Some ideas for European golf breaks to cater for various tastes and priorities; from convenient and quality golf in the UK to traditional favourites Portugal and Spain. 

 

You’re spoilt for choice when choosing a golf course within easy reach 

 

One of the great attractions of golf is the chance to play in all sorts of conditions around Europe and the world in beautiful and in some cases dramatic surroundings, and on courses trodden by the game’s most famous players. 

 

Many European destinations offer superb golf without having to travel too far. 

 

Here are a few suggestions to inspire that next golfing break. 

 

1. Portugal: Quinta do Lago, Algarve

 

Possibly the first place many think of as a golf destination in Europe, the Algarve bristles with golf courses of all types with new ones opening all the time. 

 

The Quinta do Lago area is but one of many parts of the Algarve offering superb golf in an ideal climate especially in the spring, early summer and early autumn. 

 

Quinta do Lago is only about 20 minutes by road from Faro airport, and you can choose from apartment complexes to top notch hotels and have the pick of several golf courses within easy reach of where you’re staying. 

 

The nearby Vilamoura boasts a good half a dozen courses, and there are more courses on your doorstep including the challenging San Lorenzo and Vila Sol – staying in this area puts you within easy reach of some 19 courses. 

 

2. Spain:Costa del Sol and Murcia

 

Like the Algarve, Spain is very convenient for a sunshine golf trip. 

 

Within hours of leaving the UK you can be heading for the first tee at somewhere like Valderrama in the Costa del Sol where you can tread the same course that played host to an enthralling Ryder Cup contest in 1997 when the late, great Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to a memorable victory. 

 

Another Costa del Sol course that has hosted pro events – the Volvo World Matchplay Championship was played here for three years – is the Finca Cortesin Golf Club. Beautifully maintained and wonderful sea views make it a must if you’re basing yourself in the Costa del Sol. 

 

The fabled La Manga resort in the Murcia region offers three golf courses at La Manga Golf Club with the West Course arguably being the pick with its wonderful variation of holes.  

 

3. The UK:Hertfordshire andNorth London 

 

An ideal quick break with excellent transport links, a super hotel as your base and access to several excellent golf courses within a short drive away is possible by booking at the West Lodge Park, a luxury hotel in Hertfordshire. 

 

The hotel is ideal for a convenient and enjoyable golf break; it’s close to the M25 and three international airports and offers various dining options. 

 

The nearby golf courses are some of the best in the north London and Hertfordshire area. 

 

The nearest, Hadley Wood, has a reduced green fee for residents of the West Lodge Park and was described as “a gem” by ‘Golf World’ magazine. Others include the James Braid designed Finchley Golf Club, Verulam Golf Club in nearby St Albans, and Bush Hill Park Golf Club set in superb parkland and with a very reasonable green fee. 

 

With the excellent transport links, luxurious hotel surroundings and close proximity to top class golf, this is also an ideal option if entertaining clients. 

 

4. Norway:Lofoten

 

Just to show leaving the UK for European golf isn’t just a choice of Spain or the Algarve, how about Norway and the spectacular island course of the Lofoten Links in the north of the country?  

 

It only opened in 2015 and its views of nearby peaks makes it a spectacular way to play golf. Indeed, if you can’t get enough of this course you can play it 24 hours from the end of May to the end of July as the sun never sets between these times. 

 

On the other hand, if you fancy something other than golf you can see the Northern Lights between the end of August and mid-October. 

 

5. Italy: Como, Piedmont and Tuscany

 

Not many imagine Italy as a golf destination, but there are some superb courses so you could easily combine a trip combining the culture of this historic country and some golf action. 

 

Situated in the Como region of northern Italy and affording spectacular views of Lake Montoforno is the picturesque Villa d’Este course winding through trees and woodland. 

 

About half an hour north west from Milan Malpensa airport is the Del Conte and Bonara courses in Bogogno, Piedmont. The super courses have a club house restaurant run by the owner of a Michelin star establishment so you’ll be well rewarded in a culinary sense after working up an appetite while playing your round. 

 

The relaxing southern Tuscany region is host to the Argentario retreat some 90 minutes from Rome’s Fiumicino airport. The course is situated on a sliver of land surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and nearby luxurious facilities of the retreat include a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a high tech gym and restaurant specialising in home produced Tuscan food. 

 

Plenty of choice 

 

From the easy to reach convenience and quality of north London and Hertfordshire golf courses in the UK to 24 hour golf in Norway, there’s plenty of European options to satisfy the keenest and most dedicated golfer. 

 

If you are an avid golfer or you’re just traveling in the Austin, TX area, then you might be wondering what type of great golf packages are available to you. All golfers can tell you the same thing about their sport in general. They think it is both fun and addictive. However, it can also get pretty expensive if you don’t know how to choose good courses or packages to use. If you are a golfer and on vacation to the Austin area, then a couple of the best golf courses to check out in the area are at the Teravista Golf Course and the courses at Avery Ranch. Texas is home to some of the greatest courses in the country. You are sure to have a great time and make some lasting memories at these courses. Below is some more information on the courses offered at these locations to get you on your way.

