautiful beaches, still active fishing villages, history and charm plays host to some of the most iconic golf courses in the world.

Traditionally when golfers talk of the Algarve they really mean the Western Algarve, the area west of Faro (and the airport). This is where Sir Henry Cotton started the trend with the development of his masterpiece, the Penina Championship Golf Resort, but the trend continues to this day with more recent additions of Vale Do Lobo, twice the host of the Portugese Open,  San Lorenzo, voted No. 2 in Europe, Vila Sol, two times venue for the Portugese Open plus the simply superb Oceanico Amendoeira Golf Resort offering the fantastic Christy O’Connor designed ‘Lakes’ course plus the equally stunning Nick Faldo designed ‘Hills’ course.

However, the West Algarve has more recently seen a stiff challenge from its previously less known sibling, the Eastern Algarve.  Here you will find a much more laid back environment. The beautiful historic town of Tavira, the original capital of the Algarve, dozens of small fishing villages offering fantastic food and wine at prices often half of those generally found in the Western Algarve, a beach, arguably one of the best in Europe stretching all the way to the Spanish Border, plus some fantastic golf courses – the lovely coastal courses of Benamor, Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima are complemented by the fantastic  Castro Marim and Costa Esuri Golf Club (technically across the bridge into Spain!), but the crowning glory has to be the superb Monte Rei Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus designed ‘signature’ course set in the hills behind Tavira.

Eastern Algarve, Western Algarve, offering a different feel, a different holiday but both areas reinforcing the Algarve`s reputation as the top choice destination for a European golf holiday or short golf break.

The Silver Coast

In contrast to the Algarve is the sophistication offered by the ‘Silver Coast’ (the coastal area around Lisbon, the Portuguese capital). With every year that passes this area grows in popularity as a golf holiday destination and it’s not too hard to figure out why.

The climate is slightly cooler than the Algarve during the winter months, but in autumn, spring and early-summer the weather is great for golfing and this area really comes into its own.

Off the golf course there is plenty to see and do to make the golf holiday complete. Cascais and Estoril are popular spots providing a large variety of shops, bars, restaurants, casinos and nightlife in sophisticated surroundings. Lisbon city centre can be easily reached and if you want a taste of the real Portugal head for Costa da Caparica or Sesimbra.

For golf courses you are simply spoilt for choice, the options include the fantastic Robert Trent designed Penha Longa Atlantic Course, ranked within the European Top 30 Golf Courses, the beautiful  Arthur Hills designed Oitavos Dunes, ranked 88th in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World, plus the visually stunning Praia D’El Rey, undoubtedly one of the best courses in Portugal with its dramatic coastal setting and deservedly ranked 13th Best Course in Europe and 80th in the World. And, to top it all, Praia D’El Rey was awarded European Golf Destination of the Year 2007 by IAGTO.

The big bonus for the holiday golfer, however, is that the golf courses along the Silver Coast are much quieter than those of the Algarve and offer great value for money.

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