Golfbreaks.com Portugal Golf Guide 2014

The Great Golf Guide 2014
THE LOWDOWN ON GOLF In
Portugal
The best places to play and where to stay
in this golfing paradise
Inside the guide:
4 Algarve: Penina, Palmares et al
6 Algarve: The stars of Oceanico
8 Algarve: Vila Sol and the East
10 Lisbon: Oitavos and the west
12 Lisbon: The North and South
14 Madeira and Porto uncovered
16 All the essential details to book
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 1
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal
Vidago Palace
One of the
surprises in
Portugal
Welcome
With four main areas offering a variety of courses, there is both quality and quantity
G
OLF in Portugal
to many people
means the Algarve
– and there is good
reason why that is the case.
It is where golf holidays to the
continent really took off.
It remains one of the key
destinations in Continental
Europe, with a plethora of
top-quality courses allied to an
infrastructure and ambience
ideal for visiting golfers.
No matter if you want a highcalibre superstar or a greatvalue lower-profile course, the
Algarve will be able to offer you
numerous venues to choose
from.
Hopefully our guide – and the
accompanying offers – will help
you decide which courses will
suit your eye and budget the
best. In fact, there is so much
golf in the Algarve that the only
problem is in narrowing down
your search.
To assist in your planning,
we split the area into three
sections: West, Central and
East. The centre is packed full
of star names, so much so that
we felt able to assign a couple
of key courses that are close to
Vilamoura to the West section,
because they are perfectly
accessible even if you are based
around the western villages of
Lagos or Luz.
But there is more to golf in
Portugal than just the famed
Algarve and we illustrate this by
devoting six pages to Lisbon.
Again, there are three
sections and, again, there are
lots of very tempting itineraries;
we especially like the area to the
south of the capital, because it
offers incredibly good-priced golf
on top-class courses.
The likes of Quinta do Peru
and Ribagolfe are joined by an
outstanding course in Troia that
combines woodland holes with a
seaside stretch along the ocean.
Finally, we highlight the options
around the country’s second city
Porto as well as on the pretty
island of Madeira.
Good luck narrowing down
your choices!
Andrew Stanley, CEO
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 1
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | Algarve
T
HE ALGARVE is
where the ‘golf
holiday’ began
many years ago,
and it remains one of the most
popular golfing destinations in
Europe today.
We start our journey through
Portugal’s most popular golf
region with Sir Henry Cotton’s
classic championship layout at
the impressive Penina Hotel and
Golf Resort.
This was the first 18-hole
course to be built in the Algarve
and has hosted no fewer than
10 Portuguese Opens.
The Penina resort is set in a
stunning 360-acre estate and
where to stay
The Tivoli Lagos is a large
four-star hotel which is ideally
located for those looking to play
at Palmares. It has 324 rooms
and three restaurants serving a
range of international cuisine.
Near Albuferia and ideally situated
to play Morgado, Alamos and
Salgados is the all-inclusive CS
Sao Rafael resort in Sesmarias.
This five-star hotel and spa boasts
104 luxury rooms which offer
views out over the ocean or the
resort’s Mediterranean gardens.
Alternatively, if you are looking to
stay close to the Pestana courses,
then the resort’s two hotels are
ideal. The four-star Dom Joao
II and Delfim are both close to
the beach, with the latter offering
inclusive and unlimited golf.
boasts two additional courses
to Cotton’s design along with a
five-star hotel.
A short drive from Penina
out to the coast and you arrive
at the Onyria Palmares resort at
Lagos. This revamped Robert
Trent-Jones course has 27
holes, with the Lagos and Praia
loops arguably the pick of the
two. A parkland opening leads
out onto wild rolling dunes and
holes by the coast; the views
are simply stunning.
Moving away from Lagos
through Portimao and over the
Arade River and you find two
resorts well worth using as a
base for a golf break.
The Pestana Golf Resort at
Carvoeiro has three courses
designed by Ron Fream and
Nick Price alongside a David
Leadbetter Academy. The
championship Pinta is the
standout track and has been
used to host the European
Seniors Championship.
