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