La dolce vita

Alison Root heads to beautiful Lake Garda and the magnificent QC Villa Arzaga Garda to play 27 holes of golf and enjoy some off-course pursuits...

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Even if you haven't visited Lake Garda in northern Italy, it likely brings to mind a beautiful lake, stunning landscapes and charming surrounding towns. But when it comes to golf, while Italy has made a significant mark on the map in recent years, it still might not be the first place you consider for a golfing trip. However, QC Villa Arzaga Garda, which combines golf and spa, might make you think again.

This former renaissance villa is approximately an hour and a half from Milan Bergamo airport and just a ten-minute drive from Lake Garda, tucked away in the town of Calvagese della Riviera. It only opened as a resort and wellness centre in 2022 and is the latest addition to the Spa of Wonders group, which has 12 centres and seven hotels across Europe and one in New York. The hotel makes a striking impression, with its entrance featuring an elegant oval archway framed by classical pillars. The reception area is fairly modest, but the enchanting courtyard behind that immediately draws your attention.