Its sister course, the
Gramacho, is unique in that it
has 18 holes but 27 greens to
increase playing options.
The Amendoeira Golf
Resort also has two brilliant
courses – the Faldo and
O’Connor Jr – in Silves. Part
of the amazingly well-stocked
Oceanico group, they are two
of the really powerful courses in
Portugal with the Englishman’s
design regarded as one of the
most exacting in the whole of
continental Europe.
Pestana Dom Joao II 4★
Alvor
Play at: Vila Sol, Pinta, Gramacho, Alto & Silves
• 1 in 12 free
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
now £185
was £195
Penina Hotel & Golf Resort 5★
SAVE
5%
Alvor
Play at: Championship & Resort Course
Many more great value breaks available online at
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
now £185
was £299
SAVE
38%
algarve
Palmares and Oceanico’s Faldo lead
the way in the central and west section
New look
The linksy
stretch at
Palmares
CS Sao Rafael Suite Hotel 5★
Albufeira
Play at: Alamos, Morgado & Salgados
3 nights’ all inclusive
3 rounds
now £205
was £260
Amendoeira Golf Resort 4★
Alcantarilha
Play at: Oceanico Faldo & Oceanico O’Connor
• Free upgrade to Old Course or Victoria Course
or call us on 0845
3 nights’ B&B
Unlimited golf
now £229
was £279
SAVE
21%
SAVE
18%
Marina Club Lagos 4★
Lagos
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
Play at: Palmares
• 1 in 8 free • Golf transfers included
now £219
Vila Gale Lagos 4★
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
Lagos
Play at: Boavista & Palmares
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
was £299
SAVE
27%
now £300 14%
SAVE
was £349
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | Algarve
algarve
The heart of the region is packed with superstar courses
V
ilamoura in
the central part
of the Algarve is
synonymous with
world-class golf... and lots
of it. It is the St Andrews of
Continental Europe.
And the Oceanico Group
leads the way with no fewer than
five courses, each presented
beautifully for travelling golfers.
The most famous, and
arguably the best course in
the Oceanico stable is the Old
Course (another similarity with
St Andrews).
This is the second-oldest
course on the Algarve, behind
Penina, and your principal
problem is to avoid the pine
trees as each hole weaves
through wooded areas.
It will test and excite you in
where to stay
There are a wealth of
accommodation options in
Vilamoura. The Tivoli Marina
Vilamoura is a luxury five-star
hotel which sits on the town’s
marina and has exclusive access
to a section of the nearby beach.
The Lake Resort is another fivestar offering and has a 192-room
hotel and 95 apartments which
offer views out over the marina and
beach. If you prefer apartmentstyle accommodation then the
Luna Olympus could be your best
option. It has 125 fully equipped
apartments alongside everything
you would expect from a standard
hotel. The Vila Gale Ampalius
Hotel is one of the largest in
Vilamoura, boasting 357 rooms
and two swimming pools.
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
equal measure, with the back
nine – which squeezes in three
par 5s – just edging it in terms
of drama.
Contrasting the Old in style
is the Victoria, which is the most
modern layout in the resort and
is Arnold Palmer’s most recent
project in Portugal.
While the Old Course may
shade the Victoria in stature
and history, its young neighbour
certainly has a great deal of
style and sophistication.
The Victoria was built in 2004
and hosted the PGA World Cup
just a year later, confirming its
status as a ready-made Tour
venue. Since then, it has hosted
the Portugal Masters on the
European Tour every year since
2007, and the continent’s best
golfers will once again try to
Many more great value breaks available online at
“The most famous,
and arguably the
best course, is the
Oceanico Old.”
avoid its many water hazards
again this October.
Although sitting slightly in
the shadow of its two more
illustrious neighbours, the
Millennium Course should
not be ignored on a trip to
Vilamoura.
