Planning a family vacation that will suit everyone’s taste is not easy. Generally the younger kid wants one to do one thing, the other wants to do another, while the parents have their own preferences. Keeping everyone satisfied may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Especially when there are so many family friendly vacation resorts you can choose from. Family friendly vacation resorts offer such a wide range of activities, that each member of the family will think the vacation was designed especially for them. Here are some of the most popular locations for a perfect family friendly vacation.
Paris with Kids. Paris France, the City of Light, will welcome you in a magical ambiance. The river Seine with its large walkways is perfect for a peaceful evening stroll. Paris has countless exciting attractions for your kids as well, with plenty of museums and monuments, as well as incredible patisseries. But the Eiffel Tower probably beats them all. With so many wonderful attractions, Paris definitely makes for a perfect family friendly vacation.
Walt Disney World. A Disney family friendly vacation is a dream come true for the little ones. Although Walt Disney regarded it as a swampy spot back in 1966, today it has become a real magnet for thousands families all over the world. Walt Disney World includes four huge parks with tons of fun activities for the kids. Millions of people consider it the best family friendly vacation spot in the world.
Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park is a great destination for a family friendly vacation and a place for family adventure. Among the large number of exciting activities you will find all-inclusive tours in wonderful areas and plenty of sports activities, such as horse-riding, rafting and hiking. The guides at Yellowstone are great and will do everything in their power to make your trip perfect. You and your family will be able to enjoy some quality time together, without any hassles, line-ups or wondering where you could eat.
Franklyn D. Resort, Jamaica. Franklyn D. Resort is another great spot for a family friendly vacation, providing all-inclusive vacation packages and your own baby-sitter during the stay. Entertaining activities include biking, scuba diving, water-sliding and walking up a waterfall. There are many restaurants that include kid menus as well, so you don’t have to worry about where you could feed the kids. The hotel suites are very spacious and comfortable.
US Virgin Islands. The three islands provide family friendly vacation resorts and tons of attractions for all ages. The activities available include snorkeling, sea-trekking, visiting the land-and-sea National Park, exploring colonial towns and forts and shopping at duty-free shops.
A family friendly vacation has something for every member of your family. With tons of fun activities and kids’ programs, you won’t be hearing your kid crying about being bored. A family friendly vacation is a great opportunity to have fun and bond with your family.
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Paris is renowned to be the Capital of all lovers in the world and what better place to be in when you are in love. There is maybe a catch in this way of thinking – the money that would be involved for such a trip. You would think that this would be an unaffordable destination for you – not at least when you both would be just starting your careers and are still struggling with the repayments of your student loans. However, budget trips to Paris are possible and popular, too.
Have You Heard About Paris Budget Travel And Tours?
Judging from your expression of utter surprise it does not seem that you did. You would think that ‘Paris’ and ‘budget’ are two worlds apart – yet there you are. You can get some exceptional offers with the Paris budget travel and tours whereby you could enjoy this wonderful city without giving much thought to the expenses involved. This city would be as romantic and beautiful for you on a budget as it would be if you were a millionaire.
Planning is the key when you want to take the Paris budget travel and tours and planning is what would give you ways and means to enjoy this wonderful city in the most romantic ways. Here planning does not mean advance booking – rather it means to know where you are going, how you are going and what you are doing in the city.
Everything Can Be Had On A Budget
The most critical and expensive aspects of your Paris budget travel and tours would be the accommodation and food. You will be happy to learn that Paris budget travel and tours would provide you the means to find some exceptional guest houses that offer an excellent ambiance at one fifth of the cost of a hotel. In spite of the low cost, these places would not be labeled as cheap as they would be clean, well maintained and often offer a good view to their occupants.
The next on the list is the food. Paris is the Capital of gourmet food as well. However, you need not go to fancy restaurants to learn and taste the fascinating cuisine or the world-renowned wine. You could have the most stunning food at roadside cafes throughout Paris. In fact some of these local cafes are even more famous than the local five star hotels.
