The Martello Hotels group's Martello di Lampedusa hotel and the Principe di Lampedusa in Palermo have joined Bwh Hotels Italia. 

An affiliation aimed at enhancing the properties

Antonio Martello, the owner and director of the company, explains that the decision to partner with the Best Western brand was made to bring new energy to their establishments. He also highlights the valuable multidisciplinary support provided by Bwh throughout the affiliation which is aimed not only at attracting new customers but also at further enhancing the two properties.

Complimentary car transfers to and from Lampedusa airport

The Best Western Hotel Martello in Lampedusa enjoys an exceptional location between the historic centre and Guitgia Bay, one of the island's most captivating beaches. The hotel has 26 rooms, and the superior and junior suites have panoramic views of the marina. The restaurant showcases the best of traditional local cuisine, particularly seafood, and also caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Complimentary car transfers to and from Lampedusa airport are provided for guests.

The Principe di Lampedusa has programmes for exploring the area

The Best Western Hotel Principe di Lampedusa with 12 deluxe rooms, is another 4-star hotel located in the heart of Palermo. In a historic building from the early 1900s, which underwent a complete renovation in 2018, the hotel is located on the Arab-Norman Route, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel provides a selection of programmes for exploring the area, and for guests traveling by car, parking is available.

Unspoiled nature and authentic luxury

Le Cattedrali is a 5-star luxury relais in the little hamlet of Valleandona, just seven kilometres from the town of Asti, which is famous for its sparkling wines. 

The beauty of unspoiled nature and authentic luxury

It is located in the heart of the Monferrato, in Italy’s northwestern Piedmont Region, a land where culture and traditions blend with rugged nature to create an exquisitely authentic landscape of hills and wooded areas of extraordinary beauty.

Le Cattedrali is close to Asti’s Paleontological Park

The relais is in close proximity to Asti’s Paleontological Park, a truly unique tourist destination that encompasses several protected areas, and holds unique fossil remains dating from between 9 and 3 million years ago when the entire Po Valley was covered by the sea. 

Bright spacious suites and rooms with forest or mountain views

With its elegant rooms and suites, superb restaurant, exclusive wine cellar and world-class spa the luxury relais Le Cattedrali is an occasion to immerse yourself in the beauty of unspoiled nature and authentic luxury. The rooms and suites – the Loft, the Suite, the two Garden Suites, seven Junior Suites and 2 Deluxe Rooms, are spacious and bright with large windows looking out on the forest or the mountains. 

A spa with a Turkish bath and a swimming pool

The Spa, on over 220 sqm, is the perfect place to pamper the body and the mind. There is also a Turkish bath, a wellness path and an outdoor sauna. In Le Cattedrali’s restaurant the carefully crafted menu reinterprets tradition with a unique contemporary touch, using the freshest of seasonal products and the balance of the elements. The property also has a swimming pool, a solarium and a heliport.

The Pilgrim's Credential of the Cammino di Francesco was presented at the headquarters of the Umbria region in Perugia.

Over 8,000 pilgrims walked the Cammino di San Francesco in 2022

The Franciscan centenary will be celebrated between 2023 and 2026. The St. Francis’ trail has consistently ranked among the top routes in terms of
pilgrim numbers in Italy, with over 8,000 pilgrims from 57 nations travelling it in 2022, some 26% more than in 2021. The Umbria region recently
received a fund of €6 million for the development of pilgrim trails in its earthquake-stricken areas.

“Hospitality is the greatest reward of a pilgrimage”

The Credential serves as proof of the pilgrim's journey, setting them apart from ordinary travellers. At each stage of the pilgrimage dates and stamps
from the places of hospitality are affixed to the Credential. “Hospitality is the greatest reward of a pilgrimage, especially for the majority of pilgrims
who arrive in Assisi,” says Friar Rafael Pinheiro Normando of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

The new Ama Stay, which opened last November in San Vigilio di Marebbe, South Tyrol, is already launching a brand new concept, the Ama Community. 

