4 nights at Monte Baldo & Villa Acquarone with 2 green fees (Golf Bogliaco, Arzaga Golf Club)

A dip into the history of Italian Golf. Since more than a century, in fact, the western hills of Lake Garda host these undulating and spectacular fairways, created in 1912 due to the initiative of a local hotelier and to meet the requirements of the growing number of British and German tourists. The atmosphere here is unique, as is the landscape – we are 100 m above sea level and the lake can be admired in nearly all of its length. Those greens have witnessed history: visited by royalty and famous personalities in the first decades, in 1934 for reasons of State the course became a wheat field, later transformed by the German troops in an airstrip and later on by the American troops as a baseball diamond field. The return of golf is dated 1952. The holes, originally only 9, grew to 18 in June 2004. It’s better to leave at home the desire to emulate the power of Bubba Watson, seeking instead precision and accuracy: the fairways are narrow, with trees either side and sometimes significant drops, few water hazards will take care of the most daring balls. In the Art Nouveau building that hosts the clubhouse, simple and comfortable, it’s worth visiting the restaurant on the first floor, with a terrace that on fine days offers the sight of an unforgettable sunset over the lake. Course: 18 holes, Par 70, 5235 m. Architect restyling : Fulvio Bani Topography: Contrary to what we could think, the play here is no so Physical. Just hole 2 and hole 4 are in high position. Distinctive features: breathtaking view on Garda Lake, a luxuriant vegetation and sometimes narrow paths. A course which exudes history and tradition, with delicate and extremely narrow fairways and a unique gem, the 5th hole, where an extraordinary panorama awaits the player on the tee. It’s a downhill par 3 with breathtaking view over part of lake Garda: take your time for a souvenir photo. Later on, there are plenty of fun shots towards small and very well guarded greens. Why not trying it?