Golfing Region Italian

Italy is largely enclosed by the Mediterranean Sea. As the southern part of the Alps, Italy borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The capital is Rome. The Republic of San Marino and the Vatican City State are completely surrounded by Italian territory. Italy also includes the beautiful island groups of Sicily and Sardinia.

What is the destination Italy known for?

Destination Italy

Famous fashion brands such as Armani or Prada, soccer clubs such as AC Milan or Juventus Turin as well as pizza and pasta, enjoyed with a good wine are trademarks of the "Bel Paese". This is what Italians proudly call their country. Famous sights such as St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican or the Ponte Vecchio in Florence are also world-famous.

However, Italy offers a variety of different regions: South Tyrol with its magnificent Alpine panorama, the castles and vineyards of Tuscany with its rolling hills and vast landscapes of cypresses and pines, or the island of Sicily with its volcanoes, temples and baroque cities. This variety of fascinating landscapes and cultures makes every golf trip a special one.

Why should you play golf in Italy?

Golfing in Italy

With this in mind, it is not surprising that golf vacations in Italy have become increasingly popular in recent years. Golf has been played in Italy since 1903. Today, with 300 courses spread across all regions, the country offers a paradise for golfers who don't want to miss out on the other pleasures of a vacation in Italy.

The number of members of the F.I.G (Federazione Italiana Golf) has almost doubled in the last ten years to around 100,000 members. This growth in membership has led to an increase in the number of courses and therefore also in the range of offers for tourists who want to combine their golf vacation in Italy with the many opportunities to get to know the country and its people. Even in the tourist months, the golf courses are never full and crowded. Golfing in Italy is still associated with vastness and relaxing tranquillity.

What should you definitely see in Italy?

Sightseeing and culture

With its 47 World Heritage Sites, Italy is at the top of the UNESCO list. With over 4,400 museums, the country offers travelers art treasures in Rome, Florence and Venice that are unparalleled in the world.

What other activities are on offer in Italy?

Wellness and active vacation

In addition to a golf vacation in Italy, the country offers many other ways to spend an active vacation. From hiking in the regions of South Tyrol, Tuscany or Liguria,
to water sports on the large lakes in northern Italy or the Mediterranean, to simply bathing and swimming - everything is possible on a golf vacation in Italy.

The ideal time to travel to Italy?

Travel time Italy

Italy has a pronounced north/south orientation with roughly speaking three climatic regions: the Alps, the Po Valley and the south of the country.
The best months for a golf vacation in Italy are April to June and September to October. The temperatures are pleasant and the vegetation is green and lush, especially in spring.

In summer, it is very hot and dry in most regions. Water is often scarce. Golfing is then only possible to a limited extent.

What else is important to know about Italy?

Local currency and payment transactions in Italy

The local currency is the euro. You can pay almost everywhere with a debit card or all major credit cards such as Mastercard or Visa Card. If cashless payment is not possible, cash can be withdrawn from ATMs using a debit card. But be careful. High fees may apply.

Visa

Vacationers from Germany do not need a visa for their golf trips to Italy.

Telephone calls

You can now make cheap phone calls in most networks in other European countries. However, find out exactly what your tariff is before you travel and visit the website of the Federal Network Agency. The current regulations are listed there. Prepaid cards with a flat rate or a fixed data volume from an Italian operator are useful. This way you stay in your home network and there are no roaming charges.

Traffic in Italy

You drive on the right and the following speed limits apply:
- within built-up areas: 50 km/h,
- on state roads, outside built-up areas: 90 km/h,
- 110 km/h on expressways and
- on the highways: 130 km/h.

Tolls are collected at (almost) all highway exits.

Languages

The official language in Italy is Italian. There are some regions where there is a second official language. In South Tyrol it is German and in Valle d'Aosta it is French.

Health preparations/vaccinations

The usual precautionary measures also apply to a golf vacation in Italy, such as a well-stocked first-aid kit, the necessary vaccinations and caution with tap water. Detailed up-to-date information can be obtained from the relevant authorities.

Cultural peculiarities / rules of etiquette in Italy

In a restaurant in Italy

At the beginning, guests wait at the entrance until they are allocated a seat. There is a fixed menu sequence that also applies on a golf vacation in Italy. This is antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti, dolci and at the end there is often an espresso.
There is always a "Coperto" item on the bill, which is used to settle the service. A tip of 10% is only given if the guest was extremely satisfied with the service.

There is one bill per table in the restaurant. The total amount is paid, which is then divided among the individual guests accordingly.

Clothing

Italians attach great importance to dressing well. Elegant on official occasions, otherwise casual but chic. Shorts and sandals are not popular with tourists in Italy. Appropriate clothing is expected in churches: Men in long pants, women not too scantily clad and shoulders covered. However, most churches and monasteries provide extra scarves for visitors.

Invitations

Always bring a small gift when you receive an invitation and be punctual.

Social disparities

Italy is still a rich country, but there is a social divide between the rich regions of South Tyrol, Veneto, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in the north and the poor provinces of lower Italy such as Apulia, Calabria and Sicily.

This leads to tensions among the population and political division. However, this has no direct impact on the golf trip to Italy.