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TANTALISING TUSCANY!

The English have long-since had a love affair with Tuscany. A landscape typified by elegant cypresses, casting long shadows in the early morning and late evening sunshine, while providing tantalising glimpses of hill-top communities – secluded villas, built from honey- coloured stone.

This is the most central region of Italy, with a coastline washed by the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas: offshore, lies the best-known of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba. The capital, Florence, contains some of the country’s most breathtakingly beautiful monuments, with priceless sculptures and world-renowned works of art by great geniuses – Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo Buonarroti or Filippo Brunelleschi - housed in the equally renowned Ufizzi Gallery.

Here you will find a unique concentration of all those extraordinary elements for which Italy is famous, conjuring up images of a vibrant people, whose very being mirrors the country in which they live and what it has to offer. Flamboyance and pride are characteristics which have helped to maintain the intrinsic qualities which are Italy….Tuscany retains the cachet which made it popular centuries ago and still very much prevails today.

Hidden away in the idyllic south of the country, the southern province of Grosseto, encompasses all these evocative elements and more. Silver olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see; in spring, regimented lines of sprouting vines evidence the autumnal harvest which will provide wines popular throughout the country. Trailing wisteria grows everywhere with an outrageous extravagance, providing flashes of violet-blue.

While visitors flock to soak up both the country’s cultural, historical, architectural and artistic heritage – not to mention fabulous coastline, beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery, Italy’s best-kept secret, however, may still be Golf! For visitors from the UK., an ideal combination is, undoubtedly, the opportunity to both play the game and take some time out to visit historically famous centres.

GOLF…..Tucked away in the rolling countryside of southern Tuscany, just 18 kms. from the coast (and where the Resort offers a private beach club) - Austrian Hotel & Resorts Group, Cordial, offers the opportunity to share – if only for a brief time! – the Tuscan experience which is Hotel & Golf Resort Il Pelagone.

Combine the world-renowned talent of Austrian hotel management with the romantic, evocative background of Italy and you have something truly special…… 2 Hotel & Golf Resort Il Pelagone is easily accessed from Florence, Pisa and Rome airports, via clearly signed motorway routes.

Low density building (there are 123 apartments) provides accommodation in comfortable, 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom bungalow suites – tastefully decorated to provide simple elegance in peaceful, pleasant surroundings. All have either a balcony or terrace and are air-conditioned. Thoughtful touches include a kitchenette with small ‘fridge and provision of facilities for preparing hot drinks and light snacks.

The layout offers families with children one sector of the complex, (and incorporates a children’s Club and play area), while a separate grouping exists for couples. The main Restaurant - La Cerretelle – offers the opportunity for fine dining and was recently voted the best Golf Resort dining facility in Italy.

The Toscanella Beauty Center provides moments of relaxation in the spa, or indulgence in a comprehensive range of massage and beauty treatments.

While sports facilities include tennis (2 courts) or an invigorating dip in the centrally-located swimming pool –

The main focus, however, is the 18-hole golf course, set in idyllic surroundings….

Golf Club Toscana is – as the name suggests – a golf club in its own right, with a comprehensive calendar of competitions and events throughout the year. Designed by Keith Preston, the course meets international standards of play and first opened in October 1999 – 3 an official opening followed in 2000. At 5,442 m off the back tees, the layout incorporates lakes and streams amongst the design – natural hazards, which, with thoughtful bunkering, offers a course satisfying for players of all abilities. SSS is 70; par, 71. There is an excellent Pro Shop and Academy, offering teaching courses for both adults and children -beginners or experienced players alike. Practice facilities include driving range, putting and pitching areas

From the very first shot, the tone of exactly what Golf Club Toscana is all about is set. A water hazard borders one side of the fairway and there is punitive rough along the other. Long hitters will always do well to consider yardages and their exact set up on the tee before driving. Although not immediately obvious, water potentially comes into play at 7 of the 18 holes, but, with careful course management, mid-handicappers can fully enjoy the experience, avoiding the challenges the course presents!

Par 5, sixth.

AFTER GOLF….. Management at Hotel & Golf Resort Il Pelagone will help to coordinate excursions, offering the opportunity to visit not only areas of specific historic, cultural and interest (and including the Islands of Elba and Giglio), but vineyards and olive groves. Tuscany is also famous for Pecorino cheese, truffles, saffron…the list is endless!

Visit the ancient city of Siena - possibly even more of a ‘must visit’ than Florence! The Duomo is a magnificent example of exuberant architecture, crafted out of a variety of Italian marbles.

The narrow, winding lanes of this former medieval city-state all converge on the half moon space of theCasa del Campo,

4 where Torré del Mangia towers above the bustling square below

Most people will be aware of the famous bi-annual event which takes place in the city (July 2nd & August 16th) – Il Palio – when horses ridden by riders from 10 of the town’s 17 contradas compete in the breakneck, bareback race.

Having said which, no visit to the Region would truly be complete without seeing the magnificent city of Florence! At the heart of the old city, the ‘Duomo’ (Cathedral) is composed of three separate buildings – each more grandiose than the next – the Baptistry, Cathedral and free-standing tower – attest not only to the exceptional quality and talent of local stone-masons and artisans but are a flamboyant celebration of the immense wealth of two influential ruling families. … Small wonder that a long-standing rift existed between them…

The city is built along the banks of the river Arno: the Ponte Vecchio is always popular with visitors, who come to see not only the bridge itself, but marvel at the glittering array of jewellery shops which line its span, and the tiny homes above.

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With Tuscany one of the most famous and important wine-producing regions in Italy, a visit to a vineyard must be on the (ever-extending!) ‘list of things to do’. Soil, together with varying ‘micro-climate’ conditions naturally dictate differing wine varieties. While it is mainly the red wines for which this area is famous, the ever-popular ‘Chianti Classico’ is probably still the most important.

Just ten minutes from Il Pelagone, the Morisfarms estates will happily offer wine-tastings!

Fact File:

For full details concerning Hotel & Golf Resort Il Pelagone, visit the web-site at www.golfclubtoscana.com.

Regional information is available via www.provincia.siena.it or www.provincia.fi.it

Text: Sue Farmer – IAGTO Photos: Geoffrey Farmer & Supplied by Resort