The weather is getting colder, the nights are drawing in and the countdown is on to Christmas. Where are you spending yours?
If you’re not sure where to spend Christmas and you’d rather have a Christmas holiday abroad, we’ve got you! There are loads of fantastic places to go, where you can experience the magic of Christmas like never before. In this article, we’re counting down the Top Ten places for a Xmas holiday, to help you find your perfect place.
1. Marbella, Spain
Marbella is a wonderful place to spend Christmas, with lots to do and see, plenty of Christmas spirit, plus bright sunny weather. It’s super easy to get here from Europe, with many airlines offering regular flights. This is the ideal short haul destination for a Christmas holiday in the sun.
Although you can’t expect the temperatures that you’d get in more tropical climes, the thermometer rarely dips below 10⁰C, even at night, and you can expect blue skies and daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20s. These pleasant temperatures make it so much fun to visit Christmas markets, see the Christmas lights, tour the traditional nativity scenes and make a visit to see Santa in his many grottos.
We recommend seeing the beautiful lights in Marbella’s picturesque Old Town and following the tour of the beautifully crafted nativity scenes in the churches, chapels and squares. You definitely need to take a day trip to Malaga for one of the very best sound and light shows around and try the delicious Christmas treats – roscón de reyes, turron and polvorones.
There are many restaurants to enjoy delicious food, with options for the traditional turkey dinner, as well as Michelin star taster menus, Spanish feasts and every cuisine under the sun. The Spanish celebrate their big Christmas meals on the 24th of December and the 5th of January, but as it’s such an international destination, there are special Christmas menus from every part of the globe on offer here.
Marbella is a fantastic shopping destination too, and there are lots of events and special festive activities taking place between the end of November and the 6th of January, so Christmas in Marbella just keeps giving! Walk on the beach by day and feel festive under the sparkling Christmas lights by night – the perfect combination, just a short flight away. Check out our guide to things to do and places to go at Christmas on the Costa del Sol and start planning your trip.
2. Dominican Republic
If you want to spend your Christmas in an island paradise with tropical weather, then the Dominican Republic rates very highly on the list! It’s the epitome of a warm Christmas destination, where you can lounge on the beach, while enjoying Christmas traditions Caribbean style. This includes the beautifully decorated charamicos, hand carved wooden decorations hung with beautiful ornaments, just like a Christmas tree. Feast on traditional foods including roast pork, stuffed banana leaves filled with savory treats and lots of yummy desserts. They celebrate Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day with the family, as they do in Marbella, and they also share the tradition of giving gifts to the children on the 6th of January, rather than the 25th of December. Enjoy fireworks on the beach, traditional dancing on the streets, Dominican Christmas carols and dance the night away at the legendary Christmas parties known as Parrandas Navideñas.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a very popular warm Christmas destination, with really hot weather, blue skies and amazing activities and experiences to enjoy throughout the festive season. Temperatures can hit 40⁰C and as a country with a large Christian population, this is a big holiday and there’s plenty of Christmas spirit in the air. Some of the highlights include; carols by candlelight at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a festival of lights, live music and lots of Christmas markets. You can enjoy a gourmet experience at one of the many wine estates, enjoy outdoor cinema and spend your xmas holidays in the sun. Why not combine it with a big game safari too? Now that’s Christmas with a difference!
4. Phuket, Thailand
Thailand’s many islands and white sand beaches are a draw to tourists year-round and December is a great time to visit, as the weather is glorious. Phuket is one of the largest islands and offers lots to do and see for tourists, as part of Xmas holidays in the sun. You can expect balmy temperatures and low humidity (for Thailand) and the water is really warm and crystal clear for diving, snorkeling or simply lounging. Although the locals don’t celebrate Christmas, the tourist areas are decorated and there are lots of events and parties going on.
You will find hotels and tourist restaurants offering international Christmas favorites, or you can stick to the delicious Thai food. There’s even a Christmas Market at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Recommendations – explore the Old Town, visit the Sunday market, marvel at the view from the Karon Viewpoint and visit some of the beautiful Buddhist temples.
5. Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is a magical and enchanting place all year round, and is a place where you can escape from the endless carols and commercialism of a western Christmas and dive into a vibrant culture. The temperature in Marrakech in December averages around 20⁰C, perfect for exploring and sightseeing and visiting all the amazing landmarks in the city. There’s no need to worry about things being closed on the holidays, as this is just a normal day, and so nothing’s standing in your way to explore the medina, the souk and the beautiful gardens. After a busy day seeing the sights, relax in a Hammam, and have an alternative Christmas meal in one of the city’s amazing rooftop restaurants.
Did you know that you could combine a Christmas holiday in Marbella, with a visit to Morocco? It’s so close that you can easily do a day trip to the northernmost city of Tangier, and enjoy a Spanish Christmas and a Moroccan Christmas too!
6. The Maldives
The Maldives is an island paradise, and if you want to spend Christmas holidays in the sun, it’s a great option. It’s lovely and warm, with temperatures between 27⁰C and 30⁰C, even at night, and mainly dry weather. The many beautiful hotels hold lavish gala dinners over the festive period, with amazing food and entertainment and they usually arrange a visit from Santa for the little ones. Once you’ve ticked the Christmas celebration boxes, then the crystal-clear waters await you and you can enjoy water sports, diving, boat trips, or simply lounge on the beach sipping a cocktail. Bliss!
7. Canary Islands, Spain
The Spanish Canary Island group is a great place to spend Christmas, with lots of festive cheer and temperatures between 19⁰C and 26⁰C during the day, with warm evenings too. Christmas is a big celebration in the Canary Islands, kicking off with the Christmas lights turning on at the end of November and lasting all the way through to the 6th of January.
Just like Marbella, you’ll find nativity scenes, lights and beautiful decorations, with a Spanish flair of course. There are also cultural activities on Lanzarote, with live, traditional music throughout December, open air Christmas concerts on Tenerife, and delicious traditional sweets called “trucha”, which must be tried. There are lots of Christmas markets and events too!
8. New York City, USA
While definitely not a warm weather destination for Christmas, New York is such a special place at this time of year, that we couldn’t leave it off the list! Wrap up warm and take a Christmas walking tour to make sure you don’t miss any of the festive favorites, such as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the Bryant Park Christmas Market and of course the Empire State Building. The ultimate department store Macy’s is as pretty as a picture and is a great place to see Santa before the big day. We’d also advise a visit to The Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland at Pier 15. For the most outrageously decorated houses, head to Dyker Heights Brooklyn – these homeowners really go all out! There are also Christmas markets and skating rinks a plenty and it’s the perfect place for some retail therapy, on Fifth Avenue and beyond.
9. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a great city to enjoy Christmas in, because it’s summer there, yet Christmas traditions are strong. You’ll find some great Christmas markets, festivals, and festive events a plenty throughout December. Check out the massive tree in Martin Place and the Canopy of Light in Pitt Street Mall and head to the Queen Victoria Building for High Tea with Santa. There are lots of live music events and carol concerts around the city throughout December. Because of the beautiful weather you can go true Ozzie style and opt for a barbie on the beach, or perhaps a picnic in the park. The restaurants are epic and there’s loads of culture and shopping to be enjoyed too.
10. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is an amazing city, which really embraces Christmas and looks pretty as a picture, even though culturally it’s not a big deal in Japan. Temperatures are cool but not cold – 12-7⁰C and the city artfully blends Western Christmas traditions with Japanese culture, to make it a unique place to spend the holidays. The lights in Tokyo for Christmas are epic, on the streets and in the stores, and will take your breath away. The Tokyo Christmas Market is a great place to get in some last-minute shopping and take part in activities and workshops. Enjoy live music, by going to one of the Christmas concerts or choir performances. Why not join the masses and have KFC on Christmas Eve? A peculiar Japanese tradition for the festive period, but finger licking good! Tokyo’s Disneyland is amazing at Christmas and there are even holiday themed tea ceremonies to try. We’d definitely recommend a cruise on Tokyo Bay and a visit to one of the outdoor skating rinks as well.
Why spend the Christmas holidays in Marbella?
