Brandon TuckerThis Week at TravelGolf.com: Nov. 14, 2006

Portugal's other golf destination, Lisbon and Cascais, boasts sun, wine, golf, more

The 10th tee of Oitavos Golf Club in Cascais, Portugal offers you the best view from the course across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Cabbo da Rocca lighthouse, signaling the western most point in Continental Europe.

Unlike the Algarve golf mecca to the south of Portugal, golf isn't under such a microscope on these shores of the country, simply because there's too much else going on: from the historic town of Sintra, to the capital city Lisbon and upscale suburb Cascais. Scandinavians in particular flood the area during the winter months for weekend getaways when their golf courses are blanketed by snow and darkness. Any northerner is shocked to discover winter is the "off-season" in Portugal, where the mercury seldom drops below 70 degrees and sunshine is commonplace.

Oitavos highlights the golf in the region. Opened in 2001, this was the first overseas project for American Arthur Hills' design firm and has been the subject of rave reviews. It hosted the 2005 Portugese Open on the European Tour and has secured the tournament three more times in the coming years (it has also secured Hills' firm plenty more work in the region). The beautiful back nine is highlighted by back-to-back Pine Valley-esque par 3s and the 18th rivals the most difficult finishing holes in Europe. In similar conditions, this monster par 4 is more difficult than the 18th at Carnoustie.

Up the road from Cascais is Praia D'El Rey, another seaside links course that jumped out of the gate when it opened in 1997 but has since lost some of its appeal due to the mass of construction around the course. Even still, the stretch from 12 to 15 offers second-to-none seaside views so long as you're looking to the left and can omit the half dozen cranes inland.

Golf just scratches the surface here though. Operators in Cascais run tours through historic Lisbon and Sintra, and tastings at local wineries as well as buses north to Porta, home of the famous Port wine aperitifs. At Praia D'El Rey, you can take surfing lessons. Gastronomy in Portugal is simple compared to French cuisine but no detail is spared, and a meal can often take up the bulk of your night with the right wine and company.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.



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The NBA All-Star game makes Las Vegas its home in 2007. And hotel room prices for that weekend are already skyrocketing. Jeff Smith, president of Las Vegas Golf Adventures, has opened a new site at www.nbaallstarsweekend.com that offers room reservations at the Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand, along with further information on the weekend's events. Cement your booking now because prices rise exponentially as the event draws near.

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