7 nights at Life Hotel Bergamo with 3 green fees per person (Golf Club Bergamo L'Albenza, Golf Club Villa Paradiso, Golf Club Franciacorta)

Acknowledged for years as one of the best Italian golf courses, “L’Albenza” – as it is generally known among the golfers – nestles in the hills surrounding Bergamo, one of the most famous cities for art. A large-scale parkland, which stretches along pine and broadleaf woods, where Costantino Rocca, pride of Italian Golf with his five triumphs on the European Tour and the three Ryder Cup’s ventures in the Nineties, took his first steps a s a golfer and grow to be such a great champion.. The high-level technical side of the course doesn’t spoil the pleasure of a game among friends on the 27 holes of the three golf courses, created in different ages: Cotton & Sutton in 1961 started to plan the first 18 (Blue and Yellow) sponsored by a group of local entrepreneurs, with a British-style course. Springs and streams offer natural water hazards while the undulating ground provides the right action to the fairways, the holes are naturally above ground, the abundant vegetation assures coolness even in the hottest months. On this course was held the 53rd Italian open in 1996, won by Jim Payne. Meanwhile, in 1988 the last 9 holes were born, the “Red” course, designed by the Australian Tom Linskey, coach and mentor of Rocca- and by the Venetian architect Marco Croze. Nothing more soothing, at the end of the game, than a drink on the terrace of the clubhouse or inside, in front of the large windows, enjoying a magnificent view on the course. Technical Details Course : 3 x 9 holes, Par 36 each 6082 meters Architect : Cotton & Sutton (18 holes), Marco Croze & Tom Linkskey (9 holes) Topography : tipical anglo-saxon style, many water obstacles Special features : the great presence of trees makes the game on this course very pleasant, especially during summertime. The 9 holes course is not so easy as the 18 holes : the isolated greens, and the thick woods which line in the fairways and a Par 5 of more then 500 meters require great skill Pro’s comments It’s on the 8th of the Blue course that you can notice the difference between an attacking player and a more conservative one. The second shot towards a very narrow green is guarded by a water hazard and has to be played downhill; dexterity and perfect technical movement is mandatory here! I advise the mid to high hcp level player to take a second shot to the right, in order to comfortably reach the green with the third shot.

Discreetly hidden on a tranquil bend of the Adda River in a protected natural area – the Regional Northern Adda Park, halfway between Milan and Bergamo – the 18-hole course inaugurated in 2001 is a delightful surprise which appears as soon as you start down the steep slope leading to the clubhouse. The club takes its name from an old villa that stood here but was destroyed, and was unable to see the opening of this pleasant course rolling over the lands of an abandoned quarry, with its varied and intriguing 18 holes and their well maintained championship-level fairways and greens. This is a modern concept course that is technical and long, all the while entertaining for all types of golfers, due to the presence of five strategically positioned lakes, which give the holes their high technical value. Each hole with its own six tee boxes, nonetheless, will thoroughly satisfy even less powerful players. In addition to the championship course, there is a 9-hole course of only par 3s, perfect for newcomers but also interesting for improving your short game. Technical Details Course : 18 holes, Par 72, 6223 m Architect : Franco Piras Topography : modern technical and long course, only 20 minutes from Milano and Bergamo Special features : enjoyable for all types of golfers Pro’s comments Villa Paradiso is one of the best golf clubs opened in Italy this new century: an easygoing atmosphere with an impressive course; the 18 well-designed entertaining holes created by friend Franco Piras, have the virtue of mixing length and difficulty perfectly. Hole 8, a rather long par 4, is particularly beautiful, with a double lake that will hinder tee-shots as well as shots to the green. Finishing out the hole with a par is a completely respectable result.

Just mention Franciacorta and immediately everyone will think of the precious vineyards of this area, that borders with the Southern shore of the Iseo Lake, between Brescia and Adro, a district that the connoisseurs are now appointing as the new “Chiantishire”: castles and ancient fortified boroughs, excellent food and wine culture, a mild climate. And, obviously, golf. The three 9 holes courses of Franciacorta Golf Club, all named after the most famous products of the area (Brut and Satèn offer the setting of the usual championship courses, whereas Rosè is more suitable for practicing and beginners) were created in the mid-80s, due to the clever foresight of entrepreneur Vittorio Moretti and thanks to the design of two architects, the American Peter Dye and the Venetian Marco Croze, who took care of the actual construction. It is a course of great character, not particularly long, but with a succession of obstacles, mostly water hazards. Among the best holes, in Satèn the 2nd stands out, a par 3 with an island green and the tee stretching into the lake and the 5th hole, a panoramic par 4 with a breathtaking view over the hills and Iseo Lake. The clubhouse is a wide and modern open-space building, with high ceilings and huge windows. Not far from it are the two swimming pools, the mini-soccer field and the residential areas, slightly apart from the golf course, that never interfere with the beautiful , bucolic views. Technical Details Course : 3×9 holes (Brut/Satèn/Rosé), Par 37/36/34, 2936/2979/2593 meter Architect : Pete Dye and Marco Croze Topography : hilly, large water obstacles Distinctive features : is considered one of the best golf places in Italy Pro’s comments This championship course is a succession of dogleg holes with very accentuated bends. Playing it once is not enough to fully understand the strategy to adapt to get the best from your game. The Par 5s are beautiful and entertaining, reachable in 2 shots for stronger players, but equally enjoyable for all other players. The best shot of the day? Stopping at a restaurant at the end of a match: you are in the right place for tasting some of Italy’s finest bubbly.