| GETTING THERE | | | | Stay in any of the Vale do Lobo properties |
| | | | and you'll be given a card which entitles you |
| Monarch has flights to Faro Internationalfrom | | | | to savings on things such as restaurants and |
| Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester. | | | | green fees. |
| Check the website for last minute deals. Golf | | | | |
| bags must be pre-booked and paid for. Extra | | | | Club Med Da Balaia is perfect for families |
| leg room and seat selection is available on | | | | containing only one golfer asthere's a golf |
| some flights. | | | | desk where you can book tee times and hook up |
| | | | with other players. Transfers to courses are |
| WHERE TO PLAY | | | | included and tournaments arranged. Golfing |
| | | | couples can deposit babies aged over four |
| Perched on a rugged, orange cliff, the par-3 | | | | months in the crèche. |
| 16th on the Royal Course is one of the most | | | | |
| photographed holes in the world. Although the | | | | Vila Sol is the Algarve's only "Leading Hotel |
| Ocean Course lives in its sister's shadow | | | | of the World". A wonder of chrome, glass and |
| somewhat, the sea views and the rollercoaster | | | | wood with a good handful of art thrown in, |
| fairways make this course a beauty. | | | | the hotel has a contemporary feel. |
| | | | |
| Two minutes drive down the road lies Quinta | | | | OFF COURSE |
| do Lago in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. | | | | |
| | | | Vilamoura is a modern, purpose-built resort |
| There are two courses - the North and South, | | | | offering high-rise hotels and apartments. |
| each of which features water. The latter is | | | | There's a wide beach but it's not nearly as |
| the tougher of the two and has hosted eight | | | | pretty as the dunes and cliffs of Vale do |
| Portuguese Opens. | | | | Lobo. However, the casino and bar-packed |
| | | | marina make this a lively centre and great |
| If you walk to the edge of the resort you'll | | | | for people watching. |
| reach the salt marshes which are home to a | | | | |
| host of birds and other wildlife. It's in | | | | There is a large shopping mall outside the |
| this particularly beautiful spot that the | | | | region's capital of Faro but the historic |
| fairways of another great course, San | | | | town centre contains some good shops too. |
| Lorenzo, twist and turn, using the | | | | There are golf equipment stores everywhere. |
| spectacular views of the sea and the marsh | | | | |
| water to great effect. | | | | Loulé is one of the most historic cities |
| | | | in Portugal and has Roman ruins and a castle. |
| Ten minutes to the west lies Vila Sol, one of | | | | Cool off on a hot day on the water slides at |
| the best courses in Europe. Every hole offers | | | | Aqualand in central Algarve. Armação de |
| a new delight, although clipping the pines | | | | Pêra is a fishing village with one of the |
| with a well-struck shot can be frustrating. | | | | biggest beaches on the Algarve. Tavira is one |
| | | | of the most attractive market towns in the |
| Also unmissable at Vilamoura is the Frank | | | | region with cobbled streets and fine |
| Pennink-designed Old Course - an | | | | churches. |
| umbrella-pined oasis in the metropolis. The | | | | |
| par 3s are particularly good and although the | | | | East of Tennis Valley in Vale do Lobo, with |
| greens are tricky, with the right club | | | | views over the dunes, lies The Shack. Prices |
| selection you could see some birdies flying | | | | are good and the food - which varies from |
| your way. | | | | four-inch thick homemade burgers to prawns in |
| | | | garlic - is outstanding. Gigi's on the beach |
| WHERE TO STAY | | | | in Quinta do Lago has a daily fish menu. |
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