With a fantastic climate, virtually year round sunshine, and an eclectic mix of beaches, volcanoes and top-notch golf courses, it is little wonder that the Canary Islands are extremely popular with tourists and golf lovers alike. With a relatively short flight time from the UK, and a wealth of hotels and resorts, the Canaries are also perfect for booking late holidays at the last minute – there are often some fantastic deals to take advantage of.
Fuerteventura holidays cater excellently to fans of golf. The second largest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is blessed with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, in turn making the golf courses first rate. There are four courses in total on Fuerteventura, and many more being planned or in construction. The 18-hole course of Caleta De Fuste, for example, includes three large lakes connected by a stream, each playing their part in making the course particularly tricky. A large clubhouse and restaurant means that there is something for everyone at this course.
The Las Playitas course is tucked into a coastal bay, with pleasant temperatures cooled by a gentle sea breeze creating perfect golf conditions throughout the year. So too, the course boasts impressive – and arguable distracting – views over the Atlantic that make up for a poor round at any time. The course is particularly well tended, making for a spectacular eighteen holes. Fuerteventura’s bigger sister Tenerife is home to an impressive nine golf courses, each a different challenge, depending on your handicap.
These include Abama Golf, Golf Costa Adeje, and Amarilla Golf & Country Club. The Abama Golf course, for example, is set in the south of the island, around 20 minutes from the main resorts and with a sterling reputation as one of the finest golf courses in all of Spain. Designed by Dave and Mark Thomas, the course is par 72 and is exceptionally well looked after – 25,000 trees make the course alive with greenery, while beautiful shrubs add splashes of colour to the fairways.
For particular good deals and to save some serious cash, remember that the season can make all the difference when it comes to your budget. As the weather is generally warm all year round, the Canaries is an easy and ideal destination to go on the off season. If you are able to wait to the last-minute to book your holiday, prices are likely to plummet with late deal offers that are too good to resist – it really can pay off, quite literally, to book late.
Catherine McCulloch is a London-based writer who frequently goes on trips to the Canaries with her friends and family. For great deals on Tenerife holidays and other destinations around Europe, visit www.mytravel.com.