Home of modern golf - Scotland

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I have a soft spot for Scotland.  I’ve been a few times.  And each experience in my travels has been, well, it’s been life-giving.  That’s the best word to describe Scotland.

Its oceans, cliffs, lakes, mountains, highways, forests, ancient ruins, cities, pubs, restaurants, music, art – this is the canvas for you to experience rich history, romantic culture and cheerful celebration.

If you’re looking to golf, there’s many to choose from and none of which will disappoint you!  I’d like to hi-light the famous St Andrews Links and Edinburgh’s Braid Hills Golf Course.

As most are aware, St Andrews is the mecca for golfers; the birthplace of the greatest sport on this planet.  And one of the oldest golf courses in the world.  Book a tee time to play this legendary links and soak in its antiquity. 

The city is filled with tucked-away restaurants and around every corner is another piece of Scotland’s story.  The beaches and narrow cobble streets invite you to spend most of your time outdoors.  And the evening will welcome you to live music at a pub for a pint and meat pie.

And while there, take the short drive to Stirling (my favourite Scotland city) and Edinburgh.  I was new to golf when I played Braid Hills in Edinburgh.  What a stunning course.  Beautiful course!  (We won’t talk about my game.  It was horrible.)  The views are breathtaking.  Along with the ocean that you can see from the tee box, the Edinburgh castle is majestically keeping watch over you too.

Edinburgh welcomes you with art, music, the blend of old and new architecture; from nostalgic pubs to intimate restaurants, from rich past to metropolitan present – there is a gift waiting for anyone who visits.

The Scots are brilliant at storytelling their world.  It’s a unique country where you leave not only loving the landscape, but the people too.

For a selection of IVHE vacation home exchanges in Scotland please view these great properties.   

Thank you to our guest blogger Karen Thrall, Golf Fanatic | Business Coach www.karenthrall.com

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Hiking, Skiing, Fishing, Cycling, Golf – luxury mountain lodge (video).

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Do you love the outdoors?  This year-round location is perfect for enjoying everything mother nature offers in a mountain retreat.  Ski Mellow Mountain Lodge, IVHE.com #1014, has all of the above activities either on site or within a 10 minute drive – fabulous.  If you want to simply relax in this spacious 7,500 square foot (~700 square meters) home, chances are you will see wildlife right from your windows or porch in the majestic Wasatch Mountains. 

The Great Room is perfect for family gatherings around a beautiful fireplace.  Make use of the wet bar and juke box or step into the games room to play Nintendo or an arcade game

With three (3) Master Bedrooms, each with a fireplace and bathroom, it is a wonderful choice for large families or to invite along friends.  In total there are five (5) bedrooms, can sleep up to 13 guests and 7 bathrooms – plenty of space for everyone. 

For your convenience the kitchen is full of modern appliances and there is also a separate laundry room with clothes washer and dryer. 

In the winter while heading to the slopes, take advantage of the 3 car garage, making those early mornings much easier to stay toasty warm. 

This exclusive home is only 1 mile from Park City, filled with world-class skiing, delicious cuisine, and activities for all ages. The lodge is only 40 minutes from Salt Lake Int’l airport. This is a perfect mountain home exchange property!

New to home exchange?  Get a FREE Home Exchange Guide, full of great information for you.  

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Bear to golf in Whistler?

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This is the third in a series of British Columbia golfing from our guest blogger, golf fanatic and business coach, Karen Thrall, enjoy!

Whistler, British Columbia is considered one of the greatest year-round resort destinations worldwide.  There’s a good reason for its reputation.  From mountain, forest and water activities to scenic trails for hiking and cycling; various extreme adventures to push your boundaries; and every outdoor sport imaginable, you will love the Whistler experience.  What do you feel like doing while you’re in Whistler?  Whatever you want.  Breathtaking views surround you.  You’ll also enjoy exceptional restaurants and boutiques; relaxing spas and poolside lounges (all year, even in the winter months); fun nightlife, great pubs and live performances; a friendly and engaging community, … and yes, golf! (saved the best one for last!). 

Golf.  Oh, Whistler golf.  How I pine (no pun intended) after thee.  Three outstanding courses:  Whistler Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club and Nicklaus North Golf Course

I’ve played all three.  And enjoy all of them.  Each unique.  All challenging.  All scenic.  All representing British Columbia and the Whistler culture in their finest of ways.

I played in a fundraising tournament at Whistler Golf Club hosted by my good friend Matt Yasinchuk.  He organizes these Battle Of The Elements charitable tournaments every year.  It’s one of my favourites to attend.  Needless to say, we had a blast.  Prizes and winnings were generously distributed amongst the foursomes.  The beverages were a flowin’ and the food, delicious.  The staff at Whistler Golf helped our experience be unforgettable.  This is also one of the first golf courses I ever played when I was newly learning the game.  I highly recommend you grab a pull cart and walk it.  Soak in its surroundings and enjoy the evergreen lands.

I’ve enjoyed a few games at Chateau Whistler.  You’ll want to drive a golf cart: up and down rolling hills, with plenty of opportunity for panoramic photography.  They have excellent doglegs throughout the course design.  I may or may not have lost a few balls playing this course.  I do suggest the ball land in the fairway for every hole. But I’m sure your ball always lands in the fairway... it's probably just me that has that attraction to trees... J

And then there’s the legendary Nicklaus North.   One of my closest friends, professional snowboard photographer, Chad Chomlack, is a member at Nicklaus North.  Teeing off in the early morning, we talked golf for 4 hours.  (“C’mon Karen.  You didn’t really talk golf for four hours?!”)  - Oh yes we did, Invisible Cyber Voice.  We nerd out on golf and it’s magical.  J

Chad enjoys golfing with his two boys at Nicklaus North.  Both of these young lads are competitive snowboard enthusiasts.  Chad believes that the golf culture is a great place for his sons to learn the etiquettes of being gentlemanly; and how golf teaches his boys the art of the mental game as well as learning how to manage your plays on the course.  The skills they learn through golf are transferrable to their passions in the extreme sports culture.  He strongly believes that golf is one of the greatest ways to build a father bond with his children.

Enjoy Whistler, and what better way than a home exchange vacation and golfing!    

And don’t be alarmed if one of these little bear cuties wants to join your foursome.  The golf marshals and forest rangers take good care of you.  Get your camera out and enjoy BC’s captivating wildlife.

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