Catalonia – A Slice Of Golfing Heaven

A jewel in the crown of Spain, and often thought of as a separate country altogether, Catalonia truly has it all. A vibrant picture of life bordered by magnificent mountains and breathtaking beaches, its four provinces encompass a wealth of natural grandeur.
It is no wonder, therefore, that Catalonia is such a popular holiday destination. Between the white sandy shores of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada and the peaks of the Pyrenean mountains, where hiking trails are punctuated with ancient ruins and grandiose monasteries, this culturally rich tapestry is backdropped by the stunning architecture of Gaudi which is peppered throughout its capital, Barcelona. Coupled with being home to some of the best restaurants in the world, where you can indulge in some of their hugely popular traditional dishes, such as the unbaked Crème Brule - known as Crema Catalana, and the temperate Mediterranean climate, which makes cycling, hiking, horseback riding, quad biking and watersports part of its very fabric, a visit to Catalonia will ensure every one of your senses is taken care of.
All this is before you’ve even taken your first swing of the golf club because, true to form in ticking every box, Catalonia is also a golfing haven. With an array of golf courses – many of which were designed by notable architects and golfing greats – it is no wonder that it was named as “Emerging Golf Destination of the Year” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators in 2000 and continues to amaze still – now boasting 44 golf clubs and 5,890 hotels – the most famous of which is the PGA de Catalunya, which was voted the best golf course in Europe by Golf World magazine in 2001 and the best golf resort in Europe at the IAGTO awards in 2014.
Open since 1998, the PGA de Catalunya regularly holds the Spanish Open and is the Spanish candidate to hold the Ryder Cup in 2022. Home to two courses – the technical Stadium course, suiting professionals and amateurs, which is set on evergreen land filled with oak trees and heather lining and the Tour course, which offers wider fairways and larger greens, there is a wealth of golfing opportunity in this stunning resort. With an exquisitely refurbished clubhouse and a 4-star superior hotel on site to boot, boasting an extensive array of facilities and amenities, it truly is a slice of golfing paradise.
Yet, in true ironic fashion, by the time you reach your dream destination, you may well find yourself needing a separate holiday just to unwind from the hectic planning of it all; a real catch-22. In this stressful day and age, therefore, the growth of package travel providers could not be more welcome.
Barcelona Golf, Spain’s Best Inbound Golf Tour Operator as voted at the 2014 World Golf Awards, is one such service that will allow your holiday to begin before you’ve even packed a suitcase. Recognised for unique and luxurious top-of-the-range golfing packages in and around Catalonia, they offer a range of courses for both business or pleasure and provide access to the most beautiful places in Spain – and beyond. With advice on the best destinations, golf courses, accommodation and leisure activities to match every need and budget – as well as any added extras, such as club and car hire - they are the go-to-experts in the golfing haven of Catalonia and will take care of absolutely everything, from arrival to departure, including hotels, transport, excursions and restaurant reservations.
Director Ian Denham, who has welcomed thousands of golfers to Catalonia since 2003 to play and taste some of Europe’s best courses – both golf and cuisine alike – says: “Catalonia is famed for its fine wines from regions such as Penedes and Priorat, its internationally acclaimed restaurants, spectacular beaches and scenery and the richness of its culture.
“Having spent over 20 years here now I can safely say with the utmost confidence that it is not only a fantastic golf destination but somewhere which offers so much more.”
A golf haven that your family will love as well? It seems you really can have your Crema Catalana – and eat it too.
Barcelona Golf Travel: http://www.barcelonagolf.com
Barcelona Diputacion: http://www.barcelonaismuchmore.com
Visit Salou: http://www.visitsalou.eu/en