GOLF IN THE SUN ITALIAN GOLF TRIP 2026
A golfing adventure plus so much more….
1st to 12th September 2026
In 2022 we organised a golfing barge cruise which started from Sermione, the beautiful medieval jewel of Italy’s Lake Garda, before taking a barge down the River Po to Venice. On the way we stopped off to play 4 rounds of golf and visit the wonderful Verona Opera, where we enjoyed a very special performance of Verdi’s Aida.
In the ensuing years, we have often reminisced with the rest of the group of, not only how special the trip was, but how special Italy is.
So guess what?
We’ve decided to do it again, incorporating some of the most enjoyable bits from the previous trip, and combining them with some of Italy’s delights in the magical areas of Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio.
Along the way we will play some of Italy’s best golf courses (including the 2023 Ryder Cup course, Marco Simone), delight in the country’s natural beauty, culture and architecture in historic Florence, Perugia and Rome, and enjoy the famous Italian food and wine offerings, that are so deeply intertwined with Italian culture and history.
Apart from our starting point at Hotel San Vigilio (which is a wonderful golf resort just outside of Sermione), we have carefully selected hotels that are in the centre of each city, and are all within walking distance of their historical centres.
An interesting antonym here, is that while Italy is full of history and culture, golf is a relatively new experience with none of the golf courses we will be playing being older than 36 years!
The full itinerary is below, so relax, take your time, and let your imagination take over as you join us in dreaming about another Golf in the Sun Golf trip that will provide special lasting memories for years to come….
OUR ITINERARY
Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf (click above for video)
Day 1 – Tuesday 1st September
Arrive in Milan and transfer to Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf (2 hours).
We chose the beautiful Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf because of its close proximity to Sermione and Lake Garda, which is just a short 15 minute taxi drive away.
The on site golf resort boasts 27 championship holes, divided into three courses: Benaco, Solferino, and San Martino.
This enchanting place is the perfect destination for our group, not just as a base for all to visit Italy’s most renowned and biggest lake, but also the wonderful Opera in nearby Verona.
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Beautiful Sermione on Lake Garda (click above for video)
Day 2 – Wednesday 2nd of September
Golfers play San Vigilio Golf Course
Immersed in a green landscape of rolling hills and orchards that change colour tones with the changing seasons, just a stone’s throw from Lake Garda, the course was designed by architect Kurt Rossknecht and boasts 36 holes, 9 of which are executive and 27 championship. The combination offered by the club are all perfectly integrated into the resort. The priceless views make the course a spectacular backdrop of golf and beautiful scenery.
Non Golfers
Cruise Lake Garda to Malcesine
Non golfers will cruise the lake to Malcesine (click for video)
Non golfers will enjoy a private cruise to the very scenic north end of Lake Garda, stopping off on the way to visit the picturesque medieval town of Malcesine and take the cable car ride up to Monte Baldo, the majestic mountain that provides a dramatic backdrop to the town and Lake Garda.
Take the cable car to the top of Mount Gordo (click for video)
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Verona Opera (click above to watch Arturo Chacón-Cruz sing Nessun Dorma from the opera Turandot)
Day 3 – Thursday 3rd of September
Day of leisure in Sermione before Verona Opera
Enjoy the delights of Sermione – Wander its quaint cobbled streets, take a boat ride on the lake, visit the charming and unique Scaliger Castle or the ancient Roman villa ruins known as the Grotte di Catullo, and the relaxing thermal baths, enjoy shopping in the chic boutiques or dine in one of the many typical Italian restaurants, before returning to the hotel and being transferred the 45 minute journey to….
The Opera in Verona
If you have been to the Verona Opera before you know how special it is. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat!
The building was built in 30 A.D, 50 years before the Colosseum in Rome, and is the largest open air opera amphitheatre in the world. We will join 15,000 others in watching the Chinese love story of Turandot (and don’t worry the storyline is translated into English on two big screens either side of the arena throughout the performance), which includes the bewitching anthem Nessun Dorma.
You will have tickets in the 1st or 2nd Sector Stalls section of the auditorium.
At the end of the show we are transported back to the hotel.
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Hotel Executive, Florence (click above for video)
Day 4 – Friday 4th of September
Transfer to Hotel Executive, Florence (3 hours)
After breakfast we will check out and be transferred to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, a city rich in art, architecture and culture, known for its historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage site), famous museums like the Uffizi Gallery, delicious cuisine, and its influential role in fashion. It’s a place where every street corner can tell a story.
