Golf courses in Tuscany

Play on some of the best greens

With Tuscany’s picturesque rolling hills and mild climate, it is almost impossible to imagine a better place for golfing. The mild weather allows golfers to play no matter what the season. 

Tuscany, has many certified golf courses, 18-hole courses and 9-hole courses. If you like to play golf, love open spaces and contact with nature, it is impossible not to remain fascinated by these places. These are the Golf Clubs in Tuscany with 18-holes courses.

Province of FLORENCE

Golf Club UGOLINO (18 holes par 72) Grassina

This is one of the oldest golf club’s in Italy in the heart of the Chianti vineyards. The natural contours of the Chianti slopes makes it an outstanding course, threaded through the vineyards, olive trees and maritime pines. The course is not long, but demands a high degree of skill. On Monday members only.

Golf Club CASTELFALFI (18 holes par 72) Montaione

Castelfalfi Golf Club

Castelfalfi is the largest golf course in Tuscany. The courses, built according to the principles of sustainability and without adding anything artificial, are among the most fascinating from the point of view of its landscape and are stimulating from a sports point of view. The highest rated Golf Club in Tuscany and one of the best rated golf courts in Italy. Closed from January to late February.

Golf Club POGGIO DEI MEDICI (18 holes par 73) Scarperia

Poggio dei Medici Golf Club offers a top quality golf course not far from Florence. The golf course, set in the Mugello valley, sheltered by Apennines, offers 5 different starting tees for an exciting game for all levels. Frequent host of the Ladies Italian Open. On Monday members only. Handicap limit 36.

Province of PISTOIA

Golf MONTECATINI TERME (18 holes par 72) Monsummano Terme

The gently rolling slopes of the Montecatini golf course provide classic Tuscan panoramas. The course is thoroughly enjoyable, with a few tricky corners here and there but generally not too long or tough.

Province of PRATO

Golf Club LE PAVONIERE (18 holes par 72) Prato

Le Pavoniere Golf Club

Hidden by the Tuscan hills behind the town of Prato, this course is full of water obstacles and irregular greens and it is known for its technical and landscape linearity. Le Pavoniere Golf Club occupies a part of what was once a de’Medici Estate and has all the charm and beauty you’d expect in Bella Toscana. One of the highest rated golf clubs in Tuscany.

Province of LUCCA

VERSILIA Golf Resort (18 holes par 71) Pietrasanta

This golf resort, in the heart of Versilia, is set between the mountains and the sea. It’s a pretty course, almost a botanical garden in some areas, the holes are quite tightly knit around the numerous lakes and streams that criss-cross the course. Handicap limit 54. Green Fees among the highest of Tuscany.

Province of PISA

COSMOPOLITAN Golf Club (18 holes par 72) Tirrenia

Nestled in the Tuscan pine forest, close to the sea just south of Pisa, the Cosmopolitan Golf Club has obstacles consisting of sand, dunes and lakes make the play very attractive from a technical point of view. On weekdays handicap limit 54. High rating.

Province of SIENA

CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO Golf Club (18 holes par 72) Castiglion del Bosco

The estate’s breathtaking 18-hole golf course was designed by the legendary winner of the British Open, Tom Weiskopf. It is designed to challenge the best of golfers and to thrill the casual golfers. It’s Italy’s only private club to be set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Members and hotel guests only. Extremely high green fees.

Royal Golf  LA BAGNAIA (18 holes par 71) Bagnaia

Royal Golf La Bagnaia

The course is a distinctive example of an inland links, which is enhanced by the charming lakes and imposing clubhouse that offers panoramic views across the towers of Siena. Even if still young La Bagnaia already hosted several national tournaments, like the 2013 Italian National Open Championship. Green Fees among the highest of Tuscany. Closed from 16 December to end of January. One of the highest rated golf clubs in Tuscany.

Province of GROSSETO

Golf Club PUNTA ALA (18 holes par 72) Punta Ala

The hilly course overlooks the sea and winds its way through pine trees, oaks and bushes. Those who love technical challenges won't be disappointed as this tricky course requires a lot of precision. Handicap limit 54. High rating.

