Royal Demeure’s Hotel Helvetia & Bristol in Florence has launched its first golf package bringing the region’s top three courses into play for guests: Le Pavoniere Golf & Country Club, Montecatini Golf Club and Ugolino Golf Club, renowned as the birthplace of Italian golf.
Helvetia & Bristol’s ‘Charming Golf’ package, priced from £878 (€1298) per person, is based on two sharing a double deluxe room for 4 nights and includes breakfast, green fees and transfers to the courses each day, a complimentary cocktail in the bar each evening, a VIP gift, and a room upgrade, subject to availability. The package is valid from June to December 2007.
Each par 72 18-hole course has been selected for its quality, beauty and contrast. Day one visits Pavoniere, an Arnold Palmer masterpiece that is a challenge and a joy for all to play.
Located between Florence and Prato with a beautiful hillside backdrop, sand and water shape the majority of its holes, and the country club is a restored Medicean hunting lodge offering a large swimming pool-land restaurant and fine facilities.
Day two visits Montecatini set between Florence and Pisa, deep among the olive groves of the hilly Tuscan countryside. Croze’s design uses the natural valleys and ridges of the landscape and the club house, created out of a Tuscan hamlet dating back to the 10th century, is comfortable and peaceful.
Day three visits Ugolino in Grassina in the Chianti region. Famous as the birthplace of Italian golf, it opened in 1933 to a British design (Gannon and Blandford) and was later expanded by Piero Macinelli in the 60s. It is Italy’s most mature course designed over different levels with tight greens; plenty of hazards ensure an exciting round. The clubhouse has superb facilities and also offers a swimming pool.
The Helvetia & Bristol Hotel, a sumptuous urban palace at the heart of Florence, has been completely refurbished over the past year and most recently two fabulous panoramic suites have been added to offer guests a rare opportunity to enjoy stunning rooftop views of this most glorious of Italian cities.
The Charming Golf Package price may vary according to season, is subject to availability and includes tax.
Helvetia & Bristol Hotel www.royaldemeure.com