Step back into an era of Medieval splendor close to Milan at Castell'Arquato in the Piacenziano Geological Reserve which is half an hour from the northern Emilia-Romagna town of Piacenza, and just over an hour by road, south-east of Milan. 

A medieval town of rare beauty

This very well-preserved medieval town of rare beauty and great scenic impact repays the visitors who takes time to wander around its old centre with its medieval stone alleyways and restored houses. Its most striking feature is the Rocca di Castell'Arquato fortress that stands on a rocky promontory overhanging the Arda torrent. 

A massive brick fortress

Built by the city of Piacenza in 1342, the fortress was reinforced and completed by Luchino Visconti in 1347. It is an imposing brick building, purely defensive in character, in a position strategically dominating the surrounding valley. The tall tower dominating the village square performed the dual function of defense against external enemies and control over Castell’Arquato’s inhabitants.

The G. Cortesi Geological Museum

The 16th-century Ospitale Santo Spirito, in medieval days a resting place for pilgrims travelling to Rome, today houses the G. Cortesi Geological Museum. This internationally renowned museum has various collections that allow us to follow the evolutionary history of the Po Valley basin.

The Luigi Illica Museum

Luigi Illica, born in Castell'Arquato in 1857 was a journalist and playwright and was one of the exponents of the Milanese Scapigliatura literary movement. He gained fame as a librettist for famous opera composers including Giacomo Puccini, Umberto Giordano and Pietro Mascagni.

Tying the knot in Castell'Arquato 

For those wishing to celebrate their special day with a civil ceremony, the Municipality of Castell'Arquato offers two venues inside the 14th-century Palazzo del Podestà. The ceremony can take place either in the monumental Council Chamber, which has a 15th-century coffered ceiling, or in the Quadreria, which is more intimate and cozy.  

When you think of Halloween of course you think of pumpkins, so why not take inspiration from the seasonal spirit for a delicious pumpkin recipe? Here is one from Davide Camaioni, founding chef of Posto Nuovo, the prestigious restaurant on the Adriatic Riviera in San Benedetto del Tronto, in the Marche region.

Gurnard Acqua Pazza style with Pumpkin Julienne for four people as an appetiser

2 x 500 grams gurnards

1/2 small pumpkin

1 carrot 

1 rosemary sprig

2 cloves of garlic 

500 ml vegetable stock

Olive oil, salt and black pepper to taste 

2 celery ribs                                                               

1/2 onion                                                                     

2 ripe red tomatoes                                                      

1 bunch of parsley stalks                                             

50 grams flour                                                            

Fillet the fish and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Wash the bones and heads well, these will be used for the stew to complete the dish.

Peel the pumpkin and remove the seeds, soaking the julienne-cut peels in cold water and keep aside. Slice the pumpkin finely and wrap it in the reconstituted fillets, using kitchen foil. Place in the fridge.

Stir-fry all the herbs with the gurnard trimmings, and when wilted, pour in the vegetable stock and simmer until the liquid is 1/3 reduced. Season with salt and pepper. Peel the pumpkin seeds and fry just long enough to become crispy, then let them rest at room temperature.

Soak the fillets for eight minutes (four minutes per side) in the reduced cooking water. Dredge the julienne skins in flour and fry in plenty of oil until golden brown.

Place the fish fillets on the bottom of a serving dish and top with the pumpkin julienne and seeds. Strain the sauce and drizzle it over the dish at the table. 

Tarquinia, the heart of Etruscan art, is a medieval town with many Etruscan sites and great nearby beaches.

The symbol of Etruscan art par excellence, it lies in a strategic position in the Lazio region, just 15 minutes from the Port of Civitavecchia, 50 minutes from Fiumicino’s international airport, and little more than an hour from Rome.

A journey through Etruscan days

With its many monuments and museums, charming and historic town center and important UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites, this town of Etruscan origins is a journey in time through ancient history and art. And it is close to the sea, making it a very popular summer holiday destination. The best way to get an idea of the magnitude and the artistic refinement of the Etruscan people, is to visit the Necropolis of Tarquinia. With over 200 pained tombs, the frescoes of the Necropolis of Monterozzi are the most important document of ancient painting before the Roman imperial period. 

The world’s largest collection of Etruscan art

Another must is the National Etruscan Museum of Tarquinia with the world’s largest collection of Etruscan art: sarcophagi, vases, dishes, pottery, statues and ancient coins and thousands of other fascinating artefacts. Strolling through the narrow streets of Tarquinia starting at the Barriera di San Giusto, the ancient entrance to the town, and you will find yourself in Piazza Cavour with the Renaissance Palazzo Vitelleschi, seat of the Etruscan Museum. On the Piazza del Duomo you can admire the striking Cathedral of Santa Margherita, and nearby there is the Tower of Dante and the Tower of Matilda of Canossa.

