Punt Cana, a jewel in the Dominican Republic, is well known for its beautiful beaches that face both the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Sine the early 1970s the area has been a premier destination for hordes of tourists every year that come here to escape the hustle and bustle of the so-called real world. There are tons of activities to choose from when you visit Punta Cana and it can be hard to fit them all in one vacation. One of the most popular recreational activities and sports to get involved in is golf. Almost anyone that comes to Punta Cana wants a chance to play a round of golf on one of the many beautifully well-maintained courses. Whether you are young and old there is a round (or two, or nine) of golf that is just right for you. Families can also join together for a 9- or 18-hole challenge.

From beginners to the experienced golfer, everyone who gets the chance to tee off here in Punta Cana be pleased with their options. There is a variety of courses to choose from as well as resorts that offer a chance to stay and play. Even if you do decide not to stay at one of Punta Cana's hotels or resorts you will always be able to find a great golf course at which to spend the day. All of the courses are first-rate, with all the golf carts and all of the gear and accessories that you could possibly need. You can either purchase or rent any or all of the gear that you will need for a great day of golfing.

A day is an adventure

You can start your golfing adventure at the La Cana Golf Course located at the Punta Cana Resort. This resort has a beautifully wide, spreading golf course that has 14 championship holes, making it 7,000 yards of golfing paradise when you add in the picturesque ocean views. This course offers lessons for beginners and a chance for pros to brush up on their skills. You can work on your strokes and your aim with some of the best golf pros around, and they are there specifically to help you achieve your golfing goals.

Head over to the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Golf and Casino Resort if you want some different scenery and a chance to take a break a do a bit of gambling before continuing with the golf. Being one of the originals in the area, this course contributed to growing Punta Cana's high volume of tourism. The golf course here is 6,106 yards long, which spells G-R-E-A-T for anyone that is in love with the sport of golfing. The course is in close proximity to one of the most popular beaches in the area, too. There are challenges for the best of duffers as well as lessons for those that want a little work on their game. Just like the La Cana Golf course, the Bavaro Golf Course also features all the putting greens, club rentals and pro shop gear that you need, with top brands of accessories, clothing, shoes and much more.

Still more golf!

Another great course to visit is the White Sands Golf Course that you can find in the Bavaro area. This course has recently added nine new holes in order to make it an 18-hole course. When you decide to stay at the White Sands Resort you can expect to receive special privileges such as great discounts and other perks. The course is over 7,000 yards of green heaven. The 18 holes can be a challenge to some, and this course has been deemed one of the best in Punta Cana.

Yet another great course in Punta Cana, which was designed by Nick Faldo, is the Roco Ki Golf Club. This course quickly has become known as the fantasy course for the avid golfer. The views are fabulous and it makes not only a great place to play golf but to relax as well. The Dominican Republic is well known for all of its great golf courses and you will discover that the area is fully loaded with courses that seem to have their own personalities. Everyone that comes to Punta Cana to golf always leaves with a favorite course (or two) to come back to, again and again, over the years.

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Within Europe, Portugal has long been regarded as the ideal location for golf holidays due to its year round fine weather and range of championship courses. This does make compiling a top five list quite tricky.

This top five list brings together several on-line surveys along with the personal experience of playing some of these courses while on golf holidays in Portugal.

One club that is ideal for hot summer days in Portugal is the relatively short but enjoyable Estoril course. This 6000 yard course requires careful course management to navigate the bunkers and unforgiving rough that surround most fairways and greens.

The Penha Longa course is one of the championship courses in Portugal to really savor. In 2010 considerable work has been ongoing to make the greens play true and to add enough variety and difficulty on each hole.

The south course in Quinta do Lago is the more mature of the two courses available to play at this resort. Some holes prove challenging due to the stark Atlantic Ocean breeze, while other holes are sheltered by lush vegetation and forestry. Given the courses maturity, the greens play exceptionally true and fast as one would expect.

If championship courses are your preference then the Oitavos Golf Club is one you must play. The course design and challenging greens have played host to the Portuguese Open in recent times and keen amateurs will find the course plays long due to the long par 4's and par 5's.

No trip to the Algarve would be complete without playing the Vale da Pinta. This is an interestingly designed course that is embedded within a natural valley. The fairways undulations make for some odd bounces which some would deem unfair but this does aid golfers playing short off the tee.

It is fair to say that this list cannot be considered as fully comprehensive and no doubt misses out some other charming courses. Hopefully though, it provides a guide to the sheer variety of championship courses of offer in Portugal.

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday, the Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays Portugal website to learn more.

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Visitors to the coastal town of Ballybunion in County Kerry, Ireland, will quickly realise that the majority of Ballybunion hotels are situated in the countryside surrounding the village. The three hotels selected here epitomize the quality of service, fantastic views and mouth-watering food that the region has become famous for.

Ballyseede Castle Hotel is an authentic 15th century castle set within its own estate. Each of the 12 rooms in the castle has a bespoke design and all afford wonderful views of the castle's lawns.

It is possible to see the period features of its past (intricate plasterwork, large marble fire places) throughout the hotel and the guest rooms are all as tastefully furnished as the common areas. Dinner at the castle is a real treat for gastronomes as the personable service means that each dish of modern Irish cuisine is of the highest standard.

Glin Castle is yet another authentic old castle in the region, but on a grander scale with a large variety of guest room styles and sizes. The castle sits within a tree-lined country estate with their own walled garden and beautiful lawns stretching down to the Shannon estuary.

The hotel is also a popular spot for weekend lunches and special occasions with their restaurant menu brimming with hearty Irish dishes that all prepared with a modern twist.

Last, but not least, the Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa is a more traditional destination to stay in. The house is a former country manor with all guest rooms being large, comfortable and traditionally decorated.

The Ballygarry has two key attractions on site. Their wonderful restaurant is popular in the area for its great selection of wholesome Irish cuisine and the wonderful ambiance of the dining room and outdoor dining areas. The recent addition of the Nadur Spa means guests can now pamper themselves with a variety of thermal treatments, mud baths and seaweed soaks.

Part of the appeal of Ballybunion is that it is one of the few villages in the region that has not fully succumbed to being a tourist trap and therefore thankfully retained much of its rural charm. As a result, it tends to have a more laid-back welcoming atmosphere that proliferates into the hotels in Ballybunion.

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