These 10 destinations are all amazing places for a Christmas holiday, each offering a very different kind of Christmas. But for us (no surprise here I’m sure), Marbella and the Costa del Sol as a whole really are hard to beat! That’s because it blends many of the aspects of what makes Christmas great, and so you can have the best of all worlds.
Being a Catholic country, Christmas is a serious holiday, and celebrated by everyone, rather than simply put on for the tourists. Yet, it’s less commercial and more authentic than in a big city.
The weather strikes just the right balance for us Brits and Northern Europeans to feel festive. It’s cool enough in the evening to feel Christmassy when you’re strolling around the pretty streets, lit with twinkling lights, yet the days are usually mild and sunny and you can still enjoy lunch al fresco by the beach.
There are lots of events and activities for the whole family, up and down the coast and Malaga has one of the best Christmas light and sound shows that we’ve seen anywhere. And what’s more, you could even combine a Christmas in Marbella with one day on the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada and one day in Morocco. How’s that for a mix of experiences?
The shopping in Marbella is great, the restaurants in Marbella are amazing, and you will be able to find whatever food you want to make it feel like Christmas to you. All this, and it’s just a few hours from the UK and most of Europe and flights are very reasonable.
We hope you’ll join us for Christmas this year. Contact us and let us find you a beautiful vacation rental in Marbella to be your home from home at this special time of year and help you plan the dream Christmas holiday in the sun for your family.
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[post_content] => You’re spoilt for choice when you’re looking for villas in Marbella – there are hundreds, if not thousands to choose from, to rent and buy. They range from the modest to the spectacular, and the developers and owners are always looking for ways to differentiate theirs from the competition. They do that with architecture, state of the art fixtures and fittings and amazing facilities; from pools and spas to gyms to tennis courts and even putting greens.
Another way to stand out from the crowd is with a name and what better than to take a name which is known world over? Some villas have been named after famous people, others have been designed by, or in collaboration with famous names from the world of fashion or iconic brands.
In this article we’re looking at six of these amazing villas and you can find hundreds of stunning villas in Marbella to rent on our website.
This stunning villa is named after the American professional golfer and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus, due to its prime location in the so-called Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucia, home to five fantastic courses. The iconic golfer played many times at the Las Brisas golf course, very close to the property, and so the owners were inspired to take his name.
The villa has been meticulously renovated and embodies elegance, comfort and craftmanship. It sleeps eight people in its four spacious and exquisitely designed bedrooms and boasts wonderful interior and exterior spaces to enjoy. Relax after a game of golf, a run, or a workout, in the heated pool, spa and outdoor hot tub, or enjoy sports or movies in the entertainment room. If you love to cook, the spectacular indoor and outdoor kitchens will inspire you, or be the perfect space for a private chef to cook up some magic for your party.
Be transported to the White Isle, with this Ibiza-inspired designer villa close to Marbella. It is named after the model Kate Moss, who loves the boho chic cool of Ibiza and is a regular visitor to Marbella. This villa is an ode to her beauty and love of design and wellness.
Expect a mix of Ibiza charm and Marbella elegance, and a bespoke design which inspires serenity and connection. There are five bedrooms, a lovely open-plan kitchen, living and dining space, all beautifully appointment and designed. Channel your inner supermodel topping up your tan around the private pool, and enjoying cocktails and champagne in the sunken fire pit lounge, and rustling up healthy and delicious meals in the outdoor or indoor kitchens. Kate Moss has been on a personal journey of self-discovery and wellness, and so have the health-conscious owners of this property, who have provided an environment aligned with mindful living and optimal wellbeing, where Miss Moss herself would feel perfectly at home.
Villa Birkin in Nueva Andalucia is a gracious five-bedroom retreat, which is serene, stylish and impeccably designed. It is a haven which combines functionality and indulgence, just like its namesake, the iconic Birkin bag. It has the elegance and grace of model, actress and musician Jane Birkin, and is the perfect place for stylish entertaining, relaxing and unwinding.
It is a cozy holiday retreat designed for sophisticated living and effortless luxury, including five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a heated swimming pool set in manicured gardens, a private gym, cinema room and wonderful interior and exterior living spaces.
