Archaeologists last week unearthed 24 perfectly preserved bronze statues along with over six thousand coins and many votive offerings dating back some 2,300 years in a small thermal town near Siena.

“The largest deposit of Etruscan and Roman statues in Italy” 

The discovery in San Casciano dei Bagni, a small hilltop town near Siena in Tuscany known for its thermal baths, is “the largest deposit of bronze statues of the Etruscan and Roman age ever discovered in Italy and one of the most significant in the whole Mediterranean.” 

A popular spa town with a Leading Hotel of the World

San Casciano, a popular wellness resort for its thermal springs which is an hour and a half by car from Florence’s international airport, is now gearing for an onslaught of international interest in the statues with predicted soaring numbers of requests for tours and stays in the town and in its surrounding area.  It has many attractive hotels and alternative forms of accommodation including the 5-star Fonteverde Lifestyle & Thermal Resort which is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World 

A new museum in the historic centre of San Casciano 

The statues, some of which are life-size and others a metre high, were found in muddy thermal waters and date back to the time of the area’s transition from Etruscan to Roman rule.  The exceptional finds will be the centerpiece in a new museum which will open in a 16th century palace in the historic centre of San Casciano "This is the conclusion of a dream we have had for over 15 years," says Agnese Carletti, mayor of the little Tuscan town.  

Valdichiana Living is already offering guided tours

First off the mark is Valdichiana Living, a local tour operator specialized in Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Flavours of the Valdichiana Senese tours, which is already offering guided tours to the ancient sanctuary where the statues were found and to some of the artefacts that are already on display in San Casciano’s Town Hall.

Villa Saletta, an estate offering luxury hospitality in three villas in the heart of rural Tuscany, is one of the region’s most historic country estates. Set among rolling hills, wooded valleys and acres of vineyards and olive groves, Villa Saletta is an impressive property steeped in history and local culture.

An estate with a boutique winery

The current owners are the Hands family and they have brought the old agricultural complex with its vines, land, and buildings joyously back to life. Today, at the core of the estate there is a boutique winery producing award-winning red, rosé and sparkling wines. 

Three restored villas with private pools

Alongside the impressive winemaking activities, Villa Saletta offers luxury hospitality set within a collection of impeccably restored historic villas, each featuring its own secluded gardens, private pools and beautifully designed interiors and landscapes. 

Bedrooms for up to fourteen guests

Fagnana is an 19th century farmhouse with an annex set atop a hilltop with far reaching views across the valleys below. With eight bedrooms it can sleep 14. Valle is an elegant country house featuring a historic tower and is set within a tranquil secluded valley. It also includes the old hayloft which offers separate accommodations. It has seven bedrooms and can sleep 13. The secluded and peaceful Swiss-chalet-style Casolore is a hunting lodge set on a wooded hillside above the valley. With three bedrooms it can sleep six. 

Winemaking, truffle hunting and pasta-making

At Villa Saletta experiences celebrate authentic Tuscan traditions, from winemaking to truffle hunting and pasta-making as well as olive picking and sunset picnics. 

The Sopranes Lakes are in the Texel Group Nature Park, the largest of the seven nature parks in South Tyrol. One of the trails leading to the lakes starts by taking the Alta Muta cable car, with the station near the town centre. Once at the top station, then simply take path No. 22.

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A 3-hour walk to the first lake

From this point on a 13-kilometer circular route starts with an uphill climb of 1,140 meters and incomparable views from various perspectives. The first lake you reach, after about three hours, is Lago di Latte (actually there are two of them, one smaller and one larger) at 2.540 metres asl, followed by the Long Lake at 2.589 metres, the longest of the lakes at one kilometre. You then come to the Verde, Nero, Lavagna, Catino, Cesare, Vizze and Zanzare lakes.

