Plan Your Next Golf Vacation in the Tampa Bay Area

If you're a golfer who's planning a vacation focused on your favorite pastime, it can be difficult to decide where to go. After all, there are outstanding courses all over the United States - the particularly famous ones at Pebble Beach or Augusta may come to mind - but when you want the whole package of beautiful weather, excellent courses, and top-notch hospitality, Tampa Bay is the place to turn. Located in the middle of Florida's west coast, in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the area enjoys gorgeous summers and lovely, mild winters that are sure to please. After all, what could be a better alternative to slogging through a dreary gray winter in the Northeast or Midwest than playing a few holes in the Florida sunshine?

If you plan to fly into town, you won't need to go far to make tee time because the Westchase Golf Club is right around the corner. Not only does the club provide GPS on every golf cart, but they keep the course very well maintained so the fairways are always challenging and the greens are always smooth. On the other hand, if you plan to stay or visit in North Tampa or anywhere near the University of South Florida, you may want to visit the Pebble Creek Golf Club, which sports an 18-hole, 71-par course that has recently undergone a massive $2 million upgrade and has new sand bunkers to challenge every golfer.

If you would rather stay at a resort that offers golfing onsite, you can always look to Saddlebrook, with its 800 rooms and suites. Saddlebrook is located 30 miles north of Tampa, in Wesley Chapel away from the bustle of the Tampa metropolitan area. The resort offers two golf courses for your enjoyment, both of which were designed by PGA legend Arnold Palmer. You can also utilize the 3.5-acre driving range and browse through the well-stocked Pro Shop, in addition to taking in all of the resort's other amenities.

Although all of these courses offer excellent opportunities for golfing fun, the crown jewel of Florida's golfing options is the Innisbrook Resort. Located in beautiful Clearwater, this golf resort has been recently renovated and is well known for hosting an annual PGA championship. The Innisbrook Resort has four courses to choose from, all of which were designed by architect Lawrence Packard, including the highly rated Copperhead course. One of the other courses, the Island, offers the opportunity to take on a unique layout with more than 70 feet of elevation changes - a true treat in the usually flat Florida landscape.

Tampa Bay's collection of courses isn't only challenging, but even allows you to experience a bit of the natural environment, with cypress, pine, and oak trees lining the fairways, as well as the occasional glimpse of Florida wildlife. Of course, if you're looking for other activities after you finish the 18th hole, you can visit one of the many local parks or beaches to witness more of the area's natural beauty. You can go for a swim, take a short fishing trip, or hike a nature trail to rejuvenate the mind and make the most of your time in Tampa Bay.

Beyond the palm-lined icons of the PGA Tour, Florida golf offers a surprising array of styles and scenes. Here are five of the state's finest overlooked resorts, ...

Popular Vegetarian Resorts in Mahableshwar

Mahableshwar is a popular hill station, located in Satara district of Maharashtra, about 120 km from Pune. It is a scenic destination, nestled between the Sahyadri Mountains and the Western Ghats. It is most frequented by tourists from Mumbai and Pune, offering a much needed break from the hectic city life. Situated at a height of 4,718 feet, the climate in Mahableshwar is pleasant most of the times during the year, only becoming colder in the winters.

Except monsoon, any time of the year is suitable to visit Mahableshwar. Though the flora and fauna is at its peak with lush, green forests and hills, the heavy rains can hamper the experience. Some sightseeing spots worth visiting in Mahableshwar are The Sunset Point, Arthur's Seat, Lodwick Point, Connaught Peak, Venna Lake and the Lingmala Falls. One must also not forget to visit the strawberry gardens and the historical Pratapgarh Fort, which is at a distance of 25 km from Mahableshwar.

Owing to the vast number of tourists visiting the hill station, many hotels and resorts have come up in Mahableshwar in recent times. On popular demand, some of them have a purely vegetarian kitchen. Some of the popular ones are:

Hotel Lake View 

Hotel Lake View is a cottage resort about 1 KM from the main market area. Located not very far from the lake, this hotel consists of a cluster of cottages spread over a total area of 3 acres. Surrounding the cottages are trees and lush, green lawns. It has a pure vegetarian kitchen. It also has a state-of-the-art swimming pool, said to be one of the best in Mahableshwar. Rates range from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 18,000 per couple for two nights. A Jacuzzi and the option of indoor games are some of the extra attributes.

Saj Resort 

It is located about 2 km from Mahableshwar's Venna Lake. It is spread over 5 acres, offering spectacular views of the hill station. It has all the required amenities for recreation like swimming pool, children's park, spa and massage facilities and a small discotheque. It also has gardens and lawns to host banquet dinners and wedding parties. The food is strictly vegetarian. It has a café' and a restaurant specializing in serving Gujarati and Rajasthani fare.

Hotel Pratap heritage 

This is a heritage hotel located on valley view road, in close proximity to the main market area. It has a total of 30 rooms, with an overnight capacity of 125 people. The in-house restaurant serves pure vegetarian fare. Along with all the basic amenities of a good hotel, it also offers sight-seeing facility. Like other major hotels, it also has a swimming pool. Rates are pretty reasonable. The hotel also arranges for cars on rent.

