This week’s trip report is a golfer’s paradise. Our member bluebagger recently headed to Europe to tick a few things off the bucket list. A visit to the Isle of Skye will be in order and it would seem that our member is a golf fan. Over two weeks they managed to get in six games on some of the UK’s best courses.
2 weeks in UK in total, a week playing 6 of the best courses in and around St Andrews, 3 days in Isle of Skye and 3 days in London, I have plenty of pics so I hope I can work out how to post and not make too many of the frustrated golfers here “green” with envy, oh and by the way we had just the best weather that early summer could offer, only one afternoon of rain in 14 days!
Being based in Singapore, our member was able to take advantage of one of the great deals on business class flights between Asia and Europe. There have been a number of excellent fares going around lately, with return business class flights on the likes of Vietnam Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines and Qatar possible for under $3,000. This particular deal saw our member position to Hanoi in Vietnam, to start the trip on Qatar Airways.
the QR J class specials from various south Asian cities are just awesome, for this trip I got a special deal from Hanoi – Doha – Fra return for under $3K AUD and it was a new 777 on both legs with an STPC 8.5 hr connect in DOH ( free hotel stopover ) on the way over.
Our member was even able to take advantage of Qatar’s STPC, or “Stopover Paid by Carrier” in Doha. The STPC arrangement is available on numerous Asian, Middle Eastern and European airlines, including Asiana Airlines. Under the Qatar Airways arrangement, eligible customers are entitled to a free hotel and meals in Doha if they have a layover of over 8 hours due to the airline’s scheduling.
The flights on Qatar seemed to meet expectations. After arriving into Frankfurt there was just one small hop to London remaining. London Heathrow was the airport of choice, but did our member come to regret flying into Europe’s busiest airport?
The weather decided to be friendly, making for some great rounds of golf. The Kingsbarns and Carnoustie courses came out on top as clear favourites.
Our favourite rounds were definitely Kingsbarns and Carnoustie and we took the chance to drive the 3hrs up to Aberdeen and play Donald Trump International course which was simply stunning and at 250 pounds a round was the most expensive as well, wait til he opens a clubhouse…
Which mystery guests did our member end up playing a round with at Kingsbarns? Follow the trip report as birdies and eagles are chased around the UK HERE.
