Botticelli's Musings: Beautiful Biella

It was with great delight that we arrived in Italy. I have always held a deep fondness for this country, most probably derived from the fact I am 1/8th Italian. The journey through the tunnels from France felt like a home-coming of sorts. This land is part of my ancient history.

We were also very tired after our tour of France and in need of some R&R. Fortuitously one of the golf courses I had pencilled in to play provided accommodation at a very reasonable price, so we immediately headed there. The golf course, La Betulla (meaning Oak trees), is located about 15 minutes from a lovely town called Biella in the province of Piedmont.

Northern Italy is the industrial might of Italy, being the source of much of its tertiary production. Biella is recognised for its production of fine clothing, especially cashmere products. For those keen on dressing well, there are many outlets stores offering such fine apparel at very cheap prices (in NZD terms). For example, the most esquisite cashmere suits can be purchased for NZ$500, approximately 50% of the price paid in NZ.

Biella mountains

Biella town centre

La Betulla is worthy of some detail. It is the home of one of Europe's top 10 golf courses and is the playground of wealthy families living in the region. Given this status we were surpised by how welcome we were made to feel by the club and and by unpretentious nature of the members and the establishment. There are some clubs that exclude by their exclusiveness. La Betulla, on the other hand, is exclusive because of its inclusiveness and gentlemanly conduct. The waiting and room staff were simply wonderful, always responding to our needs before we realised them ourselves. We are learning a lot from the Italians about the meaning of hospitality.

Le Betulla golf club

Le Betulla living room

Le Betulla dining room

Le Betulla bedroom

The La Betulla Golf Course has the best greens I've ever played on. Tee to green I hit the ball almost as well as at any other time in my life, being close to regulation on most holes. If I had chipped and putted to the normal standard then I would have challenged par. But the greens were too fast, and anything not hit in the hole would slide at least two meters past. On down hill putts, the ball would roll some 20 feet past! Chipping the ball close was next to impossible, meaning up and downs were in short supply.

There was something very special about the fairways and surrounding woodlands. Golf was played to the sound of singing birds and leaves rustling in warm summer breezes. Life seemed to slow down to a snails pace, and golf enjoyed moment by moment, shot by shot.

By the time we left La Betulla we were fully relaxed and ready for the next stage of our journey. It was the holiday we needed within our holiday!

David playing golf at Le Betulla

Happy golfer

In the hills (mountains by Australian standards) just above Biella is a lovely catholic sanctuary housing the Black Madonna, a sacred religious artefact from the 4th century AD. It was a Sunday and so Nadine and I went to mass, experiencing the Liturgy in Italian. Notably, there were very few younger people present, which has been the demographic trend all through Europe. It seems the Church is struggling to attract the younger generations. Discussing this with some Italian friends, it would appear the reason for the decline concerns the apparent inconsistencies between the teachings of Jesus and 'the way' of the Church, with its vast wealth and disconnection from the everyday man and his or her issues. Personally, I think the problem stems from the separation of philosophy and religion. Bereft of robust intellectual challenge and scrutiny, religious institutions seem to forget their purpose and use the inexplicable to generate power and wealth - a major turn-off to the average Joe. The Church needs more Plato and less Aristotle.

Sanctuary Oropa

We took a side trip to Turin (or Torino), a lovely little city. It is famous for two things: Fiat cars and the Shroud. Nadine and I will remember it for its rainbows and lightening! Nadine also had coffee for the first time. It was served up with choculate and cream - simply perfect.