There are, quite literally, thousands of gold courses in Great Britain and Ireland which makes visiting every one of them to find your favourite an impossibility. What’s more, there are a large portion of these that aren’t really worth the green fees as well as those that are prohibitively expensive, members only, or otherwise restricted. However, no matter where you live or where you’re visiting, you can be assured of finding high quality golf courses to enjoy a good round of golf alone or with friends.

Royal Birkdale

There are four Royal English golf courses that are British Open venues – Birkdale, St Georges, Lytham St Annes, and Liverpool. Royal Birkdale is widely considered to be one of the best courses in the world and is certainly one of the best places in England to play golf. It is situated just outside Southport and poses a real challenge to all golfers, including the best of the professionals. Winds can whip up a frenzy making every round a completely different challenge.

St Georges

St Georges, just outside Sandwich is also one of the most popular courses in England and was, in fact, the first English course to host the Open Championships. To this day it is the fourth most used Open venue. This natural course benefits from undulating ground and plenty of sand, although if you don’t keep the ball firmly on the fairway you’re unlikely to see it as any kind of benefit. Expect a real challenge from a course that has enjoyed numerous high profile celebrity members.

Ails, Turnberry

There are some equally stunning and challenging courses just over the border in Scotland, too, though some aren’t for the faint of heart. 18 miles away from Ayr, for example, lies the incredibly scenic Ailsa course, part of the Turnberry Resort. With views to the Mull of Kintyre and the Isle of Arran, it can be easy to forget that you’re there to play golf and instead spend the hours taking in the incredible scenery. When you do turn your attention back to the game in hand, though, you will be treated to an array of incredible holes including Bruce’s Castle which takes you past the ruined castle of Robert the Bruce.

Muirfield

Muirfield, the third most used Open Championship course, has hosted the Open 15 times and features coastal fairways, deep and difficult bunkers, and some incredible driving opportunities. There’s also very deep rough to have to contend with as well as small greens which make approach shots a real challenge even for the most initiated of golfers. Muirfield is definitely a course that every golfer should try to play at least once.

Ciaran Oliver is a traveller and writer for Caddiemaster providers of the finest electric golf trolleys on the market.

On the corner of a Valletta backstreet sits the charming and beautiful restaurant Rampila, a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of city life. Located opposite St. John’s Cavalier and no more than a few metres away from the historic City Gate, Rampila is not just a restaurant but also a trendy wine bar. With its friendly atmosphere and historic location Rampila offers much more than just food and wine but an extraordinary dining experience like no other.

A surprisingly extensive menu provides customers with not only a wide selection of traditional Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine but also daily specials that include sumptuous dishes of rabbit, quail and duck along with the finest fresh meats and pastas that are available in the region. A wealth of mouth-watering home-made desserts and a respectable and reasonably priced wine list ensure that the Rampila has something on offer to satisfy everyone.

If the rich history of Malta is something that interests you then you will be delighted to discover the charming wax work exhibition on display at the restaurant. Open since 1999 the exhibition gives a fascinating insight into how the Maltese village folk of yesteryear plied their trade and spent their leisure time. There are not many restaurants in the world that can offer a history lesson along with a fine meal, let alone any other restaurants in Valletta.

A fully heated terrace provides not only a wonderful location for an autumn evening meal but also a sensational view of Valletta’s historic City Gate. Eat your meal in style, basking in the intimate atmosphere whilst drinking in the stunning views of the historic city. With the recent news that the City Gate is to undergo a major transformation at the hands of world famous Italian architect Renzo Piano; Rampila’s terrace provides customers with the prime location to witness the Valletta of the future unfold in front of their eyes.

Offering a view of Malta’s history, and a glimpse into its future If you only visit one Valetta restaurant on your next visit to Malta, then make sure it is Rampila. From the authentic and delicious traditional local cuisine to the extensive wine list to the friendly and welcoming staff whom are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that their customers’ needs are tended to, visitors to Rampila can expect nothing less than an exciting and fulfilling experience that truly is one of a kind.

Cairns in Queensland is indeed one of the best fishing spots ever and no we are not being biased. You can blame the Great Barrier Reef for that. It is the place for record Black marlins, which migrate to the region in the months of September through to December. You would also find mackerels and barracuda here. North Queensland is recorded as the black marlin capital of the world. Where else would you find this beautiful marlin glistening and shimmering through the air and then thrashing back on the surface of the ocean wildly and powerfully? Almost every fish inhabits the rich water off Cairns bordering the reef and the continental shelf. It is one of the premier tourist spots of Australia.  Fly fishing, game fishing, sport fishing; you mane it, they have it.

