Let us think of gentle or flat courses, surrounded by beauty to aid a relaxed frame of mind and which are easily played but with a variety of golfing skills called on. That is the case with Quinta da Beloura, between Estoril and Sintra, which is very level and with a surrounding greenery made up of 40,000 trees. On the Costa Azul, to the south of Lisbon, Aroeira I where the dense vegetation on either side of broad fairways recalls Wentworth in England. This is a championship course that ensures various golfing situations to provide an edge to the surrounding natural calm.

In the east of the Algarve, while on the rich green fairways of the Quinta de Cima golf course, it is impossible to avoid the marvellous natural views out over both the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and the sea.

Similarly, a round on the Benamor course takes you on a stroll through nature.

Near Vilamoura, the Millenium course’s broad fairways and greens help on those days when the swing is just not quite there. And the two nine-hole courses in the Le Mériden Penina tourist resort, par 35 and par 30, are both easily doable. It was here that Sir Henry Cotton first laid out what would prove to be the success of the Algarve as a golfing destination. And here, as elsewhere in Portugal, good food and good service are inseparable companions to your overall relaxation.