The 2009 schedule started in China last November, followed by visits to Australia, South Africa, back to Asia and the Middle East, returning to Asia and Australia again. It was then on to the USA for a couple of World Golf Championship events - and all of this even before starting the real European section of the schedule in Portugal last March.

The Algarve - pristine beaches balmy year-round temperatures and more world-class golf than you can shake a stick at.

Vilamoura's Oceanico Victoria is Arnold Palmer's first on The Algarve already listed among Europe's best.

Silves the ancient Moorish capital of The Algarve is dominated by the region's most impressive castle.

The Algarve offers some of the best big-game fishing in Europe.

The Algarve's nightlife includes a number of lively casinos for those who feel lucky.

But don't forget the golf and San Lorenzo is one of 15 Algarve courses ranked among Europe's best.

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The summer was spent, zig-zagging back and forth across Europe, with a few more US side trips for The Masters, the US Open and PGA Championship, before finishing the European section off in Portugal and Spain. The Tour will return to Asia and the Middle East, just one more time, before officially closing out the year in China. It's almost as exhausting read, as it must be to travel such schedule.

Of all 53 events on this year's schedule, there are a few that are especially appealing to the players and high on the list for many is The Portugal Masters, attracting a star-studded field of the world's very best touring pros. Hosted by the Oceanico Victoria Course, located at Vilamoura, in the heart of Portugal's sunny, Algarve Coast. The chance to compete in what has quickly become one of the European Tour's most prestigious events, is an opportunity to spend a week at home.

Their primary residences maybe located elsewhere and most are not Portuguese national's, but a surprising number of European Tour players have purchased second homes here on Portugal's golf coast. These are guys who travel the globe like few others; they get to see and experience more countries in a year than most us will see in a lifetime. The world maybe their oyster, but they choose The Algarve as the place where they want to spend their leisure time.

Padraig Harrington will be only one of this year's, Portugal Masters field, who will practically be able to walk to the tournament each day from the villa he purchased last year at Vilamoura. Among his neighbors joining in the event will be Lee Westwood, Retief Goosen and Darren Clarke, each of whom has purchased real estate here. It will be almost like The Algarve Homeowners Association versus the rest of the world.

The hometown guys maybe favored to win, but don't dismiss the rest of the world who are also fielding a pretty impressive team, including Sweden's Robert Karlsson, Northern Ireland's young Rory McIlroy, our own Ben Curtis and crowd pleaser, Miguel Angel Jimenez. Paul McGinley will be there, as will Justin Rose, Niclas Fasth, Graeme McDowell and Thomas Levet, to name only a few of the celebrity players. The Portugal Masters has become one of The European Tour's more important events, attracting a who's who of the world's top-caliber players, together with many of Europe's up-and-coming future stars.

If Portugal's Algarve Coast has such a magical allure for the professionals, the attraction for we mere amateurs, from weekend hackers to the most serious, single digit handicappers, is no different and perhaps even greater. This is a golfers' heaven like no other.

Barely 100 miles long, The Algarve is one of Europe's most eye-catchingly handsome coastlines, filled with small coves and inlets, glorious sandy beaches and stunning rock formations. All constantly washed by the surf of a crystal clear, Atlantic Ocean, the setting is picture perfect. Making a good thing even better is the almost, too good to be true, year round climate, where summer temperatures seldom reach over the mid 80's and the coolest days of winter, never drop below the mid 60's. Clear blue skies and warm sunny days last from January until December, with practically no interruption.

The Algarve's collection of world-class golf courses is almost legendary, with some 3 dozen, located along and close to the shoreline. Don't expect typical resort courses - those run-of-the-mill layouts, so often added as an afterthought to many of the world's otherwise, plush resorts. The Algarve's golf collection is the envy of entire countries and includes many of Portugal's very best, with some ranked among the best in all of Europe. This is one reason among many, why leading professional players make The Algarve their second home.

No man or woman can live by golf alone, not even the upper echelon of touring golf pros and perhaps this is where The Algarve holds such a tremendous advantage over other locations, whether the choice for a second home or a vacation destination. Stunning good looks, a perfect year round climate and top quality golf, is still only the beginning of a long list of reasons why Portugal's Algarve Coast is so irresistibly appealing to one and all.

Steeped in thousands of years of rich and colorful history, spanning many different cultures, this is a part of Europe that would be a major attraction for visitors, whether it had golf and an idyllic climate, or not.

For many, The Algarve's array of wonderfully pristine beaches will be just too much to resist, but should you tire of relaxing under the warm sun and clear blue skies, or not be interested in the profusion of water sports, there's a lot of exploring to be done. Centuries old villages and small towns dot the coastline and each is filled with an intriguing history, just waiting to be discovered. A visit to the regional capital of Faro presents some delightful shopping opportunities, with museums and galleries to be visited, or simply enjoy a leisurely lunch or a glass of wine in an outdoor café, just watching the world go by.

Dining is an important part of Algarve life, as evidenced by the innumerable restaurants that thrive on practically every street corner throughout the region. From every conceivable international cuisine to the most charming small family operated restaurants, often specialized in delectable regional dishes, the choices are endless. Featuring the freshest of fish, just pulled from the Atlantic, it's these unpretentious eateries, frequented by the locals, where some of the most memorable dining experiences are to be found. Just be guided by the always friendly owner and follow their menu recommendations, not forgetting to include a bottle of Portuguese wine of course.

Portugal has always been one of Europe's most welcoming countries, where English is widely spoken and the hospitality of the locals is just that much more welcoming and genuine than most others. There may be no other country that offers a welcome mat, quite as large as Portugal's and around The Algarve Coast, especially so.

The never ending sunshine and relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, where informality rules, seems to only bring out the very best in people and there may be no better place to re-charge the batteries, kick-back and get away from life's everyday pressures -- and isn't that what vacations are supposed to be all about?

If by chance, you are not looking to buy a second home, like those European Tour players and prefer more temporary quarters, there is a wealth of excellent hotels to choose from, in and around Vilamoura. You could even be Padraig's neighbor for a week or so, by staying at the magnificent, 5 star, Tivoli Victoria, with the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course, host to The Portugal Masters, together with its neighboring four championship courses, all a few steps from the front door.

To get a better idea of the golfing wonder that is the Oceanico Victoria Course and perhaps learn a little more of what makes The Algarve so appealing, tune into The Golf Channel between October 15 and 18, where you will find a few hours coverage of The Portugal Masters each day. It will be a chance to get up close and personal with one of Europe's most perfect vacation spots and see just what you have been missing.

For more ideas and suggestions on playing the best courses of Portugal's sunny Algarve Coast, click here. Portugal Car Hire

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