Riva Toscana Golf Resort & Spa

The resort has its own course: an 18-hole, par 72 layout of 6,475 metres among the hills of the Maremma at Follonica. The regional tourist board describes it as technical and demanding; it was designed by Giulio Cavalsani. Its most recognisable feature is the view: the sea can be seen from as many as 12 holes.

The landscape is the Maremma's: the course is surrounded by more than 2,500 productive olive trees and by greenery chosen to withstand drought and salt air, with three lakes and three artesian wells in the area. The course starts at the foot of the bar terrace, so anyone seated on the terrace has the first tee right below.

For practice there is a driving range with putting green and two pitching greens; there is also a dedicated pro shop. Services at the course include hire of pull and electric trolleys and of buggies, and a shelter for golf carts. For a round elsewhere, the province of Grosseto also has Golf Club Toscana, the course of the Il Pelagone resort at Gavorrano.

The resort has 38 rooms, described as new, looking onto the sea or the golf course. All have air conditioning, heating, a safe, minibar, TV, telephone, hairdryer and a kettle with coffee machine. General services include a lift, a garden, a TV room and wi-fi; reception staff speak French, English and German.

The property is pet friendly, has an electric-car charging point and meeting rooms with sound and video systems, for groups and conferences. For cyclists there is mountain-bike hire and an information point for routes.

The spa, of 260 m² and designed by Starpool, includes a hammam, sauna, whirlpool, massages and beauty treatments. The resort also has a fitness centre and two outdoor pools, one for adults and one for children.

The resort has a bar and restaurant seating 220 between indoors and outdoors, and the bar terrace overlooks the first stretch of the course. In the kitchen the resort declares the use of short-supply-chain produce.

The address is Strada Provinciale 152, in Follonica, province of Grosseto, on the Gulf of Follonica, in the Maremma area of Tuscany. Among the resort's services are a private beach and guest transport from the station.

• The sea from 12 holes. More than half the course has a view of the Gulf of Follonica.
• A course inside an olive grove. The surrounding trees number more than 2,500 and are productive.
• Water from below. The course is surrounded by three artesian wells and three lakes.
• Grass against salt. The turf is chosen to withstand drought and salt air.
• A tee beside the bar. The first tee starts at the foot of the bar terrace.