Posts Tagged ‘golf travel’
Ballybunion Hotels: Three Wonderful Hotels In And Around Ballybunion
June 3, 2010
Visitors to the coastal town of Ballybunion in County Kerry, Ireland, will quickly realise that the majority of Ballybunion hotels are situated in the countryside surrounding the village. The three hotels selected here epitomize the quality of service, fantastic views and mouth-watering food that the region has become famous for.
Ballyseede Castle Hotel is an authentic 15th century castle set within its own estate. Each of the 12 rooms in the castle has a bespoke design and all afford wonderful views of the castle’s lawns.
It is possible to see the period features of its past (intricate plasterwork, large marble fire places) throughout the hotel and the guest rooms are all as tastefully furnished as the common areas. Dinner at the castle is a real treat for gastronomes as the personable service means that each dish of modern Irish cuisine is of the highest standard.
Closer to Ballybunion, the Glin Castle Hotel is on a much larger scale to Ballyseede with dozens of guest rooms and a variety of public areas. The castle grounds prove particularly popular with day-trippers for walks on the lawns and the walled gardens.
The Glin restaurant has a variety of menu choices to suit all palates and group sizes and a great selection of traditional Irish dishes all using produce sourced within Kerry. All rooms are modern and spacious with contemporary en-suites and wonderful views of the surrounding estate and countryside.
Finally for those searching for lodgings with bags of rural charm then the Ballygarry House Hotel has got to be the ideal spot. This country house style hotel has spacious rooms all with a modern design and views of the hotel’s own country gardens.
The hotel restaurant is popular with both tourists and locals alike (which is always a positive sign to see) serving a variety of Irish dishes in their open plan dining room. The addition to the hotel of a spa has seen their popularity increase with those seeking rejuvenating weekend spa breaks. There is a variety of treatments on offer including thermal suites, seaweed soaks and mud-wraps to name just a few.
A key factor in Ballybunion’s popularity is that it is one of the few villages in Kerry not to have been over-commercialized with trendy bars and coffee shops. It has retained a small traditional Irish feel to it that visitors still wish to experience and this charm is just as evident in the warm welcome you receive at hotels in Ballybunion.
If you enjoyed reading this post about hotels in Ballybunion then check out our website for articles about Ballybunion, Ireland and other destinations
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Top 5 Resorts And Locations For Golf Holidays In Portugal
May 29, 2010
Golf in Portugal is thriving. The past two decades have seen a massive increase in the number of course and resorts. Best of all, the quality of regular and championship courses is making this a golfing destination to compete with the British Isles in European golf.
Most of the best courses are in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, but it is worth noting that the Estoril and Oeste coast are fast improving on the quality & quantity of their resorts and courses. This top 5 list attempts to give a mix of courses from each region.
Praia D’El Rey: Just a short drive from Lisbon, this tough links course provides challenges on each hole. Some are wide open to the Atlantic Ocean breezes. Others are partly sheltered by forestation. The quality of the greens throughout is consistent and this makes for a great setting on a summers days.
San Lorenzo – Quinto do Lago: This course regularly makes the European top-ten course lists. The architecture makes the most of the woodlands through which the course winds and the Bermuda grass fairways are a joy to play from.
Penha Longa: Home to the 2010 Portugal Open, this course has many surprises over its 18 holes. The sight of old ruins marking out of bounds for one. While the tough par-four 16th will be a challenge to even low handicap players to make par.
Quinta do Lago: This estate sports 2 golf course, both of which regularly make the top 25 of courses in Europe. The one to play though is the links-style south course with its Atlantic views (and consequently, breezes) and well aged greens and fairways.
Parque Da Floresta: This is partly notable as being the most westerly course in Portugal. But once played, it will be the memory of how the courses 18 holes run along a steep hillside with magnificent views that will remain with you.
As with any good golf holidays Portugal has plenty of courses which will stick in the memory as highlights of a trip. Just make sure to pack sun-block in summer and practice low ball-height shots prior to playing the links courses.
For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit Golf Holidays Portugal for more details.