The location is perfect for keen golfers, being within walking distance of some fantastic courses, and the wonderful restaurants, shopping and nightlife in nearby Puerto Banus. You could even stay in Villa Birkin and pop into the Hermes store in Puerto Banus for a Birkin bag to remember the trip by!
This contemporary villa near to Estepona offers the very best place to enjoy a relaxing holiday in a trendy, safe and luxurious area, away from prying eyes. It is ultra-modern and offers the maximum in privacy and comfort, alongside top-notch amenities. Highlights include an outstanding outdoor pool and wraparound terrace and a fantastic games room, complete with pool table and cinema area. We love how the huge windows disappear to bring the outside in and make this a really striking piece of design.
Named after the Spanish tennis legend, who has recently hung up his racket, Villa Nadal has a strong sense of Spanish style inside and out. This comfortable and elegant villa boasts 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a lovely private pool and Andalusian garden. Located in Elviria, near to some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, not to mention the legendary Nikki Beach, this is a great place to be if you want to hit the beach, or cook up a storm in its splendid kitchen. If you want to follow in Nadal’s footsteps during your holiday, it’s within easy reach of the Royal Tennis Club Marbella and the new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, which will boast seven clay tennis courts and 2 padel courts. Nadal has frequently holidayed in Marbella and has several investments in the area, including the new tennis center, so you might even be able to see the great man himself during your stay.
Keen golfer and legendary footballer Andres Iniesta, would love this contemporary villa in the La Resina Golf resort, which shares his name. It’s elegance, modern design and stunning features make it perfect for discerning guests. You’ll love the infinity-edge pool and lush garden, and a recreation room where you can play pool and ping pong, and watch the match in the cinema room. The contemporary design and sleek interiors feature top-of the range fixtures and fittings, and the golf location makes it the perfect choice for a holiday in the sun.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our rundown of villas named after famous people! If you’re planning on visiting Marbella, and want to browse the best selection of Vacation Rentals in Marbella, you’re in the right place. Take a look around, or contact our helpful team with your requirements for recommendations on the best accommodation for you.
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[post_content] => Polo is an exciting and action-packed game of skill. Teams of four fierce competitors mount their horses and grab their polo mallets for an intense 7½ minute chukker, with the aim of galloping down the field and scoring as many goals as possible. It’s a real spectacle of horsemanship, coordination and sporting prowess, not to mention beautiful polo ponies.
Sotogrande is the epicentre of polo on the Costa del Sol, with a long history of the sport, several clubs and schools and top-level players competing in tournaments. You can both watch and play polo in Sotogrande during a holiday to the Costa del Sol and we’d definitely recommend catching a chukker or too if time allows.
In this article, we’ll be explaining why Sotogrande is the polo capital of the area, where you can learn to play polo and the upcoming tournaments that you can watch.
Polo in Sotogrande, a bit of history
Polo is actually one of the oldest team sports, dating back to the sixth century BC. Today it is played professionally in 16 countries and the sport is growing in popularity with both spectators and players. It has a rich history in Spain, dating back to 1870, when the first club was opened in Jerez.
Sotogrande didn’t even exist back then! But one of the very first things that the founding family did, was to build a polo field, just a year after it was founded. That was because the nephew of the founder Enrique Zobel was a huge polo fan and player, and President of the Manila Polo Club. This original field which opened in 1965 is now part of the Santa Maria Polo Club and still central to polo in Sotogrande to this day.
Since the early days of polo in Sotogrande, the sport has grown in popularity, locally and globally and we now have four polo clubs in Sotogrande itself and more nearby. There are also excellent polo and riding schools and highly popular tournaments, which attract the premier players and thousands of spectators each year.
Best polo clubs in Sotogrande
As we mentioned, the Santa Maria Polo Club is the area’s first club and still stands as one of the best polo clubs in the world. From that very first field in 1965, Santa María Polo Club has grown to boast seven polo grounds, four of which are deemed World Class. They also have stables, with two arenas for horse riding and an additional polo ground at their Puente de Hierro site, nearby. They have polo clinics where you can try polo and also hold classes for children and adults to learn polo and polo wheel.
