May 22, 2026
Borgo Pignano Florence, a new luxurious eco-conscious retreat on an estate in the heart of Tuscany, will open in spring 2026.
Rooms and suites in eleven units
The property will be the brand's urban debut. Set in a landscape and architectural context of exceptional prestige, it is the result of the meticulous restoration of a 15th-century villa in one of Florence’s most elegant and peaceful residential districts just a few steps from the city centre. Borgo Pignano Florence is located on the Montughi Hill on the first stretch of the Via Bolognese, in an elevated, airy and panoramic position. Spread over an area of 500,000 square feet - making it one of the largest hotel parks in the city - Borgo Pignano Florence is divided into eleven units, including the main villa and other buildings. It will have 32 rooms and suites of sizes ranging from the Charming Rooms to the large Signature Suites.
A blend classical and contemporary comforts
Spread over several buildings, the property evokes the concept of ‘borgo’ expressed in the brand, thus confirming its boutique vocation. Each room has been designed with custom-made furnishings, handcrafted fabrics, marble bathrooms and enchanting views of the meticulously tended gardens and historic architecture surrounding the estate. The stylistic approach is sober and harmonious, balancing natural elements, classical references and contemporary comforts.
Villa La Sosta has five ensuite guestrooms
At the entrance to the estate, Villa La Sosta is an independent residence with five en-suite guestrooms, a secluded private pool and an Italian-style garden. Designed for families, small groups, extended stays or private events, the villa combines exclusivity with full access to all hotel facilities, while a separate entrance is available for guests who desire maximum privacy.
A Michelin-starred chef and a spa
Led by Michelin-starred chef Stefano Cavallini, the gastronomy is strongly rooted in Tuscan tradition, reinterpreted with creativity and based on organic products from the Borgo Pignano country estate. The two restaurants and two bars, panoramic terraces and poolside lounges will offer different but consistent experiences in terms of authenticity, sustainability and attention to detail. Wellness will also be an integral part of the guests' experience, with a 30-metre outdoor heated swimming pool - one of the largest in Florence - spa, fitness area, solarium and shaded jogging paths contributing to creating a regenerating holistic experience.
Published in Hospitality
In summer the province of Alessandria in Piedmont beckons with lavender in bloom and summer vibes.
An attraction for slow travellers and photographers
Across the province of Alessandria in the Piedmont region Summer begins with a whisper of purple as entire hillsides are covered with lavender in bloom. Up to the end of July the countryside here transforms into a violet wonderland and attracts slow travellers, photographers, and lovers of beauty. Local farms cultivate the lavenderturning blossoms into essential oils, natural cosmetics, and organic beauty products that carry the scent of the hills.
ph credits: Carlo Lenti ALEXALA Tourist Board Alessandria Monferrato
Lavender-growing towns, villages and hamlets
Castelletto d’Erro in the Alto Monferrato Acquese region is a charming hilltop village, with just 150 residents and is the perfect starting point for a lavender tour. Not far away far Spigno, home to the Agronatura Cooperative, grows lavender using organic and biodynamic methods, and here visitors can learn all about officinal herbs in a serene countryside setting. Moving towards the Monferrato Casalese area, a scenic drive awaits with a panoramic road that leads through picturesque countryside, charming villages, and of course, endless waves of lavender fields. Another must-see for lavender lovers, Quargnento is just a short drive from Alessandria, and is home to the La Lavanda di Lu estate. Here a little kiosk sells everything from essential oils to scented sachets which make perfect souvenirs with the aroma of summer
ph credits: Carlo Lenti ALEXALA Tourist Board Alessandria Monferrato
Stays in wooden cabins in lavender fields
Close to the border with Savona, Merana is a little hamlet that seems frozen in time. Here, the Agriturismo Verdita offers a unique stay in “star boxes” which are cozy wooden cabins set right in the lavender fields. In the Val Borbera valley the little hamlet of Vendersi has over 70 scarecrows, each with a name and a story and there is a fragrant lavender field crowning the village that sells handmade soaps and local products. In Alessandria’s suburb of Valmadonna, don’t miss the Chicche di Lavanda lavender fields which are open for free visits on Sundays and are a perfect way to end a fragrant lavender adventure through the province of Alessandria.
ph credits: Carlo Lenti ALEXALA Tourist Board Alessandria Monferrato
Published in Cities & Regions
Italy remains one of the world's most popular destinations in 2025.
