Estate Fiesolana (Fiesole, Florence - Tuscany) returns from 8 June to 11 September, for its 79th edition and is Italy's oldest multidisciplinary open-air festival.  

Performances in the Roman Theatre and other venues

Entertaining visitors since 1911 when it launched its first classical theatre performance since 1947, it has also included music, art, dance and cinema. Every summer, from June to September, the Festival offers classical, pop and jazz music, theatre and dance performances, as well as themed evenings and a high-quality film programme. It features numerous national and international artists, mainly in the setting of the ancient Roman Theatre, the festival’s central venue, but also extends to other locations in and around Fiesole.

The Fiesole Award for the Masters of Cinema

Among the recurring events hosted on the stage of the Roman Theatre is the prestigious Fiesole Award to the Masters of Cinema, awarded over the years to leading Italian and international directors and actors, accompanied by a screening of the winner’s films. Of Etruscan and later Roman origin, the little town of Fiesole in the Tuscan countryside, less than ten kilometres from Florence, is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees, and offers opportunities for walking and cycling excursions. It still preserves important archaeological remains from the Etruscan and Roman periods, such as the Roman Theatre and the thermal baths, dating back to the 1st century BC, as well as numerous artefacts housed in the Archaeological Museum. 

Museums and Italian-style gardens

The Convent of Saint Francis, founded in the 13th century, is an ancient religious complex, as well as a centre of Franciscan spirituality and theological studies. In the 1400s the town also became the Medici family’s summer residence: the Villa Medicea, with its Italian-style gardens, is currently open to visitors. In the centre of Fiesole stands the Cathedral, dating from 1028, with paintings, frescoes and sculptures by great artists, and the Bandini Museum, which has a significant collection of works of art gathered by the Bandini family over the centuries. To purchase tickets and view the calendar of events, visit the website: https://www.bitconcerti.it/estate-fiesolana-2026.html#

Ridracoli, which is ideal for canoeing and forest bathing buffs, is located on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.

Guided tours of the dam on the Bidente river

This area is known for its imposing dam, built in the 1980s on the Bidente River, which created a picturesque lake at 557 meters asl surrounded by pristine forests. This unique ecosystem can be explored via electric boat or canoe tours in the spring and summer months, as well as along e-bike and hiking trails. The dam not only provides drinking water to much of the Romagna region, but also offers the opportunity to view this engineering masterpiece from unique vantage points. The electric boat, equipped with 43 seats, takes visitors from late March through September with an environmental guide on board who recounts the history of the dam, the landscape, and the wildlife inhabiting these forests. 

Half-day, full-day and overnight canoe trips

The tour allows, upon request and provided the lake level is high enough, for a stop at the Cà di Sopra Refuge for lunch or to set off from there on a short hike through the woods. Among the water-based experiences, canoe trips are available as half-day or full-day excursions, in the evening or at night; including an overnight canoe trip to the village of Seghettina, scheduled for June 27–28, July 25–26, and August 29–30 (discover more).

The Casentino Forests Triathlon combines hiking, canoeing, and e-biking

For cycling enthusiasts, it is possible to rent e-bikes with a certified MTB guide for an excursion along the forest trail leading to the Foresta della Lama. It is also possible to complete a loop around Lake Ridracoli, or to set out on one of the many trails to discover the most fascinating spots in the National Park. Outings range from half-day trips to night excursions. A perfect destination for nature lovers, Ridracoli is also the venue for the Casentino Forests Triathlon, a sporting and nature-based experience that combines hiking, canoeing, and e-biking in a single event. For hikers numerous trails lead to picturesque spots such as San Paolo in Alpe and the Foresta della Lama, on the edge of the Sasso Fratino Integral Reserve, Italy’s first integral reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.

Forest bathing with certified guides 

The events calendar is packed with all kinds of activities. Among these is Forest Bathing, a practice of sensory immersion in nature that offers numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. The experience is led by a certified forest immersion guide and offers a rejuvenating break for body and mind, with great health benefits. The Ridracoli Dam and IDRO Ecomuseum - Forest Bathing

Water-based activities for young and old 

This summer with the “Wednesdays of the Giant” and year-round with “At the Giant’s Feet,” the dam can occasionally be visited from below with exclusive tours of the internal tunnels to discover how it works, including control instruments, history, technical curiosities, and observation points normally inaccessible to the public. All these events can be viewed on the website https://www.ridracoli.it/calendar/.   Also interesting is a visit to Idro – Ecomuseo delle Acque di Ridracoli, a fun and interactive museum dedicated to the history and operation of the dam. This is also perfect for young children as it focuses on discovering water, local flora and fauna, and environmental education. And the museum features a collection of stuffed animals that inhabit the area’s forests and explains in detail how the dam works. To purchase experiences in the parks of Romagna: Buy your ticket - AmaParco

Verucchio in Romagna is one of the “Most Beautiful Small Towns in Italy” and has may great treasures waiting to be explored.  

Close to Rimini and San Marino

Strategically situated less than 30 minutes’ drive from Rimini and on the border with the State of San Marino, Verucchio, which has held the Touring Club’s Orange Flag since 2005, was the cradle of the Malatesta family in the 13th century, It also bears witness to the Villanovan civilization (9th and 6th centuries BC) and today still retains its medieval layout, consisting of steep narrow streets with the fortress at the top of the town.

ph credits: Elisa Biagioli

The magnificent Malatesta fortress

The Malatesta Fortress of Verucchio overlooks the Valmarecchia from a rocky outcrop, offering a view stretching from the Apennines to the sea. This superbly preserved fortress remains a symbol of the power of the Malatesta family, one of the most influential dynasties of the Middle Ages, which ruled these lands unchallenged from 1295 to 1500. The fortress offers a diverse range of immersive experiences, from guided tours to candlelit events, escape rooms and murder mystery dinners, as well as private events.