We will stay in the 4* Executive Hotel.
The Executive Hotel in Florence is a luxury 4 star hotel in the historical centre of the city, originally constructed in the 18th century by the architect Poggi.
The Hotel enjoys a superb location next to the River Arno and close to Santa Maria Novella. Renovated to reflect the grandeur of Florence’s golden era and restore this historical building’s original presence.
Rooms at the Executive Hotel feature satellite TV, a minibar, and a private bathroom with hairdryer and courtesy set. You can admire original frescoes and antique furniture in the lobby and some of the rooms.
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La Pavoniere Golf (click above for video)
Day 5 – Saturday 5th of September
Golfers play La Pavoniere Golf Course
Le Pavoniere Golf & Country Club offers a golf course which flanks an ancient park, where the fairway is undulated and the sand of the finest. An eighteen hole course designed by the great Arnold Palmer. It includes perfect lines of play and greens protected by insidious bunkers and strategic water hazards. Initially, a nineteenth century villa in one of Leopoldo dei Medici’s estates, the course was carefully restored with services added by a number of passionate players wishing to create their own course: that’s how Le Pavoniere was born twenty years ago. Today, to enrich and beautify the surroundings 1,800 new trees of native species have been planted and banks of flowers created around the water mirror lakes, greens and tees. When you play you’ll really feel you’re in a natural paradise, in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.
Between nature, relaxation, sports facilities and friendly atmosphere. The course is challenging and able to test your ability searching for the perfect round. That’s why playing here will be an unforgettable experience every time, whatever your level of skill. Le Pavoniere hosts national and international golf events such as the European Challenge Tour each year.
Non golfers
Cesarine’s authentic food experience
Learn to cook the Italian way at Cesarine Cookery (click above for full details)
Non golfers will immerse themselves in a private cooking experience at Cesarina’s home, enjoy an exclusive cooking demo and taste authentic recipes treasured in family cookbooks passed down by real Italian Mammas. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.
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Florence – The birthplace of the Renaissance (click above for video)
Day 6 – Sunday 6th of September
Explore Florence
Private guided tour of Florence in the morning, before visiting central Florence’s many wineries and bars, or enjoy some shopping.
The city offers a vibrant atmosphere with open-air art, craft workshops, and a thriving fashion scene, making it an unforgettable destination for art and history lovers.
Florence offers delicious Tuscan cuisine, emphasizing local ingredients like olive oil, truffles, and fine Chianti wine, not to mention probably the best ice cream in the world.
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San Gallo Palace Hotel – Perugia (click above for video)
Day 7 – Monday 7th of September
Transfer to San Gallo Palace Hotel, Perugia (2 hours)
After breakfast we will check out and be transferred to Perugia which boasts a very intense city life thanks to its two historic universities – the University of Perugia, founded in 1308, and the University for Foreigners, the oldest of its kind in Italy – but also to the many international events such as Eurochocolate and Umbria Jazz festivals, which attract tourists from all over the world. On the way we will stop off in San Gimignano….
San Gimignano, a journey through the charm of the Middle Ages and the magic of Nature
Enjoy this beautiful village (often described as the prettiest town in Tuscany) nestled between the Sienese hills and the sunny Val d’Elsa hills, surrounded by thirteenth-century walls and rich in, the still intact, medieval charm: this is San Gimignano, a small and much-loved Tuscan pearl.
We will stop off for lunch and wine tasting in Montepulciano before arriving at the San Gallo Palace Hotel at around 3.30 pm.
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San Gimignano (click above for video)
We will stay at the 4* San Gallo Palace Hotel, located in the historic center of Perugia within walking distance of its monuments and tourist attractions, it is also strategically situated nearby the Art Towns of Umbria including Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi and Orvieto.
Located in the heart of Perugia, just 50 meters from the historic Rocca Paolina fortress, San Gallo Palace features a terrace with panoramic views and a wellness area, complete with heated pool and gym.
Soundproofed and air conditioned, rooms feature elegant furnishings, a flat-screen TV, and free internet access.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, and hot and cold drinks are dispensed from special machines. The restaurant serves a range of traditional Umbrian specialties and Mediterranean dishes.