The Martin Hawtree design
opened in 2000 and plays
its part in making Vilamoura
one of Europe’s premier golf
destinations.
The course is fairly open in
contrast to the other Oceanico
layouts, but it does have a
Pestana Vila Sol Resort 5★
Vilamoura
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
Play at: Vila Sol, Pinta, Gramacho, Alto & Silves
• 1 in 8 free
now £195
was £215
Luna Olympus 4★
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
Vilamoura
Clifftop views
The 16th at
Vale do Lobo
Royal Course
section between the 3rd and 7th
that borders the Old and plays
through woods with narrower
fairways.
Also available within the
Oceanico Resort group are the
Pinhal and Laguna layouts.
The Pinhal was the second
course to be built here and
was created by Frank Pennink,
who was also responsible for
designing the Old. The Laguna
was formerly a 27-hole layout
before one of the loops was
used to create the front nine on
the Millennium Course.
It contains many lakes,
which influence play on 11
holes, 79 bunkers and is more
exposed than other Vilamoura
courses so the wind is more of a
consideration.
Further along the coast
or call us on 0845
towards Faro, you arrive at the
Vale do Lobo resort.
Home to the Royal and
Ocean courses, the resort has
a mix of holes which play out
along the clifftops and down
towards the beach.
One of the best experiences
in the region can be found
from the 16th tee on the Royal
(pictured), which requires a
drive over the clifftops.
Another attractive play-andstay option is the Pestana Vila
Sol resort. There are 27 holes
here, designed by Donald
Steel. The Prime and Challenge
nines are the toughest, with the
Prestige’s holes being shorter
and narrower.
Play at: Pinhal & Laguna
• 1 in 8 stays free
now £249
Vila Gale Ampalius 4★
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
was £275
Vilamoura
Play at: Millennium, Pinhal & Laguna
• Group discounts available
Tivoli Marina Vilamoura 5★
Vilamoura
Play at: The Old Course & Victoria
Vilamoura
Play at: The Old Course, Victoria & Vale do Lobo
Royal
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
9%
SAVE
9%
now £309
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £435
was £465
The Lake Spa Resort 5★
SAVE
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
now £455
was £499
SAVE
6%
SAVE
9%
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | Algarve
Algarve
San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago and Vila Sol
San Lorenzo
Often rated
as the best in
the Algarve
S
ituated close
to Vale do Lobo,
the San Lorenzo
course (pictured
above) offers a collection of
perfectly manicured greens and
fairways that border the region’s
scenic lagoons.
Originally designed by the
American course architect
Joseph Lee, this 18-hole layout
opened in 1988 and has long
been established as an Algarve
classic.
While much of the course
has an inland feel as it winds
through the surrounding pine
woods, the short 5th treats you
to views of the glorious sandy
beaches of the south-west
coast of Portugal.
Travel a little bit further along
the coast towards Faro and you
where to stay
The magnificent Dona Filipa
Hotel is just 10 minutes from San
Lorenzo. It boasts 154 rooms,
stunning scenery and amenities
galore. The luxury five-star hotel
sits on the Atlantic Ocean and the
Vale do Lobo beach. Guests can
dine at one of two restaurants
and there are several bars around
the Vale do Lobo resort to use
throughout the day and in the
evening. There is also an on-site
spa offering a comprehensive
range of treatments. If you want
a base in Vilamoura then Vila Sol
resort has a five-star hotel which
sits next to the clubhouse in the
heart of the 27 holes. There are
two on-site restaurants, a heated
swimming pool, tennis courts and
a beach club in the summer.
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
will arrive at the comprehensive
and stunning Quinta do Lago
resort.
There are three layouts to
choose from, with the pick of the
bunch surely being the South
course.
Measuring over 7,000 yards
from the championship tees,
it has hosted the Portuguese
Open eight times and weaves
around lakes and through pine
trees.
It was here that Colin
Montgomerie won the first of his
24 European Tour titles back in
1989.