When you think of entertainment, the Paris budget travel and tours would still be the best there is because Paris offers something for every taste. You can have the most wonderful nightlife you could have imagined if and when you the right places. There are too many jazz and other type clubs which would make any night a memorable one for you. Also never forget to visit the famous landmarks such as the world-famous Eiffel Tower and the like.
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Europe, rich with sights and cultures, has been the center of tourism in the known world. Not only would anyone love to sample the rich sights and sounds, enjoy local delectable cuisines and various attractions that could lead to a memorable vacation. Europe budget travel is a great way to enjoy all these at the lowest cost possible.
Europe Budget Travel Services, Get the Best Deals
When aiming for a Europe budget travel, one has to make sure that you get the best deals from airfare to accommodations. One way to go at it is to browse around for various travel services which has special offers and promotions.
These Europe budget travel services not only offer a complete itinerary of fun and enjoyment in the city, you can also avail various services without lifting a finger. These services have affiliates all over the country and can get you the best deals in hotel accommodations, car rentals and countryside tours that every tourists might possibly need.
These services are quite active during the winter months since most of them specialize in winter ski vacations. Most of these travel services offers advance reservations to popular ski resorts in the vicinity.
Surf and Avail
Another tip for a Europe budget travel is to scan the internet for best deals and bargains in European tours. Some of these sites offer services such as discounted airline tickets, rail-passes for different destinations and inter-city transportation, all at a very affordable rate.
You can also browse around according to tourist’s destination since this is one of the highlights of Europe budget travel tour. Most tourists get grumpy they don’t have ample supply of cash to accommodate various travel tours in the country, but if you’re patient enough to surf around, you can practically get the best deals for a complete visit of the country.
Travel in Groups
One of the best ways to enjoy a grand Europe budget travel is to come in groups. Whether with a family, groups of friends or officemates, you can get a whole lot of discounts when you come by bundle. You can practically save a lot accommodation expenses when you come in groups since you can easily rent out a villa or a house to accommodate everyone.
Another smart saver when you come in bundle is that almost all Europe budget travel offers big discounts for tours that come in groups. You don’t have to pay individually since you can actually pay the discounted package price.
To get the best out of Europe budget travel, all you need to do is to be patient and try to look for the best bargains. Someone out there is sure to have the best deals for your tight budget.
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Ireland is one of the most interesting places in Europe. If you are planning to visit Europe, you might want to consider planning a budget travel to Ireland. Note that unlike many places in Europe, the cost of living in Ireland is not really so high so if you want to save some money while touring Europe, consider a budget travel to Ireland.
Planning Your Trip To Ireland
There are plenty of places to see in Ireland. If you are not really familiar with the place, you should get a travel guidebook and get acquainted with the interest spots of this country. Make a list of interesting places that you want to visit while in Ireland. You will need your list when planning your budget travel to Ireland.
You will need a map when planning for your trip to Ireland. Note that many interesting places in this country are in the countryside and some of these places are really out the way. To save time and money during your trip to Ireland, visit only those places that are close to each other. Another way to save money during your trip is to book your trip through a travel agency that is offering budget travel to Ireland. The good thing about booking your trip through a travel agency is that the agency will take care of all your accommodations and your itinerary so you get to save a lot of time and efforts trying to find your way around. Always remember that time means money especially when you are traveling.
Getting To Ireland
If you prefer not to book your trip through a travel agency that is offering budget travel to Ireland, make sure that you pack your guidebook and your map with you when you travel. If you are already in Europe, take the bus or the train instead of flying to Ireland to save some money. Yes, the bus or the train ride will take longer but the good news is that when you take the bus or the train, you get to see the countryside. Just think of all those interesting places that you will see while riding on the train or the bus. On the other hand, if you do not have time to take the bus or the train to go to Ireland, try to book your flight well in advance or book on the last minute. Most airlines give big discounts on advanced bookings as well as last minute bookings.
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Most people would think that if a person can afford to go to Paris, finding low cost transportation would not be an issue. However, finding budget travel in Paris can allow the traveler to have more spending money for a variety of purposes. In reality, the only way many people can afford such a trip is by using all available resources to find the best prices available on budget travel in Paris.
