Golf Vacations

Costa del Sol Spain Golf Vacations

The Costa del Sol is one of Europe's top golf destinations attracting vast numbers of golfers from all over Europe. With Malaga Airport serving as a gateway to over 60 courses which lie within an hour's drive away the popularity of the so called 'Costa del Golf' has never been greater.

Most arrivals are from northern Europe who make the most of the age of the budget airline and head down to the south of Spain for a few days where they rent a car and play several courses over a few days before heading home. With over 300 days of sunshine a year this short golfing break is a year round option. In fact with the oppressive heat of the peak summer months it is now most common to select off season golf holidays when flights are cheap and there are plenty good deals on accommodation ranging from luxury villas to self-catering apartments.

Golfers of all abilities will find http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/costa-del-sol/golf-courses.htm">
 Costa del Sol Golf Courses to suit them ranging from straightforward 9 hole courses where you can arrange to have lessons with the resident professional to the daunting Valderrama course which was home to the Ryder Cup in 1997 and now hosts the annual Volvo Masters.

There are courses east of Malaga with several new ones being constructed so if you're heading to the Nerja area for your holidays you'll never be far away from a course. However, if you're coming out specifically for a golf holiday then you really ought to head west of Malaga where you'll be spoilt for choice.

Deciding on where to stay for your golfing holiday is not a simple decision. First stop as you head west from Malaga is Torremolinos. Forty years ago Torremolinos was a quaint fishing village but then tourism arrived and it expanded in all directions to reach concrete jungle proportions. It has fine beaches and great range of accommodation so it works well as a family holiday location from where dad can escape for a few rounds of golf during the week or two that you're there.

Benalmadena is the next resort along with all the same facilities as its neighbour but with the added advantage of a great marina area with a selection of good restaurants and bars to help you enjoy the evenings. Fuengirola is probably the most Spanish of these three neighbouring resorts, all of which provide easy access to inland courses.

The nature of Costa del Sol tourism goes increasingly upmarket as you head further west with Marbellahttp://www.spanish-fiestas.com/costa-del-sol/marbella.htm">Marbella> still a popular destination with that reputation for better class tourism. Here you'll find many exclusive private villas and apartments for rent as well as more affordable self catering options. Puerto Banus is the playground of the rich and famous where an evening is well spent wandering around the multi million dollar yachts anchored next to playboy Ferraris and Mercedes' with Arabic number plates.

Estepona is a popular Spanish resort further west on the way to Sotogrande which is just over the provincial border in Cadiz and home to the great Valderrama course as well as Sotogrande and San Roque which are also very challenging.

Golf Vacations

When one thinks of golf, often their mind wonders instantly to the site of men dressed in their Sunday best swinging clubs with all of their might. Golf, however, knows no gender. Women all across the country are beginning to pick up this intriguing athletic and strategic game. Women are even taking golf vacations of their own, and finding that they can have their cake and eat it too in this once traditionally male arena.

What do women look for in a golf vacation? Well, the first priority is of course the golf! Avid female golfers are going to be just as concerned over the state and condition of the green. Is the course challenging? What is the course ranked? Are there restrooms available? What amenities are close to the green itself? These are the questions women ask as they investigate golf vacations.

The second thing? Location, location, location. While the green is important, another imperative aspect of choosing the right golf vacation is where the green and resort is located. There are golf resorts located all across the country from Fort Richardson, Alaska to Fort Lauderdale Florida. The area is a huge aspect to consider when booking any vacation, and a golf vacation is no different. The climate, the scenery, the time of year, all of these things play a part in the vacation decision making.

The third thing women need to look for in golf resort is, well, the quality of the resort! A golf vacation, while the focus may be golf, is still a vacation. And resorts are for relaxing. When looking for the ideal golf resort, ladies need to investigate the spas, pool areas, and workout facilities. Even though women want to enjoy golfing, the may also want to partake in a mani-pedi combo!

Finally, there is the issue of cost. This is one aspect that may last on this list but is not least in consideration. Women are known for bargain shopping and vacations are no different. The perfect golf vacation for a woman is one where the golf is good, the location is prime, the resort is to die for, and the cost is sensational!