TERME DI SATURNIA Golf Club (18 holes par 72) Saturnia

Terme di Saturnia Golf

In the midst of the countryside, the green of the valley of Saturnia with its breathtaking landscape and the advanced tee markers at every hole, make your game of golf an unforgettable and truly exclusive experience. One of the highest rated golf clubs in Tuscany.

IL PELAGONE / GOLF CLUB TOSCANA (18 holes 71 par) Gavorrano

Il Pelagone Golf Club 

This 18-hole-golf course is arranged in the middle of vineyards and olive groves. Little lakes, water hazards and the Mediterranean fauna and flora give the course a very special charm. The view of Island Elba and Corsica from the 18th Tee is simply unforgettable. High rating.

ARGENTARIO Golf Club (18 holes 71 par) Porto Ercole

The Argentario Golf Club has a breathtaking view over the Orbetello Lagoon and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The course has been awarded the “Agri Cert” certification for its bio eco-compatibility, and all products used for its maintenance are completely natural. Green Fees among the highest of Tuscany. High rating.

Tuscany Holiday homes Farmhouse with horses in Gavorrano

Autumn in Tuscany

Admire not only the words, 
consider the heat of the sun, 
which becomes wine when joined to the juice of the grape.

(Dante Alighieri, la Divina Commedia)

Autumn is the harvest and hunting season in Tuscany. First there is the grape harvest, then the olives have to be picked, chestnuts collected, mushrooms and truffles searched and then it is time for hunting among others wild boars. In this period there are many local festivals or sagre which are mostly dedicated to these typical products.

Holidays in Tuscany in September

If you travel to Tuscany in September you can enjoy a relaxing holiday, explore the area, visit wine estates and taste exquisite local dishes in Tuscan restaurants, osterias, trattorias and pizzerias.
 

In Tuscany the children go back to school the second week of September after a long, 3 months summer holiday.

On average the weather remains nice with milder temperatures. The crowds are gradually invading the cities again, at the seaside the season is running towards the end, but for the countryside this period is very interesting.

GIGLIO ISLAND

GIGLIO ISLAND, an uncontaminated paradise of nature

The island of Giglio is the second largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Its natural beauty makes it a true paradise. The entire coastline is made of jagged palisades, broken only by the Arenella, Porto, Cannelle and Caldane coves along the east coast, and by the larger beach of Campese to the northwest. Its mild climate offers visitors a wonderful stay in any season. The emerald green water and varied seabed teeming with fish offer visitors and scuba divers the chance to enjoy the uncontaminated waters. 

Pienza, city of Art and Pecorino cheese

Along the way from Trequanda to Montalcino, we find the city of Pienza, a superb example of Renaissance architecture, built upon request by Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who was Pope Pio II from 1458

Pienza is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every second weekend in May the “Pienza and its flowers” show and market of plants and flowers is held. In occasion of this exhibition plant breeders and schools of the sector meet up to re-propose wonderful floral scenes inspired by Renaissance art, within the most beautiful areas of the city.

The most beautiful villages of Tuscany - part2

In this second part about the Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany we visit the most beautiful villages of the provinces of Pisa and Lucca.

Italy has hundreds of beautiful villages, small jewels to visit, both inland and at the seaside. The most beautiful villages can be found in the guide to the 271 Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, I Borghi più Belli d’Italia 2017*. Twenty of these villages are located in Tuscany, three in the province of LUCCA (Barga, Castiglione di Garfagnana and Coreglia Antelminelli) and one in the province of Pisa (Montescudaio).

The town of PISA is world-known for its leaning tower. The Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) is one of the main attractions in Tuscany.

Montescudaio

MONTESCUDAIO is situated 63 km south of Pisa. The fact that Montescudaio belongs to the most beautiful villages of Tuscany is very exceptional, because the village was destroyed twice by an earthquake in the 19th century. Most buildings were completely rebuilt after the second earthquake, such as the Oratory of the Announcement and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church. From the square in front of the church there is a breathtaking view of the sea and the scenic valley of Val di Cecina.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Montescudaio

Every year during the month of september a procession is held with the statues which survived the earthquakes. The procession goes from the Oratory to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church. On this occasion the village is decorated with white roses.