The North course is currently
under reconstruction and
is scheduled to re-open in
October. It is slightly shorter
than the South but still presents
a stern examination at over
Many more great value breaks available online at
“The Laranjal course
winds through what
was originally an
orange grove”
6,700 yards.
The Laranjal course,
meanwhile, winds through what
was originally an orange grove
and presents a magnificent
setting for golf.
The Laranjal was voted
Portugal’s best course in 2011,
and when combined with the
North and South it can create
a perfect golf break in just one
resort.
Talking of Ryder Cup
heroes, also on site is the Paul
McGinley Golf Academy and a
TaylorMade Fitting Centre.
Formosa Park Hotel 5★
Vale do Lobo
3 nights’ B&B
1 round
now £135
Play at: San Lorenzo
was £165
Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf
Resort 5★
Vale do Lobo
Play at: San Lorenzo
SAVE
18%
eastern
Algarve
Home to several hidden golfing gems
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £259
T
Vale do Lobo Resort 5★
Vale do Lobo
Play at: Vale do Lobo Ocean & Royal
• 1 in 8 free
Quinta do Lago Golf Tour
Quinta do Lago
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £289
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
Stay at: Monte da Quinta Suites 4★
Play at: Quinta do Lago South & Laranjal
now £299
Vila Gale Tavira 4*
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
Tavira
Play at: Castro Marim Atlantic Course & Benamor
Golf Course
or call us on 0845
was £315
now £239
was £299
SAVE
5%
SAVE
20%
HE virtues of
the Algarve
resorts based
to the west
of Faro are frequently well
documented, but fewer
people are aware of the
quality golf on offer in the
east of the region.
Should you take
the slightly more novel
approach of heading east
from the airport, you will find
several outstanding courses
which are perhaps slightly
more secluded than their
western counterparts.
The oldest course in the
Eastern Algarve is Sir Henry
Cotton’s layout at Benamor.
The parkland design
winds through olive, carob,
fig and cork trees, and is
extremely playable at a
shade over 6,000 yards.
The course boasts
mountain and ocean views,
although the standout sight
here is the clubhouse,
which is a converted church
that sits in the heart of the
complex.
Castro Marim is another
wonderful course which can
be found further along the
coast. It is located near the
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
historic town which shares
its name and plays out over
rolling parkland terrain and
around several lakes.
An ideal base for your
trip to the Eastern Algarve is
the four-star Vila Gale Tavira.
This Arabian-themed
hotel boasts 268 rooms and
“An ideal base is
the four-star Vila
Gale Tavira.”
is central to all the region’s
best courses.
There is an on-site health
club, spa and two swimming
pools along with several
restaurants and the lively Ali
Ba Bar.
It is located on the banks
of the Ria Formosa, in the
centre of Tavira, only a few
metres away from the Gilão
River and Ria Formosa. It is
within walking distance from
the shopping district and the
sidewalk cafés of Tavira.
It opened in 2002 and
boasts 268 rooms, which
incorporate satellite TV and
air conditioning.
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | Lisbon
Lisbon
Stay and play in the nation’s capital
A
LTHOUGH the
Algarve might
be considered
Portugal’s standout
region for golf, the area around
the country’s capital also boasts
a colection of outstanding
courses.
To the west of Lisbon is
Oitavos Dunes, which many
consider the best course in the
country. Some rate it the best in
mainland Europe.
Designed by the leading
American architect Arthur
Hills, it is far removed from the
kind of target parkland golf
familiar to the Iberian countries,
instead offering a wonderful
combination of woodland and
links-style holes.
You will struggle to find a
weak hole here and the finish
where to stay
The Vila Gale Cascais offers
contemporary four-star
accommodation just a short drive
from Oitavos Dunes and Quinta
da Marinha. This stylish hotel is
just a five minute walk from the
town centre and offers views out
over the Cascais bay and Guincho
beach. Golfbreaks.com offer two
versions of the Cascais Golf Tour,
which allows players to stay at the
Vila Gale Cascais and play at the
surrounding courses with fantastic
savings on regular green fee and
hotel rates. Alternatively, stay on
the five-star Penha Longa resort
for ultimate luxury and access
to the resort’s three outstanding
courses. The Portuguese royal
family have holidayed here, and the
hotel has 194 stunning rooms.