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Residual snow or ice on the lake shores even in summer 

These gems in the centre of the Texel Group are the most beautiful and famous alpine lakes in South Tyrol. Each one us different from the next both in shape and colour, and this very beautiful area has fascinating flora and fauna. The ideal time to visit is from June to September, and it is not uncommon even then  to find residual snow or ice from the previous winter along the lake shores. For more information: dorf-tirol.it

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Piedmont is waiting to be discovered with magnificent itineraries suitable for cycling or walking thanks to the Journey in the Authentic Lands of Piedmont project. This territorial enhancement plan involves eighteen municipalities and puts the spotlight on the beautiful southern part of the Piedmont region.

Biodiversity and environmental stewardship

The Langa Cebana, Mongia, and Cevetta valleys, along with the Sorgenti del Belbo, extend beyond the better-known part of Piedmont. Following the project's launch the first tour in Langa Cebana, presented in July on the portal www.terreautentiche.it, charts two new itineraries through the Valle Mongia and Cevetta valleys and the Sorgenti del Belbo. The routes, which are open almost all year round, are a compendium of cultivated farmlands, historic villages, country churches, Langa stone Ciabot and votive altars, authentic flavours, and friendly people.

The Valle Mongia Tour and Napoleonic ruins

The Mongia Valley offers thrilling encounters with history in Napoleon's footsteps, as well as breathtaking natural beauty. The tour begins in Lesegno and continues through dense forests of oak, chestnut, beech, birch, and pine. Along the way, you'll pass through a network of well-marked paths that are ideal for mountain biking, running, or trekking, eventually arriving at Masentine, which impresses with its natural bridge over the Mongia stream, framed by lush vegetation.

In the footsteps of Bonaparte

A thrilling descent flanked by hay bale shapes leads to the town of Mombasiglio. The town has an imposing tower which is part of the castle that once served as a fortress for Napoleon’s armies. The Bonaparte Museum, which houses the largest collection of original prints and etchings by the artist Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti on Napoleon's first campaign in Italy, can be visited in the castle but it is necessary to make reservations. This first leg of the tour, following in Napoleon's footsteps, concludes with a return to Lesegno, enjoying belvedere and unparalleled views of the valleys and plains.

The treasures of the mountain route

This route passes through the municipalities of Lisio, Battifollo, and Viola, climbing up the ridges on the sides of the Mongia stream, so e-bikes are advised. Passing through Scagnello you enter a magical dimension where nature rules the landscape and, at an elevation of 900 metres asl you can enjoy an exceptional view of the entire valley and the delightful little town of Battifollo. Hikers will enjoy crossing the valley with its centuries-old chestnut and hazelnut groves, fields of ancient cereals, and buckwheat.

The ruins of a 13th-century Napoleonic castle

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve is not far from Viola Castello, on a panoramic summit that embraces the valley and with views as far as the sea. Descending towards the valley you will come across the Rocca dei Cervi rock. Back in Lisio, before finishing the tour of the Mongia Valley, you can visit numerous country chapels, and then bring home memories of this very beautiful landscape, which is as delicate as a water colour.

For information: www.terreautentiche.it 

Sardinia’s archaeology is a vital resource for tourism, and the Museum of Laconi in Sardinia is the first in Italy entirely dedicated to prehistoric statuary.

Giorgio Murru, director of the museum, is also scientific director of a series of events that focus on the communication and dissemination of archaeology and miniature statuary in an important area of Sardinia on the western coastline, close to Oristano. 

The giants of Mont’e Prama are proto-historic statues

“Recently we launched two major projects. The first, the Island of the Giants is on an area with very special cultural artefacts like Mont’e Prama and its proto-historic statues. They are called giants not so much because of their size, but because they represent the ancestors, chiefs and warrior heroes of the Nuragic civilization. To promote this heritage we created Archeologico 2022, the international archaeology festival of which I was technical director, while the artistic direction was entrusted to the musician Paolo Fresu.” 

“Our cultural heritage has significant value for tourism”

Some 3,600 people attended Archeologico 2022, which is backed by the Sardinian Region together with the Mont’e Prama Foundation and premiered in Barlumi before moving on to Mont’e Prama and Tharros. The event, which was also followed on live streaming, brought 55 exhibitors to the heart of Cagliari and focused on the management of the region’s archaeological heritage.