The province of Lucca is so much more than just the town of LUCCA, the city with 100 churches, where the Festival Lucca Comics takes place every year. In the province of Lucca there are three of the 20 most beautiful villages of Tuscany.

Barga

BARGA is a small town close to Lucca. It has an old historical centre which is surrounded by medieval walls, with narrow cobbled streets and old squares. The city gate Porta Reale bears witness to the glorious past of Barga.

Barga is known to be the most Scottish town in Italy. Many residents emigrated to Scotland in the twentieth century. After making their fortune, they returned to Barga, and brought along the Scottish traditions and customs. More than half of the population has Scottish roots. Every year the town hosts its very own Sagra del Pesce e Patate or Festival of Fish and Chips. One of the local dishes of Barga is zuppa di farro, a soup made from a type of wheat, emmer or hulled wheat.

CASTIGLIONE DI GARFAGNANA is located north of Lucca. The village is characterized by ancient city walls. There are three town gates: Porta Inferi, Porta del Ponte Levatoio* and Porta Nuova. 

Through Porta del Ponte Levatoio you enter the historical centre and Piazza del Castello with the renaissance building Palazzo del Parlamento, which now houses the Town Hall, and Palazzo Nobili. The beautiful Saint Michael’s Church from the beginning of the 15th century and Saint Peter’s Church from 1197 are worth visiting. You can attend a medieval Festival in August with a pageant in medieval costumes. 

The typical dishes of Castiglione di Garfagnana are polenta di castagne, polenta made with chestnut flour and necci, chestnut flour pancake rolls.

Coreglia Antelminelli

COREGLIA ANTELMINELLI, a lovely hillside town, has a breathtaking view on the Apennine mountains of the province of Lucca. The Roman remains and the beautiful renaissance palazzi are in perfect harmony. A number of historic city gates give access to the ancient city center. Once inside it seems that time has stood still here. Coreglia Antelminelli was very well known for its Figurinai, figurine makers who made small plaster figurines. In Palazzo Vanni, you can visit the Museum of the figure makers. Castagnaccio is a typical dish of the village (pastries made with chestnut flour).

* The Guide "I Borghi più belli d'Italia 2019" is available only in Italian and is very hard to find outside of Italy.

Lucca Apartments with pool in Borgo a Mozzano Tuscany

The most beautiful Villages of Tuscany - part1

Tuscany has a handful of big cities of art which are very popular with tourists (Florence, Siena, Pisa, ...), but there are also many less-known, wonderful, precious villages and towns with a typical Tuscan charm. One village is famous for its cheese or wine production, while in the other one you can find particular churches, squares and monuments. Others are beautiful because of their simplicity or their authenticity. Therefore we would like to focus on these less-known towns and villages. This is the first part.

In 2001 the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (I Borghi più Belli d'Italia) was founded through the incentive of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities. The project arose from the need to promote the great heritage of history, art, culture, environment and traditions found in small Italian towns which are, for the most part, cut off from the main flow of visitors and tourists. Admission to the Club requires the meeting of a number of prerequisites, which are both structural, such as the architectonic harmony of the urban fabric and the quality of the public and private building heritage, as well as general, regarding the quality of life in the village in terms of activities and services for the people. It is also necessary to be committed to continuously improving these prerequisites. In these beautiful villages you will find the atmosphere, the fragrances and flavors which make typical local customs, products and traditions a way of life which is worth "savoring" with all five senses.

In all of Italy there are 271 member villages in the club of Most Beautiful Villages, of which 20 are located in Tuscany:

• Barga, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and Coreglia Antelminelli(3) in the province of  LUCCA,
• Scarperia (1) in the province of FLORENCE,
• Montescudaio (1) in the province of PISA,
• Anghiari, Castelfranco Piandiscò, Loro Ciuffenna, Raggiolo and Poppi(5) in AREZZO,
• Suvereto (1) in the province of LIVORNO,
• Buonconvento, Cetona, and San Casciano dei Bagni (3) in SIENA,
• Giglio Castello, Montemerano, Pitigliano, Santa Fiora, Porto Ercole and Sovana (6) in GROSSETO.