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Antognolla Golf (click above for video)
Day 8 – Tuesday 8th of September
Golfers play Antognolla Golf Course
Considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in Italy, the 18-hole course at Antognolla is characterized by its long, sloping fairways, beautiful water hazards and wide, undulating greens.
Conceived by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Junior, the course’s intriguing layout makes the Antognolla golf course exciting and satisfying for golfers of all playing levels.
In 2018, the golf course underwent major improvements, thanks to a multi-million dollar investment. All bunkers were renovated and a new irrigation and drainage system was installed. In September 2019 Antognolla Golf hosted its first PGA of Italy Championship while in April 2021 it hosted a leg of the Alps Tour international tournament.
In 2020 and 2022 Antognolla Golf won the prestigious World Golf Award for the category ‘Best Golf Course in Italy’ and was included in the Top100 ranking of the British magazine ‘Today’s Golfer’.
Non golfers
Carmine Winery
Lunch and wine tasting at Carmine Winery (click for details)
Non golfers will enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Perugia in the morning with lunch and wine tasting at Carmine Winery.
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The hilltop city of Perugia (click above for video)
Day 9 – Wednesday 9th of September
Perugia and Assissi
Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful City of Assisi.
If you’re looking for a place which can offer you Roman remains, Assisi’s got Roman remains. If you’re looking for little streets, in a medieval atmosphere, Assisi’s the place. It’s also the cradle of Western art: the language of modernity in Western Art started over here, thanks to Saint Francis of Assisi. The artist Giotto paved the road to the Italian Renaissance in Assisi.
In the afternoon we return to Perugia.
Perugia is a small jewel that slowly unfolds before the eyes of visitors. The Umbrian town holds artistic and monumental treasures that testify to its rich past and do justice to its cultural primacy. Although it retains the appearance and peace of life of a small fortified medieval town, Perugia has a very intense city life, linked above all to the presence of one of the oldest Universities in the Peninsula (founded in 1308), as well as the largest University for Foreigners in Italy.
Assissi – UNESCO World Heritage Site (click above for video)
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Diana Hotel Beautiful Roof Terrace (click above for video)
Day 10 – Thursday 10th September
Diana Hotel Roof Terrace, Rome (2.5 hours)
After breakfast we will check out and be transferred to Rome, the “Eternal City” is the historical, cultural and capital city of Italy. The city brims with open air museums and ancient ruins, stunning art and beautiful architecture, including iconic sites like the Colosseum and the Vatican.
It’s the political heart of Italy, a major religious center for Catholicism, and a city known for its delicious food and vibrant street life.
Sistine Chapel (click above for video)
Rome – The Trevi Fountain – (click above for video – it’s a long one so you may want to skip forward at certain points!)
Rather than try to describe this incredible city we suggest you click on the below link to learn about the wonderful landmarks to be seen in Rome.
https://romesite.com/attractions.html
We will stay in the Diana Hotel Roof Terrace which is walking distance to all the major places of interest including the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona plus many other Roman tourist attractions.
The panoramic restaurant on the 7th floor accesses the Roof Garden “L’Uliveto”, pride of the Hotel Diana, a beautiful terrace surrounded by greenery and olive trees, where the view extends to 360 ° over the rooftops of Rome.
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Marco Simone Golf – Where the 2023 Ryder Cup was played (click above for video)
Day 11 – Friday 11th of September
Golfers play Marco Simone Golf Course
Marco Simone Golf is one of only four courses who have held the Ryder Cup in Continental Europe (excluding the UK), along with Valderrama, The K Club, and Le Club National.
It’s known for its challenging, undulating, terrain, fast greens and picturesque views of the Roman countryside and city skyline.
Redesigned in 2018 to host the 2023 Ryder Cup and considered a true test of a golfer’s all-around game, it features a blend of water hazards, strategic bunkering, and notable elevated tees and greens. The course is set against the backdrop of the historic Castello di Marco Simone, offering both a demanding playing experience and a unique cultural and scenic setting.
Non golfers
From our base at the Diana Hotel non golfers can plan their day exploring this incredible city and its many attractions. For those who haven’t visited Rome before (or even if you have) guided tours of the Vatican City or the Colosseum can be arranged with prior notice.
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Day 12 – Saturday 12th September
After breakfast we will check out of the hotel and return to the airport for our flights home (boo hoo!).