There are so many things to see and do in a city such as this, and spending all your money on travel should not be a part of your budget. You will want to see many of the famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees and by saving money on budget travel in Paris you will have more cash left over for this type of activity.
Food in Paris is also claimed to be some of the best in the world and some of the world-class restaurants are not going to be cheap. The choices you will have to make is whether you want to spend money to fly when it is convenient for you, or save cash on budget travel in Paris and spend it on some fine cuisine.
Living Goof Life On A Budget
When traveling to most of the desired destinations, it may be difficult to find cheap transportation. Do not confuse cheap with budget travel in Paris as many forms of transportation is available once you are in the country. Trains, boats and taxis can move you around the country, or you can rent a car and try to drive yourself through unfamiliar country while driving from the left side of the car on the left side of the road.
The biggest expense for a trip to France will be the flight, if visiting from the United States and finding budget travel in Paris can be made easier if you make a lot of arrangements on your own. Going through a travel agency may be more convenient, but you will have to pay them for your time as usually do not do anyone any favors and make all of the arrangements for free.
However, going through a travel agent may help you find budget travel in Paris once you get there. Often times they can offer discounts on many of the attractions as well as the transportation between them while you are on one of their planned excursions.
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If you are one of those people who have just got out of college and is eager to see some of the best places in the world, it would be a good idea for you to go on a budget travel to Europe. The good thing about a budget travel to Europe is that you get the see the best of Europe for less. Moreover, if you do decide to get a budget travel to Europe package from a travel agency, the travel agency will arrange everything for you so you need not bother about trying to book a seat on a budget flight to Europe or trying to find an affordable place to stay during your visit. Note that trying to do everything on your own can be quite stressful so getting a budget travel to Europe package from a travel agency is a good idea.
Choosing The Right Budget Travel To Europe
Before you choose a budget travel to Europe package you must first make a budget. Find out how much money you can afford to pay for your trip before you focus your energy on looking for a good budget travel to Europe package. To find out how much money you can afford to spend on your trip to Europe, take a look at your present daily expenses and compare these amounts to your present earning capacity. Your income should be bigger that your expenses. If your income is less than your expenses, that spells a lot of trouble for you. You cannot hope to travel with that kind of financial status.
On the other hand, if your income is considerably more than your expenses and you have some money stashed away in your savings account, you are eligible for travel. To determine how much money you can afford to spend during your vacation, check how much money you will have left after paying all your bills and other expenses for the month. If you can rent your apartment while you are away, add the rental income of your apartment to your travel fund. You can also draw money from your savings account to beef up your travel fund. However, you should make sure that you do not draw more than thirty percent of your savings. Always remember that your savings is your safety net during hard times. Never take too much money from your savings account to pay for your budget travel to Europe.
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Budget travel in Asia is easier than travel in any other continent, comprising of countries that are fast developing while still holding onto their cultural heritage. If you are happy to eat what the locals eat and travel like a local then budget travel in Asia will be no problem for you. You will also be able to see a lot more of the country and experience daily life as the locals do as a budget traveler. Asia is probably an ideal place to backpack as there are many destinations within the continent that offer creature comforts when you are sick of roughing it.
Unusual Travel
The best way to budget travel in Asia is to find the most common mode of transportation and take it. Not only will it get you farther for less but the journey is often an experience in itself. An example of taking the route less traveled would be to take a boat ride through Bangladesh, it is a slower mode of transport but you will see a side of the country that land travel will not offer. Be prepared to put up with long uncomfortable bus journeys if you really need to stretch your budget and opt for local bus and train services.
Street Food
Street food is largely available in almost every Asian country and is a big plus of budget travel in Asia. You can get to sample all sorts of local delicacies for very good prices. You have to be a little vigilant in some countries more than others about food poisoning. For example India and other parts of South Asia are notorious for food poisoning from street food. However places like Malaysia, Thailand and most of Indochina are safe in terms of street food. It is however a good idea to stick to bottled water at all times no matter where you are.
