Continental Europe
markedly in the very recent future, making it an even more appealing option. Underpinning the allure of a golf holiday here is the climate, which is arguably the best in the whole of the continent. October? Glorious – fact. April? Ideal for golf. Aphrodite Hills has been the standard bearer for years and continues to be, but in the revamped Secret Valley and Minthis Hills – in addition to Sir Nick Faldo’s Elea – it is a well-rounded option. The much-improved courses mean Cyprus has a very even golf offering, any month of the year.
Bro Hof Slott, Sweden.
Elea, Cyprus.
and drive across the bridge to Sweden. If you can add a day or two on, you can venture up the west coast to play Vasatorps plus two Solheim Cup venues; Barseback – a woodland-seaside hybrid, and Halmstad. Further north-east, Bro Hof Slott is the magnet, but don’t forget about Sand.
8
Denmark
10
Slovakia
Like Sweden, to play the best of Denmark requires a bit of patience and determination. If you want a one-base golf break, this isn’t for you. But if you like the adventure of careering round a beautiful Czech Republic country ticking off its best courses, you’ll love 4 The Prague area has been on the radar it. The Scandinavian’s Old and New are easily for a little while actually, but the Czech accessible via Copenhagen (along with Royal Republic as a whole is really stepping Copenhagen) but you’re actually it up now, and offers a delightful better to golf break of beauty, value and fly from Stansted into Billund AN D D excellent golf. We detail much and tackle Esbjerg, FO R G O N ’ T more about it over the page. Holstebro and Lubker E T. . . from there... and for serious Bled Go Slovenia lf is refurbis undergoing Bulgaria hipster credibility, a h m m 5 assiv ent o accomm The Cape Kaliakra Budersand (which is odation f its course an e d . It m most pic turesqu ight have the area is a contender for best actually German) on the e loc the who le of Eu ation in value in Europe, and also island of Sylt. rope... boasts some really hot summer weather too. The three courses 9 Germany More specifically, Munich. there are, as you will have seen, perched on cliffs and offer spectacular views and edge- There are loads of great courses, of various characters, from classic parkland to of-the-seat golf holes. It hasn’t quite cracked mountainous scenes. The golf is really good the UK golf market as Belek has, despite and there is also a chance to explore a fantastic providing much the same offering other than city, from gastronomy and sightseeting to the weather. Don’t let that slower take-up put you off though, because Cape Kaliakra has all going to watch Bayern Munich or attending the beer festival. that’s required to get more of a foothold on the market.
6
Estonia
7
Sweden
Estonia GC has long been a fixture in Golf World’s Continental Top 100, and now you have double the reason to visit this famously beautiful Baltic country. Parnu Bay opened in 2015 and is a visually sensational woodland-seaside hybrid. It is a strong contender to enter Golf World’s Continental Top 100 later this year, and with the welldocumented attractions of the capital Tallin to consider too, this is a very attractive golf break for non-sun worshippers. To suggest ‘Sweden’ as a whole is a bit of red herring actually, because you’d need a week to play all of the really high-class stuff there. Better to focus on either the central section or the south. The star attraction in the south is Falsterbo, a traditional links that noone ever has a bad word about. Team that with Ljunghusens and the Kyle Phillipsdesigned duo at PGA National. Fly in and out of Copenhagen – while you’re there, you could tick off the duo at The Scandinavian –
Slovakia gets a mention as a result of one resort, because we believe Penati offers the best quality-to-money ratio in Europe. It is not an exaggeration to suggest for the same level of golf and accommodation elsewhere in Europe, you would pay three times more. With one Continental Top 100 course and one in the Next 100, plus on-site villas, it is perfect for a group who want to play 36 a day then pore over the play with a very cheap, potent beer in their hand. n
In our European section: 44 Czech Republic
66 Cyprus
A relative newcomer that has bags of promise.
Europe’s year-round golf destination.
48 Italy
Why Argentario is a European style icon.
Lisbon area is suddenly a mustvisit destination.
50 France
76 Spain
A haven for Top 100 courses of every type of course.
68 Portugal
Five must-visit areas and resorts – for different reasons.
GOLF ESCAPES 2017 43