"Our aim is to create exchanges both on site and digitally”

This is in line with its original vocation as a hotel dedicated to smart working, digital nomads and nature lovers. "Our aim is to create an exchange between our guests, the local community and our team, both on site and digitally," explains the general manager of Ama Stay, Markus Promberger. With communal tables, coworking spaces and a bar and restaurant open to the public, the team of the South Tyrolean property has created shared spaces with the aim of fostering serene and spontaneous encounters. "The property is designed in such a way as to create natural meeting places so that the local population can come into contact with the guests and our international team.”

Workshops, the Ama Community Days and ad hoc events

It is not just the physical environments, however, that make up the Ama Community as there are plans for a digital space conceived to cultivate and maintain the relationships born here and cultivated over time. This network will be supported by a series of activities organized by the hotel such as workshops, the Ama Community Days and ad hoc events. 

Italian debut for the Casa Cook hotel brand in the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the northern Trento region. 

The Madonna di Campiglio property was called the Milano

Launched by Thomas Cook in 2016, before the collapse of the UK tour operator, the brand then merged into the Fosun group together with the British operator's own brand. The news now concerns the former Milano hotel in Madonna di Campiglio, acquired by Jp Hospitality in 2022.

The plan is to expand to 55 from 44 rooms

Built in the 1960s, the property with a total of 44 rooms will be managed by the Austrian white label company Treasurests Hospitality Group, which has signed a franchising agreement with Casa Cook. Pkf Hospitality Group has supported Jp Hospitality in the role of commercial advisor. The plans are to expand the hotel's rooms to 55. Casa Cook currently boasts a portfolio of five properties in Greece and Egypt

Real Madrid and Olimpia Milano are just some of the names that will enliven the summer of sport at Forte Village.

Clinics also in rugby, netball, hockey, tennis and padel 

Allowing guests of all ages to train or try out a new sport, coaches from the Real Madrid Foundation Football Clinic share the latest training methods. There is also a basketball academy with the Ettore Messina and Olimpia Milano teams, as well as a rugby academy with legends Austin Healey and Will Greenwood. Netball and hockey, tennis with Pat Cash and Emilio Sanchez, and padel, considered the sport of the moment, will also feature at the property together with boxing

Fencing, sailing, swimming, go-karting, cycling and also magic!

Stefano Pantano, and Olympic champions Valentina Vezzali and Paolo Pizzo are the stars of the fencing academy, and Italian sailor of the year 2021, Simone Camba, is the star of the sailing academy. Guests can also enjoy swimming with Domenico Fioravanti, go-karting with Paolo Gagliardini and Giancarlo Fisichella, cycling with Fabio Aru or mountain biking with Paola Pezzo. For creative souls, the dance, music, and DJ academies are the perfect place to nuture budding talents. Also noteworthy is the brand-new climbing wall and the Academy of Magic with international celebrity Michael J. Fitch.

After a restyling the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina (Sicily) has joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts network.

In a privileged position overlooking the Ionian Sea

This luxurious 5-star hotel, owned by Lindbergh Hotels & Resorts, is a villa dating back to the 1900s in a privileged position overlooking the Ionian Sea. The repositioning and restyling project was ambitious, involving significant improvements to the property's design. With a total investment exceeding €2 million a further €6 million has been allocated for ongoing renovations over the next two years.

Meeting the expectations of American guests

As part of the makeover Lindbergh Hotels & Resorts has also made important enhancements to the in-room facilities. These aim to provide guests with an even more luxurious experience at the Grand Hotel San Pietro, aligning with the expectations of an increasingly discerning market, particularly American guests. The newly designed seafront rooms now boast a fresh and distinctive style that pays homage to the beautiful Sicilian surroundings. This is achieved through the incorporation of traditional ceramics typical of the island and an elegant colour palette, serving as a genuine tribute to the land that hosts the hotel.