Accommodation
Budget travel in Asia varies from country to country. Some places like Bangladesh which are not geared towards tourists do not have a conspicuous absence of nice rooms. Availability of decent rooms depends on your definition of decent and what you are willing to pay for. Rates often start very low with the sky’s the limit for luxury pads, finding somewhere in between is usually not that difficult. Look on travel forums and other websites to see where other people have stayed. Remember that if you are traveling in some Muslim countries that it might be better for couples to say they are married when staying together.
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Playing the best golf game requires skills and practice. However, there is one thing that you should also consider in order to play a magnificent golf game. This is to play in a very relaxing environment where you can concentrate on your golf swing with professional-like skills and accuracy.
Besides, if you play in a golf course beside a busy freeway with noisy vehicles passing by, you will lose concentration and will result in ruining your golf swing. It is true that there are golf clubs located all over the world. However, few of these golf clubs have high quality standards to bring the best out in your game.
One such place that you can definitely concentrate on playing golf and at the same time relax is the Fota Island Golf Club. Located in Cork Harbour, which is only a few minutes drive from Cork City, Fota Island is a world renowned golf club that offers the one of the best golf courses in Europe. A golf vacation here would truly be worthwhile.
Firstly, Fota Island Golf Club is a very traditional golf course. It is a sister property of Mount Juliet and both is known to maintain the highest standards in golfing to ensure golfing enjoyment the whole year.
Fota Island Golf Club lies in the heart of a 780 acre estate integrated with good quality woodlands and landscape that will surely make every golfer want to play every single day. This golf course is comprised of a challenging par 71 championship course in the traditional mode. It has pot bunkers and undulating putting surfaces to meet the challenge of every golfer around the world.
Golf was first played in Fota Island in 1886. And, during those times, it was continually developed and became one of the premier locations in golfing. In 1993, Fota Island Golf Club was further developed by Christy O’Connor Jr. (Irish Ryder Cup), and Peter McEvoy (two-time English Amateur Champion).
Fota Island is considered as essentially a resort course and hosts a number of tournaments which includes the Irish Club Professional Championship. Fota Island was then purchased by the Killeen Group (owners of Mt. Juliet Resort in Kilkenny). Since then, developments have started to take place and the course has been upgraded to European Tour standards.
In November 2004, Fota Island Golf Club was purchased by the Fleming Group. The Fleming Group also improved the course by renovating some of the holes and also maintained the greens and reseeded the trees surrounding the golf course. Today, the Fleming Group has already invested in the construction of hotel and residential developments in Fota Island to complement the golf course.
With a magnificent course plan, Fota Island Golf Club definitely lives up to its name as one of the best golf destinations in the world.
The Fota Island Clubhouse has all the amenities that you can ever ask for. Inside, you will find that the clubhouse is more like a first-class hotel instead of a conventional golf clubhouse. On the first floor, you will see an informal bar and the reception area. Upstairs you will see a fully seated restaurant that serves only the highest quality meals with the highest and freshest quality Irish produce.
Other amenities you will find in Fota Island Golf Club will include locker rooms, and a fully stocked pro shop with products in the highest professional standards.
Fota Island Golf Club is definitely the place to be if you are looking for the best quality golfing experience. So, if you plan on going on a golfing vacation, you should consider going to Fota Island Golf Club.
Earning a well deserved 92nd rank in the 2005 edition of Gold Digests top 100 golf courses outside of the United States of America, the Waterville Golf Club represents clearly what golf links should be. Its not only a golf course, it’s a mystical retreat where one can rediscover the passion for golf and play the game with pure enjoyment, plus having the beauty of nature surround you in each and every hole.
Rated as one of Irelands longest links courses, the Waterville Golf Club has a total of 7,311 yards of pure golf heaven. You will find many scenic views as you play the game allowing you to have peace of mind and a deep appreciation for its design and culture. Located in Ireland’s famous and amazingly beautiful Ring of Kerry, the Waterville Golf Club is surrounded by hills sprinkled with cottages and the Atlantic ocean and the Ballinskelligs Bay in its sides.