Natural salt pans, surfing and sailing

Nearby on the coast the Natural Salt Pans Reserve of Tarquinia are one of the few remaining salt pans along the entire Italian coast. The site welcomes a huge number of species of migratory birds including pink flamingoes, egrets and herons and is popular with birdwatchers and photographers. Tarquinia is a paradise for lovers of the sea with beaches like the Lido di Tarquinia which is just ten minutes away from the city center and is popular with families, surfers, windsurfers and sailors. Some seven kilometres south of the Lido, near the Natural Reserve of Salt Pans, there is the free beach of San Giorgio, probably the wildest on this stretch coast, and reached along an unpaved country road. 

Remains of the pre-Roman Etruscan era make Tarquinia an important UNESCO world heritage site. The original burial mounds found within the necropolis contain frescoes depicting the day-to-day life of this vanished urban civilization. Some of the most famous frescoes date back to as early as the fourth century AD, including the Hunter’s Tomb and the Tombs of Hunting and Fishing or Lionesses.

For information: https://tarquiniaturismo.com

One of the oldest in Italy, the Merano Christmas Markets celebrate their thirtieth anniversary this year and are back in style from 25 November to 6 January 2023, with an evocative opening party on the 24 November at 17:00.

Local delicacies and handcrafts 

In the town in the Alto Adige region, which is just half an hour from Bolzano, over 60 wooden houses will be the stars of the markets, hosting a selection of local handcrafted products and dishes from the South Tyrolean culinary tradition.  The traditional village will be in the Piazza della Rena square with a completely new project that features a 100sqm traditional and welcoming Almhütte chalet decorated in keeping with South Tyrolean Christmas traditions, where visitors can sample the best local delicacies.

Merano's Christmas Market - ph credits Alex Filz

Guided tours to discover Merano’s secrets

This year the Albero Infopoint at the heart of the even, has a small food and wine outlet with carefully selected local producers. It will also be possible to buy the official Merano Markets cup. Also on the bill are guided tours to discover the culture, hidden gems and anecdotes of the city. The evocative By Lantern Light and the naturalistic The Secrets of Merano Winter Garden tours are a great way to discover the history that has made Merano one of the most famous garden cities. The Markets reach another important milestone this year as the event celebrates its tenth year as a certified Green Event, having worked year after year to improve its ecological footprint, inviting visitors to share its values of eco-sustainability.

Opening days and times

The Markets will open from 11:00 to 19:00 Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 to 19:00 (food served until 21:00); Friday, Saturday and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00 (food served until 22.30) and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 (food served until 21:00).

Special openings: 24 and 31 December, from 10:00 to 15.30 (food served until 17:00). The Markets are closed on December 25th.
For the complete programme: http://mercatini.merano.eu   

Abano’s Ermitage Medical Hotel is the perfect choice for healthy vacations, with the added value of qualified specialist medical assistance.

This leading Italian medical facility in Abano Terme, close to Padua, provides health and wellness, spa and rehabilitation services as well as top class hospitality.

Curative waters and outdoor activities

This is a privileged location in which to devote yourself to your health while on holiday, with thermal treatments that exploit the scientifically recognised analgesic and anti-inflammatory power of the waters. It is also ideal for relaxation and for enjoying outdoor activities in the uncontaminated setting of the Euganean Hills Nature Park.

A health holiday with a full check-up

Modern laboratory diagnostics and ultrasound services allows guests to do musculoskeletal and/or cardio vascular check-ups. They can also measure the results in terms of risk, performance improvement, and regain a sense of well-being and psycho-physical balance

Boosting the immune system

The natural properties of the thermal waters also stimulate and promote a healthy immune response, and recent research suggests that balneotherapy and mud therapy can also have positive effects. 

"It has been an extraordinary summer. From July to the beginning of September 70 million passengers travelled on regional trains, and Trenitalia’s Regionale sector is playing an increasingly important role in proximity tourism," said Sabrina De Filippis, director of regional business management, speaking with ItaliAbsolutely at the recent TTG Travel Experience in Rimini. 

“Every season we increase both the range of services and the number of locations served”

"And what is even more important is that we have increased not just our Italian customers but also international visitors. This is because every new season we increase both the range of our services and the number of locations served. And we do this not in a standardised way but by analyzing the tourist flows, and then adding new dedicated services where we see the potential."

Regional trains are effective and really good value

"We have also greatly boosted our trains to airports, and we are always looking for new destinations to conquer. For example we are already working for the next season together our mobility and micro-mobility partners. Once we were the ones reaching out to them, today they come knocking on our door. These partnerships help us to bring more and more travellers to their final destination."   "With a highly developed network, we are effective and we are really good value. The regional train is no longer just a way to get to work or to school but is used increasingly for leisure and holiday travel.  We have technologically advanced sales systems, and we get great support from the both the Italian and international trade.” 