The hotel has a 1900s ambience

The property offers panoramic views of Isola Bella, Mount Etna, and the Bay of Naxos. The terraces and outdoor spaces have new furnishings crafted from local materials sourced from Sicilian artisans. With the completion of the renovations and continuous investment in the hotel's restyling, the Gran Hotel San Pietro in Taormina is poised to offer an even more exclusive experience to its guests. Its panoramic position and the charming ambiance of the 1900s villa are to be further enhanced, boosting its reputation as a top choice for those seeking an unforgettable stay in the beautiful town of Taormina.

The South Tyrol has wine itineraries that showcase the captivating landscapes of the Alto Adige region, highlighting its rich winemaking traditions.

The region has over 270 wineries

“The South Tyrol- says Eduard Bernhart, director of the Consorzio Vini Alto Adige, - is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Italy, just 5,700 hectares of vineyards, where over 20 different vines are grown. The more than 270 wineries in the area offer excellent products with an unmistakable origin.”

Vineyards and the UNESCO Dolomites

Wine tourism in the Alto Adige’s South Tyrol has everything necessary to bounce back and grow after the recent setbacks, as the region boasts a rich historical, cultural, and oenological heritage. Viticulture has thrived here for over 2,500 years and the region is blessed with the breath-taking UNESCO Dolomites.

Showcasing ancient vineyards

Experiencing viticulture in this enchanting region is best done first-hand. Wineries are happy to welcome tourists, offering visits and guided tours that provide insights into the origins of their internationally famous wines. Two notable vineyards not to be missed are in San Paolo-Appiano: one with Pinot Bianco wines planted in1899, and the other showcasing the ancient vineyards of Santa Maddalena above the city of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region. 

The Tommasi family’s  estates invite visitors to explore wine trails in Friuli, Tuscany and Basilicata, three significant regions for Italian wine. 

Wine trails that lead through some of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes

The Tommasi family has deep roots in these areas and they have developed trails that are specifically tailored to both wine enthusiasts and those seeking to explore beautiful parts of Italy. The historic cellar in Valpolicella, the Podere Casisano in Montalcino, and the Paternoster in Vulture, Basilicata, offer exclusive opportunities over the summer months to sample Tommasi wines while taking in the stunning landscapes of Italy.

Visiting wine cellars and discovering Basilicata’a volcanic wines

The Tommasi Wine Hospitality website offers comprehensive packages that can be conveniently booked online, allowing wine lovers to embark discover renowned destinations such as Montalcino, as well as lesser-known gems like Basilicata, which is famous for its Aglianico del Vulture and volcanic wines. The Welcome Paternoster package provides the chance to visit the Baron's cellar, as well as the current production and aging cellar, where one can experience the rich variety of wines. 

An old wine cellar in the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany  

The historic aging cellar of Talosa, the oldest of its kind, is situated in the heart of Montepulciano's old town. It can be found in the basement of Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti, directly opposite Montepulciano’s cathedral. The cellar features a series of galleries constructed entirely with bricks, with vaults and niches where the wine barrels are carefully placed. This atmospheric environment provides the ideal conditions for the maturation and refinement of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Descending 15 meters underground, visitors are welcomed into a room where they can enjoy an exciting wine experience. 

 A relaxing experience involving all five senses in Friuli

The Gradis'ciutta winery, located on the border between Friuli and Slovenia, offers a unique opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the ambiance of this estate's vineyards. The focus is on achieving complete relaxation and discovering wine from a fresh perspective by engaging all five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and inner listening. A knowledgeable sommelier will guide guests throughout the entire experience, which takes place amidst the rows of vines and includes a wine tasting.

Villa QuarantaTommasi Wine Hotel SPA

Sardinia is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Italy for its crystal-clear sea, white sand dunes and breathtaking scenery.
Video produced by Latvdeiviaggi