Golf Holidays In Portugal – Where Are The Best Places To Go On Golfing Breaks
May 18, 2010
Portugal has been competing with Spain for many years to draw in holiday golfers. Its combination of excellent courses, great infrastructure (hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc) and inviting weather conditions has elevated the county to being a highly desirable destination.
The country’s main regions are Estoril (around the capital of Lisbon), the Oeste region, the Algarve and Madeira. Each provides a good mix of golfing/touristic options that will suit any golfing itinerary.
The Estoril region around the Portuguese capital has 10 high quality golf resorts so makes a good spot for those wishing to mix golfing with the cosmopolitan life of Lisbon. Some golfing highlights included the Rocky Roquemore designed Golden Eagle and the two Aroeira courses. While the one must-play course has got to be the Praia d’El Rey.
The Oeste region is included here for the sake of completeness as the area is playing catch up in golfing terms. That said, it is one of the up and coming areas as new resorts and courses are being constructed in Sizandro, Vimeiro and Rainha.
The Algarve is the principal golf destination for the large majority of golfers due to its range and proliferation of courses. The west coast plays host to excellent courses like the Penina Championship Course and the two Oceanico courses (giving you the option to play the O’Connor designed links course or the Faldo designed desert-style course).
Heading east in the Algarve brings you to Vilamoura town and its dozens of courses and resorts. Certainly there is enough variety to base yourself there and take day trips out to the Vale Do Lobo Ocean and Royal courses or play the more mature Oceanico Old Course.
While the tropical island of Madeira (500 km south-west of Portugal) provides something quite different in terms of golf holidays Portugal can offer. Visitors here enjoy the islands three courses, each embedded into the volcanic hills and valleys with awe inspiring vertical cliffs.
When it comes to golf holidays Portugal has the broad range of courses necessary to make for a great holiday. And while many gravitate to Vilamoura, it is well worth venturing further afield to enjoy the scenery and golf that is available.
For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays Portugal website for more details.
Discover Ireland – Ballybunion Hotels And Amenities Guide
May 3, 2010
Ballybunion is a charming seaside resort town in the south west of Ireland which has been drawing in tourists to its sandy beaches and to its golf clubs for many decades.
A key factor in the village’s popularity is that it is one of the few towns in the area not to have been over-commercialized with coffee shops and trendy bars. Instead it has retained a small traditional Irish town feel to it that foreign and Irish visitors still wish to experience.
The brunt of tourism to the area is drawn to the family-friendly beach and secondly to the local golf courses.
In summer, Ballybunion beach becomes the focal point for most visitors. Some come to relax on the beach, swim in the clean sea water or even join in with some of the surfing (the local surf school also rent out equipment).
When the beach is crowded in summer, many visitors partake of the enjoyable cliff walk to take in the sea views and also visit some of the other beaches in the area. The ‘Nuns’ beach, with its overlooking nunnery, is a particularly nice spot for whiling away a relaxing summers day.
For holidaying golfers, a round or two at Ballybunion golf club should not be missed. The 2 courses are world famous with the Old Course regularly appearing in the top 50 lists of courses in the world. Certainly, it is in the top 3 of links style courses world-wide. The second ‘Cashen’ course is less famous, but equally enjoyable to play. The one big tip though is to book a tee-time well in advance.
Possibly the most famous visitor to Ballybunion has been former president, and golf enthusiast, Bill Clinton who played a round of golf here in 1998. The town was so proud of this fact that a statue now appears in the town main street of Mr. Clinton teeing off.
The only downside to the village’s old style charm is that there are not many Ballybunion hotels and those that are would largely be considered as guesthouses. Therefore, most visitors choose to base themselves in hotels in the surrounding countryside and make day trips in to Ballybunion. Given that this area of County Kerry has some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland it won’t be such a bad thing to be based outside the village.
Ballybunion town has a small tourist office on its main street providing details of local amenities, information and attractions, such as details of the local bus service to Listowel town. Note however that the tourist office is only open in the summer season.
Visit the Ballybunion Hotels HQ website for independent advice about hotels, amenities, day trips and Ballybunion Golf Club
The Top 5 Resorts And Locations For Golf Holidays In Portugal
April 17, 2010
It is never going to be easy to single out five special golf courses in any one country. Compiling such a list for Portugal is made even more difficult due to the huge range and styles of courses on offer.
