Want to play golf in Austria,Italy & Slovenia - Visit Carinthia

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, U.K. - March 29, 2016 - PRLog -- So, the first question you are going to ask yourself is, "where are Carinthia and Tarvisio?" Well, Carinthia is the southern area of Austria and Tarvisio is a town to be found just across the border in northern Italy. With Slovenia nearby as well, you have three locations and a wealth of opportunities for the holiday golfer.

CARINTHIA. There are many choices of course within the Carinthia region so I have to prioritise which I visit. This is golf in an Alpine environment and my first impressions indicate a wealth of stunning scenery. I'm going to be travelling through some beautiful Alpine towns and villages and must apologise now for the fact that it's just not possible to fit everything from this region into one article. For example, Venice is only one and a half hours away  -- easily reachable but, sadly, outside my scope for now.
I arrive at Ljubljana airport in Slovenia and am soon heading for the Austrian border, my trusty satellite navigation guiding me through the breath-taking scenery of the eastern Alps.

GOLFCLUB SCHLOSS FINKENSTEIN.
Golfclub Schloss Finkenstein is easy to find. I am driving through a valley and it's obvious that the course will be where the valley opens out -- unless it's uphill golf, that is. This picturesque course sits in beautiful surroundings with mountains on both sides, and its wide, open fairways make it comfortable to play at all levels -- a nice course just to relax and enjoy. Being a sucker for par-3's, it's hole number sixteen that comes out as my favourite, with a narrow fairway to a green with a lake behind.

GOLF SENZA TARVISIO. Time for another border, not that you really notice as they are all open and require you only to slow down as you cross. Within a few minutes, I have entered Italy and am heading a mere five kilometres into the country to the town of Tarvisio and the Senza Golf Club.
The initial holes are in the valley, but from the eighth onwards you are heading into the forested foothills, the sort of terrain that creates some tricky but impressive holes. The eighth is a lovely par-4 which Stefan the manager tells me is actually not owned by the golf course at all, but in fact is the property of the Vatican! The Catholic Church owns vast swathes of land throughout Italy, including this very hole. Obviously, it's advisable to say a few Hail Marys before you tee off and ask for divine intervention. To this date, no one has seen anyone from the Vatican play this hole, but you never know.

GOLF SENZA RESTAURANT. Afterwards, we head off to the clubhouse and the Golf Senza Restaurant, which is owned and managed by head chef Ilija. People come from far and wide to taste Ilija's food and I soon find out why. With mouth-watering dishes a plenty, it's no wonder the food is as big a crowd puller as the golf. When you see how affordable the prices are, it's enough to make you jump for joy.
Ilija is, so I am told, a pretty good golfer too and has a habit of wearing a pair of golfing trousers in the kitchen, just in case he gets a chance to play a few holes in between services.
An overnight stay in the ancient town of Tarvisio -- or even longer -- would be well worth it to truly soak up that northern Italian vibe and explore the area, as well as play some more golf. Just a little further south, many more courses are to be found that are well worth a visit.

KLAGENFURT.

Klagenfurt has a long history dating back to the twelfth century, and its position next to the lake makes it a fantastic place to visit.
It's a hot day and the sandy beaches around the lake are full of people lounging in the sun. But, unfortunately, I don't have the time to work on my tan; I am on a tight schedule as I have another course to visit.

KÄRNTNER GOLF CLUB. The Kärntner Golf Club is located on the southern shore, in the village of Dellach, on the opposite side of the Wörthersee to Klagenfurt. Like Golf Senza, this course meanders up into the hills and through a rich and ancient forest. The surroundings are just spectacular. To stay in Klagenfurt and not play this course would really be to miss out. Streams make their way down towards the lake and the surrounding landscape is truly breathtaking.
The front nine works its way into the forest while the back nine guides you back down towards the lake, giving you wonderful views over the water on holes thirteen and fourteen. There are other golfers on the course but it's by no means crowded.

WORTH THE VISIT.
The Carinthian region gives you an opportunity to play truly wonderful courses for a fraction of the price that you would pay at more well-known locations.
During my brief stay, I have travelled though magnificent Alpine mountains, followed the shores of lakes and rivers and travelled to golf courses in three separate countries, all less than an hour from each other. Given another day or two I could have driven down to Venice or made my way to a Mediterranean beach. It's all here, the question is, when will you be?

http://greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/articles/eastern-promise-g...