Barrhead Travel Destinations of the Week!

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This week we look at Latin America, Malta and Middle East golfing!


Middle East Golf

In barely 20 years, the Middle East has come in from the golfing wilderness to become one of the top regions anywhere in the world for the sport.

Golf was first introduced to the Middle East in the 1880s, when the British opened courses in Egypt. More recently, it was the arrival of Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club with its signature tented clubhouse in 1988 which really kick-started the golf revolution. Its Majlis course was the first all-grass championship golf course in the Middle East and is known as the “Desert Miracle”. Others soon followed, and courses have since blossomed in desert sands throughout the Gulf, from UAE states Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah to Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Egypt, too, has seen a huge golf boom in the past 12 years.

The region now stages three European Tour championship events early each year as part of its Desert Swing. The Dubai Desert Classic at Dubai’s Majlis course follows the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Qatar Masters. The season-long competition to find the Tour’s top golfer, now called the Race to Dubai, culminates in the Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estate’s new Earth Course by Greg Norman, in November.

When Dubai was recognised as the Emerging Golf Destination of the Year back in 2002, it was already on its way to becoming a golf destination which most enthusiastic golf travellers were aware of. To mark its rise, seven years later it was voted Established Golf Destination of the Year. But the draw of spectacular golf in this fast-evolving region has kept a steady flow of golfers heading out to the Gulf states primarily to indulge their favourite pastime.

Key golf destinations include:

Dubai

Very rarely has a destination risen to such golfing prominence so quickly, but Dubai with its year-round sunshine, luxury service and world-class golf facilities has confirmed its position on the golfing world stage for amateurs and professionals alike. Golf is a significant cog in the Dubai tourism wheel with the UK accounting for about 30% of rounds on Dubai courses, more than any other market.

The newest of Dubai’s eight courses are the Earth Course and The Els Club designed by South Africa’s Ernie Els in Dubai Sports City. Tiger Woods’ first-ever design, Al Ruwaya Golf Course is among several more planned.

Sample package
A three-night spring golf break on a B&B basis at the Metropolitan Deira Hotel with two rounds of golf on the Majlis and Dubai Creek courses cost from £429 excluding flights.

Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s UAE neighbour is now leading the line in terms of rolling out new golf courses and golf resorts in the region and all of them by top course architects. The emirate’s sole championship course to date has been the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club by Gary Player opens for public play on March 1. It is set alongside a six-mile white-sand beach on Saadiyat Island, where multimillion-dollar cultural facilities being built include Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim art gallery.

The Yas Links golf course opens this summer on nearby Yas Island, home to the new Formula 1 circuit.

There are plans for a further six courses linked to major developments. Golf plays an important role in helping Abu Dhabi realise its tourism plans. Green fees in Abu Dhabi are slightly cheaper than Dubai.

Sample package
Seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a five-star hotel with three rounds of golf on Abu Dhabi Golf Course from £1,149, including flights via Doha.

Egypt

The land of ancient pharaohs is now also a land of verdant fairways. Just two nine-hole courses survived into the late 1990s from colonial times, including the Mena House golf course towered over by Giza’s Pyramid of Cheops. The imminent opening of two new Cairo courses – the Allegria by Jack Nicklaus and Katameya Dunes by Nick Faldo – will take it to almost 20. Egypt’s courses span everywhere from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the length of the Nile from Alexandria to Luxor. Egypt is increasingly developing tourism segments such as golf.

Areas seeing resort development with new golf courses include the Red Sea Riviera and Mediterranean coast. Among new resort areas which have seen golf courses opening are Madinat Makadi, Soma Bay, Taba Heights and Ain Soukhna on the Red Sea and Porto Marina, near El Alamein, on the newly-rebranded “White Med” coast. New Mediterranean charter destination Marsa Matruh is also set to gain a course in the future.

Sample package
Seven nights’ half-board at Taba Heights including four rounds, golf buggy and unlimited practice from £645 including flights and transfers.

Other Destinations

Oman is one of the latest Gulf countries to embrace golf, with its first grass course, the 18-hole Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club now open. A golf academy opens there later this year. Green fees are just under £100, including buggy. The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain opened in early 2009 designed by Colin Montgomerie. Green fees are around £100

Malta

Malta has always been a big draw for UK holidaymakers, whether they be sun-seeking budget fans, families or active types. But while the country may be more synonymous with budget travel, there’s no shortage of options at the high end either.

For travellers with deep pockets, there’s plenty in these balmy Mediterranean islands to spend your money on - from jewellery shopping at Jos Debono in Valletta to chartering Roman Abramovich’s 170-metre yacht, and from fine dining and spa treatments to gambling and enjoying the theatre your cash will flow away like a delicate Maltese wine should you choose.

Malta has a rich history of attracting royals, high society and international footballers, while recent celebrities have included Madonna, Brad Pitt, Rachel Weisz and Bruce Willis. Visitors can even do the foxtrot in the Grand Ballroom of the Phoenicia Hotel where Queen Elizabeth danced in her younger years.

The attraction of Malta to top-end visitors is due to a combination of factors including high standards of accommodation, the extravagant experiences that can be enjoyed and the fact that high-profile guests can enjoy a break in peace, which isn’t always true of other well-known luxury Mediterranean destinations.