The Soldier’s Point Boat Ramp, The Fingal Beach, The Wharves at Little Beach is some of the best places you should try if you are looking to have good fishing trips. The fishermen at Port Stephens brave all sorts of weather from rocky cliff tops to sandy shores. Just a two and a half hour drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens houses the largest coastal sand dune system in Australia, which is around 30 meters high. 140 bottlenose dolphins have earned Port Stephens its tag of Dolphin Capital of Australia.

For the best of Long fin Tuna, you have to be in Moreton Island, Queensland. Abundant catches of whiting and flatheads, dart and chopper tailor. The long ocean beaches, rocky outcrops, and still beaches are a fisherman’s paradise. One can catch bream and reef fish in North Point. Cape Moreton Lighthouse is another place excellent fishing spot. Many fishermen also converge to witness the tough fight a tailor gives when caught.

You cannot afford to miss Lake Tinaroo if you are in Queensland. Be it Peterson Creek or One Tree Island, Barrabadeen or Fongon Bay, you are in the fishing paradise. As there are no natural predators in the lake, the barramundi can grow to enormous size. Each year the lake is stocked by baby barra; fish are unable to breed due to lack of saltwater. You can find different types of crayfish, along with sleepy cod, eel tailed catfish, perch and many more.

Straddle or Stradbroke Island is one of the best fishing spots. Spanish Mackerel, flathead, dart, Bream and whiting can be found in this amazing place. Choose from boat fishing, jetty fishing or beach fishing. Head to the Main Beach or South Passage Bar fishing spots to get the best of the Island.

Now that you know where exactly you should be headed for some good fishing in some of the best fishing spots in Australia, what are you waiting for! Get ready.

Everglades National Park, Florida

South Florida is one of the most revered birding sites in North America, and the Everglades National Park is right in the middle. The subtropical environment is conducive to a range of amazing birds, such as the Roseate Spoonbill, Snow Egret and Snail Kite. When you’re not looking at fascinating species of birds, you can enjoy a diverse ecosystem that includes everything from alligators to rich wetlands.

Jamaica Bay, New York

You might think New York City is the worst place in the world to go birdwatching, but in view of the iconic skyline of the city is a wildlife refuge worth visiting. Jamaica Bay is a nutrient rich estuary spanning Brooklyn and Queens. The salt marshes create a unique habitat for shorebirds, raptors and waterfowls. There’s a year-round population of about 120 bird species with many other migratory birds stopping in during specific times. If you’re traveling to New York City, skip Times Square and explore the hidden wonder of Jamaica Bay.

Saint Paul Island, Alaska

Although not part of the lower 48 states, Alaska offers an array of great birding experiences. The Pribilof Islands are a collection of volcanic islands between Alaska and Russia. The best island to visit is the Saint Paul Island where you can see birds like McKay’s Bunting, Rock Sandpiper and more. The islands are designated an important bird area.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Famous for its unique Joshua trees, this national park features more than 250 different species. Since it’s in the Mojave, there are a number of desert birds to check out, such as the Great Roadrunner and Cactus Wren. Different parts of the park also offer different species because of the varied environments.

Rio Grande Valley, Texas

The Rio Grande Valley is considered one of the best birding sites in North America for its eclectic collection of rare species. In this area, you can find the occasional Blue Bunting, Hook-billed Kite, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Green Jays and many more. This beautiful location is definitely something every North American birder should explore.

Timothy Martinez Jr. is a freelance writer and writes about bird feeders for Backyard Chirper.

Established as a resort in the 1930s by French entrepreneur Jacques Mouflier, Val d’Isere quickly grew from humble beginnings as a hamlet in the Alps to one of the foremost ski resorts anywhere on the planet. Arguably, it was here where the practice of local farmers taking on a second job as ski instructors was born. Owing to the fact that their fields were covered in snow for a large part of the year, it made sense to get extra income from teaching tourists to ski.

The immense variety of runs is what makes Val d’Isere so good, great off piste skiing can be found high up on the Pointe Du Monet, while those with less experience can take advantage of specialised areas that cater to this level referred to as “ski tranquille”. In fact once first-timers are off the nursery slopes – there’s a great selection of more challenging greens to get their teeth into.

Val d’Isere hosted the men’s downhill in the 1992 Winter Olympics and the course remains a key attraction for skiers. The Face run is graded black and can become mogulled but offers an exhilarating run in to the Olympic finish. Experienced skiers should also take on Piste A off the top off the Solaise area, it’s a challenging route back to the main part of the resort but starts off with a fantastic wide piste, which is great for carving and can often be a top choice for afternoon skiing. Alongside Piste A is Piste S, which these days is never groomed and is classified as a “nature ride”, it offer a less crowded and occasionally more powder strewn alternative.

Along with just two other ski resorts in the world Val d’Isere holds the distinction of having hosted very major alpine skiing championship and its World Cup downhill piste called OK is an intermediate’s dream, providing as it does, a wide rolling route when well groomed and un-crowded.

Aside from the many restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Val d’Isere has a varied and interesting range of activities to have a go at. One such is the “snake gliss”, which is a bit like a banana boat made out of a sledge that goes down hills, is by all accounts amazingly good fun. Located at the bottom of the Savonnette nursery slope groups of all ages can get together and ride this contraption down the hill. Basically it will gather momentum and start snaking wildly about making for a super fun ride and the occasional spill.

Val d’Isere can accommodate over 28,000 overnight holiday makers. Accommodation can range from chalets in Val d’Isere, to hotels and self catering options, and if you’re looking to make a trip special then luxury ski chalets could be the way to go.

Jonathan is a freelance writer who enjoys skiing and ski holidays.

Despite this, the skiing can be spectacular, particularly for those skiers who are of an intermediate standard – over 40% of the runs on offer are aimed for this ability group. Furthermore, Morzine sits within range of the Mont Blanc weather system and has superb snow making facilities, meaning that pistes tend to be in good condition for a large part of the season.

Mozine occupies a central location in the Portes Du Soleil, which is a great bonus, as it allows holiday makers to tailor their ski tours by purchasing a lift pass that takes in as much or as little of the ski area as they like. For example a local area pass gives access to Morzine and close neighbour Les Gets. However, this can easily be increased to take in the higher and somewhat futuristic Avoriaz, which offers a top lift-linked option for those in search of extra powder at higher altitudes. Morzine itself has a number of runs starting over 2000 meters and running to the resort floor, many luxury chalets in Morzine offer ski-in-ski-out access.

A large number of runs drop off the top of the Pleney Telecabine, offering a range of skiing from intermediate to some steeper blacks for advanced level. Some great options are the wide blues, which give a less steep descent of the Pleney but a great opportunity for fast wide carving turns and some quickly straight lining on the flatter bits. Other ski areas include the Chamossiere, the summit of which rises out of the tree line, and on clear days offers fantastic views of Mont Blanc. The runs here are best for intermediate to advanced level skiers – but owing to the altitude – can have some cracking powder especially after good snowfall. A black run that follows the route of the chairlift is particularly challenging with many variably steep sections.

Another feature Portes Du Soleil is the opportunity to take ski “discovery” tours, whereby skiers can take on a selection of runs across the area that are all coded by different animals including the bear, white rabbit, jackdaw, ibex or reindeer – all designated to a certain level of ability. Many take upwards of two and a half hours to complete, so are perfect for a dedicating a long day’s skiing to get the most out of the runs.

With its superb location, the combination of season ’round buzz and alpine charm, Morzine is arguably one of the French Alp’s top resorts – especially for families. With its great selection of luxury ski chalets, a memorable holiday for all the family can be done in comfort and style.

Jonathan is a freelance writer who enjoys skiing in Europe’s top resorts.

Perhaps one of the best places to kickoff a beer-tasting trip through the city is Thomas Rigby’s. As one of Liverpool’s oldest pubs, you’ll find a fantastic array of cask-conditioned ales and international bottled beers to try.

The establishment is also a great place to try some traditional pub cuisine. With a focus on making the most of local produce; here, you’ll be able to sample dishes such as scouse and fish and chips.

From here, why not make your way to Doctor Duncan’s in Queen Square? The pub is renowned for its exhaustive range of guest ales, in the course of a single year it has offered as many as 700, so there’ll always be something new for you to try.

But there’s no need to worry about quantity overruling quality here. Doctor Duncan’s was the first pub in Liverpool to be awarded Cask Marque accreditation, a sign that it serves a high standard of cask ale.

Named after local doctor William Duncan, who became the UK’s first chief medical officer, you’ll find that the pub offers a cosy Victorian-style environment for you to drink in.

Continue making your way through Liverpool’s finest places to quaff real ale by visiting The Fly in the Loaf. Around 60 different beers are available to try at any one time at the Hardman Street-based pub, including six rotating guest cask ales. While you sup on a pint, you can tuck into dishes from the extensive menu and watch live sport on one of the several large TV screens.

About a ten-minute walk from The Fly in the Loaf is The Monro on Duke Street. The gastropub specialises in English real ale and while Marston’s Pedigree and Jennings are among the beers served on a regular basis, the ever-changing stock is bound to offer something new to catch your interest every time you visit.

From here, you can make your way to the Lion Tavern, which is another establishment that serves a great range of guest ales. Hook Norton and Black Sheep are among the beers to have been served here in the past, while JW Lees bitter and Deuchars IPA form part of the regular menu.

The pub also sells a range of cheeses to snack on and matches these up to the beers that complement the drink the best! However, if you fancy a change from ale, you’ll find The Lion Tavern also serves real cider and a wide array of malt whiskies.

You can finish off your tour of the city’s finest ale establishments at The Baltic Fleet. This is located close to Liverpool’s docks and has the distinction of being the only pub in Merseyside to have its very own brewery, which is entitled Wapping after the street it is situated on.

Have a pint of Wapping Bitter and you’ll be sampling a dry, flavoursome beer, although you may want to give Baltic Gold and Summer Ale a try as well. There is also a wide array of international beers for you to choose from.

Whether you prefer bitter, mild or stout, a real ale tour of Liverpool will give you the chance to sup some of the highest-quality beers around.

Written by travelsupermarket.com.

One of the great joys of camping is to lie back in your tent after an exhilarating but exhausting day and enjoy the night sounds around you. Perhaps you’re camping in a secluded part of the countryside or alternately sharing a camp site with other campers.

You crawl into your tent, relax, drift off to sleep and wake up screaming whilst you’re being attacked by a giant grasping beast and the more you struggle the more you’re getting tangled up. In other words, your tent collapsed on you. The more unfortunate amongst you might not even get to the wonky but technically upstanding part and instead spend a potentially cold and wet night sleeping under the stars. However, help is at hand! The following tips and advice will assist you with some tricky tent technicalities.

First you need to choose a suitable place to set up camp. Do not set up a tent in an area where water would collect if it rained, for example a valley. The site should be flat if possible and clear of things such as branches and twigs so you’re not sleeping on these. It’s useful to take a small rake and/or broom with you on camping trips to clear areas. Do not set the tent up under a single tree or an isolated small group of trees so that if there is a storm your tent is less likely to be hit by a lighting strike. A ground cloth should be placed under the tent with no parts sticking out from underneath that rain could reach. If rain soaks your ground cloth this will cause the bottom of the tent to get wet, and for the record that’s about as comfortable as wearing a wet sock in a wet shoe. Next you should set up the corner stakes, making sure that the tent is pulled taut before pushing the stakes into the ground. It is useful to take a rubber-covered mallet or the like with you when camping, which you can use to effectively hammer the stakes into the ground without damaging them. You can replace cheaper stakes with stronger ones such as titanium stakes which won’t bend. Make sure the stakes are firmly in the ground to prevent strong wind blowing the tent down. Deep sleepers take note, you may wake up the next morning and wonder how the scenery changed completely if you don’t secure your tent properly.

The tent poles will likely be in separate interlocking parts that need to be connected together along with their rubber “feet” or the like if they have them. Different tents will have different methods of inserting the assembled poles into the tent. For example some tents may have sleeves on them through which the poles are slid, whilst others may have metal hoops through which the pole ends are hooked. When the poles are erected the tent should take shape. The remaining stakes should be hammered into place to secure the tent base to the ground. Any lines attached to the side of the tent should be secured into the ground with stakes as well. The rain-fly should then be put on the tent, which is a fabric that is light in weight and draped over the tent to keep the rain out. The rain-fly is also secured with stakes in the ground.

It is best to set up your tent before it gets dark and whilst the weather is permitting. Being able to see what you’re doing and having to contend with a light breeze at most is far more conducive to erecting a tent successfully than hitting your fingers instead of the stake whilst the tent flaps around in the dark during a torrential rainstorm. To avoid rolling down a hill whilst being drenched in your sleeping bag, follow these tips and advice and you’re sure to be a happy camper.

This is a guest post on behalf of Pitchup.com.

It’s the time of the year that every American enjoys: barbeque season! From California to Pennsylvania, Americans are getting ready for a long grilling season with family and friends that means fun in the sun, with tasty foods, cold beverages and sinful desserts. Make your barbeques the best possible with these ideas.

Mosquitoes: Ready to Ruin your Barbeque if You Don’t Have Mosquito Traps

Being outside in the warm weather is great, but mosquitoes can always put a damper on anyone’s day. Thankfully, you can get an edge on these nasty bugs with mosquito traps. The most effective traps use a steady stream of carbon dioxide and heat to lure the bugs. Once near, the trap will vacuum the bugs into a net where they will dehydrate and die. What’s great about these mosquito control systems is they can drastically reduce the mosquito population in the area if they are set up when temperatures reach 50 degrees consistently and run 24/7.

