New Zealand Golf Vacations - Why Taupo Is A Popular Choice

Taupo is located on a volcanic plateau in the center of the North Island of New Zealand. This central location makes it the perfect base for any New Zealand holiday but in particular a golfing vacation.

Taupo itself has 4 courses and the world class Cape Kidnappers course plus several other excellent courses are all within one hour's drive from Taupo.

Lake Taupo was formed in a massive eruption 5000 thousand years ago, that covered the plateau with pumice providing a free draining substrate that enables golf to be played 365 days of the year.

There are two international standard courses, Kinloch and Wairakei International within minutes of the town center.

Kinloch Club is located 20 minutes away from the town on the shores of the lake and was designed as a links course by Jack Nicklaus. Designed around a natural environment and with lovely lake views it is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in New Zealand. When it opened in 2007 it was ranked in the top 10 new golf courses in the world by the US Travel and Leisure magazine.

Wairakei International is 5 minutes drive north of the town and is located in the geothermal area and surrounded by a pest fence to create a sanctuary for native birds. Spread over 450 acres of natural countryside, the length is 6444 metres from the championship tees and there are 108 large well-positioned bunkers.

The two local courses Tahara and Centennial provide economical golfing on high standard, enjoyable courses and are conveniently located right in the town.

Just one hour's drive away is the world class Cape Kidnappers Course, situated inside a working farm and overlooking a gannet colony. Spectacular views of the coastline abound and the clubhouse and spa facilities are second to none. There are 3 luxury lodges on the property, but most golfers choose to return to their Taupo accommodation after their round.

International visitors may fly into Auckland International Airport then drive the 4 hours to Taupo or fly on down to Taupo Airport. There are excellent motels and lodges in Taupo and many fine local restaurants to complement a memorable golfing vacation.

Toni Walkley is the owner of a new Taupo motel, Alpine Lake Motor Lodge. Visit her website for more information on Taupo accommodation options and what to do and see in Taupo.

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Top 5 Golf Holiday Destinations in the Sun

After a long winter in the UK here is a list of top sunshine golf holiday destinations during the first quarter of 2010. We have pleasure in providing below our list of top 5 golfing destinations throughout Europe, US and Middle East.

1. Portugal
Villas in Algarve proved the most popular destination for self catering golf accommodation in Portugal. Flights from the UK are literally a couple of hours and there is a good choice of budget airlines. It proved convenient for many golfers to take their golf clubs on the plane with them and book a golf villa in Portugal. Our top 5 golf courses in Portugal are Vilamoura, San Lorenzo Golf Course, Vale do Lobo Resort, Vila Sol Algarve and Penha Longa Golf Resort.

2. Spain
The 2nd best destination for golf accommodation was Spain, which is a vast country and has a temperate climate during the winter months, and thats why we have witnessed many golfers flocking to Spain. Our top 5 most popular golf courses in Spain are Valderra, La Manga, PGA de Catalunya, Sotogrande, RSHE Club de Campo and El Saler.

3. France
Golf in France has always been popular, especially with close proximity from UK. Golfers can literally book holiday accommodation in France, put their golf clubs in the car and set off using the Channel Tunnel and can be inside France in no time at all. Our top 5 golf courses in France are Le Golf National, Chateau d'Augerville Golf Hotel, Golf du Medoc, Domaine de la Bretesche and Evian Royal Resort.

4. Florida
With more than 1,200 golf courses and all year round sun its no wonder that Florida has firmly established itself as the 'sunshine golfing state' in the USA. Compared to Europe, the cost of golf is relatively cheap and there is also a wide choice of golf villas in Florida. There's lots of championshp golf course, many of which host tournaments for the US PGA Tour. Our top 5 golf courses in Florida are TPC Sawgrass, Seminole, Calusa Pines and World Woods (Pines Barrens).

5. Dubai
Probably not a destination that you would automatically think of for golf, but Dubai has come along way in the past few years and quite literally grown rapidly out of the desert and transformed itself into the high profile, glitzy, all-singing-all-dancing, finanical and golfing capital of the middle east. Only 7 hours from the UK and a widly English speaking country where huge numbers of ex-pats reside, self catering villas in Dubai are perfect for a weeks golf or family trip in comparison to the expensive 5* hotels as the alternative option. Our top 5 golf courses in Dubai are The Emirates Golf Club, Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai (Al Badia), The Montgomerie, Dubai Golf & Country Club at The Creek and Arabian Ranches Golf Club. For those still planning their golfing holiday and need golf accommodation we recommend any of the 5 destinations listed above.

Holiday Rental Centre are continually adding new properties to their portfolio of holiday homes, offering a selection of apartments, cottages and holiday villas throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Paul enjoys stays in self catering holiday accommodation during his travels for both business and pleasure throughout Europe and middle east and also manages a number of holiday rentals worldwide.

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Island Golf Holiday in Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. This Spanish Island has long been an island golf holiday destination of choice for European travellers because of its superb location and great year-round weather. Fuerteventura is known as 'the island of eternal spring' with an average summer temperature of 27.5°C and an average winter temperature of 18.5 °C. The almost continuous sunshine and low rainfall do not prevent the lush greenery from growing on the island.

Fuerteventura" roughly translates to "strong winds" and the islands strong winds combined with lakes and natural hazards make for an exciting golf experience.

Visitors to this tropical paradise can enjoy island golf at its best at the Fuerteventura Golf Club, an 18 hole championship golf course with lush wide fairways lined by swaying palm trees. The course, the first on the island of Fuerteventura, is a par 70 extending 6124 metres from the championship tees, with a mild descent from the Clubhouse down towards the ocean.

The Fuerteventura golf clubhouse includes large pro-shop, changing rooms with lockers, a club storage area and a choice of excellent bars and restaurants. There is also an outside terrace and garden area where you can enjoy your drink overlooking the 18th green with spectacular views down towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Luxury Villa accommodation on the Fuerteventura Golf complex means that you will be able to enjoy your golf holiday without needing to travel by car. The practice facilities include a 50 bay driving range, club and buggy hire, a large putting green and a second green for chipping and bunker shots.

Whilst the Fuerteventura Golf Club is most central to the island the La Oliva, Salinas de Antigua, Jandia, Las Playitas and Corralejo Golf Courses provide the enthusiastic golfer with endless opportunities to enjoy new golf challenges.

More often than not island golf holidays will encompass more than just golf. Groups or families often have to compromise and picking a location that is central to all that this fantastic island has to offer is the best way to do so without losing course time. Nearby activities include big game fishing, shopping (in Caleta de Fustes or Puerto del Rosario), water sports, horse riding, Hill walking and of course the incredible beaches of Fuerteventura.

La Isla Bonita Villas on the Fuerteventura Golf Course in the Canary Islands are luxury private villas ideally situated for an unforgettable island golf holiday.

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