Lisbon: The perfect winter escape and it's a Best Buy
By David Brice, Golf International Inc
Winter doesn't formally arrive until December 21st and even though we are not quite there yet, those of us who live in the northeast and other bone chilling parts of the country, have already had our fill of a winter we are yet to meet officially. Mother Nature isn't abiding by the calendar this year and has been generously handing out free samples of all she has in store. We have already seen the season's first snow-storms, even blizzards, and endured more than a few weeks of freezing temperatures. The golf clubs have long been stacked into a corner of the garage and we are still trying to adjust to the idea of at least another three long months of miserably cold, damp weather. We are in for a rough one, so it's time to start planning an escape.
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Winter sunshine, battery booster vacations are essential survival food for anyone living in a cold winter region. With a longer, colder than normal winter predicted and practically upon us, that sunshine break becomes even more important, it's one of life's necessities. Doom and gloom headlines may dominate the news media, but we need a respite from these too. Logically, a break from winter's rigors, including depressing news, becomes a more important tonic than ever.
While none can deny the economy is in sad shape, there are better days ahead and perhaps the early signs of the turn-around are almost here. A little positive thinking is needed all around -- if we can all get into a more positive frame of mind, it can only speed along the return to better times.
Still feel guilty about taking a winter vacation? Don't -- there are some amazing values out there and this rejuvenation trip is likely to cost a whole lot less than you think. Be creative and avoid following the masses to those traditional winter escapes and you'll discover some values that are downright bargains. You won't find them in The Caribbean, or Mexico -- too many tradition-bound, American snowbirds have already booked these places and a lot more are likely to follow. Instead, look to the sunny, southwest corner of Europe, where warm, blue skies are all but guaranteed and an extraordinary, true international travel experience awaits.
Nowhere will you find the combination of value and such a wide range of fascinating experiences, as evident as in Portugal, one of Europe's most under-rated countries, where the capital city of Lisbon and the surrounding coastline, epitomizes all we travel for. Portugal has the innate ability to work its way into the hearts of every first-time visitor and once the multitude of attractions of the Lisbon Coast are discovered, it inevitably becomes everyone's favorite European capital.
Unpretentious and filled to over-flowing with history, culture, gastronomy, pure intrigue and good old fashioned charm, it's hard to imagine that a city no larger than our own Seattle, could escape the attention of American travelers for so long -- and that's only the beginning.
The Lisbon Coast also enjoys a close to perfect, year round climate and an enviable collection of some two dozen world-class golf courses, all located within a brief 30 minute drive or pleasant train ride of the city center. Picture perfect beaches of golden sand, washed by a crystal clear Atlantic Ocean are just as close and the values simply can't be bettered.
You could stay at a decidedly first class hotel, in the very heart of town, with all of this enchanting city's pleasures, literally at the door step and travel 30 minutes to discover the wonders of Lisbon's collection of superb golf courses. Alternatively, stay in one of the fashionable beach towns located along the Lisbon Coast taking in the warm ocean air. This puts you in the heart of golf country, with wonderful beaches at the front door. Only a short walk and the very convenient commuter train will have you in the center of Lisbon within a half hour. Pop into the city for dinner, or experience a Fado Show -- a day of sightseeing or perhaps shopping -- it's all so very convenient and an exceptional value.
The sophisticated resort town of Estoril is home to one of Europe's most elegant, 5-star hotels, the appropriately named, Palacio Estoril. Perfectly located overlooking the Atlantic and a broad stretch of glorious beach, the Estoril Casino, one of Europe's largest, is only a short stroll away. The hotel also boasts its own championship golf course, one of the first to be opened in the region, a challenging Mackenzie Ross design, dating from 1945.
Surrounded by a bevy of some of Portugal's top ranked courses, including the current host to The Portuguese Open, Oitavos Dunes and the highly regarded Robert Trent Jones design at Penha Longa -- The Palacio Estoril Hotel is a luxurious palace for even the most discriminating golfer and no less of a delight for those who may not be as enamored by the Royal & Ancient game.
The multitude of attractions in the city of Lisbon are not to be resisted and the train that will whisk you into the very heart of Lisbon, within a short half hour, leaves from the train station located literally just a two minute walk away from The Palacio. A ten minute ride on the same train, but in the opposite direction, brings you to Cascais, an intriguing beach resort cum fishing village, but with an entirely different atmosphere to that of Estoril.
It will take only 15 minutes to drive inland from Estoril to historic Sintra, once the summer retreat of Portugal's Kings, their fairytale palaces and castles remaining for visitors to explore. The Palacio Nacional, dating from the 14th century and of more recent vintage, the Palacio da Pena, both demand attention, as does the 9th century Moorish castle. Sintra is also an ideal place to do some souvenir shopping and the many small boutiques scattered along the narrow, winding cobblestone streets, offer a wide selection of folk-art and other hand-made Portuguese treasures.
A 50 minute drive along the coast, north of Estoril, brings you to the ancient small town of Obidos, one of the best preserved medieval towns in the entire country. Make a full day excursion out of it and take the opportunity to play another of Portugal's top-ranked courses, the links at Praia d'El Rey. Spectacularly laid out along a brilliant white sand beach and the crashing Atlantic Ocean, it's a testy layout for even the accomplished player, with views that will take your breath away.
Picture yourself, together with your significant other, living in the lap of luxury for an entire week at The Palacio Estoril, being thoroughly spoiled with impeccable personal service, amid the most elegant surroundings. You'll be enjoying the wonderful restaurants, including an evening or two testing Lady Luck and a glamorous floor show at the grand Casino. When the urge takes you, Lisbon's fascinating sightseeing, history, culture and nightlife are only a convenient 30 minute train ride way. But don't forget the golf, there are 5 rounds waiting on the best golf courses Portugal and indeed Europe has to offer.
If this sounds like a millionaire's extravagance and a little too rich for your blood, think again. All of this is available to you, including 7 nights staying in one of the plush, Palacio Estoril's luxury rooms, breakfast each morning, 5 rounds of golf on the top courses, a car rental for the entire week, all from as little as $1,850 a person. Who said you can't accommodate champagne tastes with a beer budget?
When the winter blues start getting you down, there's only one antidote - spoil yourself with a winter sunshine, battery booster escape - and there's no better place than Portugal's very special Lisbon Coast where sunshine, the good-life and excellent values all go hand-in-hand.
For more information on The Palacio Estoril's bargain winter escape package, together with other exceptional values, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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