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The
Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province is justly famous for its
spectacular scenery along a fabulous coastline.
Add to this 24 beautifully tended golf courses, a friendly climate,
a cosmopolitan culture and wholesome regional cooking, all in a
compact area steeped in history, and you have the ultimate in year-round
golfing destinations.
During
the 1970`s the 1980`s and on into the first half of the 1990`s,
golf courses where built all along Portugal`s south coast as it
became increasingly attractive to holidaymakers from northern Europe.
None
of the existing courses is more than 15 km from the coast. Yet
the terrain varies from the steep hillsides of Parque da Floresta
to the near sea-level flatlands of Vilamoura III and the recently
opened course at Salgados which, in common with Palmares, includes
links holes.
The terrain typical of most courses, however, gently undulates
through copses of attractive umbrella pines.
The
mainly arid Algarve countryside familiar to summer visitors gives
way to verdant oasis at each of the golf complexes thanks to large,
state-funded water catchment and distribution schemes, as well
as private boreholes which tap into subterranean water sources
for irrigation. Holes made tricky by water hazards are, therefore,
not an infrequent feature on Algarve courses.
So
many golf courses have been opened in the Algarve during the past
few years that golfers, even if they know the region fairly well,
may not be acquainted with all of them.
Golf is an all-year-round sport in the Algarve, though the main
season is from late autumn to late spring. Winters are mild and
golfers from northern European countries can enjoy warm, sunny
days and keep their swings smooth at a time when their home courses
are unplayable.
By visiting during the main golf season you avoid the crowded
roads and added accommodation costs that come with the summer
tourist trade. On the other hand, during the summer months all
of the courses are under-utilised, so more leisurely, relaxing
rounds can be enjoyed.
Although
golf is easily the main sport played in the Algarve by visitors
and residents alike, plenty of other sports activities can be
enjoyed throughout the year. They include tennis, squash, horse-riding,
clay-pigeon shooting, micro-light flying and the whole gamut of
water sports from surfing to scuba-diving.
Apart the good time you can spend paying golf, there is always
a good choice of eating and drinking.In
general, you will find that the Algarve, with its mild climate,
reasonably priced restaurants, breathtaking scenery, friendly
people and excellent golf courses, all combine to make it a memorable
holiday
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