Golf on the Algarve

GETTING THERE
Monarch has flights to Faro International from Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester. Check the website for last minute deals. Golf bags must be pre-booked and paid for. Extra leg room and seat selection is available on some flights.

WHERE TO play
Perched on a rugged, orange cliff, the par-3 16th on the Royal course is one of the most photographed holes in the world. Although the ocean course lives in its sister's shadow somewhat, the sea views and the rollercoaster fairways make this course a beauty.

two minutes drive down the road lies quinta do Lago in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. There are two courses the North and south, each of which features water. The latter is the tougher of the two and has hosted eight Portuguese Opens.

If you walk to the edge of the resort you'll reach the salt marshes which are home to a host of birds and other wildlife. It's in this particularly beautiful spot that the fairways of another great course, San Lorenzo, twist and turn, using the spectacular views of the sea and the marsh water to great effect.

ten minutes to the west lies Vila Sol, one of the best courses in Europe. Every hole offers a new delight, although clipping the pines with a well-struck shot can be frustrating. Also unmissable at Vilamoura is the Frank Pennink-designed old course an umbrella-pined oasis in the metropolis. The par 3s are particularly good and although the greens are tricky, with the right club selection you could see some birdies flying your way.

WHERE TO STAY
Stay in any of the Vale do Lobo properties and you'll be given a card which entitles you to savings on things such as restaurants and green fees.

Club Med Da Balaia is perfect for families containing only one golfer as there's a golf desk where you can book tee times and hook up with other players. Transfers to courses are included and tournaments arranged. Golfing couples can deposit babies aged over four months in the crche.

Vila Sol is the Algarve's only Leading hotel of the World. A wonder of chrome, glass and wood with a good handful of art thrown in, the hotel has a contemporary feel.

OFF course
Vilamoura is a modern, purpose-built resort offering high-rise hotels and apartments. There's a wide beach but it's not nearly as pretty as the dunes and cliffs of Vale do Lobo. However, the casino and bar-packed marina make this a lively centre and great for people watching. There is a large shopping mall outside the region's capital of Faro but the historic town centre contains some good shops too. There are golf equipment stores everywhere.

Loul is one of the most historic cities in portugal and has Roman ruins and a castle. Cool off on a hot day on the water slides at Aqualand in central Algarve. Armao de Pra is a fishing village with one of the biggest beaches on the Algarve. Tavira is one of the most attractive market towns in the region with cobbled streets and fine churches.

East of Tennis Valley in Vale do Lobo, with views over the dunes, lies The Shack. prices are good and the food which varies from four-inch thick homemade burgers to prawns in garlic is outstanding. Gigi's on the beach in quinta do Lago has a daily fish menu.

www.golf-monthly.co.uk
Golf Monthly is the UK's best-read golf magazine. It features star interveriews, up-to-the-minute equipment reviews, instruction and travel features as well as news from the tours. The online site features daily news and has a dedicated golf forum. Users can also view video reviews of the latest equipment.

Yoga Certification Atlanta

Maintaining Women's Fitness Through Pregnancy

When it comes to fitness, men and women often approach it in much the same way combining cardiovascular exercise with weight training and core work. For men, who often wish to build more muscle than their female counterparts, weight training may take a more prevalent role in their fitness routine. For women, who often wish to burn fat and create lean muscle, core work such as pilates or yoga may take a front seat. But the one way that womens fitness differs from mens fitness is the accommodation for pregnancy during a workout.

There are plenty of women who choose to continue their exercise regime after discovering they are pregnant. And while exercise during a healthy pregnancy is allowed and encouraged it should be modified to allow for the changes happening in the womans body. Womens fitness in this regard should be measured and thoughtful and always conducted under a doctors care.

First and foremost, you should not begin an exercise regime during pregnancy if you have not already been active. It is one thing to continue with a routine that you have been doing up until now but to jump into something with which youre not familiar at this vulnerable time is not advisable. If you are normally a sedentary person but wish to incorporate some physical fitness into your life during your pregnancy you may want to begin with a walking regime. Walking can get your heart pumping and you can do it at your own pace without putting undue stress on your joints.

For those who have been active in womens fitness up until this point, and are having a healthy pregnancy, you can safely continue your exercise regime with a few moderations. Work with your doctor at all times to ensure that you are in good enough health to continue this program and to help you determine what is enough or too much for your body.

Doctors will generally recommend low-impact exercise during pregnancy; in addition to walking, there is swimming, and stretching exercises such as pilates or modified yoga. The lifting of heavy weights is generally not advisable during pregnancy; nor is high impact exercise that puts stress on joints, abdominal muscles, and back muscles.

Ultimately, womens fitness during pregnancy is about determining what is beneficial to your lifestyle at this particular time to maximize your physical and emotional health, reduce stress, and prepare for healthy pregnancy and delivery.

For easy to understand, in depth information about womens fitness visit our ezGuide 2 Fitness.

Lilias Yoga Video