One hundred of the 200 hotels in Rome that closed during the pandemic are open again.

This is according to the daily Il Corriere della Sera, talking to Federalberghi Roma president Giuseppe Roscioli. And the credit goes to the unexpected wave of international tourist arrivals. 

Russian and Chinese visitors are missing

“It’s an almost unexpected upturn - Roscioli told the Corriere - and proof that events are fundamental in attracting tourists. Things went well, he added  “despite the fact that we are still missing a large number of visitors such as the Chinese, the Russians and others from south-east Asia'.

The Bernini Bristol and Grand Hotel Plaza have just reopened

Two classical Roman properties, the Grand Hotel Plaza in Via del Corso and the Bernini Bristol in Piazza Barberini are among those that have just reopened. And Rome’s hotels are working at full capacity having caught up with the pre-pandemic gap, “even though a hundred of them are still closed.”  Business quickly picked up for Eternal City’s hotels with occupation rates of 80-85% from April through June. 

Sicily. Luxury, tradition and design at the Alba Palace in Favara, just a few kilometres from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, for a holiday of luxury, design and tradition.  

In the heart of the most authentic Sicily spend  summer on some of the splendid beaches of Agrigento like the stunning Scala dei Turchi.

An exclusive Spa Suite with relaxing massage

The Alba Palace has different categories of rooms and suites, from Classic to Superior, and from Deluxe to Junior Suite Spa. Each room featurs refined and fine furnishings, king-size beds, large showers or elegant whirlpool baths and even small terraces or balconies.

A Presidential Suite luxury experience 

On the rooftop is the 150-square-metre Presidential Suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which has a designer bathtub. There is also a large living area with an open kitchen and an 80 sqm rooftop terrace with a small pool and solarium. Throughout the summer you can choose the Luxury Experience in Presidential Suite package, which includes an overnight stay, breakfast in the room, a bottle of prosecco on arrival and late check-out at 12 noon. All starting from €399 per room.  

Restaurant Ground Floor Terrace Alba Palace

From the Scala dei Turchi to the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve

Summer and sea is a perfect combination, and the Agrigento coastline stretches for no less than 150 km with fantastic beaches and coves. The most famous is certainly the Scala dei Turchi, a clay and limestone white cliff honed by the winds and sea currents. A few kilometres up the coast we find the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve. This WWF Oasis covers an area of over 700 hectares between Siculiana Marina and Eraclea Minoa: an unspoilt landscape that stretches for six kilometres along the coastline with cliffs, dunes and beautiful beaches.  Info: www.albapalace.com 

The holiday voucher has made a welcome return to Piedmont, the region of Northern Italy at the foot of the Alps, on the borders with France and Switzerland.

Outdoor activities in this beautiful region are being discounted by up to 50%, with the Visit Piemonte consortium offering a wide range of exciting outings that can be found on the portal www.visitpiedmont.com.

Two free nights for every four purchased

And, starting on 5 September, the 4x2 formula will also kick off, with two free nights accommodation for every four nights purchased, one of which will be offered by the accommodation facility and the other by the Piedmont Region.

Varaita Valley

Aiming for longer stays

"The new formula aims at incentivizing longer stays, rather than the average almost three nights visitors spend here" says the president of the Region, Alberto Cirio.

“After the success of the holiday voucher in past years, it will continue to be an extra incentive to choose Piedmont, which this summer is among the favourite destinations after the sea destinations,” added the culture, tourism and commercial councillor, Vittoria Poggio.

Packages are on sale up to 30 June 2023

Packages can be purchased up to 30 June 2023, by which date they must also be used. Last year 55,000 vouchers were purchased for a total of 300,000 overnight stays.

Piedmont is among the most popular regions in Italy

According to the latest survey from the Regional Tourism Observatory and VisitPiemonte, the Piedmont region is one of the most popular Italian destinations, coming in after Tuscany, Liguria, Puglia, Sicily, Marche and Sardinia. What attracts people are outdoor activities (58%), but there is also a growing desire for cultural visits (40%). In May arrivals were up by 10% and overnight stays by 18%. 

Sardinia’s only new Blue Flag recognition goes to Budoni. Awarded by the Danish Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) the accolade makes for environmentally friendly holidays, and this summer Budoni has launched a large fleet of electric scooters.

The aim being to allow guests and residents to move around in a speedy and economic way, and with zero impact on the environment.

Buses for wheelchairs and mobility scooters

In addition public transport has been boosted, and is now reaching the most beautiful beaches along the coast. Some shuttle buses are also equipped with platforms that make them accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. And to better accommodate tourists with specific needs the walkways on the beaches have been expanded, making it easier to reach the shoreline, and special armchairs with large wheels that can move effortlessly on the sand and even enter the water are also available.

Quality accommodation and services

Great attention is also paid to the quality of the accommodation on offer. During the winter workshops organized by Budoni Welcome a common hospitality strategy was worked out by local players, with the aim of guaranteeing even higher quality and quantity levels.

