Lads Golf Trip · October / November 2026

The Destination
Shortlist

7 options for an epic 3-night golf trip, ranked and detailed. 3 rounds minimum. Epic dinners guaranteed.

The vibe
The vibe ⛳
Budget: max 23 000 kr/person all-in
Flights: max 1 connection, under 10h
Thu–Sun format · 3 rounds
Shared twin rooms
Warm weather
All destinations
Option 01 · Editor's pick
Thracian Cliffs
Bulgaria — Black Sea Coast, near Varna
"Pebble Beach on steroids" — cliff-top championship golf over the Black Sea. Europe's most spectacular courses that almost nobody knows about.
Top pick
18°C
Oct 15 daytime
Courses
Thracian Cliffs
Gary Player · 2011 · Hosted World Match Play 2013
18 holes built directly into clifftops above the Black Sea. The par-3 6th drops 40m to a green surrounded by waves. Rated top-100 in Europe, compared to Pebble Beach by every reviewer who's played it. The signature hole you'll talk about for years.
Public access Green fee ~1 050–1 380 kr Stunning sea views HCP ≤28 req.
BlackSeaRama
Gary Player · 2009 · Links-style
A classic links layout 200m above the Black Sea with sweeping views to Cape Kaliakra. More strategic and forgiving than Thracian, great for a relaxed second round. The clubhouse has an open-air amphitheatre over the cliffs.
Public access Green fee ~920–1 150 kr 5 min from Thracian
Lighthouse Golf Resort
Ian Woosnam · 2008
Adjacent to BlackSeaRama, this is the most playable of the three — a great warmup on Thursday afternoon after landing. Unlimited golf packages available.
Unlimited golf packages Green fee ~690–920 kr
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 16→19) No direct in Oct. 1 stop required.
Best option Austrian via Vienna · 6h25 total · ~5 200 kr return
Budget option Turkish Airlines via Istanbul · ~3 510 kr return · but 9–13h total — long
Airport → courses ~1h drive north of Varna
Stay Lighthouse Resort (5★ all-incl.) or Thracian Cliffs villas
Package deal 3 rounds + accommodation from ~10 000 kr/person sharing
Est. 4 days total ~11 000–14 000 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct 15 weather 17–19°C daytime, 11°C eve. Sunny, rare rain.
Book flights Austrian (austrian.com) or Turkish Airlines

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Fly OSL → VAR (direct). Transfer to resort. Afternoon: Lighthouse (warmup round). Dinner at resort clifftop restaurant.
Fri
Thracian Cliffs — the headline round. Early tee time. Afternoon free. Long dinner at Thracian Cliffs clubhouse terrace over the sea.
Sat
BlackSeaRama. Afternoon: visit Balchik town or white-pebble beaches. Group dinner with Bulgarian wine and local fish.
Sun
Morning: optional 9 holes or driving range. Transfer to Varna. Late flight home.
Option 02 · Best value for golf volume
Belek
Turkey — Antalya Province, Mediterranean Coast
Europe's golf factory — 16+ championship courses, 5-star all-inclusive resorts, 300 days of sun. Flies direct with Norwegian on Fridays, making this a Fri 17–Mon 20 Oct trip — same long weekend, zero faff.
Best value
26°C
Oct daytime
Courses
Carya Golf Club
Peter Thomson · 2008 · European Tour venue
The top-rated course in Belek and one of the finest in all of Turkey. Heathland-style layout reminiscent of Sunningdale, carved through pine and eucalyptus with sandy waste areas and superb greens. Hosted the Turkish Airlines Open (Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy all played here). Fully floodlit so you can play into the evening.
Public access Green fee ~920–1 380 kr European Tour Night golf option
Montgomerie Maxx Royal
Colin Montgomerie · 2008 · Turkish Open host
Consistently rated alongside Carya as the best in Belek. Pine forest setting, 8 lakes, extensive waste areas. The clubhouse green fee here is often all-inclusive (food and drinks included). Hosted the Turkish Airlines Open 4 times — Tyrrell Hatton won under the floodlights in 2019.
Public access Green fee ~1 050–1 500 kr AI green fee often included
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 17→20) Norwegian direct OSL → AYT · 4h05 · ~4 000 kr return
✅ Fri Oct 17 direct Norwegian flies Mon + Fri — Fri Oct 17 departure is perfect. Trip runs Fri→Mon Oct 20. Same long weekend, same 3 rounds.
Airport → Belek 25 min
Stay Regnum Carya or Maxx Royal (5★ all-inclusive)
All-inclusive note Food & drinks at resort = 0 kr extra. Big advantage.
Est. 4 days total ~10 000–13 500 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct weather 25–28°C daytime. Essentially summer.
Book flights norwegian.com · Pegasus also flies this route

Sample Itinerary
Fri
Fly direct OSL → AYT (Norwegian). Check in to AI resort. Late afternoon: Carya or PGA Sultan (warmup 9 holes). Poolside dinner at resort.
Sat
Carya Golf Club — flagship round. Evening: night golf under floodlights (optional extra round). Dinner at clubhouse.
Sun
Montgomerie Maxx Royal. Afternoon: resort pool or spa. Group dinner at Antalya old town (30 min).
Mon
Morning: third full round or beach. Norwegian flight home — Mon departure confirmed.
Option 03 · Golf quality benchmark
Algarve
Portugal — Vilamoura / Vale do Lobo area
The classic European golf destination. 30+ courses, the most iconic cliffside holes in Europe, and serious golfer infrastructure. October is high season — book early.
23°C
Oct daytime
Courses
Vale do Lobo Royal
Rocky Roquemore (H. Cotton original) · 1997
Home of the most photographed hole in the Algarve: the par-3 16th, a 200m carry over a ravine and clifftop above the beach. Rolling fairways, pine trees, big greens. Voted Portugal's best resort by Today's Golfer readers. October green fees ~1 550 kr — earlybird/twilight discounts available.
Public access · book in advance Green fee ~1 380–1 550 kr HCP ≤28 required
Old Course Vilamoura
Frank Pennink · 1969 · Algarve's oldest
The grande dame of Algarve golf. Mature umbrella pines, natural contours, fast greens. Rated 8.8/10 — the most loved course in the region by consistency of reviews. Less flashy than the Royal but the finest course conditioning in the Algarve. Host of Portuguese Open.
Public access Green fee ~920–1 380 kr October high season
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 16→19) No direct on Thursdays. 1 stop via Lisbon (TAP) or Madrid.
⚠️ Departure days Norwegian/SAS direct only Tue + Sat. Thu Oct 16 → connect via LIS (TAP) or MAD. Total ~5–6h. Estimated ~4 000–5 500 kr return.
Airport → courses 30 min Faro → Vilamoura
Stay Hotel Dom Pedro Vilamoura or villa rental (split 8 ways)
Note October = high season = expensive. Book 3–4 months ahead.
Est. 4 days total ~16 500–20 500 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct weather 22–24°C daytime, pleasant evenings
Book flights norwegian.com · sas.no · TAP via Lisbon

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Fly via Lisbon. Arrive Vilamoura. Afternoon: Old Course (afternoon rate). Dinner at Vilamoura marina.
Fri
Vale do Lobo Royal — the headline round. That 16th hole. Long lunch at the spike bar. Evening: seafood dinner in Almancil.
Sat
Old Course or Quinta do Lago South. Afternoon free. Group dinner at Henrique Leis or one of the Michelin spots in the area.
Sun
Morning: optional 9 holes. Transfer to Faro. Flight home.
Option 04 · Most exotic
Marrakech
Morocco — Palmeraie, Atlas Mountains backdrop
Golf with the snow-capped Atlas as your backdrop. Fly direct Thursday with Norwegian, stay in a private Palmeraie villa (not the resort), and get 3 rounds + 3 nights for ~12 000 kr/person — the best value on the list by far.
Most exotic
27°C
Oct daytime
Courses
Amelkis Golf Club
Cabell B. Robinson · 27 holes · 450 hectares
The finest course in Marrakech, set across 450 hectares with views of the High Atlas. 27 holes designed to emphasise strategy and shot-making. Nestled at the foot of the mountains — every hole has a view. The landscape is the experience: desert terrain, pink earth, snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Public access Green fee ~735 kr · Buggy ~420 kr 27 holes available
Al Maaden Golf Marrakech
Kyle Phillips · 2010
A modern 18-hole design 10km from the medina, desert-style with Andalusian influences. Rated as a reference course. Compact, playable and visually striking with the city and mountains framing every hole.
Public access Green fee ~800–900 kr · Buggy ~420 kr 10 min from medina
💡 Accommodation tip: Do NOT stay at the golf resort — that's how you hit 25 000 kr/person. Instead rent a private villa with pool in the Palmeraie (5–10 min from Amelkis). Split 8 ways: ~3 000–3 500 kr/person for 3 nights. Airbnb and villas-riads-marrakech.com have excellent options from €250–400/night for the whole villa.
Logistics & Budget
Flight out (Thu Oct 16) Norwegian direct OSL → RAK · 4h50 · ~1 500 kr one-way
Flight home (Sun Oct 19) No direct Sun. KLM via AMS or TAP via LIS · 1 stop · ~1 500–2 500 kr one-way
Total flights ~3 000–4 000 kr return (2 separate one-ways)
Stay Private villa w/ pool in Palmeraie · ~3 000–3 500 kr/person (3 nights, split 8 ways)
Green fees × 3 rounds incl. buggy ~3 500 kr total per person
Private driver (3 days) ~250 kr/person
Food & drink ~2 000 kr/person · dinners out ~200–300 kr/head
Est. 4 days total ~12 000–13 000 kr / person — best value on the list
Oct weather 27°C daytime. Perfect. No humidity.
Alcohol note Available at hotels, golf clubs and restaurants. Budget ~200 kr/day.

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Norwegian direct OSL → RAK. Check in to Palmeraie villa. Late afternoon: driving range or 9 holes at Royal Golf. First dinner on the villa terrace — tajines, mint tea, Atlas views.
Fri
Amelkis Golf Club — 18 holes with Atlas views all day. Afternoon: pool at villa. Group dinner in the medina — Nomad rooftop or La Maison Arabe.
Sat
Al Maaden. Afternoon: Djemaa el-Fna, souks, Majorelle Garden. Big dinner — La Maison Arabe or Le Jardin.
Sun
Morning: optional 9 holes at Royal Golf Marrakech (one of Africa's oldest, ~500 kr). Transfer to airport. KLM/TAP connection home via AMS or LIS.
Option 05 · Relaxed & warm
Aphrodite Hills
Cyprus — Paphos region
PGA National Cyprus — European Tour host, ravine-splitting par-3s, Mediterranean sea views, and genuinely excellent food. English-friendly, easy to navigate.
25°C
Oct daytime
Courses
Aphrodite Hills (PGA National Cyprus)
Cabell Robinson · 2002 · European Tour host
The best-known course in Cyprus and its most decorated: European Golf Resort of the Year 2018, hosted two consecutive European Tour events in 2020. Built on two plateaux split by a dramatic 130m gorge. The par-3 7th over the ravine is the signature hole. Buggy mandatory (included in green fee). October high season: ~1 950 kr incl. buggy.
Public access Green fee ~1 950 kr incl. buggy HCP ≤28 required European Tour
Eléa Estate Golf Club
Sir Nick Faldo · 6-time major champion
Considered Cyprus's most challenging course. Par-71 design near Paphos with outstanding Mediterranean landscape. A tougher day out but rewarding for competent players. 20 min from Aphrodite Hills.
Public access Green fee ~1 150–1 500 kr Challenging layout
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 16→19) Norwegian/Ryanair/Wizz OSL → PFO · ~4h30 · ~2 300–4 000 kr return
Thu Oct 16 options Good availability. Ryanair and Wizz Air both operate Thu departures. Also Larnaca (LCA) as backup — 45 min transfer to Paphos.
Airport → resort 20 min from Paphos airport
Stay Aphrodite Hills Resort (villas/hotel on-site)
Green fee note Oct high season — book 2+ months ahead
Est. 4 days total ~13 500–18 000 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct weather 25°C daytime · warm evenings · rare rain
Food note Reviewers consistently rate Cyprus food as exceptional

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Fly to Paphos. Afternoon: Aphrodite Hills (twilight rate, ~1 150 kr vs 1 950 kr). Dinner in Paphos harbour — grilled fish, local wine.
Fri
Aphrodite Hills — full morning round, that gorge par-3. Afternoon: Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock beach, 5 min). Long dinner.
Sat
Eléa Estate (Faldo course). Afternoon: drive the coast, wine tasting at Ktima Tsiakkas. Group dinner at resort.
Sun
Morning free. Transfer to Paphos. Flight home.
Option 06 · Maximum course choice
Costa del Sol
Spain — Marbella / Sotogrande area
70+ courses within 40 minutes. Valderrama on one end, San Roque on the other. Serious golf infrastructure, great food, and easy to navigate. October is still warm.
21°C
Oct daytime
Courses
Real Club Valderrama
Robert Trent Jones Sr. · Ryder Cup 1997
One of the top 5 courses in continental Europe. Cork oaks, narrow fairways, lightning-fast greens. The most prestigious address in Spanish golf — if you want to say you've played Valderrama, this is it. Access is by introduction or guest reservation (harder to get, but possible). Green fee ~4 600 kr+. Worth it for a bucket-list round if budget allows.
Guest access (with advance req.) Green fee ~4 000–5 200 kr Bucket list
San Roque Club (Old Course)
Dave Thomas · 1990 · European Tour venue
The more practical choice — member of the Sotogrande complex, excellent conditioned parkland with views to Gibraltar and Africa. Significantly cheaper than Valderrama, easier to book, and many consider it a better day out for groups. Has hosted European Tour regularly.
Public access Green fee ~920–1 380 kr Views to Africa
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 16→19) Norwegian/SAS/Ryanair direct OSL → AGP · 4h · ~2 000–3 500 kr return
✅ Thu Oct 16 17+ direct flights per week — daily service, Thu departures confirmed. Cheapest and most flexible flights of all options.
Airport → Sotogrande 1h drive from Málaga
Stay NH Marbella, Finca Cortesin area, or villa rental
Valderrama note Expensive + hard to book. San Roque as primary.
Est. 4 days total ~15 000–19 500 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct weather 20–23°C · evenings cooling slightly
Dinner highlight Marbella old town, Sotogrande marina, Dani García restaurant

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Fly to Málaga. Drive to Sotogrande. Afternoon: La Cañada or San Roque New Course. Dinner at marina.
Fri
San Roque Old Course. Evening: consider Marbella old town for dinner — 45 min drive but worth it.
Sat
Valderrama if you've pre-arranged access, or another top Sotogrande course. Long group dinner with Rioja.
Sun
Morning optional round. Drive back to Málaga. Flight home.
Option 07 · Underrated gem
Costa Navarino
Greece — Messinia, Peloponnese
Rated #1 Golf Resort in Europe by Golf World. Four courses by Trent Jones, Langer and Olazábal. Stunning Greek food, authentic culture, and very few golf tourists know it exists.
24°C
Oct daytime
Courses
The Bay Course
Robert Trent Jones II · 2010
The flagship course at Costa Navarino, weaving through olive groves and along the Bay of Navarino. Gentle enough for all handicaps but with enough drama to keep low-markers engaged. Named among the best resort courses in Europe.
Resort access (guest green fee) Green fee ~920–1 380 kr Olive grove setting
The Dunes Course
Robert Trent Jones II · 2012
The more dramatic of the four courses — links-influenced, exposed to the Ionian Sea winds, with dune terrain and outstanding coastal views. Harder than the Bay Course. Pairs perfectly as the "away day" round.
Resort access Green fee ~1 050–1 500 kr Coastal links feel
Logistics & Budget
Flight (Oct 16→19) Norwegian/SAS/Aegean direct OSL → ATH (3h50) + ATH → KLX · ~5–6h total
✅ Thu Oct 16 Aegean flies OSL → ATH on Thursdays. Then ATH → KLX 45 min. Estimated ~3 200–4 500 kr return total. LOT via Warsaw found at ~2 800 kr for exact dates.
Airport → resort 45 min from Kalamata
Stay Costa Navarino resort (The Romanos or The Westin)
Note Self-contained resort — almost everything on-site
Est. 4 days total ~12 500–17 000 kr / person (incl. flights)
Oct weather 23–25°C · warm sea · low crowds
Food highlight Greek food at its finest — multiple resort restaurants + local tavernas

Sample Itinerary
Thu
Fly via Athens or Thessaloniki. Transfer to Costa Navarino. Afternoon: Bay Course warmup. Dinner at resort taverna.
Fri
The Dunes Course — the flagship round, sea breezes, coastal drama. Long dinner with local Nemea wine.
Sat
Bay Course again or explore Ancient Olympia nearby (1h). Sunset dinner at a Pylos harbour taverna.
Sun
Morning: optional beach or driving range. Transfer to Kalamata. Flight home.
Golf Trip 2026

Where do you want to go?

Drag the destinations into your preferred order — 1st choice at the top.

  • ⠿ 1 🇧🇬 Thracian CliffsBulgaria · ~11 000–14 000 kr
  • ⠿ 2 🇹🇷 BelekTurkey · ~10 000–13 500 kr · Fri 17–Mon 20 Oct
  • ⠿ 3 🇵🇹 AlgarvePortugal · ~16 500–20 500 kr
  • ⠿ 4 🇲🇦 MarrakechMorocco · ~12 000–13 000 kr · best value
  • ⠿ 5 🇨🇾 Aphrodite HillsCyprus · ~13 500–18 000 kr
  • ⠿ 6 🇪🇸 Costa del SolSpain · ~15 000–19 500 kr
  • ⠿ 7 🇬🇷 Costa NavarinoGreece · ~12 500–17 000 kr