The Villanovan Archaeological Museum  

A visit to the nearby Villanovan Archaeological Museum further enriches the exploration of this small village, allowing visitors to delve deeper into its historical roots by recounting the social and economic life of the time. In the former monastery of Sant’Agostino, dating back to the 13th century, the museum holds treasures of international significance from the excavations of over 600 tombs discovered beneath the town. Among the weapons, pottery and jewellery, highlights include a wooden throne, incredibly well-preserved organic textiles and a large quantity of precious Baltic amber. It is no coincidence that the Archaeological Museum was recognised in 2000 as one of the 10 best in Europe.

ph credits: Elisa Biagioli

Local cuisine, dancing and folklore

Verucchio also hosts various events, particularly during the summer months. These include the Verucchio Music Festival in July; shows, re-enactments and medieval dinners at the Rocca in August; and, also in August, Verucchio Calici, during which visitors can discover and taste the region’s finest wines. And then in mid-September the Fiera di Santa Croce offers a feast of local cuisine, dancing and folklore.

BiHoliday reopens two of its two flagship Camping Resorts: BiVillage in Fažana, Croatia, and the Centro Vacanze Villaggio San Francesco in Caorle, in the province of Venice.

Refurbished accommodation units and sushi dining

The Camping Resort Villaggio San Francesco, open until 30 September, is a model of open-air hospitality focused on experience and sustainability. Set in a pine forest overlooking the Adriatic Sea it has refurbished accommodation units, as well as improved communal areas and enhanced services, and it also features a new sushi-based dining option among this year’s new additions.

From villas to camping pitches

Inclusive, accessible and pet-friendly, the Camping Resort is a self-sufficient holiday village equipped with every amenity. The resort offers a five-star range comprising seven types of holiday homes, including apartments and new-generation villas, as well as premium pitches ranging from the 100-square-metre Belvedere pitches to the 130-square-metre King Size pitches. The 500-metre stretch of private Blue Flag beach features a beach club complete with fully equipped gazebos, personalised shaded areas and dining facilities right on the shore.

17 sports, a Kid's Club and teenage programme

The sports programme includes tennis, table tennis, water polo, archery, sailing, canoeing, yoga and Pilates, activities that can be enjoyed independently or by taking part in courses led by qualified instructors. The guest experience is further enriched by entertainment programmes suitable for all age groups: from the kids’ club with workshops and creative activities, to programmes for teenagers, right through to evening entertainment for adults featuring shows, live music and themed evenings.

BiHoliday closed 2025 with a turnover of €34.5 million

Maurizio Biasuzzi AD BiHoliday Biasuzzi Spa

2026 marks the third year of development for BiHoliday’s Master Plan, a multi-year project worth over €40 million aimed at a profound transformation of the facilities. “After more than fifty years in the tourism industry, we continue to grow by evolving our model without losing our identity,- said Maurizio Biasuzzi, the group’s CEO. -Our goal is to build responsible hospitality, capable of generating value for guests, staff and the local communities where we operate.” BiHoliday closed 2025 with a turnover of €34.5 million, recording growth of +13% compared to the previous year and exceeding 1.2 million total guest stays across its two properties in Fažana and Caorle. The group, part of the Biasuzzi business group, also includes the tour operator BiBooking, the food & beverage division BiFoody, and the MICE service brands Bi2Bi and BiAcademy.

The Dertour Group has joined forces with Valentour in a joint venture that brings together Der Viaggi, the Dertour Group’s DMC in Italy, with Valentour.

Hotels marketed under the two brands

The two partners will form a single DMC to provide services across the entire country south of Lake Garda. Until now, Der Viaggi’s operations have focused mainly on Rome, Sardinia and the Gulf of Naples. The new joint venture will expand this geographical coverage and boost the Dertour Group’s position in southern Italy. Particular attention will be paid to Calabria, a destination that continues to grow and is supported by the growing number of hotels marketed under the group’s brands, including Aldiana Club Rocca Nettuno Calabria, Sentido Michelizia Tropea Resort and Ananea Tropea Yachting Resort.

"In-depth local knowledge...and excellent services"

The joint venture has been established with the aim of becoming a single point of contact for the group’s extensive portfolio of tour operators across Europe, including brands such as Kuoni and, more broadly, all the tour operator brands of Dertour Central, Northern & Eastern Europe. It also aims to serve as a guarantee of quality business for all current and future partners, including third parties. Der Viaggi and Valentour will combine their strengths, expertise and local knowledge to become a leading DMC on a national scale. Deborah Valente, managing director of Valentour, commented: “This joint venture represents a milestone for Valentour. Together with the Dertour Group, we are creating a significant system by combining in-depth local knowledge with the provision of excellent services. This vision will form the basis of a project destined to grow and mature further in the near future. Particularly for Southern Italy and Calabria, this partnership opens the door to new opportunities for growth on an international scale.”

"Unlocking significant growth potential in key regions" 

 Patrizio Appolloni, managing director of DerViaggi, added: “We share the same long-term vision, a deep passion for this work and a firm belief in the importance of putting the customer at the heart of every decision we make.” Klaus-Ulrich Sperl, CEO of Destination Management Companies added: “Italy is one of our most important destinations. By joining forces with Valentour, we are creating a solid, integrated DMC structure covering almost the entire country. This joint venture will enable us to serve our group’s brands even better, strengthen our business with partners and unlock significant growth potential in key regions such as Calabria,”