Those who travel to the Algarve and stand at hole 16 of the Royal Course can truly grasp what it’s all about here, despite the luxurious atmosphere: It’s about golf in its most elemental form. With an almost 655-foot-long par 3, players tee off over red cliffs and through spray from the Atlantic while taking the constant wind into account. It’s like Scotland or Ireland, only much warmer. That’s why hole 16 on the Royal Golf Course may well be the most photographed hole in Europe, though the Ocean Course is also very photogenic, particularly on the back nine holes. Vale do Lobo is the experience of a lifetime, a huge resort devoted to fulfilling every need, 365 days a year—from its own shopping center to 15 restaurants and different types of sports to the Beach Club. The clubhouse has the most lavish sandwiches to be found in the Algarve—multi-story creations that are almost too impressive to eat.
