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Best European holiday destinations


Parfait

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I'm looking for opinions on the best destinations in Europe for a fun holiday that also includes some decent golf!

 

For a destination to qualify, the following characteristics needs to apply:

  • It must be possible to play at least two courses of a decent standard, and the courses must be within easy reach of the destination. Anything significantly more than 30 minutes away by car or similar is too far away.
  • There needs to be enough nice bars, pubs and restaurants in the area to keep you entertained while you're not playing golf.
  • There needs to be a relatively active and outgoing community or a good amount of visitors -- it's important that the area feels alive.
  • There must be other attractions and/or activities easily available.

So basically: Accessible golf in a town/city that also young'ish non-golfers wouldn't mind hanging out in!

 

The first name that pops into my head is St Andrews, of course. But is there anywhere else in Europe that comes close to offering the same total package as The Home of Golf? I'm particularly hoping to get some tips of destinations that perhaps aren't typical golf destinations, but are relatively attractive tourist destinations in their own right that coincidentally also have some good golf available. I'm not expecting that the golfing offer is going to match St Andrews', of course, but would hope that non-golfing aspects of weigh up for this.

 

Background: I'm doing research for a trip with some friends in their late 20's and early 30's that aren't exactly hard-core golfers, but are interested in going away for a week where the focus might be 60% golf and 40% other things.

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Ping G400 3W 14.5[/color][color=#696969]° [/color][color=#696969]Alta CB 65 Stiff[/color]
[color=#696969]Ping G400 19° Hybrid Alta CB 70 Stiff
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Algarve - Vilamoura ticks all of these boxes.

 

The number of 5* hotels also means there are deals to be had. I recently looked at 3 nights B&B with 2 rounds for £199 in March.

 

You can play a European Tour venue as well in the Dom Pedro Victoria. Not your classic Algarve course but a good test.

 

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I would give St Andrews a miss if you have non-golfers. The weather is always unpredictable and there just isn't that much to do if you aren't viewing it is a golfing pilgrimage.

 

I'd also agree that Portugal is a great place to start. The Algarve will tick a lot of boxes or Lisbon is a beautiful city and that's a more rugged coastline with some great courses.

 

You also can't beat Marbella in Spain for a group aged around 30. Flights are pretty easy into Malaga and plenty of decent courses along that stretch plus a great vibe for non-golfers.

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Thanks for the input! Will look into them. Prague was an unexpected tip, exactly the type of tip I was looking for!

 

PS: We don't have non-golfers in the party, but a few of them have a more casual relationship to golf and therefore would like a destination that offers more than just golf.

[color=#696969]Ping G400 MAX 9.5° Tour 65 Stiff
Ping G400 3W 14.5[/color][color=#696969]° [/color][color=#696969]Alta CB 65 Stiff[/color]
[color=#696969]Ping G400 19° Hybrid Alta CB 70 Stiff
Mizuno MP-18 SC 3-PW Project X Rifle 6.0
Titleist Vokey SM7 54/10, 59/11
Yes! Callie[/color]

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How hard is it for you to get to Phuket?

 

It's quite easy. Thai Airways has direct flights from Oslo to Bangkok. We're however not looking for a trip to Asia right now, but a fun and cool trip in Europe!

[color=#696969]Ping G400 MAX 9.5° Tour 65 Stiff
Ping G400 3W 14.5[/color][color=#696969]° [/color][color=#696969]Alta CB 65 Stiff[/color]
[color=#696969]Ping G400 19° Hybrid Alta CB 70 Stiff
Mizuno MP-18 SC 3-PW Project X Rifle 6.0
Titleist Vokey SM7 54/10, 59/11
Yes! Callie[/color]

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#1: Gran Canaria. Technically, that’s still Europe:). Pluses: amazing golf weather even in the Winter months, a variety of great courses, good night life.

If you stay somewhere near Meloneras/Maspalomas, there’s golf, beaches, bars, restaurants and everything else. Teneriffa has the better scenery, but for golf, GC is hard to beat.

I went in July this year and the rates during low season (which is July-September on their golf courses) are amazing. 65€ 2 for 1 at Lopesan Meloneras Golf, which is an amazing course, with a spectacular back 9 along the coast. If you stay at The Salobre Golf Resort, they have two very nice courses that are free to hotel guests in July and August! Oldest club in GC is a 40 minute drive and has it’sown flair. Anfi Tauro is mesmerizing but expensive (110€ in July).

Rent a car at the airport, easy to get around the island. I‘ll go again in February, but it’s pretty expensive then (around 100-120€ per 18 on any course). Still worth it.

 

#2: Belek, Turkey. There’s like 15 courses right next to each other and a bunch of hotels and villas right next to them, facing the beach. Great nightlife and prices, friendly people, but very tourist oriented. You fly into Antalya and there’s also amazing sights in the area, like an ancient coliseum-like theater, waterfalls etc.

Have been in the area twice, it’s safe and they like tourists.

 

#3: Sardinia. Beach vacation and golf. A little more expensive but great houses for larger groups.

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