Discover the best golf & sightseeing destinations in Italy

You have come to the right place if you are in search of a beautiful vacation in Italy and want to play golf at the same time. Italy has it all and we would be happy to show you the true nature of its beauty. There is no brainer…Italy is among the most popular destinations in the world due to its fascinating history, grand monuments, renaissance architecture and impressive art museums, but most importantly for the stunning variety of landscapes It offers. There is something for everyone in Italy, whether you wish to stay at a palazzo in Rome, at a Renaissance villa on Lake Como, in a ski-chalet in the Dolomites, at a gorgeous beach resort on the Amalfi Coast, or else, at a breathtaking countryside retreat in the middle of rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. In addition to its sightseeing attractions, Italy is world-famous for its food and wine and offers divine gourmet specialties …think about home-made Pasta and Ravioli, Parmesan, Pizza, Tiramisu, Espresso, Limoncello, Prosecco, Chianti and Brunello wines…all the good stuff if you ask us! 

 While golf has been played in Italy since the early 20th century (the oldest club is Rome Acquasanta), the game’s popularity is on the rise and so since hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club near Rome. The country is slowly becoming a golfing destination and facilities are developing themselves to welcome international players looking for unique experiences. If you have been thinking about bringing your clubs on your Italy trip, here is the moment.

Discover the beauty of Italy’s best-kept secrets while playing the top courses in the country. This region is a perfect destination for couples, friends, and families who want to do some sightseeing, golfing, and relaxing. You could combine a wonderful trip and visit the romantic Venice, the fashionable Milan, and the Tuscan capital of Florence, and/or sail away on the scenic lakes, hike in the Dolomites mountains, taste the delicious Barolo wine in Piedmont, enjoy the beach on the Italian Riviera, or experience the rolling hills of Tuscany and Val d’Orcia while tasting wines and olive oils. This region has so much to offer with many cultural interests and activities for everyone. 

Now, for us golf lovers, Northern Italy is also the best region in terms of quality golf with the top-ranked courses in the country Royal Park I Roveri designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., followed by Biella (La Bétulle) and Villa d’Este located near Lake Como. Among our top experiences in Italy, we loved playing in Tuscany and visiting the small hilltop villages while tasting amazing wines. Tuscany is home to the newest luxury golf resort, Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco nestled among the hills of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the renovated facilities at Castelfalfi, situated near the 13th century San Gimignano, known as the “Manhattan of Tuscany”. 

• Day 1: Fly US – Milan
• Day 2: Transfer to Lake Como
• Day 3: Play Villa d’Este
• Day 4: Private Sailing Excursion on Lake Como
• Day 5: Transfer to the Italian Riviera and play Biella
• Day 6: Explore Cinque Terre
• Day 7: Transfer to Tuscany
• Day 8: Play Castelfalfi
• Day 9: Explore Siena
• Day 10: Play Castiglion del Bosco
• Day 11: Visit Val d’Orcia
• Day 12: Fly Rome – US

Host to the 2023 Ryder Cup, Italy was a revelation for golfers alike looking for exotic vacations and the event did not disappoint. On the contrary, the organization, the course set-up and the crowds were phenomenal. Rome is a newer golfing destination embracing its cultural heritage and variety of landscapes integrating roman ruins, city scapes and parasol pines into the parkland courses. The area is home to some of the best courses in the country, including Oligiata West designed by C.K Cotton and Frank Pennink in the 60s and host to several Italian Opens, but also the oldest club in the country Acquasanta built in 1903, Golf Nazionale and the famed Marco Simone Championship both designed by Jim Fazio in the late 80s. 

 Aside from being a playground for golfers, Rome is a facinating capital city steeped in history dating back to ancient times. The entire city is an open-air museum with cultural interests, museums, fountains, parks and also another country, the Vatican. Not to mention the delicious food and wine experiences found in the Trastevere neighborhood. Apart from Rome, the beautiful Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will seduce beach, yachting and watersports lovers while the Puglia region attracts those willing to adventure off-the-beaten path to remote beaches and small and charming villages. Experience La Dolce Vita on your golf trip. 

• Day 1: Fly US – Rome
• Day 2: Private Rome Golf Cart Tour
• Day 3: Play Marco Simone – Evening Colosseum Tour
• Day 4: Play Roma Acquasanta
• Day 5: Private Vatican Tour
• Day 6: Transfer to Puglia
• Day 7: Explore Beach
• Day 8: Play San Domenico
• Day 9: Fly Bari – Rome – US

Sicily offers everything a golfer wants…breathtaking sites and scenery, ancient history, gourmet food, sandy beaches and even golf courses. What’s not to like here? Whether you fly into Palermo on the west side of the island or Catania on the Eastern coast, the island is small enough you can travel across in less than 5 hours. Home to the beautiful historic cities of Syracusa, Taormina and Mount Etna, the Valley of the Temples and its surrounding perched villages and Palermo and the charming seaside fishing towns, Sicily is a destination of choice for couples, friends and families. Follow the steps of your favorite movies of all times or adventure in search of remains of the Greek mythological sites, there is for sure a lot to explore in Sicily. 

Sicily boasts 3 of the top 50 courses in Italy. Verdura Golf and Spa Resort offers golfers from all around the world an unrivaled golfing experience on Siciliy’s South West coastline and boasts 45 holes designed by famous architect Kyle Phillips. The East course (ranked #5) and the West course (ranked #8) are complimented by a 9-hole par three course also designed by Phillips. You guessed it…Verdura is a must destination for any golfers aventuring in this region. Located on the slopes of Mount Etna near Taormina, Sicily’s oldest 18-hole course is Il Picciolo Etna developped by Luigi Caremoli.

• Day 1: Fly US – Catania
• Day 2: Explore Taormina
• Day 3: Play Picciolo Etna
• Day 4: Private Mount Etna Tour
• Day 5: Transfer to Verdura, stop in Agrigento (Valley of the Temples)
• Day 6: Play Verdura East
• Day 7: Play Verdura West
• Day 8: Transfer to Palermo, stop in Monreale
• Day 9: Visit Palermo
• Day 10: Fly Palermo – US

A hidden gem in Continental Europe, Sardinia is often overlooked for wrong reasons and could very well be the place you enjoy the most in Italy. The island boasts breathtaking scenery including national marine parks, mountains, extraordinary nature and magnificent beaches with crystal-clear waters and granite formations. Imagine the perfect hideaway from home with endless possibilities for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing holiday or a more adventurous vacation to try out extreme sports such as canyoning or trekking, Sardinia has it all. The “under-the-radar” island is also a heaven for food lovers and has some of the friendliest hosts you could ask for. 

Sardinia is home to 3 of the top 50 courses in the country; Pevero in the north, Is Arenas on the West coast and Is Molas in the south. Set above the sea on the rugged coastline of Costa Esmeralda, Pevero is a Robert Trent Jones and Ron Kirby masterpiece designed in the 70s. Built in the early 2000s, Is Arenas is among the best works of architect Robert von Hagge while the beautiful Is Molas offer 27 holes of golf; the Championship course was designed by Frank Pennink in the 70s and the 9-hole was added more recently by a Gary Player associate. 

• Day 1: Fly US – Olbia
• Day 2: Explore Beaches
• Day 3: Experience the Golf Academy and Play at Pevero
• Day 4: Private Maddalena Islands Sailing Trip
• Day 5: Play Is Arenas
• Day 6: Take a ferry to Corsica and visit Bonifacio
• Day 7: Private Food and Wine Tour
• Day 8: Fly Olbia – US