“Holidaymakers want authentic emotions and experiences”

“Year after year our administration has introduced projects to make guests' stays more unforgettable,” explains Giuseppe Porcheddu, the mayor of Budoni. “Trends show that holidaymakers are looking for authentic emotions and experiences and ways to connect with the authenticity of a location. By enhancing our typical products we are moving in this direction with attention to mobility, accessibility, and sustainability. The recent Blue Flag confirms that we have done well, and is a stimulus for future initiatives.”

Autentico Hotels, for family-style holidays in ten different experiences in family-run, independent and luxury hotels with activities for children and adults.  

From the sea to the countryside to the mountains, they pamper families, making them feel at home with welcome gifts, dedicated menus and themed rooms for children.

Relais Il Falconiere & Spa - Cortona in Tuscany 

The Falconiere offers families who choose the Tuscan countryside a special welcome for young guests, with lots of fun experiences in the kitchen, picnics and e-bikes.

https://www.ilfalconiere.it   

Martivs Private Suites - Rome in Lazio 

The Martivs spells elegance and luxury for the whole family in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, with suites up to 75 sqm in size.

https://www.martiusprivatesuites.com/

Chateau Monfort - Milan  in Lombardy 

Château Monfort welcomes families with its Happy Family package with dedicated menus and ideas for discovering the city with the little ones.

https://www.hotelchateaumonfort.com/it/ 

Gallia Palace Beach Golf Spa Resort - Punta Ala in Tuscany 

The Gallia Palace Hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and a wonderful private beach. There is horse riding, also for little ones on horses and ponies. There is also an 18-hole course and a mini golf course for kids.

https://www.galliapalace.it/ 

San Montano Resort & Spa – Ischia in Campania 

The San Montano Resort & Spa with its gardens, multiple thermal pools, spa, and excursions is the perfect retreat for families seeking a dose of adventure, such as snorkelling in the marine protected area, or a night boat trip.  

https://www.sanmontano.com/ 

La Barchessa di Villa Pisani - Vicenza in Veneto 

The Barchessa di Villa Pisani is ideal for spending time with the family, between a dip in the pool, a game of billiards or excursions to explore the Veneto countryside. https://labarchessadivillapisani.it/   

Grand Hotel et De Milan - Milan in Lombardy 

At the Grand Hotel et de Milan Gianluigi Di Napoli, a talented photographer and portraitist, will immortalize that special family moment in one of the suites dedicated to illustrious personalities like Giuseppe Verdi.

https://www.grandhoteletdemilan.it/

Mont Blanc Relais & Spa - La Salle in Valle d’Aosta 

At the Mont Blanc Relais & Spa, the whole family can experience Mont Blanc at 360°. There are traditional and gourmet menus for young, and for adults relaxation in the wellness centre.
https://www.relaismontblanc.it/

Fragsburg Castle, Merano in Trentino’s South Tyrol 

Fragesburg Castle is the perfect setting for unforgettable moments and elegant parties, with thrills for families at evenings in the Michelin-starred Gourmet Restaurant.

https://www.fragsburg.com/  

Golfo dei Poeti Relais & Spa - Montemarcello in the Cinque Terre, Liguria 

At the Golfo dei Poeti kids can express all their vitality outdoors or in the infinity pools, while their parents indulge in moments of pure relaxation in the spa, the heated Jacuzzis or with a tailor-made wellness treatment.   

https://www.golfodeipoetirelais.com/   

Arsenale has started work on Rome’s Orient Express de la Minerve.

Designer Hugo Toro has been entrusted with the furnishing and restyling of the historic hotel by the Arsenale group, in collaboration with Accor.

This will be the group’s first Orient Express (on completion in 2024), with a second property, the Venetian Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, planned for the same brand.

“A time of historical renaissance for the city of Rome”

"The history of a hotel like La Minerva will be given new life with Hugo Toro at a time of general historical renaissance for the city of Rome itself, which will become a focal point for luxury tourism - said Arsenale's head of real estate and construction, Gilda Cotzias. - With La Minerve we inaugurate the first chapter of a project that with the launch of the Dolce Vita Orient Express will unite the country, from the great art cities to small villages, in an integrated and complete luxury offer for millions of foreign travellers who will choose Italy as their first destination."

The hotel’s style will be inspired by the Eternal City

"The first Orient Express Minerva hotel in Rome will be inspired by this city of history and legend," adds the CEO of the Raffles and Orient Express brands, Stephen Alden. " Hugo Toro continues his journey with us. His passion for history, his sensibility and his atmospheric style, imbued with a new contemporaneity, will undoubtedly enhance the world's first Orient Express.”

At Lonato del Garda’s Cittadella in Festa festival on 25 September visitors will be plunged into the past with an historical procession, an ancient crafts market, tournaments, falconry shows and much more in this enchanting old town which is just half an hour from Brescia.