What Makes Myrtle Beach So Popular for Golfers?

It is no surprise that Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular golf destinations in the world. Located in sunny, coastal South Carolina, this community contains the nation's leading golf courses, is home to many annual tournaments and events, and boasts mild, enjoyable weather pretty much year round. With so much to offer, it is no wonder that so many professionals, enthusiasts and tournaments flock to this region to savor all of the golf goodness the city has to offer.

The region lends itself to great courses, beautiful scenery, and ideal golf weather year round. Not only is it a major region of golfers, it also draws all kinds of tourism year round. Myrtle Beach is located on an extensive stretch of beautiful, pristine beaches in South Caroline and boasts a warm subtropical climate which keeps weather pleasant in for playing golf most of the year. This makes the area a hot spot for both vacationers and lovers of the game.

In addition to great year round weather, Myrtle Beach is also popular for golfers because it is home to some of the nation's best courses. In addition to top courses, there are also a wide variety of courses on all different skill levels for golfers to choose from. One such course is the International Club of Myrtle Beach. Designed by William Byrd in 2000, this par 72 double tee course has smooth rolling slopes and features a tree lined magnificent course with great views. This is just one of the highly sought after professionally designed courses Myrtle Beach has to offer. In fact, there are dozens of great courses from fun to challenging, public, private, etc. There are so many different options that each golfer is able to find what they are looking for in a course.

With a long list of courses and outstanding weather, one can understand why there are so many annual tournaments in the area and year round golfing events. A variety of tournaments and events are held in Myrtle Beach annually with participants from all over the world in attendance. There are tournaments for every level of golfer and events happening at all times throughout the year. It is clear to see why this is a popular golf destination. Abundant, beautiful weather, great courses, year round events, pristine coastal views and scenery all lend themselves to this Southern Carolina city being the golfing destination for among golfers all over the world.

Family Friendly Hotels by Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a coastal community located in South Carolina and is one of the top golf vacation destinations in the world. If you are planning a golf getaway and want to include the whole family, you can find lots of family friendly hotels with a variety of options for your whole family. There are no shortages of great lodging and tons of fun amenities for you and your family to enjoy while staying in Myrtle Beach.

One of the top rated golf side villas which you'll find is perfect for the whole family is the Barefoot Villas. It overlooks a scenic golf course and feature several great amenities. This resort features 2 bedroom 2 bath units which are big enough for the whole family to enjoy and have their own space. These units also have full kitchens and washers and dryers. Families above all appreciate being able to do laundry and eat in privacy with small children. There is a shuttle to the beach cabana, pools, a cook-out area, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, and access to four championship golf courses all in the area. This is a great resort for the family to be able to have fun and relax, but still be centrally located right in the golf action.

Another option for golf side lodging is the Grand Villas at World Tour. This resort features one, two, three and four bedroom condominiums which is great for families of all sizes. Each unit also features a gourmet kitchen and great views of the golf course with scenic surroundings. This is a full service resort so you get the privacy of a condominium but the amenities that a full resort offers. Your family will be able to relax in privacy but still benefit from having a resort style experience, and all surrounded by a beautiful golf course.

There are so many more options for lodging near golf courses for your family's Myrtle Beach golf getaway. You can be right in the heart of all of the golf action but still have a great resort that is fun for the whole family. In fact, you can find just about anything you are looking for no matter the size of your family, your budget or your golfing preferences. Make your stay in Myrtle Beach a family vacation to remember by selecting one of the many great golf side accommodations this golfing capital has to offer your family.

Factors to Think Through When Choosing a Resort

There are different resorts in the city that cater for different people with different needs. If you look around, you are likely to get a resort that appeals to your personal need. To make your search easy, you can consider getting in touch with a travel professional to help you determine the most important issues to you. For instance, if you or one of your family members or friends is handicapped, you may need to consider handicapped accessible resorts. If you are on medication, you may need to find a resort that offers refrigeration to store your medications. A careful consideration of the location will translate into a great vacation for you and everyone else involved. The main important factors to think through when choosing the resort include:

· Budget

Taking into consideration the prevailing economic condition, one of the most important items to consider when choosing weekend getaways is your budget. It is advisable to determine how much you can spend comfortably. Some of the things to consider include the cost of getting the family to the location, the amount of lodging you will need and the amount of money you will need for meals and other activities. If you are planning to fly to the location, determine the fees of the baggage likely to be charged by the airline. If you will be driving to the vacation destination, consider the vehicles maintenance costs for the trip. There are different resorts that offer different price ranges. This difference in price is revealed in the food quality, condition of the hotel rooms, appearance of the location and entertainment.

· Location

It is important to consider where the vacation destination is. Furthermore, consider any change of planes and how long the flight or drive will take to the destination. This will obviously have a bearing on your budget and the amount of time you get to spend at the vacationing site. If you prefer to be in a remote area, far from the distractions and stress of city life you may choose a resort away from the city. However, if you prefer nightlife and shopping you may consider a resort in the city.

