A hole in one — and the sun
EVERYONE would like to get away from these islands during the winter months if possible. The month of November starts the winter season for firms specialising in trips to such relatively warm spots as southern Spain, Florida and the Algarve.
A selection with what seem to be among the keenest prices asailable comes from "Topgolf". As the name suggests, golfing spots are given pride of place in their literature but non-golfers are just as well off. Almost all of the resorts suggested are near sand and sea and within easy distance of entertainment and sight-seeing opportunities.
My last and quite recent visit to the Algarve in southern Portugal was the first for fifteen years. The change is chiefly in the hugely augmented amount of hotels and self-catering establishments available.
This, of course, is a golfers' paradise, thanks largely to the pioneering efforts of Henry Cotton twenty years ago. I he climate is mild almost all of the winter, but for the odd few days there can be bouts of unpleasant wind and rain. It begins to get distinctly warmer from late February onwards.
Golfing holidays with Topgolf in Spain and Portugal, at winter budget rates (until the end of March) are surprisingly reasonable. The most you will have to pay at the majority of the resorts is £30 a night per person and there are many packages where the rate is far less.
For sheer value, however, the best bet could be Florida. It's warmer there—usually—than Europe, though last winter was a shivering nightmare for the embarrassed inhabitants of such places as Palm Beach.
If you were going there and it is of course, infinitely more attractive than Miami you might well aspire to stay at The Breakers, which would Cost you about £500 (basic) for a week, There are, however, many cheaper options and many generous group reductions.
Peregrinus