Find the idea of Italy, Spain or France a bit too been there, done that? Well, why not check out these exciting destinations that are all safe and open for business again.
Find the idea of Italy, Spain or France a bit too been there, done that? Well, why not check out these exciting destinations that are all safe and open for business again.
Of course it will be later in the year than we might have liked, but we're still determined to fit some cool travelling into 2020.
The Engadine Valley, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world; picture towering snow-topped peaks, blue skies, wild flowers and The Sound of Music-eque scenes (okay, that’s actually set in Austria, but you get the idea). It’s also a particularly attractive prospect right now due to the fact that we can get there by car. That's right, simply throw your clubs in the boot and within hours you will be in the spectacular Engadine Valley; a paradise for golfers who are looking for a little bit of adventure and excitement. The region is home to numerous courses including the lofty par 3 at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (at 1,860 metres it’s one of the highest hotels in Europe), two tracks at the historical Engadine Golf Club (the oldest in the country) and meandering Samedan, found on the valley floor and surrounded by ancient trees. Plus, if you’re looking for a further dose of action, it’s a great place for hiking, mountain biking and water sports amongst the most spectacular natural beauty you've ever seen. Accommodation options include the aforementioned, amazingly picturesque Kulm Hotel and the grand Grand Hotel Kronenhof. Both luxurious mountain hideaways offer spas, spectacular views, delightful dining options and special golf break packages taking in two rounds, two night’s accommodation and more with prices starting from around £433 (Grand Hotel Kronenhof) and £522 (Kulm Hotel).
For more information visit www.kulm.com and www.kronenhof.com.
Madeira
Hailed as the ‘world’s best emerging golf destination’ at the 2019 World Golf Awards, Portuguese archipelago Madeira is home to luscious greenery, endless hiking options and super rewarding, mountainous golf courses. Over on the mainland you’ll find the Santa da Serra, offering dramatic clifftop holes more than 2,200ft above the Atlantic, and also the Cabell Robinson-designed Palheiro Golf. Just a ten-minute drive from the island’s capital, Funchal, Palheiro borders the five-star Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro and set over unpredictable and hilly terrain, it certainly provides plenty of challenges. Finally, take a 20-minute flight or a two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride to Porto Santo, and you’ll be able to take on the US-style track at Porto Santo Golfe. With the setting ranging from sand dunes to basalt cliffs, the highlight is undoubtably the par 3 13th that requires a shot over a gorge to reach a cliff-top green. With year-round warm temperatures and lows of 17°c in the winter, Madeira is a super place for finding some winter sun later in the year.
For more information visit www.madeiraallyear.com.
Okinawa, Japan
This really is the holiday to end all holidays. Japan might conjure up images of illuminated skyscrapers, delicious sushi and pretty cherry blossom trees, but it's also got loads to offer golfers. The YaeYama Islands in the Okinawa region are home to the most brilliant blue waters and pristine white beaches you’ve ever seen, and the recently opened Hoshino Resort RISONARE Kohamajima comes complete with its own 18-hole golf course. It’s a postcard-perfect place, with the stylish resort built around a secluded lagoon and many of the suits coming with their own private pools and jacuzzi-style outdoor bathtubs. A stay here will really make you feel like a celebrity and the onsite spa offers the most incredible range of traditional treatments inspired by the region’s heritage. Other activities include snorkeling, beach yoga and dining under the stars with the sand between your toes. A three-hour flight from Tokyo and with year-round warm weather, this is another ideal option for a winter holiday of a lifetime. It’s unlikely many people from your club have been to Okinawa, so this is your chance to be a real trail blazer. Whether it's for some quality time with your other half, or an adventure of a lifetime with the girls, this is a trip you'll be reminising about forever.
For more information on the Okinawa region visit www.visitokinawa.jp and for more about the Risonare Kohamajima resort visit risonare.com/kohamajima.
We recommend always checking government guidelines before travelling.
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