Think of Thailand and you might imagine it’s bustling markets and thriving nightlife as a paradise for travellers on a shoestring, but look further and you’ll find a haven for luxury seekers. From world-class resorts and private island retreats to bespoke cultural experiences and Michelin-starred dining, the Land of Smiles offers opulent escapes that rival the best in the world. Here are seven reasons why Thailand should be at the top of your list for an unforgettable luxury getaway.

There are myriad reasons why millions of visitors travel to New Zealand from all over the world. There’s captivating natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, an enviable food and wine scene and, dotted along its glorious coastlines, nearly 400 phenomenal golf courses. In this article we look at five reasons why every golfer simply has to visit.

From vibrant cities and unique local delicacies to fascinating history and stunning natural landscapes, Vietnam has never had trouble drawing people to its shores, and now with almost 100 exceptional courses, golfers from across the globe are being enticed to see what it has to offer. Here, we look at five of the best golf courses in Vietnam.

It is entirely fitting that Mauritius has developed into every golfer’s ultimate paradise destination, and with its tropical, year-round climate, this picture-perfect island should be top of the list next time you’re in need of some sun.

Australia’s Sandbelt is one of the most famous corridors of golf in the world, this slice of Victoria is not only home to the best courses in the country, but some of the world’s finest. Australian golf writer Paul Prendergast explains what makes it so unique.

Leopard Creek may have been inspired by one man’s dream of creating an ’African Augusta’, but today this immaculate championship course stands in a category all of its own, offering an inimitable golfing experience overlooking the unfiltered wilderness of South Africa’s most famous national park.

Just south of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find a land of ice and fire. Once a seat of Viking power, Iceland is home to fearsome natural wonders, cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches and, beyond nature’s playground, Championship level golf courses shaped by its unique volcanic flows.

On the breath-taking Andalucian coast, perched on the hills above the village of Sotogrande, Real Club Valderrama is the undisputed jewel in the crown of European golf. From iconic Ryder Cup victories to Tiger Woods wins, this course has packed plenty of golfing drama into its short history; here, we look at why Valderrama is so iconic.

As the snow begins to recede from the pistes that carpet Europe’s mountain playground, it’s time to pack away your skis, dust off your golf clubs and head back to the Alps for a summer adventure across 18 holes. We take a look at some of the top golf courses in the region.

Turnberry, Troon and Prestwick, three of golf’s legendary names on the rugged west coast, which has remarkably got even better thanks to the instant classic that is Dundonald: this is Scotland for the golfing purist.

The slice of Scotland where Ben Hogan won his Open, Angus offers a rich landscape delivering the best produce, even better golf and where castle-owning locals know exactly how to deliver world-class hospitality.

It’s taken six hundred years for St Andrews to become the home of golf, and if that’s not enough, it’s the home of whisky and some of the finest produce in Scotland.

The famous distilleries, the spectacular coastline, and more iconic golf courses than you can shake a hickory stick at, including the oldest in the world, East Lothian is golf travel for the purist.

The architecture, the history, the festivals, the Michelin-starred cuisine, the birthplace of Harry Potter; it’s not just having some of the world’s finest links on its doorstep, that makes Edinburgh such a complete experience. We take a tour of the city and some of its courses following Golf Traveller’s Edinburgh itinerary.

Whether it’s exploring the desert by dune buggy or camelback, taking to the skies in helicopters, hot air balloons or ziplines, or just getting to grips with ancient falconry, there’s an adventure for everyone in Dubai – and that’s before we get to the golf…

Today, Dubai is part of the fabric of the golf world, home to some of the finest courses and host to three iconic tournaments in the DP World Tour Championship, Omega Dubai Ladies’ Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic. But don’t take our word for it, this is what the pros think of the Dubai golf scene…

The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and streets that tell a thousand ancient stories, Rome is unlike any city in Europe, inspiring awe in all who visit.

It’s been tamed by Tiger on two occasions and has also been graced by everyone from Ballesteros and Els to McIlroy and Couples, the Dubai Desert Classic is one of golf’s iconic events.

Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Baker-Finch, Thomas Bjorn … it reads like a who’s who of 1990s golf. In fact, it is a list of the men who have laid out courses in Dubai, says Chris Bertrand.

Kit Alexander looks at the moments, on and off the course, that made Dubai one of the best golf travel experiences in the world.