The town and its 15th-century fortress will revive for a day the splendours of the court of Isabella Gonzaga, the primadonna of the Renaissance who left her heart in Lonato in 1514. 

Historical tournaments and processions 

In her letters to her husband Isabella wrote that she had never seen a more beautiful fortress than that of Lonato, and the Cittadella in Festa festivities will be a real leap back in time. Re-enactments of Renaissance trades and tournaments will see the streets come alive with elaborately dressed ladies, knights in arms, craftsmen, and musicians.

Knights on steeds and falconry

The highlight of the day will be the spectacular arrival in town of the Marchesa Isabella Gonzaga, accompanied by characters in noble attire and knights on steeds. The festivities will also include music and dancing, performances with flags, drums and clarions, and falconry demonstrations with hawks and other birds of prey. 

Games for children 

Ancient trades will be revived in the historical marketplace with artisans intent on the arts and skills of the past – from the waxmaker, the apothecary and the cobbler to the amanuensis, the carpenter and the gunsmith. Costumed characters will involve adults and children in various activities, and for young children the games of yesteryear will be revived.

One of Italy’s most imposing fortresses

Cittadella in Festa will be an opportunity to discover Lonato, this enchanting town overlooking Lake Garda with many treasures of art and history and hidden corners. From the Rocca Visconteo Veneta, one of the most imposing fortresses in northern Italy to the the Casa del Podestà, a truly fascinating museum-house and from the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista to the Churches of Corlo and Sant'Antonio Abate, and the Sala Celesti room in the Municipality with a large altarpiece by Andrea Celesti dedicated to the plague.  www.lonatoturismo.it 

Merano, a city with a green heart, will host the Merano Flower Festival from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May 2023, and the Tourist Office is already working on the new programme for this 5th edition.

The focus will be on nature and plants, from botany to gardening, and from meetings with intellectuals, landscape architects, and artists to entertainment and workshops for adults and children. 

An abundance of urban greenery

Merano was awarded the 2022 ECOT - European City of Trees Award, which has been given to European cities that have distinguished themselves in the care of trees in an urban context since 2007. Valencia, Prague, Frankfurt, Apeldoorn, Turin in Italy in 2008, and Vienna last year were among the major cities to receive the award. Merano, a wellness destination, is a city of only 41,000 inhabitants and it stands out for its abundance of urban greenery and the diligence and competence with which this is cared for and constantly integrated. 

A new philosophy of life

This summer’s Merano Vitae programme ranges from self-massage to the recognition and management of emotions, from the Move in Merano project to the individual discovery of public green areas thanks to the Merano Biodivercity Tour in 17 stages, led by an audio guide. Move in Merano consists of a network of pedestrian paths as the whole city becomes a setting for experiencing the beneficial contact with nature, slowly and joyfully. And also to rediscover that energy that many need to find again following the Covid 19 epidemic. 

Information  www.merano.eu

Office-on-the-go is the ideal kit for working on holidays or smart working.

Remote working has entered the vocabularly, and it does not just mean working at home, as many people like to work in city parks, in bars, on trains and other forms of transport.

A 2021 study by Inapp showed that over 7.2 million people work in remote, and 61% of them do it at least three days a week, but to make the most of it you really need to have right equipment.

A comfortable working area and noise-cancelling headphones

D-Link, a world leader in network technology and connectivity has come up with the pefect kit for the office-on-the-go.  No matter where you choose to work a comfortable chair and adequate space are essential to start with, and of course the light is also important. And better if it is natural!  On a business call and the person next to you starts a videocall? Or maybe you just need to concentrate and avoid being distracted by what is going on around you?  Being able to isolate noise is essential and so a good set of noise-cancelling headphones is a must.

Hubs, USB-Cs and low blue light glasses 

How often have you checked into a hotel to find that the outlets are not suitable for your computer? The answer is a hub like D-Link’s DUB series that amplifies connectivity and boosts productivity. It can add a seond screen and facilitate data and file transfer and power delivery. Low Blue Light filters a blue light that can be bad for your eyesight. The solution is to wear a pair of speial glasses with lens that will ensure you do not tire your eyes.

Public Wi-Fi and the importance of a power bank 

Always check the quality of the Wifi line, using a line with an access password  and performing a speed test to make sure it is reliable.  Or you could use a mobile router like the DWR-2101 that also provides 5G,  Wi-Fi 6 and new safety standards.  Suddenly you find yourself with just 5% power left on your PC (and maybe also on your smartphone) and you did not bring the right cables with you?  The answer is to have a powerful powerbank that can reharge your laptop and other devices.   

A cup of coffee and a quick chat 

These are two essential elements in the kit because they are guaranteed to rechare your energy levels. Every two to three hours take a break, enjoy a cup of hot or cold coffee and have a chat.  A bit of networking never does any harm!  D-Link is a global leader in wireless technology and connectivity; its range of solutions are geared to both  domestic and professional users. 

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