7 nights with breakfast at Parc Hotel Germano and three green fees per person (Ca degli Ulivi Golf Club, Paradiso del Garda and Chervo)

We are around twenty kilometers from the Venetian Lagoon, a World Heritage site: either before or after an obligatory tour of the Serenissima, or better Venice, golf lovers simply cannot miss playing a match at the Golf Club Ca’ della Nave in Martellago, a gem designed by Arnold Palmer on terrain dominated by the aristocratic majesty of the 16th century Villa Grimani Morosini. The great American champion who designed the course in the mid-1980s perhaps drew inspiration from Venice when he decided to insert artificial lakes and water hazards onto no less than 12 of the 18 championship holes – but not even the 9 executive holes are exempt from red stakes! The most difficult is Hole 2, a par 4 of 370 meters, picturesque and rolling with the lake flanking it on the right for the length of the fairway. Two bunkers there awaiting the landing of your first shot and another to defend the entrance to the green complicate things considerably. Hole 14 is also spectacular, a par 4 of 278 meters, where the fairway is an islet in the middle of a large lake: from the tee, you have to cross a small bridge to reach the ball, and the same must be done to reach the green which, in addition to the water in the front, is also defended by three bunkers. Technical Details Course: 18 holes, Par 72, 6366 meters Architect: Arnold Palmer Topography: flat with artificial hills and undulated fairways. Distinctive features: you can recognize everywhere the American style. The play is amusing thanks to artificial slopes and well-placed water hazards. Pro’s comments Arnold Palmer’s hand is clearly seen in the design of this splendid course; lots of water, bunkers on the dogleg bends and in defense of the greens which are wide and welcoming. Much about this course is already revealed by Hole 2, a handicap 1; almost 400 meters from the furthest tee, water on the right and a green defended by a bunker on the left; you will find water another 11 times by the time you have completed the round but don’t be discouraged; the course is not that difficult and everyone will have a ball. Bravo Arnie!!!

We are south of Lake Garda, on lands where the Second War of Independence was fought in 1859 between the Franco-Sardinian and Austrian armies. The only battles being fought here today are fortunately the personal ones with one’s golf game, and without too many frustrations nonetheless: this is a course where even players with high handicaps can enjoy themselves (the holes have five tee boxes to adapt the course to all levels) and where you don’t have to spend a lot of time looking for your ball because it’s always in plain sight (unless it ends up in one of the many water hazards!). Before going to play, climb the travertine and wrought iron stairs leading to the top floor of the bright clubhouse. Go out on the terrace where the panorama sweeps 360-degrees over the courses and the 110 hectares of property. From here, you have the best overview of the four 9-hole courses designed by German architect Kurt Rossknecht in 2008. The 18 classical competition holes are those of the Benaco – with a memorable Hole 5, a par 3 of 180 meters almost completely taken up by the lake – combined with those of the Solferino; the 9 holes of both courses are spectacular, sharing the same lake and the same immense putting green onto which the clubhouse windows look. The San Martino course is also beautiful, a rather long par 35 with many water hazards. Test your short game and try the Pozzolengo course, with its 9 executive holes that are varied and entertaining. Technical Details Course Benaco/Solferino: 9 holes, Par 36, 3427 meters. Course San Martino: 9 holes, Par 35, 2910 meters Course Pozzolengo: 9 holes, Par 27, 1025 meters Architect: Kurt Rossknecht Topography: somewhere flat, somewhere hilly; a lot of water hazards. Distinctive features: Every golf player will find here his ideal situation. Pro’s Comments The Golf Chervò – San Vigilio can be best defined as “universal”: challenging for pros and amateurs with low handicaps, fun for medium-high handicaps; congratulations to the designer who intuited his client’s needs, that is, for building a splendid “tourist” course. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s easy; it is rather long, with large greens and cross bunkers that are difficult to get over. Fun guaranteed for all. Try it.