Picture your dream vacation for a second… we bet It may involve playing stunning golf courses with your best buddy while your partners, your wife and your children could enjoy the beaches and surrounding sites all day. Well, Europe has plenty of hidden gem destinations to combine both activities and we will be glad to help you choose the perfect place for your group🏌️♂️🏖🏌️♀️.
We will list here some of the perfect golf and beach escapes we have in mind for you and your friends & family.
Let’s start with the French Basque Country. You may or may not have heard but this is The place to be if you are looking for a quieter spot than the busy Côte d’Azur. Located near the Spanish border, this part of France boasts some of the top golf courses in France – Moliets GC, Seignosse GC, Chiberta GC and the famous Biarritz GC – plus It has an incredibly rich and attractive cultural and gastronomy scene. There are hundreds of unique travel experiences you could plan on your vacation here. You could spend an entire day visiting the seaside villages of Biarritz, Hendaye and St Jean-de-Luz and stop at their farmers’ markets to enjoy a traditional meal. If you are a fan of shopping, we highly recommend this adventure as well.
You could also experience the countryside and visit some of the most beautiful villages in France such as Salies de Béarn, Espellette (yes, where the famous Espellette pepper is originally from) or Eugénie-les-Bains and its thermal waters for instance. Or else, go off-the-beaten path to visit cheese factories or hike up to La Rhune for a GORGEOUS view of the countryside.
If you are thinking of such trip, talk to us! We have been there many times and we called it home before.
Another destination we adore is Costa del Sol, Costa del Golf in Spain. The strip between Marbella and the rock of Gibraltar is a golfers paradise, especially for those looking for sunshine and excellent golf courses quality. You can simply combine the world-renowned Real Valderrama GC with La Reserva, San Roque, Real Sotogrande, and La Hacienda Golf Links to name a few. Designed by world-renowned golf course architects, they all have challenging holes from tee to green with many natural obstructions along the way. Am I revealing too much of the good stuff?
More than that, the countryside of Andalusia is also full of surprises and a land made for road-trips and adventures in search of Moorish architectural style monuments, a little bit of flamenco and outstanding food specialities. Visit the fabulous Royal Alcazar Palace of Sevilla, the white-villages near Ronda, the Alhambra in Granada, or else, the mezquita in Cordoba. Same as the Basque Country, the region has much to discover and lots of hidden gems we would be happy to show you.
Off-the beaten path you said? We have exactly what you need. While the coastal regions of Italy are overcrowded, especially in the summer months, a great alternative to escape the crowds is to visit Sicily during the off-season. This is a well-known secret among leaders in the travel industry because we get to explore the destinations and visit hotels we sell during the off-season.
Sicily offers everything a golfer wants and you can even name it…It is called Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte resort located on the southern coastline of Sicily, near the historic Valley of the Temples and Agrigento.
In addition to great golf and a rich history, Sicily features pristine beaches and fantastic small hilltop villages lost in the middle of nowhere. On the eastern side of the island, you could experience a wine safari at the bottom of Mount Etna and explore the amazing Taormina. The northern part is as charming as it gets with its quaint fishing villages and of course, Palermo. A surprising golf destination not many think about but we have one question for you…why not?
One of our favorite golf and beach escapes in Europe is the southern coastline of Lisbon, in Portugal. Without a doubt, a true paradise 🏖! Ditch the crowds in the Algarve and play excellent golf around Lisbon. This part of Portugal has some of the best beaches you could find…really, ugh? We have lived and adventured these winding roads for several years and if there is one secret we can proudly share, this is it! Play Troia GC, the Dunas Course at Comporta Dunes, the upcoming Herdade do Pinheirinho and the second course at Comporta Dunes, the Torre Course, designed by Sergio Garcia.
Now for the beaches, the Troia Peninsula has certainly some of the lesser crowded beaches we know of. But, if you adventure a bit north, we highly recommend you to take a drive through the Serra de Arrabida from Sétubal, reputed for its Moscatel de Sétubal – to Sesimbra and even further to Cabo Espichel. There, you will find lots of hidden coves with turquoise waters and cute beachfront restaurants, worth stopping at. Try the delicious O Farol for instance and marvel at the scenic view for a while.
Last but not least, Mallorca has become a popular golfing destination over the past few years, welcoming many British and German golfers. Think outside the box, and experience Menorca instead…Smaller with less crowds, you’d be delighted to explore the wonders of Menorca. Not only It is a safe and family friendly island, but the beaches are also empty!! Yes, you heard well. Golfers would love that It has a golf course too, Son Parc Menorca, while the fam and friends could experience a relaxing vacation.
Sail through the Virgin Coves of southern Menorca, wander around the Spanish fishing villages, old towns and white villages, visit a winery or enjoy a romantic dinner in the marina of Cuitadella de Menorca. The trip of a lifetime is just around the corner; take the chance!
Please reach out to us if you have any questions on the above destinations; we would be absolutely delighted to help you plan your trip to Europe. Let’s CHASEGOLF adventures together and find your perfect golf and beach escape in Europe 💚⛳️💜
