From growing up in America, and having been left by my parents – one even left after a few years of my childhood – and the typical heart-wrenching break ups, and even having had “friends” totally backstab me, I thought the world was a mean and dark place. But the more I travel and the more I experience what all the world has to offer, and who all calls earth home, I’ve began to realize that the world isn’t such an awful place. On the contrary, most of the people I’ve met throughout my travels have been good, warmhearted, and tender individuals, who are curious about you and (usually) want nothing more than to do what they can in your life, no matter how minuscule that may be.

A few weeks back we stumbled across an article on Yahoo! about the extreme 19th hole at a course in South Africa. First of all, we were amazed that we hadn’t heard about this before. Then the obvious conversation ensued in the Golfplan offices; how we would tackle it. 

It wasn’t until some outlandish assertions had been shared that we started talking about any other ‘extreme’ courses or holes we might know about. So, we decided to compile a list of some of our favorites. Some are entire courses, others are single holes that are just ridiculously difficult!

On the short list of the most magical and awe-inspiring places that I've ever visited, is Scotland, without a doubt. The people were accommodating and lovely to talk with, the food was delicious, the myths and traditions were intriguing, and the landscape, oh my god, the landscape... WAS AMAZING! Every which way I went, the direction didn't matter, only the journey within the wilderness mattered. I toured the Highlands of Scotland for a couple of weeks, spending a few days on the lovely Isle of Skye. To simply drive around the Isle of Skye is a treat in itself, as the scenery just continues to change around you, no matter where you're going – every five minutes, it seems as though there is a new and completely unique terrain surrounding you, enveloping you, rapturing you. If there is ever one place that's filled with so many myths, fantasies, traditions, stories, and magic, it is the Highlands of Scotland. There's just a power, an emotion, and a history that is embedded in, through the landscape, which radiates and pulses. There were times that I hiked off, into a field or up a mountain, and once I felt the time was right, I stopped and I sat, just taking everything in, letting the world around me, take me over. And in those moments, I felt like there was something much more happening, or had once happened to the land.

If you and your partner are hoping to ignite the flames of passion this year, why not head abroad and explore the risqué side of Europe’s famous cities together? On a European city break to Paris, Barcelona, Venice or Prague you can certainly experience the continent’s sensuous side of life. Here are some of the highlights: 

Sun (Records) Studio in Memphis, Tennessee is one of the most legendary origins for a genre of music in the world. The artists that have been discovered at this little studio hidden just outside of downtown Memphis is almost unbelievable. No, really… It’s mind blowing! If the names Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash (Yes, that is the same studio that Mr. Cash recorded his first songs in the film, Walk the Line!), Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, or Jerry Lee Lewis ring a bell, then you have my permission to be impressed. Some people have even gone as far as to dedicate Sun Records as being the ‘Birthplace of Rock & Roll.’ 

My time in Iceland went by in a blur of color and wilderness. The landscape of Iceland is one of the most magical, mesmerizing, and breathtaking to experience, and it's a a playground for photographers and other creatives. For me, I've wanted to visit Iceland, because of all of the HDR-style photographs that have circulated around the internet – each image seemed to have a magical essence, and a dramatic, yet beautiful terror. As far as I'm concerned, as a photographer, few places sound just as wonderful! I wanted to go and to capture the ever-changing moods, the powerful and vivid sunrises, and the burning colors of the sunsets. Few places in the winter have such a beautiful and consistent light available, than that of Iceland during the beginning of its winter. For the shot above, I found by driving around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula figure-eight loop. These beautiful and wild creatures were prancing around a bit, having just broke their fast for the morning. I'm not sure if these horses weren't entirely wild, or if they're simply as friendly as can be, by nature – I honestly don't know a whole lot about horses, nor have I ever ridden one. These three beauts came right over to me, as I parked my car along the side of the road and began walking toward the field here. The pretty boy in front, with the wicked cool hair tried to nudge me, so that I would pet her (or him, I suppose?), and he let me do just that. It was an amazing moment for me – for at that moment, I felt a connection to the earth, and to the land of Iceland, and to the wild. I will never forget that moment.

*Offer ends when the next Friday's Fine Art Feature image is published.