Playing golf at the Waterville Golf Club would expose you to strong gusts of winds that can provide a very challenging game. The course also is a combination native grasses, sand dune gores, sod faced bunkers, firm fairways, and fine putting surfaces that is made even more difficult by unpredictable and constantly changing weather. A link course that is already a hundred years old, the Waterville Golf Club is in the top 5 golf courses in Ireland and is also in the top 20 golf link courses all over the world.
But aside from its world class course, Waterville Golf Club also offers a lot of amenities and services that could make every golfer feel like royalty.
There you will find the elegant Waterville Golf Club clubhouse filled with everything a golfer would ever need. Showcasing a collection of impressive classic golf memorabilia and golf photographs and arts that makes up the ambience and the aura that is unmistakably a golfer’s paradise. There is also a restaurant that offers great Irish dishes and fresh seafoods that can captivate even the most discriminating and picky eater. There is also a bar that offers the best pints in all of Kerry.
Adjacent to the clubhouse is a pro-shop where you can find every golfing equipment that you may need. There is also a golf school nearby with golf pro’s that can teach you the basics and the different secrets to playing golf.
Looking for accommodations? You don’t even have to go far. You can spend your entire golfing vacation right in Waterville Golf Club. The Waterville house is an 18th century manor rated 4-stars for its excellent service and features. Situated in a forty acre property beside the Atlantic, the Waterville house has 12 suite bedrooms, a steam room and sauna, health facilities with a gym and massage room, a billiard room and even a golf practicing area. There are also private rivers and lakes for those who want to have a little down time fishing for salmon and sea trout.
Ireland has always been known for its great golf courses, many pros flock to their ocean side golf links not only because of the great games they would be able to play, but also, the warm welcome they receive and the great services and accommodations they will get.
A game that is centuries old, golf has grown extremely popular that many lands have been clipped and mowed, mountains and sand dunes sculptured and traps are set and trees are moved just so man can have a golf course that they can have fun on. More than just a stick and a ball, a quiet round of golf has forged many partnerships, bonded new friendships and has given a sense of peace and relaxation like no other.
As each man develops the passion for the game, playing in his local golf course wouldn’t just suffice. The golf links in Ireland would pose a great challenge to his ability to play the game with its treacherous winds and fantastic sand dunes. A golf vacation trip in Ireland is definitely in order and as soon one has the time and has saved up the money for the trip, a dedicated golfer would never pass up the chance to play in a vacation golf spot in Ireland.
And when it is indeed time to pack up your bags and golf equipment, there is definitely one golf links course that should be on the top of every list, the Tralee Golf Club.
Its designer itself, the legendary Arnold Palmer said that the Tralee Golf Club was the most ideal piece of land he had ever seen for a golf course and he shared the glory with God saying that he designed the first nine holes and God did the back nine. Every golfer is advised to play the course twice, the first one for the game and the second one to enjoy the scenery.
The Tralee Golf Club was first instituted in 1896, with a nine-hole course in Tralee. Then after a year,another nine-hole course was started in Fenit found on the southwest side of the Barrow Harbor. In 1984, Arnold Palmer designed the present course in Barrow. He earned lots of creditsa for his design as he used the natural flora and landscape without having to barely alter the land. This created a mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind course that 5 holes in the back nine situated along the Atlantic Ocean.
But aside from playing, you can also enjoy your vacation spending time with your family and friends in the Tralee Golf Club Clubhouse. There you can find a restaurant that provides a remarkable and amazing view of the golf course and its terrain. You can have meals consisting of fresh seafoods and steaks which are the local specialties. Brought to you by a gracious staff, you can have a very memorable dining experience.
Just finished playing, a pint of Guinness can be best enjoyed in the bar where glass walls provide a pleasant view of the links as you discuss the day’s game. You may also lounge at the balcony for the same stunning view and have your meals there as well.
But aside from that, the Tralee Golf Club also provides world class amenities that you can definitely enjoy. You can use their roomy dressing rooms with locker facilities. Relax in the steam room and rinse off in the specially designed shower areas.
The Tralee Golf Club club shop offers also everything you may need to make your game enjoyable. There is also a putting green and a practice area to hone your skills and play that game of your life.
