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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

Come to Portugal's Algarve Coast on a golf trip and you'll find the world-class golf courses you had been promised, and they are here in profusion. Varying in quality between very good and superb, the choice to be made is just how many courses can be squeezed into a week or so of vacation time. Fortunately most are conveniently located close together and can be played from a single, centrally located hotel base, with next to no vacation time wasted driving from one to the other. For the energetic, 36-hole days become a breeze, but there is more to life than only golf.

Faro -- Moorish architecture.

To journey to this the most delightful corner of Portugal, arguably, one of Europe's most charming countries, without exploring and getting to know the area and its fascinating history and culture, would be a sin. Be thankful that golf brought you here in the first place, but take advantage of the opportunity and get to know The Algarve and the delightful Portuguese people; there will be nothing but very pleasant surprises in store for all who make the effort.

Five hundred years of Arab rule, from the 8th until the 13th centuries, left an indelible imprint on the region and it still survives in the architecture, crafts and culture to this day, giving it a character entirely of its own. Even the name Algarve comes from the Arabic, El-Gharb, (the West) denoting this as the westernmost reach of the ancient Islamic empire.

Tavira claims to be The Algarve's most beautiful town.

For a taste of the real Algarve, where life moves along at a gentler pace, much as it has for centuries, stray a little from the beaten path and take a leisurely half or full day's drive to explore the eastern Algarve.

The regional capital of Faro is only a brief half hour away from the heart of The Algarve's main golfing area surrounding Vilamoura and is well worth visiting. The suburban area is rather commercialized, but drive into the center and there is a charming little Old Town, surrounded by city walls dating from the 13th century. Filled with narrow winding cobblestone streets and colorfully painted houses, the Old Town is easily explored on foot. Take time to visit the cathedral and Arco da Vila, the finest of the city gateways in the ring of the city walls.

The village of Castro Marim.

Wander down to harbor area, the bustling heart of the city to while away an hour or two enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine in one of the outdoor cafes or bars, just watching Faro's life go by. There are some inviting back streets to be explored and the Municipal Museum, housed in the cloisters of a beautiful 16th century convent, shouldn't be missed. It offers a fascinating insight into Faro's rich history.

Continuing east along the coast, it's only a 20-mile drive to the pretty town of Tavira. Filled with historic churches (over 30 in all) palaces and grand old mansions with filigree balconies, this is considered the most attractive town along the entire Algarve. Straddling the Gilao River, the two halves are linked by a pair of a bridges, one dating from Roman times. Tavira has a very special charm and the temptation to explore its never-ending succession of streets, gardens and cafes, shouldn't be resisted.

From invasions to smuggling, Alcoutim has an intruiging history.

For a glimpse of the totally untouched Algarve, take a brief stopover at the tiny village of Cacela Velha, situated just 5 miles east of Tavira. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic, this is a true charmer and a chance to get some picture postcard photos of The Algarve of old.

If you are including a round of golf at the impressive Castro Marim Golf and Country Club, a visit to the nearby village of Castro Marim must be included in your golf day. This was the first headquarters of the monastic Order of Christ, founded in the 14th century, after the dissolution of the Knights Templar.

Nestled in the low hills overlooking the Rio Guadiana, Portugal's natural border with Spain, this picturesque village offers some spectacular views of the surrounding area. Of particular interest are the ruins of the great castle, at the time the most powerful in all Portugal and built by King Alfonso III. Mostly destroyed by the earthquake of 1755, it remains a striking sight and the small museum located here offers an interesting glimpse of its deep history.

Beautiful beaches and golf are just the beginning of The Algarve story.

Should time permit and you are feeling adventurous, take an 18 mile drive inland from Castro Marim though spectacular countryside to the border town of Alcoutim and experience a side of The Algarve most visitors miss. Holding a strategic location, this river port has seen a past unlike any other.

Fought for by first the Phoenicians, then the Greeks and Romans and then the Moors, few towns have experienced such a blood and guts history. Evidently bored without nations fighting over it, Alcoutim, in search of excitement became a 17th century center for smugglers bringing tobacco and snuff from Spain.

The entire Algarve is a region that invites exploration, but the eastern part has a very special attraction and an unspoiled beauty that is thoroughly enticing. Enjoy the outstanding golf, but don't miss the magic of everything else that's here.

For some ideas on discovering the golf, sights and history of The Algarve, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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