Arezzo is one of the bigger cities in the region of Tuscany. The city is the capital of the homonymous province. Arezzo is a somewhat lesser known tourist stop in Tuscany. And yet five of the 20 most beautiful villages of Tuscany are located here.

Anghiari

ANGHIARI dominates the valley of the Tiber with its castles and imposing medieval walls. Thanks to its strategical position this border region of Tuscany is famous for numerous historic battles such as the battle between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Milan, which was commemorated in a magnificent but lost fresco by Leonardo da Vinci in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The annual traditional crafts fair attracts many tourists and craft lovers to Anghiari. In the town you can still feel the magic of the former medieval atmosphere, enjoy the spectacular panorama and the richness of the environment with the many churches and castles, the wooded landscapes and intact nature. But Anghiari is also a bustling town, with a rich cultural life, with theatre, folk traditions, love for literature and with a rich gastronomic tradition, real and full of flavor, such as the character of its inhabitants.

Castelfranco di Sopra

Within the city walls of CASTELFRANCO DI SOPRA you will find a wonderful mix of medieval and Renaissance styles. From the tower, Arnolfo Tower, you can enjoy a beautiful view of unusual rock formations or cliffs, called Le Balze. Leonardo da Vinci was very impressed by these mythical rock formations and he used them as a background in several paintings. The most famous painting with the Balze in the background is his masterpiece La Giocanda, better known as Mona Lisa. Don’t forget to visit the Abbey of San Salvatore.

Loro Ciuffenna

The beautiful old bridge over the river Ciuffenna is very characteristic of the picturesque village of LORO CIUFFENNA. The stone houses built on the banks of the river Ciuffenna, the small alleys and the old bridge, are witnesses of the middle ages, which have left their marks on the village. The bridge leads to the entrance gate with the Clock, from where you enter the most fascinating area of the village, which is built along just one single road, which crosses the village from east to west. The road leads to the second entrance gate on the road that leads to Arezzo. Many of the local dishes in Loro Ciuffenna are based on chestnuts. In November there is a local Festival or Sagra dedicated to the chestnuts. Another local speciality is a type of yellow-coloured beans, called fagiolo zolfino. 

Raggiolo

RAGGIOLO, a small medieval mountain village with narrow streets and ancient city walls, is one of the most recently added to the list of the most beautiful villages. Raggiolo is a bit isolated and is surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Casentino region. It is situated at an altitude of 600m and 10 km from the regional road SR70 that crosses the Casentino region from Arezzo to the Consuma pass. The village is best known for its chestnuts. There is an Ecological Chestnut Museum, which is open from June to September. There is a chestnut festival, Festa della Castagnatura at the end of October.

Poppi Castle

POPPI is situated on a 400m hilltop that overlooks one of Tuscany’s most stunning valleys, the Casentino Valley. Poppi still has the looks of a medieval town. You can admire the castle, Castello dei Conti Guidi, one of the most beautiful castles of Italy. The 13th century building is known to be the prototype for the Town Hall of Florence Palazzo Vecchio. In August there is the annual folk festival in Poppi "Gusto dei Guidi". Here you can try the best Tuscan wines and delicious dishes from the Casentino region. During this event you can visit the many wineries and historic buildings.

Scarperia

Near Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany and one of the most famous and most beautiful cities in Italy, you can find SCARPERIA, a gorgeous little town in the Mugello area. Scarperia is famous for its production of knives. Here, unlike other places where knives were produced, the craft does not belong only to the past. It still represents a source of income for many craftsmen. The Museum of Cutting Tools documents the history of this widespread artisanal activity in Scarperia. On the first Sunday of each month there is a collector's market where antiques, second hand and collector's pieces, stamps and coins are exchanged.

