Elsa Honecker's golf blog
Golfing & sailing in Bella Italia
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Culture, culinary delights, golf - these are the words that are usually associated with a trip to Italy in the fall. An autumn trip to Friuli-Venezia Giulia also promises ideal temperatures of over 20 degrees, colorful vine leaves along the roads, where excellent white wines thrive and where the last days of swimming are still celebrated on the Adriatic beaches. The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region stretches from Grado and Lignano to the Carnic and Julian Alps. The highlight of this trip was the "Barcolana" in Trieste, the largest sailing regatta in the world.
First Exit -Udine
Golfers with an affinity for culture choose the city of Udine with its famous cathedral, Venetian flair in the old town and the exclusive 18-hole golf course of the same name in nearby Fagagna as their gateway to Italy's dolce vita. The lifestyle is not only celebrated in the stylish Golf Hotel Villaverde Resort with delicious San Danile ham and Prosecco from the region, but also on the Villaverde Championship Course, which was founded in 1970. The parkland course with its gently undulating terrain scores points above all for its old trees, which change color in the fall, but also influence the game. Like on the 9th, where trees and bushes obscure the view of the green, or on the 10th, where a dogleg leads around the trees. There is only water in front of the green on the 11th and a small lake next to the green on the 13th. All in all, a fantastic golfing experience that can end with a Guinness or Prosecco in the spacious clubhouse.
Culture in Aquileia and golf in Trieste
On the journey towards Trieste, a detour to the World Heritage city of Aquileia is a must. Especially because of the Roman excavations, which give an insight into life in ancient times, and the 11th century Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta with its famous frescoes on the floor and in the crypt. The picturesque coastal town of Portopiccolo is just over half an hour's drive from here and is well worth a visit due to its location in a former quarry right by the sea and the tranquillity of the area. Especially on a Barcolana weekend, when the nearby town of Trieste is overcrowded. A particular eye-catcher is the Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa, which offers almost 4,000 square meters of wellness area as well as pools and a thermal area. The location directly by the sea with its own beach club is just as perfect as the gastronomy and the spacious rooms and suites with sea views. The Trieste Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Friuli Venezia Giulia, which is located above the city of the same name, can be reached in around 20 minutes. The extensive grounds offer enough space for 18 holes, a practice area where young Italian golfers can practice and a restaurant with a large terrace and gastronomy to be proud of. No matter which wine from the region you choose, whether Friulano, Ribolla Gialla or Malvasia - the white wines are a hit. Equally memorable is the game between karst rock, colorful deciduous forests with a few blind holes, greens that are hidden behind old cedars and are mostly undulating and the fantastic view of the Gulf of Trieste.
A city with Viennese flair
Trieste is characterized by a multi-layered past and a hodgepodge of cultures. The influences of the former Habsburg monarchy can be felt on almost every corner, with magnificent classical buildings and a coffee house culture reminiscent of modern-day Vienna. Especially along the Grand Canal, lined with picturesque cafés and venerable palazzi, with the church of Sant'Antonio Nuovo at the end. Just a few meters away is the Serbian Orthodox Church of San Spiridione. The Piazza dell'Unitá in particular, which lies directly on the Gulf of Trieste, is brimming with imperial buildings and is one of the few squares in the whole of Europe that is open to the sea. During the Barcolana, the largest sailing regatta in the world, it becomes the "place to be" for an international audience who get into the right party mood with loud music while the sailing boats are already preparing for the regatta on the pier.
As the highlight of a trip - the Barcolana
The largest sailing regatta in the world started back in 1969 - back then with just 51 boats. Today, the number of participants varies between 1,800 boats and 2,689 yachts in 2018 - an absolute record! And the great thing about it - anyone can take part with their sailing boat, whether professional or recreational sailor. Optimist dinghies also have the chance to take part in the "Barcolana" the week before. This mega event is therefore also a successful mix of competition and party - with festivals and concerts that transform the city center of Trieste into a huge party location. On the day of the regatta, you should definitely watch the hustle and bustle at the harbor in the morning, where the crews gather on their boats and get them ready for the start. The best view of the start is either from the starting line near the striking Faro della Vittoria, where the race then continues across the Bay of Trieste for between 12 and 15 nautical miles, with a speedboat in the middle or in the comfort of a passenger ship positioned close to the starting point. While enjoying delicious food, you can watch the spectacle of the four buoys being rounded and the exciting finish of the winning ship for around 90 minutes - accompanied by helicopters, firecrackers and fireworks. No wonder, as the winning ship "Arca" was sailed by a local crew.
Further information:
www.turismofvg.it www.villaverderesort.com.de.golf www.golfclubtrieste.net www.portopiccolosistiana.it.de www.barcolana.it