Digital payments are an ally to environmental protection
This is what emerged from the “Travel Trends 2025 - Italy Inbound” survey, together with the fact that digital payments are playing an increasingly central role in travel planning and management, and are considered a useful ally for environmental protection. The survey analyses tourists arriving from the UK, USA, China and the UAE, together with their spending expectations and payment intentions.
78% of trips are concentrated between May and September
And so Italy is confirmed as one of the main tourist destinations in Europe, thanks to how it is able to satisfy different interests. The most frequent motivations among visitors are cultural experiences (60%) and Italy’s iconic art cities (53%), often combined with moments of relaxation by the sea or exploring nature (44%). Travellers who chose Italy tend to concentrate visits to several locations in a short time (56%). 49% of tourists plan stays of between four and seven days, while 45% stay more than eight days. Although Italy is a popular year-round destination, most trips are concentrated between May and September (78%).
American visitors are the biggest spenders
The average spend is around €2,535 per person, with significant differences between countries, ranging from €1,890 for British tourists to €2,900 for Americans and tourists send on average of 14% of their annual income on their stay, while a third of respondents (32%) expect to spend more than last year, with an average increase of 18%.
Published in Business
La Dolce Vita Orient Express, special partner of the Italian Open 2025, is to debut new golf itineraries in October.
Top-level sport on a slow and elegant journey
Launching its first itineraries dedicated to golf lovers, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is enhancing Italy’s national golfing heritage by combining top-level sport and a slow, elegant and immersive journey. Aimed at golfers, enthusiasts and their companions, the new route, departing in October 2025 will be a journey stopping in some of Italy's top golf courses, home to major tournaments and framed by spectacular landscapes. On board, maximum comfort, starred cuisine and experiences of the Italian lifestyle, and on the ground, exclusive services, reserved hospitality and high-level sporting moments, with the participation of an internationally renowned professional golfer on board who will accompany guests for the entire duration of the journey.
La Dolce Vita Terme di Saturnia
A dedicated lounge in Rome’s Ostiense Station
The Northern Greens itinerary, which will cross Northern Italy, will kick off at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, venue of the 2023 Ryder Cup, with a welcome in the exclusive La Dolce Vita Lounge at Rome’s Ostiense Station and the official departure of the train. Subsequent stops will include the Franciacorta Golf Club, the Royal Park I Roveri, the Antognolla Golf Club and the Terme di Saturnia Natural SPA & Golf Resort, offering a combination of great courses, picture-postcard views and outstanding hospitality.
La Dolce Vita San Domenico Golf
A second, Southern Italy, itinerary in November
In November a second itinerary in Central-Southern Italy will be added called The Italian Swing, which will touch upon the San Domenico Golf Club in Apulia, The Club at Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany and the Argentario Golf Club, the only Italian PGA-authorized facility. This is aimed at an international audience and will combine the allure of travelling by train with the appeal of some of the country's best golf courses. The initiative contributes to promoting a sustainable and high-profile form of sports tourism, capable of consistently enhancing the Italian landscape and cultural heritage, and it will feature moments of personalized technical study and tailor-made service for each guest. Each stage will include a reserved welcome, exclusive materials and gourmet breaks on the green, combining the pleasure of the game with the discovery of breathtaking Italian landscapes.
La Dolce Vita Golf Antognolla
Published in Transportation
In terms of communication and attractiveness, Italian tourist destinations are today increasingly positioning themselves on the levers of sustainability, in its various interpretations: from minimizing ecological impact, to the conservation of biodiversity and local economic development and respect for cultures and peoples. This growth is based on strategic themes such as the participation of local communities, sustainable tourism planning and management, the economic sustainability of companies, transparency in certification, and also on higher and shared objectives such as environmental education and social equity.