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
is brilliant and varied with three
par 3s and a brace of par 5s all
being encountered in the last
seven holes.
The par-3 9th and 14th
are simply sensational, and
an added benefit to a visit to
Oitavos Dunes are the pretty
towns of Cascais, Estoril and
Sintra.
Nearby is Quinta da Marinha,
another excellent base for a golf
trip west of the capital.
The setting is beautiful with
the mountains of Sintra on one
side and the Atlantic Ocean on
the other.
As well as being picturesque,
the course is never less than
challenging, especially when the
wind whips in from the Ocean,
which is when things can
become very interesting.
Many more great value breaks available online at
“Some rate Oitavos
Dunes as the best
course in mainland
Europe.”
Another world-class resort
in the western Lisbon region is
Penha Longa.
There are three loops of
nine holes to choose from here:
the Atlantic Championship, the
Atlantic North and the Atlantic
South.
The Championship is the
standout option and also the
most difficult.
Set among the Sintra
foothills, the course snakes
through wooded valleys and up
to tee boxes and greens set on
elevated rocky outcrops.
Dolce CampoReal 5★
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
Turcifal
now £239
Play at: CampoReal
• 1 in 8 plays free
was £299
SAVE
20%
Central Lisbon Tour
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
Stay at: Tivoli Lisboa Play at: Quinta da Marinha, Lisbon
Sports Club, Estoril, Oitavos Golfe, Belas Clube De Campo
Golf, Quinta da Beloura, Atlantic or Atlantic Championship was £459
now £399
Holes galore!
Aroeira can
entertain for
days on end
It was back in 1992 that
Robert Trent Jones Jnr brought
all his skills to bear, creating
what is a thrill-seeking golfer’s
delight.
This isn’t really a place for
a novice, even with five sets of
tees to choose from, and even
the best will struggle when the
wind whips in off the ocean.
In this well-endowed area to
the west of Lisbon lies one of
Continental Europe’s original
venues.
Estoril is undoubtedly one of
Portugal’s classic courses.
It is a relatively short
parkland course that has
hosted the Portuguese Open
on numerous occasions and
several amateur events.
It sits close to the Atlantic
coast and provides great views.
or call us on 0845
Closer to the city centre are
five further options.
Belas is a championship
course which has the
Carregueira Mountains in the
background, and the Lisbon
Club is one of Portugal’s oldest
courses, having been founded
in 1880.
In direct contrast, Quinta da
Beloura is one of the region’s
very newest layouts and is
found between Sintra and
Cascais.
Finally, a little further to the
north lies Campo Real, a Donald
Steel parkland which opened in
2005.
Penha Longa Resort 5★
Sintra
3 nights’ B&B
Unlimited golf
SAVE
13%
Play at: Atlantic North, Atlantic South or Atlantic
Championship
now £269 18%
Hotel Quinta da Marinha 5★
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
Cascais
Play at: Quinta da Marinha
• 1 in 8 free
now £245
Premium Cascais Golf Tour
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
was £349
Cascais
Stay at: Vila Gale Cascais 4★
Play at: Penha Longa, Quinta da Marinha & Oitavos
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
SAVE
was £329
now £339
was £399
SAVE
30%
SAVE
15%
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | North & South Lisbon
Lisbon
A little north is one of Europe’s best at Praia D’El Rey
Praia D’el Rey
It boasts
wooded and
links sections
I
F we move to the
north and west of
Portugal’s capital,
we come to
another excellent collection of
courses: the new Royal Obidos
complex; Bom Sucesso; and
Praia D’El Rey.
All are considered within the
Top 200 courses in Continental
Europe, so this is certainly an
attractive itinerary waiting to be
tackled.
