Golf on the Algarve

GETTING THERE
Monarch has flights to Faro International from Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester. Check the website for last minute deals. golf bags must be pre-booked and paid for. Extra leg room and seat selection is available on some flights.

WHERE TO PLAY
Perched on a rugged, orange cliff, the par-3 16th on the Royal Course is one of the most photographed holes in the world. Although the Ocean Course lives in its sister's shadow somewhat, the sea views and the rollercoaster fairways make this course a beauty.

Two minutes drive down the road lies Quinta do Lago in the Ria Formosa Natural park. There are two courses the North and south, each of which features water. The latter is the tougher of the two and has hosted eight Portuguese Opens.

If you walk to the edge of the resort you'll reach the salt marshes which are home to a host of birds and other wildlife. It's in this particularly beautiful spot that the fairways of another great course, san Lorenzo, twist and turn, using the spectacular views of the sea and the marsh water to great effect.

Ten minutes to the west lies Vila Sol, one of the best courses in Europe. Every hole offers a new delight, although clipping the pines with a well-struck shot can be frustrating. Also unmissable at Vilamoura is the frank Pennink-designed Old Course an umbrella-pined oasis in the metropolis. The par 3s are particularly good and although the greens are tricky, with the right club selection you could see some birdies flying your way.

WHERE TO STAY
Stay in any of the Vale do Lobo properties and you'll be given a card which entitles you to savings on things such as restaurants and green fees.

club Med Da Balaia is perfect for families containing only one golfer as there's a golf desk where you can book tee times and hook up with other players. Transfers to courses are included and tournaments arranged. Golfing couples can deposit babies aged over four months in the crche.

Vila Sol is the Algarve's only Leading hotel of the World. A wonder of chrome, glass and wood with a good handful of art thrown in, the hotel has a contemporary feel.

off COURSE
Vilamoura is a modern, purpose-built resort offering high-rise hotels and apartments. There's a wide beach but it's not nearly as pretty as the dunes and cliffs of Vale do Lobo. However, the casino and bar-packed marina make this a lively centre and great for people watching. There is a large shopping mall outside the region's capital of Faro but the historic town centre contains some good shops too. There are golf equipment stores everywhere.

Loul is one of the most historic cities in Portugal and has Roman ruins and a castle. cool off on a hot day on the water slides at Aqualand in central Algarve. Armao de Pra is a fishing village with one of the biggest beaches on the Algarve. Tavira is one of the most attractive market towns in the region with cobbled streets and fine churches.

East of Tennis Valley in Vale do Lobo, with views over the dunes, lies The Shack. prices are good and the food which varies from four-inch thick homemade burgers to prawns in garlic is outstanding. Gigi's on the beach in Quinta do Lago has a daily fish menu.

www.golf-monthly.co.uk
golf Monthly is the UK's best-read golf magazine. It features star interveriews, up-to-the-minute equipment reviews, instruction and travel features as well as news from the tours. The online site features daily news and has a dedicated golf forum. Users can also view video reviews of the latest equipment.

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Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

According to the New England journal of medicine, Americans gain an average of one pound over the holidays. While it doesn’t seem like a lot of weight, that one pound can stay with you for good and add up over time.

The following are five tips to help you enjoy holiday treats, but without the weight gain:

1. Reserve your calories for the best. When you attend a holiday event, decide on one or two “unhealthier” choices that you will eat, making sure they are foods you really like. Keep your portions small. For example, a reasonable portion of cornbread dressing or macaroni and cheese is ½ cup, or the size of ½ orange.

2. Focus on the festivities, not the food. During your holiday dinners, focus on enjoying the atmosphere and the conversations around you. The point of the holidays is not to eat, but to enjoy fellowship with your friends and loved ones.

3. Put leftovers away immediately. If you are hosting a holiday event, store leftovers immediately after everyone is served. Often, we overeat just because the food is there. By putting the food away, you minimize this temptation.

4. Make healthier substitutions when you can. Substitute some of the unhealthier ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier ones. According to Chris Rosenbloom, a nutrition instructor at georgia State university, the following are some substitutions you can make:

Whole milk: Use either 1 percent, 2 percent, or skim milk.

Cream cheese: Use light or fat-free cream.

egg yolk: Use one egg white or liquid egg substitute.

oil for baking: Use applesauce (yellow cake recipes) or baby food prunes (chocolate recipes) equal to amount of oil called for in the recipe.

Sugar: Reduce to 3/4 cup sugar if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar.

5. Kick up the action a notch.

Focus on increasing your physical activity during the holidays to burn up any extra calories you have eaten. For example, take a 15 minute walk after dinner, play with your children, or perform some situps or jumping jacks during television commercials.

A Registered Nurse for many years, Kimberly Floyd battled obesity for much of her adult life. She achieve her ideal weight and has written a new book entitled 'Moneywise Weight Loss' which teaches others how to lose weight and save money--at the same time.

Kim has written articles for the georgia Nurses Association publication and nursing Spectrum Online. now a technical writer, she has written training programs for corporate clients, including IBM, U.S. Bank, and Cingular.

Kim also teaches an online course called 'Goodbye to Shy'. This course is distributed to over 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Australia through Thomson Learning. An accomplished speaker and trainer, she delivers presentations on health-related topics to enthusiastic audiences.

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