· Length of stay

When determining the vacation site it is important to consider the amount of time you are considering spending your vacation. Determine the time required to travel to and fro to the destination. Therefore, if you are considering a weekend getaway, it may not be a good idea to travel 2 thousand miles away. Choose a farther destination for longer outings and a closer location for shorter trips.

· Activities available

When choosing a vacationing site for your family it is important to consider the activities available in the site. The main reason for choosing a vacation for the family is to find time to relax and to reconnect together. Select a location that offers many interesting activities that you can do together. However, you must be careful to avoid too many activities that leave everyone worn out. As you consider the activities it is important to consider the hobbies and interests of everybody.

· Age appropriateness

Some vacation destinations are not recommended for children. For example if you have an infant, a theme park may not be the best destination. It is important to find out whether the destination has adequate facilities such as cribs and bedding. If you are bottle feeding, you need to choose a room with a refrigerator to store formula. It is equally important to find out whether evening babysitting is available.

Travel Tips For Myrtle Beach Golf

A golf getaway in beautiful Myrtle Beach is a great place to plan an enjoyable vacation. Located in coastal South Carolina, this golfing capital boasts ideal golfing weather year round and is home to some of the world's best courses. In addition to golf, the city lends itself to tourism year round with its beautiful scenery, extensive beaches and family friendly attractions. With a wide variety of activity, it is no wonder professional golfers, tournaments, and vacationers flock to the area. However perfect it may be, having a few key tips beforehand is crucial for maximizing the ultimate Myrtle Beach golf experience.

Golfing 

It is no secret that Myrtle Beach is home to some of the world's top courses. Many are designed by professional golfers and well known course designers like Willard Byrd, for example. However, amateur golfers and beginners need not be intimidated, as there are plenty of courses for every level of golfer. One great example of a scenic, professionally designed course is the River's Edge. Set in an expansive, beautiful spread, River's Edge offers full river side views and tons marsh grasses along the course. In fact, it highly ranked with 4.5 stars, is award winning, and was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer! The best part is, this is just one of the many great, professionally designed options the area has to offer.

Lodging 

Being that Myrtle Beach is a vacation destination means it is home to a wide variety of lodging. There are many options within close range to the heart of the golfing action. From resorts with lazy rivers, to private villas, there is something for everyone in Myrtle Beach, and a lot of family friendly options, too. Of course many golfers want to be on the beach itself! The Springmaid Beach Resort is a prime example of classic beach side lodging. Located right on the beach with nearly 500 ocean view rooms, 6 pools, and a multitude of amenities, this resort is truly a gem. Of course there are other options too, and even a few secluded options off the beaten path - a little something for everyone.

Golfing Packages 

When it comes to golfing getaways, there are many websites that specialize in bundling golf vacations into packages. These include a wide variety of options such as golf outings, golf and lodging deals, family friendly deals, etc. The beneficial thing about this is that all of the details are taken care of by experts in the field. This saves vacationers time and money and the hassle of doing it themselves. In addition, professional vacation planners select the best courses and hotels based on client's needs. It's a win-win situation and a great way to book a total golf experience.

Will A Beachside Villa Be The Right Option For Your Holiday?

If you are planning your holidays to a beach-side villa for the upcoming summer season, then you first need to consider whether it will be the right option for you or not. Beach-side villas are very costly and their maintenance is also very bulky. If you have a low-budget, then you might not be able to handle living in a villa. It is therefore very crucial that before making a final decision, you figure out whether you will be able to afford a villa or not. Below are some characteristic features of a beach-side villa and you must consider them before making any move.

Costly 

A regular villa might not be very costly but beach-side villas are. They are costly because of the facilities they provide to the people who move in and therefore you need to make sure whether you can afford one or not. People often book a holiday villa online and end up paying more than the agreed price on papers. That is not something that you should be facing too. You got to be practical here.

Maintenance intensive 

Villas ask for a lot of maintenance and for living in one of them, you should be having the money to handle those expenses. During the summertime, beach-side villas trap a lot of heat and therefore you will be provided with a passage ventilation facility that will keep the insides cool enough for you to live. This particular facility is the costliest among others as it cools down the place by cutting down excess heat.

Old fashioned facilities 

If you are used to modern-day equipments for cooking your food or for washing your clothes, then you might not get all these facilities in a villa. All available facilities will be old-fashioned and might not suit your taste.

Temperate atmosphere 

Cities normally have the right kind of atmosphere as they are situated far off from the oceans. But on a beach-side villa, you will have to face temperate atmosphere since the originated winds and clouds strike the beach first. If you are not used to that kind of atmosphere, then you better stay away otherwise it will get sick in a day or two.

So these are some characteristic features of a beach-side villa. A villa is not something that you should take lightly. Before you make any decision, you must research thoroughly about rental villas and beach-side villas so that you can pick the most suitable one for your holidays. Holiday planning should be done on the basis of your affordability as things will happen only if you have money in your pockets. Make sure that you don't take advices from anyone as it will confuse you for the available options. If you need someone to talk to, then you must get in touch with a professional expert as he/she would be able to guide you better. If you want to know more about these villas, then you can also take help from the internet facility as it will give all the answers you need.