With all of what Tralee Golf Club has to offer, it is certainly a golf vacation spot many golfers would keep coming back to.
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Mature golf clubs with ages over a century old can be found in almost all corners of Ireland, one of this is the Royal County Down Golf Club which has a history and tradition filled with unadulterated golfing experience. Set in the amazing Newcastle where it was described as “the Mountains of Mourne sweep down by the sea” by Percy French, the Royal County Down Golf Club doesn’t only present a real challenge and test to the golfers, but also mesmerizing and astounding views from all over the place.
The Royal County Down Golf Club has two golf courses to boast of. The championship links and alongside it, the Annesley Links. Both laid out alongside the Dundrum Bay and backdrop of huge mountains. While the Champio0nship links is designed to be a great challenge, the Annesley links was designed to be played by everyone, both pros and amateurs.
Just recently, the Royal County Down Golf Club has announced that it will be the host of the 2007 Walker Cup match to be played by great golfers from Ireland, Great Britain and the United States of America. The Royal County Down Golf Club will only be the second golf course where this prestigious biennial event will be played, after the Portmarnock in 1991. Truly a testament to its great designs.
One of the greatest accolades received by the Royal County Down Golf Club is being tagged in 2005 as number 4 in the 100 best golf courses outside of the US, this honor was bestowed by the Golf Digest.
Ant it is hard not to see why. Arguably one of Ireland’s best courses, the course is laid out with soaring sand dunes, profuse heather, and majestic scenes of the Mourne Mountains on each side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
One of the Great old Tom Collins design, a number of holes feature blind shots, unbelievable bunkering, and fantastic gently sloping greens. This indeed is a golf course any golfer visiting Ireland should not miss.
The Royal County Down Golf Club also offers world class quality service that greatly adheres to the warm Irish welcome that greets every tourist as they enter the country. All of the service staff employed by the Royal County Down Golf Club are well trained and is very much willing to extend a helping hand.
The Royal County Down Golf Club also has a changing room that can be found in the visitors accommodation area, making it easily accessible to change and freshen up after a tough and grueling day at the greens.
A restaurant is also available which can provide fine Irish fare and the catch of the season. You can be able to get some drinks while you discuss with your friends and fellow players the game you have just played.
Forgot your balls? Don’t have any tees? A Pro shop that is completely stocked with a wide range of clothing and golf merchandise is ready to serve you and cater to your every need. There is also a club pro that is on hand to provide lessons to enhance your game.
Being dubbed as one of Ireland’s greats is more than enough to entice a golfer who is keen to experience golf in Ireland. The next time your out for a great golf vacation, the Royal County Down Golf Club is just waiting for you to be played.
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Blessed with being able to be designed by four of the top names in the annals of Golf History, the Rosapenna Golf Links has achieved what many golf courses has dreamt of, beauty, great playability and near perfection. Many would say that if the heavens were to design a golf course, this would be it.
Being a century old, this “mature” golf course has been the discovery and the design of one of Ireland’s most famous golf architect, Old Tom Collins. Laid out in 1891, old Tom quickly shared his discovery to his fellow golfers and soon was flocked by great numbers of them to enjoy its serene beauty and its natural landscape that was perfect for a challenging links course.
Two of those that tested the land were two golfing greats which shared between them 11 British Open titles. They went to the Rosapenna Golf Links in the early 1900’s and added some depth to the bunkering and some length to the course but were wise to avoid with messing with the greens the great old Tom designed.
For the century that has passed, the old links still remains intact, a great honor to the three masters that have superbly provided the designs. Many golfers come to this links expecting to share the glory and the magic that lies between each hole.
Sharing the glory with the old links is the new Sandy Hills links of the Rosapenna Golf Links. Another feather to its cap, this course was designed by another master, the famous Pat Ruddy.
Opened midway in 2003, this piece of land was sculptured by nature to be a golf course and not anything else. The original course avoided the sand dunes of the landscape preferring to just line out the bunker, the new links course by pat Ruddy went straight through them and is a course that will definitely challenge even the most seasoned golfer.
