If you have been working too hard for too long and just need to get away and play some golf, you will want to check out golf holidays package vacations from your travel agent. These travel arrangements are often referred to as “stay and play” plans because you stay at a certain hotel and receive rights to play at a certain golf course while you are there. When making these arrangements, make sure there are not special requirements that will make playing inconvenient or impossible for you. Some of these plans require you to limit your arrival dates and departure dates or have other unacceptable limits so read the fine print.

You can take golf holidays to all sorts of locations depending on your personality and desires. For instance, you can choose to golf in a course located near or in a major city, taking in museums or theatres when not golfing. Or you might choose to visit a golf course in an area of rugged natural beauty such as the mountains. While there, you might take a day to fish instead of golf. Whatever your needs, you can find golf holidays packages to meet your needs.

Are you going to take your own golf clubs with you when you travel on golf holidays? You probably would prefer to use them rather than the clubs that can be rented at the course to which you are travelling. If you choose to take them with you, you will need to think about the arrangements a bit. For instance, do you have a really high quality golf club bag which will protect those expensive golf clubs. If not, you’d better get one. You won’t be able to carry your clubs on if you are flying, so you’ll need a bag that can take airport luggage handling and still protect your clubs. So get a good one.

When picking a destination for golf holidays, pick the course you wish to play on first, and then find out about lodging at hotels, resorts, or stay and play package plans. Make sure the tee times that are set for you when choosing a stay and play package are going to work for you. People who are staying at a golf course’s own resort generally get first serve when choosing tee times. If it’s really important to you to get the tee time you desire, it may be worth it to you to stay at the resort instead of a less expensive hotel. Either way, you are sure to find refreshment and restoration when taking golf holidays.

Western Algarve golf breaks
Besides bustling Albufeira, there is the charming old town of Lagos, set on one of the largest bays in the Algarve. Its 17th-century fort stands at the harbour entrance and a new marina with rows of excellent restaurants and bars draws the crowds. Alvor, an old port at the mouth of the Rio Alvor, has many traditional restaurants by the quay and a maze of cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, shops and a few bars.

Golf holidaymakers should check out the renowned Pinta, one of the best courses in the Algarve, designed to retain natural valleys and undulations. Neighbouring Gramacho is also excellent and both courses are free of green fees for those lucky enough to be staying at the Pestana Hotels.

Central Algarve offers golf and more
Quinta do Lago is a premier golfing destination. Two of its four excellent 18-hole courses are listed among the Europe&’s top 25 golf courses, and half of the 2000-acre resort comprises a residential and recreational estate, surrounded by pine forests. This beautiful area is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Nearby is a large shopping centre with a health club, nightclubs and restaurants, and scenic countryside runs along miles of secluded beaches.

Just 20 minutes&’ drive from Faro International Airport, Vilamoura is one of Europe&’s largest sport and leisure complexes. There are five golf courses, championship tennis courts, an acclaimed riding school, and fishing and shooting facilities. The resort&’s large marina has many fine restaurants, cafes and shops.

Vale do Lobo, Portugal&’s biggest luxury golf and beach resort, also 20 minutes from the airport at Faro, is one of Europe&’s finest. Its two golf courses, the Royal and Ocean, provide stunning views of the coast, and its 5 km-long sandy beach, with dramatic red sandstone cliffs, provides non-golfers with seriously good beach and swimming options. The resort also offers tennis courts, a gymnasium and health and beauty centre, as well as restaurants and shops.

Eastern Algarve; golf tours without the crowds
For a less frenetic golfing experience and a chance to enjoy nature, head east from Faro towards the Spanish border. There are many hotels not far from the airport, close to some well-designed courses. Tavira, at the mouth of the River Gilao, is a fishing port dating from Moorish times. Nearby you&’ll find Reserva do Sapal, one of Portugal&’s most important nature reserves. And just across the border, on the Costa de la Luz, are many more great golf courses.