The Ayala Polo Club is a newer club, but with a great history, as it’s run by the son of the man who brought polo to Sotogrande. He is leading the club and aiming to turn it into one of the best polo clubs in the world. They have three professional polo fields, 3 training tracks, 1 covered riding arena, 3 private stables and 400 stalls, daily polo practices, polo classes and polo tournaments.
Polo Valley was founded in 2015 to make polo accessible and offer a premier polo facility, which is welcoming to all. They offer beginners riding lessons and polo lessons to introduce adults to the wonderful world of polo, including an immersive one-week programme to take you from novice to accomplished polo player. There are also kids’ lessons, summer polo camps and even a family polo holiday including on site accommodation. They also organize club chukkas and training for experienced players, and experiences for novices and experienced riders alike. Their facilities include stables and care for polo ponies.
The Dos Lunas Club specialises in both dressage and polo and they have two polo fields, two training grounds, 54 pens, two grass practice fields and an all-weather exercise ground.
Iridike Polo Club is a welcoming club and school, which has regular tournaments and offers coaching for kids and adults at all levels. They have polo fields and stables, horse riding tracks and a tacking field. It’s particularly well known for its kids’ polo program and a range of polo packages.
Polo tournaments in Sotogrande in 2025
The biggest polo tournament in Sotogrande is the International Polo Tournament, which is held from late July to the end of August each year. This takes place at the Santa Maria Polo Club and features wonderful matches, as well as a shopping area, dining area and great after polo parties.
Confusingly, this tournament is organized by the Ayala Polo Club, yet the majority of the matches are played at Santa Maria Polo Club, in what’s called the Los Pinos fields. There are three categories of teams playing in this tournament – low, medium and high handicap. In the lower categories, some matches are played in the Ayala fields, so double check where they are being played.
In 2025, matches begin on the 23rd of July and continue until the 31st of August, and you can find out the fixtures, times and teams on the Ayala Polo Club website.
In May, Iridike Polo hosts the La Quinta Tournament, with two weeks of exciting matches. In October they hold the Nation Cup, a 2-week competition bringing in top teams from Europe, between the 3rd and the 12th of October. They also hold regular weekend tournaments throughout the season, accompanied by a great Argentinian BBQ. They have summer tournaments taking place throughout July and August too. Check their Facebook page for more information.
Other clubs also host tournaments, but their websites and social media channels aren’t usually updated, so it’s tricky to find information online, until very close to the date.
Where to stay near to Sotogrande?
Sotogrande is just under an hour’s drive from Marbella, so it’s an easy day trip if you’re staying in Marbella itself. However, if you want to be closer, but still close to Marbella, we’d recommend choosing a vacation rental in Estepona. Estepona is a lovely town, with a great food scene and lots of Spanish charm, plus excellent beaches. It is roughly half way between Marbella and Sotogrande, so you’re within easy reach of both, as well as being able to explore Estepona itself. Ideal!
Please contact us with any questions you have about visiting the Costa del Sol, where to stay and how you can make the best out of your next holiday.
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[post_content] => We love golf in Europe! Thanks to great transport routes and thousands of excellent courses in a relatively small area, it’s a great area to look at for your next golf trip.
Your biggest task will be to choose from all the great options out there. So, in this article, we’re running down a few European Golf Destinations to consider.
Why book a golf vacation in Europe?
Europe has nearly 9000 golf courses, and it offers a wonderful variety of climates, landscapes and of course food and culture to enjoy off the fairways. There are some wonderful golf holiday destinations, which also have a great tourism scene, so heading off for a golf trip in Europe can offer something for the golfers and non-golfers in the party.
The 5 best golf destinations in Europe:
The top golf destinations by number of courses are England, Germany, France, Sweden, Scotland, Spain, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. But for our list of European Golf Destinations, we’ve looked at the destinations that we think offer the best choice for a holiday! Our picks combine great golf courses, with fantastic weather and/or culture and heritage, so you won’t simply return with a lower handicap, but having had an unforgettable experience all round.