Measuring a wide 7,255 yards, this course was designed with championship tournaments considered greatly. Most of the holes in this course feature elevated greens and tees, with drives that go into the natural bowls on the dune floor. The fairways maybe narrow, but the landing areas are pretty wide.
The new course runs side by side with the old Morris links and offers a pleasant view of the scenery. This course has been awarded by Links magazine USA as one of the top ten courses that must be played in Ireland.
Relaxing areas after a game is courtesy of the newly opened golf pavilion. It offers a very modern changing room and a wide and roomy restaurant serving the best of what Ireland cuisine has to offer. There is also a lounge area, a billiards room, a conference room and a pro shop where a golfer can get everything he needs for his game.
State of the art practice facilities are also being offered by the Rosapenna Golf Links which include a wide turf teeing area, 2 putting greens, practice sand bunker and green, 6 covered bays and a lot more. The club pro also offers lessons on a variety of aspects of the game.
So when you do finally decide to hop on the plane and head off to Ireland, the Rosapenna Golf Links will be waiting for you to show you what Irish golfing is all about.
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Playing a round of golf can be a very relaxing activity and more and more people have been hooked on the game and have seen it as a form of therapy, an exercise and a means to discipline one’s self. This is because the game requires an intense concentration and focus. Plus the game is played on a natural course laden with the beauty of nature.
One country that has truly elevated not only the game, but also the way a golf course should be. Ireland has been blessed with the many natural beauty of nature that has allowed it to be shaped and molded to golf courses that has indeed been a sight to see and a joy to play in.
With the hundreds of courses that are sprinkled all over Ireland, it’s hard to choose which one to go to for a golf vacation in Ireland. But then again, there are usually some that stands out from the rest, just like the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club.
Proudly the last golf course the legendary Irish golf course designer Eddie Hackett designed, the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club built a links like course that needed about 250,000 tons of sand. Sadly though, Eddie Hackett never saw the end of the construction as he died before it could be finished. A new designer was hired to oversee the construction. The change designs that he did resulted to poor reviews when the course was opened in 1998. The owners had to reshape and redesign the course under the tutelage of a famous American designer, Ron Kirby.
By 2003, the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club was leased by Universal Golf Consulting Ltd. And took the reins in developing the course and making it more playable and constructing a new clubhouse. This led to the success of the club attracting more members and visitors. With the developments made, the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club is now recognized by the Irish PGA as one of 5 tournament fixtures in the calendar of the professional tournaments.
The course’s concept was to provide a venue where in professional and seasoned golfers could enjoy a challenging round of golf but would be played by beginners and novices as well. The course should also be able to host championship tournament games as well. The Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club has succeeded in doing so and this is founded by the scores of people who come every year and the number of tournaments held there.
Sandwiched by amazing views like the Kenmare Bay below it and the Caha Mountains and MacGillycuddy Reeks towering over it, the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club has a course that can calm the most troubled souls.
Aside from the course, the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club also has world class amenities and facilities like a newly redecorated all-inclusive clubhouse, a practice driving range, and a fully stocked pro house where you can find all your golfing needs and souvenir items.
Choosing and finding a golf vacation spot in Ireland could seem to be a very daunting task, but with a little research and taking the time to see what each has to offer, you can definitely picture yourself teeing off amidst Ireland’s great natural beauty and the warm welcome of the Irish people.
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This is one of Ireland’s classic Golf Clubs founded in 1894, its recognition and testament to its fine quality golf course is founded by being the venue for the first ever Irish Open Amateur Championships done in 1896, barely two years after it was opened, then almost a century after, the Walker Cup was hosted by the Portmarnock Golf Club in 1991. One of the greatest honors the course has received was being ranked number 30 in 2005 by the famous Golf Digest in its annual top 100 courses outside the US.
The Portmarnock Golf Club started initially with only 9-holes, two years after, 9 more were added making it a complete 18 hole championship course. Eight decades after, another 9 holes were added making it a total of 27. Each of the 9 holes done in stages were an effort collaborated by the amateur members and professionals who joined their efforts to provide the club a golf course that was not only beautiful, but extremely challenging as well.