“Archeologico 2022 confirmed that our cultural heritage is not just an element of significant value for Sardinians, but also for tourism, as it is a vital component in the creation of tourist itineraries that are not centered on the sea or on Sardinia’s natural beauty.”  

 

Sardinia’s cultural heritage management costs one fifth that of Pompei

“Our projects have a twofold value: to grow interest at a local level, and to open a window to the outside world, because more visitors mean more jobs.”  In 2019, the last pre-Covid year, Sardinia recorded 1,300,000 visitors, and Giorgio Murru underlines that Sardinia’s cultural assets are, to all intents and purposes, the world’s first true scattered museum. “Ours are very respectable visitor numbers, and they are higher than the number of visitors to Pompeii. The difference is that in Sardinia the costs related to cultural heritage are one fifth of those of Pompeii. We really are the top in Italy.” 

Presepi sull'Acqua is the 8th edition of the Nativity Scenes on Water Festival which will be held in Crodo and nearby towns in the Alpine Val d’Ossola which is just 15 kilometres from Domodossola and an hour and a half by car from Milan.

Starting on 3 December, the dozens of handcrafted Christmas cribs can be visited up to 8 January 2023. What makes these installations so special is that they are all made by skilled craftsmen and all feature water in one form or another which is taken from fountains, ancient washhouses, streams and canals.  

The event is sure to attract large crowds of all ages once again to Crodo and its mountain hamlets which will host this magical itinerary with its over sixty nativity cribs. And they are as picturesque by day as they are in the evening, when the cribs light up roads, paths and mule tracks leading from the 500 metres asl of Crodo to the 1200 metres asl of the Alpe Foppiano mountains.  

Discovering the cribs as you explore different trails and tracks also means discovering the environmental wonders of the Antigorio Valley. The route can be done entirely on foot or by hopping into a car on some stretches, although there are parts strictly along mule tracks and footpaths, and guided excursions with nature guides and minibuses are also available. 

Another reason not to miss this magical festival are the gastronomic delights to be enjoyed in local restaurants which serve Alpine cheeses, baked delicacies, officinal herbs and high quality cold cuts.

The area also has a choice of accommodation facilities and wellness centres which makes it hugely appealing for short breaks or long weekends. 

All the details, the programme of the guided tours, useful information and the complete map will soon be available at: www.crodoeventi.it.

Palazzo BelVedere, the novelty of the Tuscan summer, begins the autumn season by opening the doors to its Home Spa, with massages with local essential oils, detox walks, chromography workshops, dance therapy, and much more.

A new hotel and spa

The hotel reopened on June 21st, restoring the splendour and elegance of Montecatini Terme's magical years of great spa tourism. Now, Palazzo BelVedere, the City of Waters' newest hotel, spa, and city retreat, is ready to kick off the autumn season by revealing what will become its beating heart: the Home Spa, or House of Wellness. 

Treatments to improve the quality of life

The Home Spa welcomes Palazzo BelVedere guests with a menu of treatments inspired by Hippocratic philosophy and European and Mediterranean Traditional Medicine. Packages range from three to 21 days, in collaboration with Lumen "The specific treatments, guided by a naturopath, aim at mitigating excess qualities (hot, cold, dry, humid), harmonising the constitution and improving the quality of life," said Milena Simeoni, Lumen's founder and didactic director.

A circular garden and a swimming pool

There are eight spacious cabins inside the Home Spa, each with its own private outdoor area and flooded with natural light. The Circular Garden - a green amphitheatre with aromatic herbs and plants, Pilates, yoga, and meditation sessions and a swimming pool create a context of peace and relaxation. There are two product lines used: BelVedere cosmetics and the Comfort Zone line.

For the autumn season, the hotel offers the A touch of Vitaliter package which starts at €958 for two people.

Wine Resort weddings in the beautiful Trapani area are the perfect way to celebrate this most important occasion. And it is customary to make a toast, a ritual of good wishes that, according to legend, dates back some 5000 years. The famous "drinking to the health of the living" probably began in Ancient Greece and continued in the Roman era, in honour of the gods and is associated with wine which was  a sign of good luck.

