Family holidays & Golf
In golf parlance, this could well be an oxymoron. But with Golftripz's shortlist of Family & Golf destinations, this tricky bit of holiday planning will no longer be a challenge. Get the low down on the best family & golf destinations where the seemingly opposite ends of holiday wish lists work beautifully together allowing for a complete experience of the destination as well as a few worthy rounds of golf.
In golf parlance, this could well be an oxymoron. But with Golftripz's shortlist of Family & Golf destinations, this tricky bit of holiday planning will no longer be a challenge. Get the low down on the best family & golf destinations where the seemingly opposite ends of holiday wish lists work beautifully together allowing for a complete experience of the destination as well as a few worthy rounds of golf.
Australia
A treasure trove of incredible natural wonders that combine intrinsically with unforgettable experiences, Australia epitomizes a complete wholesome destination. A Great Australian Holiday must comprise a trip to the wondrous Great Barrier Reef; a coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road to the site of the Twelve Apostles; a soak in of the cosmopolitan spirit of sporty and cultural Melbourne and of the vineyards nearby; and a meal with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For those seeking the true rugged magnificence of the land, nothing beats an outing in the Great Australian Outback, sunburnt country with vast stretches of desert, unbelievably interspersed with spectacular natural scenery.
Golf courses abound in varied settings across Australia, so there’s always a game nearby. However for the local special, don’t miss the Sandbelt Courses around Melbourne and those in the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula. Some of the world’s best are to be found here. For something unique try a golf and wine cruise on the Murray River.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reapand Angkor Wat's appeal is universal. Don't let the "ancient history & culture" tag fool you into thinking it might not be for all. The sights and sounds of the Angkor Wat draw in everybody, even the young, into its fold. The temple circuit is an expansive and engaging tour, which a good guide will bring alive for you.
Siem Reap itself is compact giving everyone the flexibility to do their own thing. Good accommodations are plenty in the city centre, where spas, restaurants, fast food outlets, super markets, the night market and the pub street are all within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride away. Within a 30-minute drive, you can golf at any of these great courses, Angkor Golf Resort, Phokeethra or the Siem Reap Country Club.
If you prefer a twist to the conventional tour, explore Siem Reap through adventure - with hot-air ballooning, quad biking and cycling your way around the country.
Dubai
Dubai has emerged to stake a claim as a top family holiday destination by creating a wonderland of sorts. Glamorous and over-the-top, everyone comes back happy from Dubai.
Between iconic landmarks like Burj Khalifa and Ski Dubai, high-end fashion, gourmet restaurants, souk shopping and the larger than life malls, a large spectrum of desires is covered. The malls are veritable cities where you can spend entire days flitting from restaurants, to stores and theme parks.
But it’s not just about the indoor fantasy world; the outdoors can be fun too. Sign up for desert safaris, dhow cruises, dune bashing and more.
With so much to do in Dubai, you may worry about missing out on the golfing action here, which is as good as it gets anywhere in the world. So be forewarned, and carve out enough time to play some sensational layouts such as the Al Badia, Dubai Creek or the Majliscourse of the Emirates Golf Club, to make a complete holiday.
Hong Kong/Macau
A modern, teeming metropolis with a strong cultural face, a foodie’s paradise, a shopper’s dream come true and a bonanza for kids – that’s Hong Kong for you. The city’s excellent transport system will help you navigate its crowds and get you to the important sights, to the local markets for bargain shopping and street food and to Disneyland, all the while giving you a great ride and fabulous views. Hiking, dolphin watching and a day at the beach are also popular things to do in Hong Kong.
After Hong Kong’s heady pace, take the short ferry ride to Macau for a Mediterranean-like holiday combined with casino hopping. Stay at the palatial Venetian Resort, which comes with its own Venetian-style waterways and is a mini city really. Spend a day golfing at the beautiful MacauGolf & Country Club, where the 17th and 18th holes offer splendid views of the sea.
Mauritius
If you've had your fill of snorkelling, diving, fly-fishing, Catamaran sailing and lazing on the beach, Mauritius' cities are waiting to be explored. Port Louis colonial heritage, sights and fusion culture are a must-see as is the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens with serene gardens and the large tortoises.
In the south, Le Morne Peninsula is a popular coastal stop. Travelling inland past sugarcane plantations and mountain scenery, hiking trails abound in the Black River Gorges National Park and Chamarel Falls are worth a visit for the coloured earth landscape.
Suffices to say that Mauritius is an all-round destination, especially with its stay & play 5 star golf resorts, where it’s possible to play scenic golf and be party to all the other activities planned for your family trip.
New Zealand
New Zealand is simply about unspoilt incredible natural beauty made mystical by Maori Legends, with diverse environments ranging from rainforests, beaches, lakes, glaciers to even volcanoes, all best explored with flexibility of your own time – best allowed by a self- drive. Explore as you will, some spots and experiences are just not to be missed – Queenstown in South Island is well known as the adventure capital of the world – the origin of the bungee and many other adrenalin rush experiences; a walk on either the Franz Joseph or the Fox glacier is an experience not easily found elsewhere as is the one around the green crater lakes on the Tongariro crossing.
Golf-wise, three of the currently most celebrated golf courses in the world are in NewZealand – The dramatic layouts and settings at Cape Kidnappers & Kauri Cliffs in North Island have left many awe-struck as has the recent addition near Queenstown – Jack’s Point.
South Africa
The Southernmost country in Africa offers a remarkable range of experiences: deserts, scenic lush forest reserves, expansive wildernesses, riveting urban cityscapes, man-made entertainment and lifestyle venues, safari drives to watch the Big 5 and an incredibly ruggedly spectacular coastline that stretches to over 3000 km. For the first time traveler the Kruger National Park is a must; but Sun City the entertainment venue is only if “you” must, for enough time must be spared to experience the fabulous Cape Town with its Table Mountain dominated views and to take a drive on the Garden Route.
Good Golfing is to be found everywhere in the country, but playing along the Winelands and the Garden Route along the Western Cape on a collection that includes Pearl Valley, Arabella, Pinnacle Point, Oubaai and the Fancourt courses is an experience to cherish. For a “truly high end SouthAfrican” Golf Experience, stay at a selected lodge in Kruger and play the “wildly” fascinating and exclusive “Leopard Creek”.
Turkey
Turkey has the distinction of being at the confluence of the east and west, of having been a seat for great empires and there’s all that history, culture and architecture to show for it. You might not have a single moment of solitude, between exploring the city of Istanbul, discovering the unique landscape of Cappadocia’s fairytale caves, to visiting ancient ruins in Ephesus and passing through the terraces of Pamukkale. All have fascinating stories to tell and you’ll find yourself lingering on for more. Capadoccia, in particular is a great hit with the kids with its cave hotels, underground cities and hot air balloon rides
Head to Belek, near Antalya on the Mediterranean coast for a combination of world-class golfand beautiful beaches. Belek is a holiday resort town with plenty to do and see from lazing on the beach, to water sports and day trips to ancient sights.
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