Read on to find out more.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal boasts 113 golf courses, in total, with some highly regarded historic courses near Lisbon, on the western coast of Portugal and to the North of the country. But the heart of golf in Portugal has to be the Algarve, in the South of the country. Quinta do Lago in the Algarve is considered one of the world’s best golf resorts, and has won awards and plaudits aplenty. It has three championship golf courses to try, and is very easy to reach, being just 20 minutes away from Faro airport. Away from the fairways, the Algarve is a lovely holiday destination, with beautiful beaches, great food and wine, an interesting culture and vibrant towns, with excellent nightlife. You can visit beautiful old towns like Tavira with its wetlands, party in Albufeira, or take a ferry to some of the stunning white sand islands off the coast just off Olhão. Try the slightly sparkling vinho verde, sample the spectacular fish and seafood and have a tipple of Port wine too, following a day on the fairways and you’ll have an amazing experience.
Costa del Sol, Spain
Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol is a holiday hotspot for so many reasons, one of which is golf! Golfers flock to try over 70 golf courses which can be found between Malaga and Sotogrande and follow in the footsteps of the greatest players of all time. Known as the Costa del Golf, it’s been a favourite European Golf Destination since the 1960s and legendary golf course designers and architects have left their mark.
You can play on some of Europe’s best courses, including Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Marbella Golf and Country Club and the Sotogrande Golf Club, which are all less than 1 hours’ drive away from each other. You can also base yourself in Nueva Andalucia and be within 15 minutes’ drive of 20 amazing courses.
But we’ve picked it as one of the top European Golf Destinations because of everything else that it has going for it. Malaga’s international airport makes it really easy to travel to from all over the world and because it’s a massively popular summer destination for tourists, there’s loads of quality hotels and holiday villas to choose from. The beaches are beautiful, the climate is perfect, and the landscape is really picturesque. Foodies will be in heaven - the Spanish tapas culture and great wine are a treat. You must try the delicious ham, cheese and seafood and for something even more special, why not push the boat out in one of the five Michelin starred restaurants. You can also enjoy a flamenco performance, or time your visit with one of the vibrant “Ferias” for which Andalucia is justly famous.
South of France
France has the third highest number of golf courses in Europe, with 815 in total. There are courses dotted across the country, but in terms of a golf holiday destination, we’d suggest the South of France. The areas of Provence and the French Riviera are rightly famous for their beauty, charm and wonderful weather, and they are the home to some excellent golf courses too. In Provence, Terre Blanche, close to Nice and Cannes is considered one of the world’s best luxury golf resorts. Taulane, Cannes Mougins, Saint-Donat and Grasse are picturesque, charming and challenging – what a great combination! The food and wine in France are legendary, and so you can combine playing golf with visiting vineyards, sampling local cheeses and visiting chateaux and artisan markets in pretty villages. The coastal towns and cities are historic and stunning too, with plenty of “je ne sais quai” and “joie de vivre” – all of which makes a golf holiday in the South of France a great option.
Italy
Italy is in 10th place in the countries in Europe with the most golf courses, with a total of 308. You can find golf courses throughout the country, so can combine a round or two with anywhere you’d like to visit. However, the largest concentration is in the North of the country.
2022 saw the Ryder Cup be held in Italy and since then the country has really started to push itself as a great golf destination in Europe. The courses are diverse and set in beautiful landscapes, with some really exclusive options available. You can combine a round of golf with a visit to a historic and stunning city such as Rome, or visit a beautiful golf resort and enjoy beautiful countryside, food and wine in Tuscany. You can even play golf and visit the canals of Venice! A golf break in Italy is perfect for lovers of great food, excellent wine, art, architecture and culture.
Ireland
Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses names the Royal County Down Gold Club in Northern Ireland as the number 1 course in the world, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland as number 4 and Ballybunion in Kerry at number 10. This little country punches well above its weight and size with its golf offering! It has 357 courses in total, has a third of the world’s natural links courses and has given us some of the best players of recent years. It has been named International Golf Destination of the Year several times thanks to these great courses, its natural beauty, vibrant cities and welcoming, friendly people. While we can’t promise sunny skies, you’ll get a warm welcome and be able to enjoy great pubs, bracing walks and traditional music and dancing.
Wherever you choose for your European golf travels, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. So where’s next on your list?
[post_title] => Europe’s Best Golf Destinations
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