Going to Portugal 2010

[uttexas]

My golf friends and I have brainstormed on where to go for a golf vacation 2010. There is a significant need (by some others) for good weather. We have decided on Portugal, which I think is a great choice. None of us have visited Portugal (I've been to Spain)

Please leave any comments on golfing or traveling in Portugal.

Here are some Portugal golf websites
http://www.portugalgolfe.com/courses/

http://www.algarvegolf.net/index2.htm

[Ben]

I've never been, but that sounds like an awesome place to take a golf trip! I was watching a Euro Tour event last season when it first caught my eye. My only concern would be the language barrier. Dunno if the Portuguese speak much English there...? Maybe you and your buddies should check out some Junior Colleges to see if any offer the language. You've still got a whole year to learn.

[uttexas]

I've been doing some reading. Myself and one of my other friends are practically fluent in Spanish, which will help learning some basic Portuguese. A few websites state that the easiest way to offend someone in Portugal is to speak Spanish. Thousands of Brits visit Portugal every year, and some of their comments say that just about everyone speaks some degree of English. Will definitely learn some Portuguese.

PS, "The Mechanic" Migueal Jimenez is one of my favorite golfers.

Really looking forward to the trip. I've found $619 for roundtrip airfare from Detroit, includes six night stay at different hotels.

[Ben]

I've been doing some reading. Myself and one of my other friends are practically fluent in Spanish, which will help learning some basic Portuguese. A few websites state that the easiest way to offend someone in Portugal is to speak Spanish. Thousands of Brits visit Portugal every year, and some of their comments say that just about everyone speaks some degree of English. Will definitely learn some Portuguese.

Wow, $619 with six nights of hotel?! Can I come too? hahahaha I speak Japanese, that may help...

[uttexas]

check out www.europeandestinations.com Here is a list of itinerary prices from selected cities. I'm not sure why the w/tax price is different depending on where you depart. I was a few dollars off on my previously stated price. I do not, nor do any of my family work for this website or its associates. I am merely sharing the results of my research

Price history for this itinerary (past 14 days):
close X

From Fort Lauderdale, FL for 7 nights$954$1,097 w/tax
From Houston G.Bush Intercont, TX for 7 nights$720$1,026 w/tax
From Miami, FL for 7 nights$835$935 w/tax
From N W Arkansas Fayetteville , AR for 6 nights$1,142$1,238 w/tax
From New York, Newark for 7 nights$813$895 w/tax
From New York, John F Kennedy for 7 nights$717$1,076 w/tax
From Omaha, NE for 11 nights$1,434$1,564 w/tax
From Orlando Intl, FL for 7 nights$1,159$1,255 w/tax
From Philadelphia, PA for 7 nights$621$1,026 w/tax
From Sacramento, CA for 7 nights$1,236$1,336 w/tax


7 Nights from $659 ?
Departure from Miami, FL
Travel anytime (this promo price valid for Spring)
Itinerary Includes:
• International round-trip airfare
• Hotel for 2 nights in Lisbon
• Rent a car for 5 days
• Hotel for 2 nights in Albufeira
• Hotel for 1 night in Beja
• Hotel for 1 night in Evora
• Hotel for 1 night in Lisbon
• Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info)
• Hotel taxes

[uttexas]

Here is even a cheaper deal (fewer nights(

5 Nights from $605 ?
Departure from Chicago
Travel anytime (this promo price valid for Spring)
Itinerary Includes:
• International round-trip airfare
• Hotel for 5 nights in Albufeira
• Car rental for 6 days
• Daily breakfast(if stated in hotel info)
• Hotel taxes

Due to the economy, I am finding the cheapest travel bargains ever. These bargains might only last a couple of years, so I plan on taking advantage of these prices while I can.

As you can see, these prices include rental car, roundtrip airfare, and hotel. Amazing.

[Surefire]

The language should be fine. In most European areas where there are lots of tourists English is spoken, especially by younger generations. Although knowing some of the local language would be sensible and also polite and respectful.

The Algarve has some nice courses, but beware in Portugal and Spain lots of courses have been built in the last 10 years to cash in on the popularity of these spots. These are the courses that are really built to sell villas rather than provide a fun and challenging round of golf. Some green fees can also be high on these courses, so definitely do your research first.

[uttexas]

Awesome, thanks for the info. Will check on when course was built, etc. I have found a top fifty courses of Portugal web site. It also has reviews.

http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/h...try.asp?id=128