The latter has long been
regarded as one of the
continent’s very finest courses,
routinely featuring in the top 50
of most authoritative European
rankings lists.
Set among extensive pine
forests and undulating dunes,
Praia D’El Rey also benefits
from spectacular views out to
where to stay
In addition to the Marriott hotel
at Praia D’El Rey, the resort
boasts many apartments and
villas of various sizes which are
perfect for those looking to travel
in a group. The apartments are
finished to the highest standard
and each property is set around
a communal pool with its own
private balcony. If you wish to stay
on site at Bom Sucesso, the resort
has an attached five-star hotel
which boasts many contemporary
townhouses and extensive leisure
facilities. There are also free shuttle
buses from the resort to nearby
Praia D’El Rey, making it easy to
take advantage of the best courses
in the area. Bom Sucesso is also
extremely close to Royal Obidos
and around an hour from Lisbon.
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
the Atlantic and beyond to the
Berlengas Islands.
Laid out by the celebrated
American architect Cabell
B Robinson in 1997, it is
complemented by self-catering
apartments and a Marriott
hotel on site that incorporates
a predictably comprehensive
array of facilities including
restaurants, bars, a spa, tennis
courts and cycling centre.
The course at Royal Obidos
is a recent addition to the scene
in North Lisbon having opened
in early 2012. This is already
established as a genuine
championship test which
measures well over 7,000 yards
from the tips.
It was the last course to be
designed by Seve Ballesteros,
who described it simply as “a
Many more great value breaks available online at
“All are considered in
the Top 200 courses
in Continental
Europe”
great and wonderful place”.
It would probably be best
described as a heathland
layout, and provides a pleasing
contrast to the area’s parkland
tracks.
Not to be outdone, the
course at Bom Sucesso is
another relatively new and
impressive track designed
by esteemed British architect
Donald Steel.
It offers views out over the
coastline and to the ocean
beyond, with the Obidos
Lagoon in the foreground.
Lisbon
Bom Sucesso Design Resort,
Leisure & Golf 5★
Obidos
3 nights’ self catering
2 rounds
now £195
was £219
Play at: Bom Sucesso
Montado Hotel &
Golf Resort 4*
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
Palmela
Play at: Montado, Ribagolfe, Quinta do Peru or Tróia.
now £175
was £249
SAVE
11%
Troia & Quinta do Peru lead the way
just to the south of the capital
SAVE
30%
I
Marriott Praia d’El Rey 5★
Obidos
Play at: Praia d’El Rey, Bom Sucesso
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £315
was £375
Praia d’El Rey Resort 4★
SAVE
16%
Obidos
4 nights’ self catering
3 rounds
Play at: Praia d’El Rey or Bom Sucesso
• 1 in 8 free
now £149
was £249
Aroeira Golf Resort 3★
3 nights’ self catering
Unlimited golf
Charneca Da Caparica
Play at: Aroeira I & II
now £129
was £239
or call us on 0845
SAVE
40%
SAVE
46%
F you like a
vibrant buzz
without being
based in the
heart of the city, the South
could be your ideal base.
There is also plenty
of good golf, with one
outstanding venue, Troia. It
is reached via a short ferry
ride from Setubal.
Sitting in between the
Atlantic, the Sado Estuary
and Serra da Arrabida it has
a charm of its own.
The Portuguese Open
was held here shortly after
opening in 1980.
The par-4 3rd is said
to be one of the best in
Europe, indeed Troia’s
designer Robert Trent Jones
Sr considered it one of the
best he has ever designed
– and thus included it in his
ideal 18-hole layout.
That is no small accolade
when you consider Trent
Jones Sr’s portfolio.
Also in the South
region is Quinta do Peru.
This parkland track winds
through 335 acres of natural
woodland and is set against
the stunning backdrop of
the Arrabida Mountains.
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
Quinta do Peru has long
been recognised as one of
the best courses in Portugal
and has hosted numerous
events on the Challenge
Tour along with the
Portuguese Open in 1996.