Every last Sunday in May, Scarperia dresses itself in flowers for the traditional event Infiorata. This event requires lots of preparation and brings together all the inhabitants of the town. The streets of the hamlet are decorated with flower petals to form colorful patterns. The petals are arranged inside models made the night before by residents of the hamlet to a theme which changes every year. Other recurrent events in Scarperia are the Renaissance Day, the first Sunday of September, Diotto, the re-evocation of the founding of Scarperia by the Florentine republic on the 8th (die-octo) of September. Besides being one of Italy's most beautiful villages, Scarperia also boasts to have Italy's world famous racetrack Mugello Circuit, which hosts the Italian MotoGP.

Splendid Holiday Farm with pool in Tuscany in Castelfranco di Sopra

Mount Amiata

All year mountain activities in Mount Amiata

Mount Amiata

In the Mount Amiata area you can spend holidays plenty of sports, fun and nature. The area is a paradise for sport lovers and all those who want to explore this beautiful territory.

Although Mount Amiata is a dormant volcano, the territory still conserves a great amount of energy in its interior which gives a strong identity to the region and its inhabitants. 

Winter sport lovers will appreciate down-hill and cross-country skiing on the slopes of Mount Amiata, while hikers will head to the area during the autumn months to hunt for mushrooms and chestnuts. Spring is best when it comes to looking for raspberries and blueberries. Those who love water will enjoy a canoe ride along one of the area’s many waterways.

 

Mountain-climbers can enjoy the territory’s trails, known for their breathtaking views. Novice mountaineers are likely to appreciate the trails that wind along the cliffs of the Amiata. Trained cyclists won’t want to miss an incredible mountain-bike excursion or a climb to the mountain top.

Skilifts on Mount Amiata

When the white blanket of snow covers the mountain, skiers can choose among the 15 ski lifts, located in four locations on the mountain (Prato della Contessa, Prato delle Macinaie, Marsiliana, and the Cantore Refuge). These lifts serve over 25 km of ski trails and slopes, in addition to the resort's 12 km of cross-country ski trails. Ski instructors and ski schools are also available to beginners and children or those who want to brush up on their style. When snow is abundant, the trails that travel through the Amiata woods are a great pleasure. Snow-shoeing trails are also available.

Famous is the network of long and short footpaths in Mount Amiata. The most important excursion in this vast network is the 'Ring of the Mountain', a magnificent 28 km-long itinerary that travels around the volcano. The maximum duration of the itinerary is 12 hours and it takes you through the mountain towns and villages, like Abbadia San Salvatore, Vivo d'Orcia, Arcidosso, Piancastagnaio, and Santa Fiora. This footpath is well marked with signs. Other itineraries connect Santa Fiora, Piancastagnaio and the 'Ring of the Mountain' to Mount Civitella and Castell'Azzarra. These footpaths travel through the natural reserves of Pigelleto and Monte Penna. The 'chestnut footpaths' are noteworthy for the flora and fauna, as well as for the castle, villas and old farmhouses along the path.

Trekking lovers can combine these various itineraries over a period of a few days, or use the marked routes that connect the footpaths of Mount Amiata with interesting places in Maremma and the province of Siena. Along the marked routes in the province of Grosseto, you can go to Pitigliano, Saturnia, Scansano and the Argentario area. The routes in Siena travel to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Chiusi and the city of Siena. The Florence-Siena-Roma footpath, inaugurated in 1996, connects 25 Tuscan cities to Rome, and crosses the forests of Mount Amiata and the fields of Mount Labbro. All of the marked itineraries can also be travelled on horseback with special guides. 

Many cycle routes (not all of them, however) can be travelled with mountain bikes. For the vast majority of the routes in Mount Amiata, however, it is recommended that cyclists use an all-terrain bicycle that can ride on both uphill and downhill asphalted and dirt roads. Also those who seek classic-style cycling tourism (on asphalted roads only) will find something interesting in Mount Amiata, and in northern Maremma and Val d'Orcia. The five routes that travel up the Amiata are recommended for expert cyclists.

Holiday homes with pool in Cinigiano (GR) near Mount Amiata

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