This list reflects five great courses that are enjoyable to play as much for their beautiful scenery as for their range of game play and quality of fairways and greens. Each one could provide a memorable highlight to any golf holiday in Portugal.
On a hot summer’s day the 6000 yard Estoril course is an enjoyable treat. The course requires skill around the 18 holes to navigate the well placed bunkers and difficult rough.
The Penha Longa course is finally playing host to the Portugal Open (in 2010) so has been receiving some recent modifications to tighten up the course design. Amateurs will enjoy the scenery around the course as some holes play through ancient ruins.
The south course in Quinta do Lago is the more mature of the two courses available to play at this resort. Some holes prove challenging due to the stark Atlantic Ocean breeze, while other holes are sheltered by lush vegetation and forestry. Given the courses maturity, the greens play exceptionally true and fast as one would expect.
The Oitavos Golf Club is a well architected course that makes the most of the surrounding countryside. It has played host to the Open and as a result the front nine and back nine holes require long tee shots and accurate second shots in order to avoid the bunkers that are dotted around most greens.
No trip to the Algarve would be complete without playing the Vale da Pinta. This is an interestingly designed course that is embedded within a natural valley. The fairways undulations make for some odd bounces which some would deem unfair but this does aid golfers playing short off the tee.
Given the range of courses in Portugal, and the proliferation of clubs in the Algarve, a top 5 list of courses will always be quite subjective. Hopefully this list gives you food for thought about your next golf break.
Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays In Portugal Guide to learn more.
An Introduction To Portuguese Golfing Regions
March 29, 2010
The Western European country of Portugal has been a favorite golfing destination for Europeans for many decades. Golfers from outside Europe will naturally be drawn to the surrounding countries of Spain (for the weather and championship courses) and the British Isles (for the rich golfing heritage) but it is perhaps time to give Portugal a second look.
In the past thirty years the Portuguese golfing industry has really taken off and is finally maturing with a number of regions containing excellent golf resorts and a high caliber of courses to play.
The main golfing holiday regions are centered on the Lisbon region in the south west, the Algarve region in the south, the island of Madeira and the Oeste region.
The Portuguese capital Lisbon and the Estoril coast provide a good mix of golf courses combined with the range of accommodation, dining and entertainment on offer in the capital. The IAGTO voted the region (in 2007) as the best European golfing destination. Highlights include the mature Aroeira golf club, the Penha Longa championship course, the tough links at Troia and the region’s most famous course – the windswept Praia d’El Rey.
The Algarve region, on the south coast of Portugal, offers the broadest range of courses to play and for many is the ideal base for a golf vacation. The western part faces onto the Atlantic Ocean so provides some great links courses to challenge any golfer (such as the Boavista golf club and the scenic hillside Parque Da Floresta course).
Of all its areas, the courses and range of hotels around Vilamoura are some of the most popular – quite justifiably given the beauty of the region and standard of courses and hotels that are available.
The island of Madeira is something different in terms of golf holidays Portugal has on offer. Its location, 500 kilometers west of the Portuguese coast in the Atlantic Ocean, is something that could put some golfers off.
The islands 3 clubs are all located in stunning hillside locations with steep cliffs marking out-of-bounds on a number of holes and it is this rugged scenery that shapes the architectural design of each course. If you want to play a broad range of golf then Madeira may not be the place for you. However, if you only intend playing a little golf in unique surroundings then this island could suit you.
Finally, the Oeste region marks a more recent golfing area which doesn’t yet boast the range of golf seen elsewhere, but what it lacks in championship clubs it makes up for in tranquil scenic countryside and charming villages. Of all the regions it is also the one place where a number of new courses are springing up with future developments expected in Sizandro Village, Vimeiro, Paimogo, Falsia del Rey and the Rainha Golf and Spa.
The cost of green fees is quite variable. For good quality golf green fees at 50 minimum for a round of golf. The average cost for 18 holes though would be closer to 75 to 90 a round.
Generally, a round of golf can be booked online with many courses and there are now various service providers online offering this tee times booking service, sometimes at a discount to the ‘turn-up’ fee (cost if you just walked in for a round).
Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays In Portugal Guide to learn more.