The new Blues trains reduce CO emissions and noise pollution

"The challenge for the regional network is to ensure that more and more tour operators include our trains in their travel packages around Italy. Recently we presented the new Blues hybrid train, which in terms of both technology and on-board services is proving to be a major success, also with tourists.”  The Blues trains can travel on non-electrified routes using diesel and battery mode with a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and in noise pollution compared to older models. Like the new Rock and POP trains, the Blues is environmentally efficient, extremely comfortable, and a thoroughly enjoyable travel experience. 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Bluserena, a leader in the Italian Mare Italia sea and sun market, closed a successful summer season with figures back over pre-pandemic levels, having recorded 1.2 million arrivals and a 20% increase in turnover over 2019.

Holiday villages and resorts with direct beach access

Bluserena's properties were the stars of the Italian summer, with 1.2 million visitors, and a total of 4,400 rooms distributed across three, four and five-star villages and resorts in Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, and Abruzzo. All have direct access to beautiful sandy beaches.

Investing in growth

The group has continued to invest in facilities and services, and the acquisition by a leading European tourism investment group based in Spain, will continue the winning streak in 2021. The acquisition included both the properties and the management company and aims at strengthening the Bluserena brand while creating new and more solid development opportunities. There is a €30 million euro investment programme to renew the villages and design new customer services.

Market-exclusive services

Bluserena now provides a plethora of market-exclusive services. In fact all nine of its 4-star summer villages are directly on beautiful sandy beaches, and it has wellness centres and large central restaurants with show cooking and thematic restaurants as well as a wide range of sports services and activities.

Facilities for events and conferences

The 4 and 5-star Charme Resorts are located in the green heart of Ionian Puglia and the magnificent Gulf of Asinara in Sardinia: an exclusive collection of luxury resorts catering to all types of travellers. The Bluserena facilities are also ideal for events and conferences. In Puglia, the Ethra Congress Center has 30 conference rooms and over 780 guestrooms spread across 4 and 5-star hotels, while in Abruzzo, the Serena Majestic Hotel Residence has 30 conference rooms and 480 guestrooms, residence suites, and junior suites.

The NH Collection Milano CityLife, a new 4-star hotel in the heart of Milan's futuristic CityLife district, is a seamless blend of old and new, and is the 12th NH Collection brand property. The old church building, dating back to1934, was later abandoned, then deconsecrated in 2017 and returned to the Milanese community as an architectural and artistic rarity.

A striking architectural statement

The NH Collection Milano CityLife stands just a hundred metres from Portello station. Because of its distinctive colour and adjacent 13-story tower this new hotel is a striking architectural statement.  “We are very excited about this new opening, which adds another hotel to the Italian portfolio of the NH Collection brand,” said Marco Gilardi, operations director NH Hotel Group Italy and USA. “The strategy in this case was to redevelop and enhance an already spectacular property, and make it even more dazzling.”

The hotel has a leisurely charm and a business soul

“NH Hotel Group relies heavily on this new central hotel for its leisurely charm as well as its business soul,” says NH Hotel Group Italia director of business development Ambra Lee Agnoletti. “It confidently looks to the future, and to a total recovery of the events and hospitality sector.”

A spectacular entrance

The masonry building has a Latin cross plan and three naves, and the original wooden doors, round arches, and side aisle spans now serve as a spectacular entrance. The 13-floor tower was designed to reflect this verticality, which can be found in the golden organ in the reception, details of the cocktail bar and restaurant, and the unexpected cascade of light in the lobby.

Six duplex suites with stunning city views

With 185 rooms, including 10 duplex suites built above the central nave, NH Collection Milano CityLife is one of the few hotels in the world that allows guests to sleep, relax, and reside in a former 1930s church. Furthermore, six of these suites have terraces with stunning city views. The remaining 175 rooms are in the 13-story tower and are styled to the highest levels of Italian design. 

The cocktail bar is the star of the show

The property has six large meeting rooms with a total capacity of 520. There is also a large private garden for events and exhibitions. The real gem, however, is on the top floor, where the exclusive rooftop with a swimming pool and The District cocktail bar is the star of the show, while the Tailors restaurant reflects the NH Hotel Group's stand-out hospitality.

A couple of weeks ago in a Vietnamese restaurant in Singapore I met my first robot waiter, and it made me think how robotics is changing the face of travel. As it has in Istanbul airport, not only one of the world’s largest, but also a fine example of a smart airport that has invested heavily in biometric data, augmented reality and AI.  

Istanbul, with e-passport gates, smart translation services, smart parking and security, has also introduced roaming robots to assist travellers, just like the one in Singapore with the cheerful hello and flashing eyes who brought me my bowl of Pho. Istanbul’s robots too are the size of a small child, with mouths that flash, eyes that blink, arms that move, and have a touch screen on the chest to allow customers to interact. 

But are these investments paying off?  After a six-month trial of the biometric scanners the airport announced that boarding times were reduced by 30%, and that passport e-gates were verifying travellers’ identities in as little as 18 seconds. Money very well spent indeed.  And those cheerful little robots are so cute!

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor