With the sea on one side, and the mountains towering on the other, Quinta da Ria's setting is awesome, and the golf course lives up to its billing too. The 6,579 yard layout is built around the five man-made lakes that are the focal point of the landscape, which also provide the course's irrigation.

More than 300 trees have been planted around the course, and there is a restriction on construction, ensuring that the integrity of the environment remains intact. The signature holes are undoubtedly the 16th and 17th, which are carved through the lakes, and can either make or break your round.

These outstanding holes and the stunning surroundings help to explain why Quinta da Ria has become a mainstay of a golf holiday around the Eastern area of the sunny Algarve.