Alabama's hidden gem

Doug Hollandsworth tastes the delights of the Gulf Shores.

I HOPE your summer is going great and you have been able to get out and enjoy a family vacation or have gotten to go play a new golf course or stayed at a wonderful new resort. I have been to many great places as part of my wonderful job, but I had never been to the Gulf Coast of Alabama. I recently visited for a few days and found a hidden gem, which is a wonderful vacation spot. 

I will be going back again and again now. Alabama's Gulf Coast is the perfect destination for beach, golf and fishing holidays, combining nine signature Gulf Shores golf courses with a broad array of some of the best golf vacation lodging options including everything from resortstyle and national-chain hotels to well appointed on-site golf condominiums, to luxury beachfront homes and condos. I got to visit their nine famous signature golf courses, anchored by the Honours Golf Courses which are world class on their own. 

Designed by greats such as Arnold Palmer, Bruce Devlin, Jerry Pate, Earl Stone and Robert Von Hagge, they are all conveniently located within easy driving range of the accommodations. Whatever the reason for the visit, there are a variety of stay-and-play golf packages to suit all pockets. In addition to the golf courses, there are 32 miles of white sand beaches, making Gulf Shores/Orange Beach an ideal vacation destination for all the family. 

Every accommodation partner will customise a golf package to the specific needs and requests for your package group ensuring unlimited golf options for the most enthusiastic golfer. When I was done playing golf there were other adventures and activities to satisfy my thirst. 

If fishing is your bag you can fight a trophy fish on a chartered adventure from Orange Beach, which has one of the country's largest charter boat fleets. Explore historic Fort Morgan or just enjoy the tranquility of nature found in their state parks and wildlife refuges. 

My time in Gulf Shores was topped off by staying at one of the area's nicest hotels, The Island House Hotel, right near Orange Beach. All rooms face the ocean, the rooms are big and comfortable and the food wonderful. 

There are some great restaurants in the area. With the world's best fishing hole as a playground, succulent, fresh-off-the-boat seafood is the order of the day. Sample a different delicacy every day. You can choose from seaside family hangouts where sandy feet are welcome, white-linen candlelit romantic dining for two, or downright dives that serve up some of the finest food and fun to be found. 

Of course, you don't have to have seafood. You'll find plenty of restaurants serving steak, barbecue, Italian, Mexican, pizza, or whatever takes your fancy. For more information visit www.gulfshores. com or www.golfgulfshores.com and tell them you read about their great destination in Golf & Travel magazine. Until next time, safe travels and hit em' straight! Let me hear from you, email me at dhworth@bellsouth.net