Wedding toasts in a truly unique setting

A wedding is a blend of love, life, and a desire for the future, and at the Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo Luxury Wine Resort in Marsala, glasses filled with grape nectar are raised in honour of the spouses in a truly unique setting. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and with views of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.

Certified as one of Italy’s most beautiful castles

This ancient noble residence, certified by Residenze d'Epoca, Italy's official collection of the most beautiful castles and historic houses, is now a 5-star Luxury Wine Resort commanding the west coast of Sicily between Erice in Capo Boeo, with exceptional views of the Mozia reserve and the Egadi islands.

The noble art of hospitality

The Palmeri-Oneto family's motto is the noble art of hospitality, and they have transformed their estate with passion and professionalism. For a romantic wedding at sunset with a sea view at the Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo there is the option of having a civil ceremony or a symbolic ceremony on the estate's belvedere. But the estate has many locations available for intimate weddings or grand banquets with up to 400 seated guests who will delight in the exceptional culinary and wine experiences in the Baglio Oneto restaurant.

Luxury stays in 49 romantic rooms

Following the celebrations the newlyweds are hosted in one of the Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo’s 49 romantic rooms, where they will be able to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation with a luxury stay. Brunch, aperitifs at sunset, swimming in the pool, and shared moments in the solarium All this and more is waiting for the newlyweds!

In time for the start of the ski season, and the Val d'Ega is donning the finery of grand occasions. As the Christmas spirit starts to bedeck one of the Dolomites' most evocative and enchanting corners, lights, colours, and scents evoke a wonderful feeling of warmth.

Peacefully invading the shores of Lake Carezza, they create the setting for a seasonal fantasy: the traditional sustainable Christmas Magic at Lake Carezza market.

Ice and snow sculptures and a nativity scene

From November 26 to December 18, 2022, on Advent weekends, just 20 minutes from Bolzano, the valley’s wooden chalets will display typical South Tyrolean products. Ice and snow sculptures will evoke Dolomites legends, there will be life-size nativity scene and Christmas Alpine music and scents will accompany visitors on their journey into a fantastic winter world.



Free guest passes for public transport

The Christmas Magic market at Lake Carezza is accessible by public transport from Bolzano. Guests of the Val d'Ega receive a free Guest Pass ticket that allows unlimited use of all ski buses and public transport including city and suburban buses.

For information: www.valdega.com 

At Baglio Oneto in Sicily the key word is immersive. To fully grasp any experience it has to involve all the senses, and at Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo Luxury Wine Resort in Marsala, when it comes to food the level of authenticity is absolutely top notch. Because the ingredients are all sourced locally. As everyone knows, Sicily’s gastronomic traditions are a triumph of passion, and at Bagno Oneto the cuisine of excellence is a mix of flavours, cultures and millenary wisdom created with the extraordinary ingredients of this generous land. 

An aristocratic residence with 47 guest rooms 

Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo is a handsome baglio fortified farmhouses in Marsala which is just a hundred kilometres from Palermo’s international airport. This ancient 18th-century aristocratic residence, built to produce wine and oil, is now one of Sicily's most renowned wine resorts and it has 47 guest rooms that were renovated in 2020. From Baglio Oneto you can enjoy the most beautiful landscape in western Sicily over the sea and the Egadi Islands.

Exclusive cooking classes

But back to the kitchen, where meat and fish dishes, fragrant vegetables and fruits, enhanced by the nectar of olive oil and home-produced wines are a dream for food lovers. Who can now put themselves to the test by taking one of the extraordinary cooking classes organised at Baglio Oneto - on request - and conducted by highly experienced chefs. 

A gastronomic journey of excellence

Guests follow the preparation of authentic Sicilian dishes, learning how to identify ingredients and details, such as the most suitable pasta format to accompany a particular sauce and how to enhance the flavours and appearance of each delicious dish. The course is organised on request and is a journey through gastronomic traditions that becomes a journey within a journey in this beautiful corner of Sicily.