“The par-4 3rd is
said to be one of
the best in Europe”
It is managed by
Orizonte Golf, who have
several courses in the
Lisbon area including the
two championship Aroeira
layouts. Aroeira I opened
in 1973 and was designed
by Frank Pennink. Aroreira I
plays through mature pines
so there is a premium on
hitting the narrow fairways.
The Donald Steeldesigned Aroeira II opened
in 2000 and provides a
contrast to its neighbour,
being wider and flatter with
more lakes and bunkers.
The group also manage
scenic Santo Estevão and
the two courses at the
Ribagolfe resort.
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide | Portugal | Porto & Madeira
W
ITH such a
wealth of options
elsewhere, you
could be forgiven
for overlooking Porto as a place
to base your next golf break, but
there are some excellent options
around Portugal’s second
largest city.
The beauty of playing here is
that there is something to cater
for everybody.
The Vidago Palace resort has
undergone recent renovations
and offers a stunning five-star
hotel and attached course set in
a small town outside of the city.
The five-star boutique Casa
da Calcada is an hour from
Amarante and Oporto, the
oldest course in Portugal. Or
you can stay to the south of the
city near the beach at the Hotel
Solverde Spa and Wellness
Centre.
North of Porto you find Ponte
de Lima, which has a three-star
hotel and attached course,
and it is a short drive out to the
coast where you can play the
challenging links at Estela.
Axis Ponte De Lima Golfe
Resort 3★ Ponte de Lima
Porto
Wonderful courses surround the
country’s second largest city
Play at: Ponte de Lima Golf, Estela, Amarante or
Vidago • 1 in 8 free
Casa da Calçada Relais and
Chateaux 5★
Amarante
Play at: Amarante
2 JUNE 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com
Royal status
Vidago
Palace is
Porto’s star
3 nights’ HB
2 rounds
now £195
was £265
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £265
was £329
SAVE
26%
Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness
Centre 5★
Espinho
Play at: Oporto Golf Course
Vidago Palace Resort 5★
SAVE
19%
Vidago
Play at: Vidago
• 1 in 8 free
Many more great value breaks available online at
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
now £249
was £299
3 nights’ B&B
3 rounds
now £279
was £349
SAVE
17%
SAVE
20%
Madeira
Follow in the footsteps of the Tour stars with some island golf
Lovely views
Palheiro has
stunning
panoramas
S
EVERAL of
Europe’s top
players have
enjoyed success
on the European Tour in
Madeira, and this small island
off the African coast has now
become a hotspot for golf
tourism.
The Madeira Islands Open
is played every year as a co-
Vila Gale Santa Cruz 4★
Madeira
Play at: Santo da Serra
“The small island is
now a hotspot for
golf tourism”
sanctioned event between the
European and Challenge Tours
at Santo da Serra.
Although this spectacular
clifftop course dates back
to 1937, it was significantly
3 nights’ B&B
2 rounds
or call us on 0845
Another excellent option on
the island is the Palheiro Estate,
which boasts the five-star Casa
Velha do Palheiro hotel as
well as a very fine on-site golf
course.
The hotel is a 200-year-old
hunting lodge and provides
guests with ultimate luxury in a
relaxed countryside setting.
Casa Velha do Palheiro 5★
now £269 10%
was £299
redesigned by the famous
American Robert Trent Jones in
1991 and now has 27 highquality holes.
If you are looking to replicate
the challenge faced by the tour
professionals then play the
Machico and Desertas loops.
Alternatively, try the Serras nine
for a slightly less demanding
test.
SAVE
Madeira
Play at: Palheiro Golf
• Airport transfers included
543 6674 – we’re open 7 days a week
3 nights’ B&B
Unlimited golf
now £279
was £399
SAVE
30%
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 3
The Great Golf Guide 2014
Call free on 0845 543 6674
Monday-Friday 8am-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-3pm
Email [email protected]
Or visit Golfbreaks.com
facebook.com/
Golfbreakscom
@golfbreaks
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2014 1