Food for All

Nothing is worse than having a cook-out and running out of the particular food that everyone likes. Be sure to have enough of each food that everyone will be able to have what they would like. Having too much food and leftovers is better than running out.

Be Prepared for Everyone

While most people would enjoy a grilled burger or barbeque chicken, you may have guests that are vegetarian or simply don’t enjoy the taste of meat. By keeping alternatives, such as veggie burgers or portabella mushrooms nearby, you can make sure everyone gets their fill of food. Also be sure to have a variety of drinks on hand.

Try Some Non-Traditional Items

For the more adventurous griller, vegetables, fish and pizza are just some of the items you can put on the barbeque. Pick a night and try something new!

Never Run Out of Fuel

Whether you are grilling with charcoal or propane, it is always a good idea to keep spare briquettes or a tank in case you do more grilling than you anticipate.

Lots of people? Lots of grills!

If you are anticipating having more people than one grill would handle, consider asking a guest to bring their grill to work in conjunction with yours. By working multiple grills, you can spend more time socializing with your guests and less time playing ketchup…err, catch up with the food.

Shield from the Sun

Having the sun beating down on your body might be a joy to some people. Other people, not so much. A good idea might be to find a pop-up tent that will allow your guests to get out of the sun and into the shade.

Fun and Games

In recent years, the standard games of barbeques, such as football and volleyball, have fallen out of favor for newer games. Washers, corn hole and ladder golf have become more popular. Make sure to have these games on site to keep everyone entertained while you are grilling.

Have Fun!

Grilling is an American tradition. With Memorial Day, Father’s Day, the Fourth of July and countless family reunions in the coming months, barbequing and grilling is a past time that everyone can enjoy.

By guest blogger Mike Ishman who specializes in making the most out of the summer, including protection from mosquitos, such as mosquito traps and a mosquito barrier.

With clear, warm nights on the horizon, you and many other people across the country may be getting ready to brave the wilderness for a night or two of good old fashioned camping. Before staking out where to put your tent, read these tips to make your camping trip more fun than a bump on a log.

Mosquito traps mean more fun

If you plan on camping for the entire season or will be camping in your backyard, you could take advantage of mosquito traps, which can reduce the mosquito population significantly in the area. In fact, your backyard would no longer be a mosquito zone, enabling you to really enjoy your camping experience. These mosquito barriers attract the biting bugs using carbon dioxide and heat. Once they reach the trap, they are vacuumed in and caught in a net where they dehydrate and die.

For mosquito traps to be effective, they need to run for several weeks, 24/7.

If you’re camping in a location that you can’t install a mosquito trap, plan on brining DEET-based products, keeping the least amount of skin exposed as possible, and choosing a spot that isn’t close to stagnate water. This will ensure some protection from mosquitoes.

Not all sleeping bags are created equal

Be prepared for where you are camping. While some areas may stay warm during the night, other places, such as in higher elevations, may get more colder at night than you are expecting. Do research before camping and take a sleeping bag that will keep you warm or cool enough at night to be comfortable.

Water is king

When researching where to camp, check to see if a clean water supply is nearby. If there isn’t, take plenty of bottled water to keep your family hydrated. If you must drink from a natural water source, make sure it is natural. A water testing kit can be useful to determine if the water is safe to drink, and there are water-purifying capsules on the market that can kill whatever is in the water that may make you ill.

Take a star map

If you live in an urban area, you may not get many opportunities to see a clear night sky. Take a star map or, for the technology inclined, download a sky app application your phone. Finding constellations is a great way to enjoy nature.

Tell people where you are going

In 2003, a man in Utah went hiking without telling anyone where he was going. After getting trapped underneath a rock, he nearly died before having to take extreme measures to save himself. No matter how well traveled your camping area may be, make sure to tell your relatives and friends not only that you are camping, but where.

Yogi bear black bears aren’t

While at a campsite, you may receive visitors in the form of other campers. You can also meet wildlife that may not be so friendly. When bears are looking for a snack, campsites are a place where bears can be on the prowl. Keep your food in coolers so bears and other wildlife won’t be able to sniff out the goodies.

Be prepared

Accidents happen everywhere. Make sure to take extra food and supplies, including a first aid kit, an extra map, and batteries, to be ready for whatever happens. In especially remote places where you may be camping, being prepared can mean all the difference.

Post by guest blogger Mike Ishman, a writer who enjoys blogging about how to enjoy the outdoors, including mosquito traps and mosquito control systems.