Spain and Portugal: The perfect pairing
By David Brice, Golf International, Inc.
Spain and Portugal have long been favorite destinations for serious European golfers, eager to experience the very best courses on the Continent. World-class golf courses thrive throughout this Iberian Peninsula, but never are they in such abundance as along the southern tier. They extend from Portugal's charming capital of Lisbon, following the Atlantic shore south to The Algarve region, then eastward, along the entirety of Europe's most spectacularly beautiful coastline, where golf is the undisputed King, to the Spanish border. And in Spain there is no let-up in either the quality or quantity of golf courses, which continues unabated.
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From the Portuguese border to the ancient Spanish port city of Cadiz, past Gibraltar to the Mediterranean Sea where Spain's golf riches shine brilliantly along the Costa del Sol. There are quality courses all the way to Barcelona, with a particularly good selection in the coastal region of The Costa Brava, sitting just below the French border. Excellent courses and plenty of them is only one reason why golfers from around the globe are enticed here.
Exciting cities, wrapped in centuries of history, charming medieval towns and villages, plush golf resorts and laid back beach towns, washed by the sea - even exotic island escapes - the options of where to stay are as diverse as any other country can offer and far more than most. No matter what your preferences, world-class courses will always be close by, complemented by a climate custom designed for golfers.
While this may seem more than enough to satisfy any golf traveler, it's only the beginning of the story of two countries that each offers so much. Either Spain or Portugal, taken alone will only delight even the most jaded traveler. But combine these two Iberian neighbors into a single trip and you will have an inebriating concoction that is thoroughly irresistible and filled with memories enough to last a lifetime.
Combining Spain and Portugal on one trip, is not something to be squeezed into a brief, weeklong escape, but should be savored at an easy pace to be enjoyed to the fullest -- and there is much to enjoy, both on the golf courses and away from them. Neither should the trip be devoted to only golf, as delectable as the golfing menu is in both countries. This is a vacation to be shared with others, whether friends, family, couples, singles, or a mixture of all, including those who may have a questionable appreciation of the game. This will be different kind of golf trip and certainly one of the most enjoyable ever.
A twelve night trip, spending three nights in each of four different stopovers, two in Spain and two in Portugal, will provide sufficient time to become familiar with the distinctive character of each country, to sample the golf and explore the local history and culture of each area. If you can spare a little more time, do so, longer will always be better, even by a few more days. For those who simply cannot manage twelve days, it could be reduced to just ten, but any shorter than this and it's probably best to devote the time to one country or the other.
Unless yours is a group of only avid golfers, plan on playing golf no more often than every other day, leaving the intervening days free for other activities. Taking in the sights, exploring, shopping and just relaxing (remember this is a vacation) will be as important as golf. There are decisions to be made and settling on an itinerary and which parts of Spain and Portugal to include, is the most important. Much will depend upon personal preferences, tastes and interests and this is when the assistance of a reputable golf travel company, such as Golf International will be invaluable. With 20 years in the golf travel business and The Iberian Peninsula as a prime specialty, this company is particularly well qualified to tailor a Spain and Portugal experience that will fit your group like a glove.
One of the many beauties of The Iberian Peninsula is the wealth of itinerary options available to any visitor. Literally filled with history, culture, superb gastronomy and pure fascination, Portugal and Spain are quite simply, two of Europe's most intriguing countries. Golfers and non-golfers will have decisions to make. You can't cover the entire Iberian Peninsula, so which are the very best bases where the weather is close to perfect and both golf and non-golf attractions exist conveniently, side by side?
Focus on the southern halves of Spain and Portugal and everything will be yours. The climate makes golf a year round affair, the golf courses are not only ranked among the best, but are also plentiful, conveniently located close together and the off-course attractions rate among each country's most outstanding. If this sounds too good to be true, take a quick look at just a sampling of some of the best options and you can only agree.
