Montelupo, Vinci and Montaione: an itinerary among golf and art
The Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano area in the heart of Tuscany is rich in history, art and nature, but not everybody knows that this is also a great place for those who love playing golf.
Here, golfers will find notable golf courses that are suitable for all kinds of players such as Castelfalfi Golf Club, the longest course of Tuscany located in the medieval village of Castelfalfi, Golf Bellosguardo, a tough golf course dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, situated a few miles from Vinci and Montelupo Golf Club, a few miles from Montelupo Fiorentino, along the Arno River.
If you love golf and want to restore both mind and body, here are our suggestions on how to spend 3 days in the heart of Tuscany playing golf and exploring art.
Our itinerary starts in the morning at the Montelupo Golf Club, the golf facilities of Fibbiana in Montelupo Fiorentino. It's a 9 holes par 36 course, created in the nineties by the American Christopher Cowie who fell in love with these lands. It's ideal for beginners, but also skilled players especially enjoy the green along the Arno River and the amazing view of the beautiful Chianti Montalbano countryside.
After lunch at the Golf Club restaurant, you may visit Montelupo Fiorentino, well-known since the middle ages for the manufacture of artistic ceramics. Walking along the streets of the historical centre, where crafts shops are still selling their handmade products, we reach the Museum of Ceramics for an interesting tour to find out more about this famous production.
Our itinerary starts in the morning at the Montelupo Golf Club, the golf facilities of Fibbiana in Montelupo Fiorentino. It's a 9 holes par 36 course, created in the nineties by the American Christopher Cowie who fell in love with these lands. It's ideal for beginners, but also skilled players especially enjoy the green along the Arno River and the amazing view of the beautiful Chianti Montalbano countryside.
After lunch at the Golf Club restaurant, you may visit Montelupo Fiorentino, well-known since the middle ages for the manufacture of artistic ceramics. Walking along the streets of the historical centre, where crafts shops are still selling their handmade products, we reach the Museum of Ceramics for an interesting tour to find out more about this famous production.
The second day, we move to Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace. The first stop is Golf Bellosguardo, a 9-hole course where every hole is a tribute to Leonardo, the great Renaissance genius. It's one of the longest and most demanding courses in Italy and it's located in a unique position in the hills overlooking Vinci. Near the green, a special itinerary for both adults and children is available to allow people to discover all the details of Leonardo’s life and his inventions, thanks to an exhibition of some of the machines designed by him.
After a good meal at the Golf Club Restaurant overlooking the Montalbano hills, it's time to go and visit the place where Leonardo was born and spent his childhood: his birthplace in Anchiano. From Leonardo’s home, it's possible to reach - on foot or by car - the historical centre of Vinci to complete the visit at the Museo Leonardiano. At the end of the day, let’s relax in one of the charming hotels of the region.
The second day, we move to Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace. The first stop is Golf Bellosguardo, a 9-hole course where every hole is a tribute to Leonardo, the great Renaissance genius. It's one of the longest and most demanding courses in Italy and it's located in a unique position in the hills overlooking Vinci. Near the green, a special itinerary for both adults and children is available to allow people to discover all the details of Leonardo’s life and his inventions, thanks to an exhibition of some of the machines designed by him.
After a good meal at the Golf Club Restaurant overlooking the Montalbano hills, it's time to go and visit the place where Leonardo was born and spent his childhood: his birthplace in Anchiano. From Leonardo’s home, it's possible to reach - on foot or by car - the historical centre of Vinci to complete the visit at the Museo Leonardiano. At the end of the day, let’s relax in one of the charming hotels of the region.
For the third and last day, we will reach Castelfalfi, in the municipality of Montaione, to play golf at Golf Club Castelfalfi. The 27-hole layout is divided in two spectacular courses that throw down the gauntlet to the most expert players, but also guarantee an enjoyable experience to passionate beginners: the Mountain Course (18 holes, 72 par) and the Lake Course (9 holes, 37 par). This experience combines sport, entertainment and beauty, thanks to the stunning views players can enjoy from the meadow. Not to forget, Castelfalfi Golf Club has received the certified sustainable accreditation. After playing golf, don’t forget to eat in the new Country Club House Restaurant opened in 2020 and try the organic wine produced in the local farm.
In the afternoon, we’ll move to Montaione to visit the typical medieval village with its charming central terrace offering a stunning view on the surrounding countryside. We leave this superb panorama to visit the Jerusalem of San Vivaldo, a sanctuary realized in the 16th century, reproducing exactly the topography of Jerusalem at that time. To end our 3 day tour between golf and art in the heart of Tuscany, we’ll get back to the Toscana Resort Castelfalfi to enjoy a night in a splendid hotel that won the Best Golf Resort Award in 2019 at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.
For the third and last day, we will reach Castelfalfi, in the municipality of Montaione, to play golf at Golf Club Castelfalfi. The 27-hole layout is divided in two spectacular courses that throw down the gauntlet to the most expert players, but also guarantee an enjoyable experience to passionate beginners: the Mountain Course (18 holes, 72 par) and the Lake Course (9 holes, 37 par). This experience combines sport, entertainment and beauty, thanks to the stunning views players can enjoy from the meadow. Not to forget, Castelfalfi Golf Club has received the certified sustainable accreditation. After playing golf, don’t forget to eat in the new Country Club House Restaurant opened in 2020 and try the organic wine produced in the local farm.
In the afternoon, we’ll move to Montaione to visit the typical medieval village with its charming central terrace offering a stunning view on the surrounding countryside. We leave this superb panorama to visit the Jerusalem of San Vivaldo, a sanctuary realized in the 16th century, reproducing exactly the topography of Jerusalem at that time. To end our 3 day tour between golf and art in the heart of Tuscany, we’ll get back to the Toscana Resort Castelfalfi to enjoy a night in a splendid hotel that won the Best Golf Resort Award in 2019 at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.