Golfing Region Venetien

Miles of sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages and the seemingly endless sea: the Adriatic has been one of the most popular vacation destinations for Germans for almost 50 years. In the 1960s, the first people set off across the Alps to the Mediterranean, and now millions come to the region around Venice every year. Vacations on the upper Adriatic are particularly suitable for families with children. This is also because almost all the beaches are shallow and slowly sloping and the Adriatic is a rather calm sea. But there are also plenty of other leisure activities on offer, ranging from a well-developed network of cycle paths and archery facilities to tennis courts and golf courses.

Golfing on the upper Adriatic

The golf courses on the upper Adriatic all have the proximity to the sea in common. And yet each course has its very own character. The 18-hole Golf Pra' delle Torri course near Caorle is a must for every golfer on vacation in the area. This course alone offers two completely different facets.
The first nine holes run alongside the sea and therefore require a great deal of precision and tactics, as the gusts of wind blowing in from the Adriatic Sea make many a shot unpredictable - especially on holes 5 and 6, which are directly adjacent to the sandy beach.
The second nine holes, on the other hand, are embedded in a large park. This side of the golf course is similar to the Jesolo Golf Club. The proximity to the Mediterranean and the noise of the city are barely noticeable here. Like an oasis of peace, the golf club is located a little outside and is a paradise for nature lovers with its lakes and sand dunes. Despite its generous greens and wide fairways, the 18-hole course is a challenge for players of all abilities.

But it's not just the two well-known seaside resorts of Caorle and Jesolo that have something to offer golfers. There is another option in Venice on the grounds of the Circolo Golf Venezia. This course is characterized by its sandy ground and rich vegetation with willows, poplars and pines. It is considered by golfers to be one of the ten most challenging courses in Italy.

The Grado Golf Club is also at the top of the rankings. The 27-hole course is not only the largest on the upper Adriatic, but is also considered one of the most beautiful in the country due to its picturesque location directly on the Grado lagoon. There are other courses within a radius of just under 100 kilometers: for example, the Villa Condulmer and Ca' della Nave golf clubs in the hinterland of Venice and the Lignano golf course.

What to do when you don't feel like playing golf?

Forget the worries of everyday life on the sandy beach, let the sun shine on your stomach and splash around in the pool. The region is fully geared towards beach tourism. However, there are still plenty of sights worth seeing. The old fishing village of Caorle, for example. The narrow streets of the town have earned it the nickname "Little Venice". Its landmark is the cathedral with its leaning bell tower.

A boat trip through the lagoons of Caorle, a natural paradise, is also worthwhile. For those who prefer shopping, a trip to Noventa di Piave is well worthwhile. There, one boutique follows the next in a huge designer outlet. A day trip to Venice, with over 1000 years of history, is also worthwhile.

When is the best time to travel?

The best time to travel to the upper Adriatic is from May to July. Statistically speaking, the sun shines for between eight and ten hours during these months. Ideal for outdoor sports activities. The best time to travel for golfers is the end of May. This is when the region is just waking up from hibernation, the beach is not yet overcrowded and it is easy to get the desired tee times on the golf courses.

Which hotels and other accommodation are recommended?

As the region is primarily a destination for beach vacationers and families, there are many vacation resorts with campsites and vacation apartments. But there are also numerous golfers. It doesn't always have to be five-star luxury. For example, the Pra' delle Torri vacation complex with hotel, bungalows and campsite has won several awards. It is located just under five kilometers west of Caorle right next to the golf course and has its own beach. There is a reduced green fee for guests of the resort.

The same applies to the four-star Hotel Maregolf. The hotel in the Lido di Altanea district also has its own access to the 18-hole course. Many accommodations now offer special packages for golfers. Such as the Hotel Carlton (four stars) in Jesolo. If you stay there, you get two green fees for free for seven nights, for example. You can arrive either by car via the highway (around six hours' drive from Munich) or by plane. Possible destinations are Venice, Treviso, Verona or Trieste.

The Jesolo Golf Club in Veneto. (Photo: S. Schöttl)