Nestled against the Pyrenees Mountains and the border with France, Spain's Cataloniaregion makes an excellent starting point. Here you have the possibility to combine the big city attractions of Barcelona, capital of the region and perhaps Spain's most sophisticated city, with the contrasting, relaxed atmosphere of The Costa Brava. Home to more than a dozen highly regarded courses, there are medieval towns and villages, unspoiled small beaches and coves, centuries old castles and monasteries. Among the best of the area's excellent layouts are PGA de Catalunya, Emporda, Platja de Pals and a little further inland, Fontenals.
At the opposite, westerly end of Spain's Mediterranean Coast is the Costa del Sol, often dubbed the Costa del Golf, a profusion of over 60 superb courses, laced along a scant 100 miles of coast, making this a true golfers paradise. Stay in the chic coastal resort town of Marbella and you will be in the very heart of golf country with over 40 layouts within a half hours drive. Valderrama (of Ryder Cup fame) Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin and La Cala are just a few of the Costa del Sol's top courses, not to be missed.
And the sightseeing opportunities are as plentiful as the golf. Old Marbella is thoroughly absorbing and the ancient, fortressed mountain-top town of Ronda makes an excellent day excursion. The British outpost of Gibraltar is only 45 minutes from Marbella and well worth visiting, as is the local administrative capital of Malaga with its Old Town and picturesque port. For those who feel a little more adventurous, Granada can easily be visited in a full day excursion from Marbella.
Looking for a special taste of Spain? You'll find it in historic Seville, barely a three hour-drive from the coast. Capital of the colorful region of Andalucia, this is the birthplace of flamenco, the place where tapas originated and bullfighting was born. It's also the center of one of Spain's most highly revered gastronomies and a city guaranteed to capture your heart. Not too far from the heart of the city is The Royal Golf Club of Seville, a masterly design from Jose Maria Olazabal and on the other side of town, the Gary Player layout at Zaudin shouldn't be overlooked..
From Seville, the drive to The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region and another golfing haven, takes little more than two and a half hours. The 30 courses located along 90 miles of picture postcard coastline, include some of not only Portugal's but also Europe's best -- San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Penina are just a few of the layouts demanding to be being played. And the non-golfers will be just as spoiled with a never-ending array of activities, once they tear themselves away from some of Europe's most gorgeous beaches.
Visit Silves, capital of The Algarve between the 8th and 12th centuries, when it prospered under Moorish rule. Tavira, is a coastal town of churches, with the reputation of being the most elegant on the coast and a wonderful place to experience Portuguese dining a la fresco in one of the open air restaurants fronting the river. Practically every town and village has an open air market and one of the most interesting is held every Saturday at Loule, especially if you are shopping for local handicrafts. Cabo de Sao Vicente is Europe's most southwesterly point and a starkly wild and deserted area that has its own intrigue. The old town, located within the regional capital of Faro is worth exploring as is historic Lagos and so many of the small towns and villages that seem to have been forgotten by time.
Portugal's charming capital of Lisbon is only a 2 ˝ hour drive from The Algarve and unlike any other European major city, is surrounded by more than 20 excellent layouts, all enjoying world class status. Penha Longa, Oitavos Dunes, Troia and Quinta da Marinha are only the beginning of the impressive listing of courses to be considered and a little further north, Praia d'El Rey offers a very special golfing treat. Stay in fascinating Lisbon and all but a couple of the courses will be within a half hour's drive of the city center, leaving plenty of time to discover the centuries of intriguing history contained within its walls.
For those who may be looking for a total change of scenery, consider taking the 1 ˝ hour flight from Lisbon to Portugal's fairytale island of Madeira, a lush, sub-tropical paradise where temperatures hover around the 70 degrees year round, the scenery is spectacular and the two golf courses, Santo da Serra and Palheiro are nothing less.
Spain and Portugal are quite unique in the world of golf and future articles will delve into each in considerably more detail. In the meantime, for any who may be looking for a vacation where top-drawer golf comes along with an amazing diversity of other attractions and a perfect year round climate, The Iberian Peninsula might be the answer.
For more ideas on discovering the golf and many other fascinations of Spain and Portugal, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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