Portugal's Algarve Coast: The perfect winter retreat and a 'Best Buy'

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Given the choice of shoveling snow or playing golf in the sun, we would all no doubt opt for playing golf in the sun - even those who have not yet discovered the pleasures of chasing a little white ball around a golf course. The reality is that we all hate snow, winter, freezing temperatures, dressing up in layers, frozen pipes, cars that won't start and all of the other little nasties associated with the unpopular season that is fast approaching.

Revitalized, our dollar is strong again and in Portugal, especially so.

Portugal's Algarve Coastline is Europe's most stunning.

Golf on The Algarve is always spectacular and there's plenty of it.

Cataplana cooking with the freshest Atlantic fish is an Algarvean way of life to be experienced.

Exploring centuries old towns and villages is only one of many Algarve distractions.

The Algarve's vibrant nightlife includes opportunities to flirt with Lady Luck.

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Those of us who face a real winter each year will do our darnedest to get away from it, even for only a short, warm sunshine escape. We need to break the monotony and at least temporarily, rid ourselves of the proverbial winter blues. Finding the right place in the sun becomes the challenge.

With all of the horror stories of this year's record breaking hurricane season, still not finished, combined with the alarming increase in mob related crime just south of our border, now is the time to think of a new, safe winter destination. You need to find a place where warm blue skies are all but guaranteed and there is so much to do, but in a sinfully relaxing atmosphere, no real reason to do anything at all.

Only confirming the wisdom of these words is the fact that traditional winter sunshine escapes - from Disneyworld to Cabo San Lucas to the Carolinas and Florida - are all more than eager to cater to our yearnings for warm weather, because this is their peak season. It's the short 3 or 4 month period when they make 80% of the entire year's profits - and they want you to pay for it. Everything from air fares to hotels, green fees, restaurants, car rentals, are all as expensive as they get, maybe that's why it's called the High Season. Don't give up, there's hope for those who think just a little bit outside of the usual box.

Instead of those usual places to the south, think Europe, then think Portugal, then of Portugal's most southerly region, the sun-blessed, Algarve Coast and you have one of the world's most perfect winter escapes - and it's surprisingly affordable.

If you think our US dollar is so weak that a trip to Europe is going to be too rich for your blood, think again. Although the news media delighted in incessantly talking about a weakening dollar when the greenback was going down in value, they have not shown the same enthusiasm to talk of the dollar's remarkable recovery during the past 6 months. Last April, a Euro cost $1.60 and today, just 6 months later, the same Euro costs only $1.24 - that's an increase in our dollar's value of well over 20%. The good old greenback is the strongest it has been since 2006 and it's projected to stay at this level or even better, well into the foreseeable future.

Portugal and The Algarve have always offered a far better value for money than other European countries and the renewed buying power of the dollar has only made the values even more attractive. And the good news only gets better - unlike those other, typical winter destinations to our south, on The Algarve, winter is not high season and from October until April, when the golf is at its best and the traditional summer beach crowds have all but vanished, prices drop even further and great values become downright bargains.

But even if the reverse was the case (which it isn't) there would still be very strong arguments for splurging on a winter vacation to Portugal's Algarve Coast, not the least of which is the excellent weather. The Algarve holds the record for more days of sunshine each year than any other place in Europe -- 330 of them in all. Temperatures seldom drop below a balmy 70 degrees or so, even in the depths of "winter" and there are never any extreme weather conditions - hurricanes and the like simply never happen in this paradise.

This is 90 miles of the most beautiful coastline in all of Europe, filled with small coves and bays, red sandstone cliffs and a collection of the most gorgeously pristine beaches you will ever find, it's a beach lovers dream. There are fascinating, centuries old towns and villages to discover, wonderful food and wines and a vibrant nightlife. Making things even better, the Portuguese are certainly among Europe's most charming people -- always genuinely friendly and welcoming, but never over-bearing or brash. On The Algarve there's the flair of being in an exotic, European country, and for most, the blessing that English is widely spoken.

The Portuguese are justly proud of their beautiful country with its colorful history and rich cultural heritage and they want to share it with visitors The Algarve is the place to enjoy intriguing sightseeing, wonderful museums and monuments, excellent shopping, spectacular beaches and last but not least, golf -- it's extraordinary golf and there's plenty of it.

Over 30 excellent golf courses make their home along this coast, almost half of all the courses in all of Portugal and they include not only the best in the country, but also more than a fair share of Europe's top ranked layouts. This is quality golf that attracts golf aficionados from across the globe.

The Algarve is one of Europe's most impressive golf centers, just becoming known on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been a popular escape for Northern European golfers, but unlike most other golf destinations, you don't have to be a golfer to get full enjoyment out of a stay here -- The Algarve quite literally, has something for everyone. This is the place to travel with family and friends, knowing everyone are going to have the vacation of a lifetime and an escape from winter's chill that is likely to be your best ever -- unless you prefer shoveling snow.

For some ideas and suggestions on how to get the most out of a bargain winter escape to The Algarve, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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