The good news is that Malta’s luxury offerings are of the affordable variety, offering great value for money. There are not many places in the world where you can stay at a five-star hotel from as little as £35 per person per night.

In addition to the wide variety of budget flights available from the UK, Air Malta offers Club Class from London and regional departure points. This provides enhanced seating, three-course hot meals, complimentary drinks, a free 30kg baggage allowance and access to the new-look La Vallette lounge in Malta and airport lounges in the UK.

Malta’s luxury sector has also remained relatively unaffected by the global recession and the fluctuations of sterling against the euro.

Malta is evolving into a niche destination for both spa and golfing breaks. There are some excellent new hotels coming on line with comprehensive dedicated facilities.

Luxury Hotels

Xara Palace
This luxurious boutique hotel, a member of the Relais & Chateaux collection, is centrally located in the ancient and so-called “silent city” of Mdina. It boasts just 17 individually designed rooms and suites, four of which have outdoor whirlpool baths on their private terraces.

Hotel Juliani
Don’t be fooled by the four-star status. This converted townhouse property in St Julian’s bills itself as Malta’s only small design boutique hotel. The hotel, which overlooks the bay, has 44 rooms and a rooftop pool.

The Phoenicia
The only five-star property located in the capital Valletta, the Phoenicia has 136 rooms and suites and has just been refurbished.

The George
June will see the addition of another small luxury hotel in St Julian’s with the opening of The George. It will be an urban boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and mod cons such as wireless internet, iPod docking stations and flatscreen TVs.

The Gran Hotel Excelsior
This waterfront five-star spa hotel offers breathtaking views of Marsamxett Harbour and is in striking distance of Valletta.

The Kempinski St Lawrenz
For those who prefer a resort-style property, the St Lawrenz in Gozo is a substantial five-star luxury property in a quiet setting, and is a good option for families. The spa, which has just reopened following a refurbishment, offers a wide range of spa treatments.

Radisson Blu Resort St Julian’s
If you are in the market for a five-star resort but their budgets won’t stretch to the Kempinski, or they simply want to be based on Malta as opposed to Gozo, suggest the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian’s.

Ta’ Cenc
Another relaxing option for those seeking the slower pace of Gozo, Ta’ Cenc’s unique selling point is its idyllic clifftop location. However, the property would benefit from some investment to help justify its five-star status.

Latin America

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s volcanoes, cloud forests and beaches have long been popular with the adventure and nature tourism markets, and a steady flow of American tourists has resulted in extremely good infrastructure.

Holidaymakers are able to book all-inclusive breaks in three to five-star properties on the country’s beautiful north Pacific coast, presenting a new alternative to Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

Luxury Travel

Outside certain hotspots such as Rio de Janeiro, South America hasn’t historically been renowned as a luxury choice. However, recent years have seen a great increase in luxury product and properties, especially in areas traditionally strong in the UK, such as Brazil, Argentina and Peru.

The Luxury Collection is opening three hotels in Peru over the next two years; the Relais & Chateaux association now has 11 hotels in South America on its books; and new deluxe properties range from city boutiques and jungle lodges to barefoot-style island hideaways.

From next month TAM will begin offering a first-class service on its daily Heathrow-Sao Paulo flight.

We can offer gaucho breaks in Argentina and samba lessons in Rio and have extended our Latin America programme this year. The types of experiences that we offer are amazing, with the perfect combination of culture, outstanding scenery, soft adventure and some great beaches as well. There are also some excellent luxury properties, which are essential for our customers. We believe the region is on the up, with the direct flights into Rio and Buenos Aires.

Central America

Traditionally the little sister to South America, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama offer a wide range of adventurous options, from rainforests and beaches to ancient Mayan culture. These countries may be more unexplored, but they have fantastic infrastructure and good hotels.

Star Clippers has chosen Central American destinations for new sailing trips in 2010, with Star Flyer visiting Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.

Colombia Cool

Like an unpleasant hangover, Colombia’s reputation as a dangerous destination has hung around for too long. While some remote rural areas are still risky, you are unlikely to encounter problems in the main tourist spots on a trip organised by a reputable operator.

Highlights include the walled colonial city of Cartagena, Cali, the home of salsa, the green coffee fields of the Zona Cafetera, Bogota’s great shopping and nightlife and the beaches of the Tayrona National Park.

Mexico Bounce Back

The impact of last year’s swine flu outbreak on Mexico’s travel market seems to have been mercifully short-lived, with operators reporting a swift bounceback for the region.

TUI Travel has reported a strong revival in popularity of the country over the past two months, with its upturn continuing to grow week by week. Operators and hoteliers are fanning the flames of this already demand by offering competitive prices and good value deals.

Galapagos Islands

Last year’s anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the writing of On the Origin of Species threw the spotlight on the Galapagos Islands, already a popular, if price, holiday choice. This year should see more travellers able to take this trip of a lifetime, with deals and discounts on Galapagos cruises.

For the best travel deals to all of this week's destinations, or elsewhere, make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Pop in to your local branch today, phone on 0871 226 2673 or book online at www.barrheadtravel.co.uk Let's Holiday!