The Double Play

When you plan to do plenty of golfing in your spare time or while on vacation, then the Double Play is definitely one of the golf packages you need to consider. This golfing package will allow you to play some rounds at both the Teravista and Avery Ranch courses. Both of the courses are local to each other and this package gives you plenty of golf time. You can choose whether you want to play both courses the same day or split them between two days.

When you purchase this package, you can get the cart and green fee included with the cost. This way, you won’t have to wear yourself out at the first course walking the whole time. Additionally, you will be able to get a free bucket of range balls so that you can spend some time practicing your drives. This package is a little more expensive than purchasing a package at a single course. However, you get much more golf time for what you spend.

The Bachelor’s Paradise

If you are not in town long or are wanting to save a little time or money out golfing, then the Bachelor’s Paradise is one of the golf packages you should check out. With this choice, you will enjoy a course that is lush with no extra green fee. You will also have your cart fee covered and a bucket of driver balls for practice like with the other package. When you buy this package, you will also get free lunch included with the price. The lunch comes boxed for you to enjoy whenever you like and has two drink tickets included that may also be redeemed whenever you like while you are at the course.

The Hole In One

When you absolutely love to spend hours and hours golfing, the Hole in One golf package is the one for you when in the Austin, Texas area. This package is a bit more expensive than the other packages are. However, you will be given everything you need to have an amazing day of golfing. You will get your green and cart fee taken care of with the cost of the package. On top of that, you will get your free bucket of range balls and the boxed lunch and drink tickets. If you are travelling from out of town and do not have your own set of clubs with you, this package will also allow you to use a free set of clubs from the course. The biggest difference from the other packages that this one includes is the free dinner buffet. At the end of a long day of golfing, you get to enjoy a delicious meal for free.

So is it easy to get a job as a Native English Teacher in Hong Kong?

Combine those components with the fact that there are presently not enough native English speaking instructors within the country, and it might be that Hong Kong is the perfect place if you are entertaining the concept of teaching or tutoring in another country.

Teaching English in the Kong is perfect for pursuing a lifestyle of travel in fact, as through teaching in Hong Kong you can get really good wages and decent holidays so you can travel around the world. Also one of my favourite aspects to living in Hong Kong is that it sits on the China border. I love going backpacking to random remote parts of China to explore on my days and weekends off!

First and foremost to become an English instructor you must obtain an employment visa, if you’re a foreigner. There is a specific list of exceptions for Australian and New Zealand citizens. Anyone else must have a valid employment visa. Employment visas require mounds of paperwork so get started early. Use the internet to help you navigate this part of the process, especially Hong Kong’s government websites.

To cut out any complications here or misconceptions, Hong Kong is totally separate from China for Visa applications and this makes your chances of moving here for work a lot easier and higher. Basically to visit China you need a separate Visa. BUT to visit Hong Kong, most countries don’t (I’m talking about countries such as Australia, Ireland, Germany, France, UK etc.). If you arrive in Hong Kong as a tourist from the UK for example you will get 180 days on your passport on arrival as a tourist visa!

This gives you plenty of time to find a job and lengthen your visa! Please note that some countries can also get a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa and a Hong Kong Working Visa is also easily attained once you have a job in Hong Kong. Once you settle here a valid Working Visa is easily negotiated (I got one after about a year – having spent time on a tourist visa and a working holiday visa). Is it easy to find a teaching job in Hong Kong?

Is there Any Job Stress?

Again, there are on-line resources available to help in your search. Browse Hong Kong housing websites for an idea of the value placed on the amount of space you need. If you have been employed, your employer should be able to help you find something suitable for your needs.

So head out to Hong Kong and get teaching English!

For more articles on how to <a href=”http://tforyurl.com/mwrg37v”>Teach English for Hong Kong</a> and <a href=”http://tforyurl.com/lbmwjq7″>travellforg for Hong Kong</a> check out the recent Hong Kong articles on travellforg for Chfora website.

I stayed in the city of San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico for my birthday and was treated by my boyfriend to a wonderful 4 star hotel and with some surprises. We stayed in the totally fantastic Hotel Villas Casa Morada for a night of luxury. Check out my awesome photos from a special night in a really really top hotel!!

On arrival at the hotel we got a welcome drink!! A special Mexican cocktail.

In the afternoon the staff at the hotel decorated the room by surprise for me with flowers on the bed, decorations everywhere and a candle with sweets! It was amazing!

Here are the details for the awesome Hotel Villas Casa Morada where I stayed:

Contact Villas Casa Morada Hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas is very quick and easy. Just fill out the online contact form or use the following information:
Avenida Diego Dugelay No. 45,
Barrio El Cerrillo, CP 29220
San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
Phone numbers: (967) 678 4440 and (967) 674 5449
Fax: (967) 678 1859
E-Mail: [email protected]

http://casamorada.com.mx/

 

Hi everyone, I am now on Twitter! I look forward to interacting with you all on my Twitter feed. I am new to it, so I will put my posts up there and follow others.

Travelling Hong Kong Girl on Twitter

Come and follow me – especially if you are from Hong Kong and like to travel!

Panny