Many golfers, pros and amateurs, have acknowledged the fact that the Portmarnock is one of the justly dubbed great links in Ireland. The seaside breeze provides a cool refresher and it is also one of the natural enemies of every golfer. A gust of strong wind can easily sway a ball in flight. This course offers little blind curves and some classic bunkers. What you get is a course that will truly test your skills and define you as a golfer.
The course is situated 12 miles from the center of the city and is hugged on one side by the Howth peninsula coastline. While playing, a golfer is rewarded with stunning views from Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. Taming the course is a delectable experience mixed with the peace and pensive ambience, the well manicured greens, the tended landscape and the winds that abruptly changes both in direction and strength constantly.
But aside from the golf course which make the club well known. The Portmarnock Golf Club offers a variety of amenities and facilities as well. Backed by a dedicated and smiling staff, the Portmarnock Golf Club provides high international standard service to its members and guests.
A golfer may head on to the clubhouse straight to the locker rooms after a round to get refreshed in its shower facilities. They can also go to the bar and restaurant where fine dining on authentic Irish fare can be had. Or they can just go for some drinks and talk about the day’s events.
A well-stocked pro shop also offers a wide range of top quality golf equipment like clubs, balls and tees. You can also be able to purchase great Portmarnock Golf Club clothing encrusted with their name and logo. They have in store different colors and designs of hats, shirts, pull-overs, jumpers and other gift packs as souvenirs or gifts.
There is also practice facilities which includes a putting and chipping green just adjacent to the clubhouse. You will also be able to rent pull carts and if they are available, caddies would be able to assist you as you play.
When it comes to a golf vacation in Ireland, the name Portmarnock is not to be missed.
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Rarely would a person find a place so peaceful amidst today’s fast paced lifestyle. But this estate has been developed with tranquility in mind and a place where one can unwind and just enjoy life the way it was meant to be. With 15,000 acres of lush greens and landscapes, there is a host of activities that a whole family can truly enjoy, so when one is thinking about a golf vacation trip in Ireland, this is the spot for you, the Mount Juliet Estate.
A property and house that was built in the latter part of the 1770’s, Mount Juliet is a dedication by the Earl of Garrick to his wife when he bought the property. In the early stages of the 1900’s the property were sold to the McCalmont family, from then on, more renovations were done and in 1989 a luxury hotel was opened. By 2002, the place was then a Conrad Hotel.
One of its major tourist attractions is a championship 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus himself. Opening in 1991 with a match between the designer and another legendary golfer, Christy O’Connor Sr., the mesmerizing and well-designed challenging course has made a name for itself and has been the venue of many games from professional and amateur golfers worldwide.
Mount Juliet has been the scene for so many major golfing events and was the venue for the 2004 World Golf Championships featuring the World’s fifty best golfers. Crowds to the said event turned up in the thousands as major golfing names like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn played a thrilling game that was decided only at the last hole.
As each year pass by, more features and extensions are being done to the golf course to make it more challenging and appealing to its members and to those who play there for major titles. This just proves Mount Juliet’s dedication to pursue golf excellence and to provide their members the utmost service and the greatest facilities there is. This course is the only one in the whole of Ireland that has been chosen as the “Big Bears” signature course, Jack Nicklaus took many pains in his design and personally overlooked the construction of the project.
After a days round of golf, a golfer can look forward to retiring to the Juliet House which has been bestowed in 1999 with the AA Hotel of the Year award. Mount Juliet Conrad prides itself in providing the highest international standard in service and fine dining served in a warm, welcoming and relaxed way.
If you came with your family or your friends, you can also enjoy a plethora of activities aside from Golf. Mount Juliet Estate can provide other activities such as roaming the estate on the back of a horse. With 1,500 acres of lush greeneries and scenes to explore, riding on a horse would certainly be a calming experience, a peaceful activity one would cherish in their memories forever.
When you are finally decided to go on a golf trip, finding a golf vacation spot in Ireland is not that difficult. With all of the natural beauty that has blessed thie country, you can be sure that you will have the time of your life, like what many people have experienced in Mount Juliet.
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