An analysis of some 11,000 posts published on Instagram and Facebook between March and May 2025 by the official channels of territorial tourism promotion bodies in Italy shows how holiday destinations are making use of direct (ecotourism, environmental impact reduction, etc.) and indirect elements of sustainability (use of soft mobility, alternative itineraries, local production, etc.). Out of all the social media content examined sustainability now accounts for an average 13%, a figure that is even higher for destinations in Southern Italy (18%). The leaders in the use of sustainability content are Puglia (23%), Liguria (16%) and Umbria (15%).
Among the most popular themes are how to minimize the tourist's ecological impact (21%) and the conservation of specific biodiversity (20%). These are followed by socio-cultural themes: levers for local development (14%) and respect for local cultures (12%), but also local community participation and environmental education (both 9%) as well as sustainable tourism planning and management (8%). The elements related to companies’ economic sustainability and the transparency of certification mechanisms remain marginal, and the goal of social equity is pursued by only a few.
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IN TOURIST BOARDS’ POSTS
Source: ENIT Studies Office based on Extreme data.
The issues of the conservation of biodiversity and the downscaling of ecological impact are relevant in all areas of the country, with a particular focus on the former in Abruzzo (30.7%) and on the latter in Valle d'Aosta (28.6%), while other factors are more localized. For example respect for local cultures emerges in the islands and in Southern Italy (Campania 35.7%) while local economic development is more prevalent in Northern Italy (Piedmont 18.9%).
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IN TOURIST BOARDS’S POSTS BY THEME
Source: ENIT Studies Office on Extreme Data
From the social communication analyzed, it can be seen how the posts of the southern Italian regions grant more engagement than the rest of Italy (303.3 average engagement per post) and how the more operational themes of transparency in the certification processes (331.3 average engagement per post) and sustainable tourism planning and management (209.6) are the most effective, followed by ecology, biodiversity conservation (197.7), and impact downscaling (185.4). The cultural and economic enhancement of the territories attracts for the respect for local cultures (180.7), the economic sustainability of businesses (150.4) and local economic development (141.1) such as the participation of local communities in the sector's production and economic processes.
THE AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURIST BOARDS’ POSTS BY AREA
Source: ENIT Studies Office on Extreme Data
THE AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURIST BOARDS’ POSTS BY THEME
Source: ENIT Studies Office on Extreme Data
Reflection on this initial analysis of the monitoring of the social communication of Italian destinations is comforting for the concreteness of the themes, for the sharing of sustainability objectives from north to south, and for the ability of some themes to make inroads into the social and economic fabric, as a symptom of widespread sensitivity and execution on the road to sustainability in tourism.
Too often, however, social communication still starts from the broadest and lightest assets to propose itself in the key of a green and regenerative growth of destinations, as if a certain cautiousness in adopting sustainable approaches were a strategy to draw the attention of industry operators and businesses.
It will therefore be necessaryto deepen our engagement, exploring new frontiers in sustainable development strategies. This means moving beyond merely mitigating tourism’s impact, and instead embracing approaches that enhance it, transforming the relationship between tourist and destination, human and environment, humanity and planet into a truly positive one.
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Published in Cities & Regions
Delta Air Lines will launch the new route from Seattle to Rome Fiumicino on 7 May 2026.
Four weekly Seattle-Rome flights
The flight will be operated four times a week with an Airbus A330-900neo, making Seattle the sixth destination served by Delta to Fiumicino, after New York-JFK, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit and Minneapolis.
Delta operates most Italian routes to Rome Fiumicino
“Italy is at the heart of Delta's transatlantic development, and Rome is the Italian city to and from which we operate most routes,- said Matteo Curcio, Delta's senior vice president Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. -We are thrilled to launch the first flight to Rome from the West Coast of the United States, offering an even wider choice of destinations throughout the US, while supporting the local economy and offering more opportunities to American tourists wishing to visit Italy.”
A new Delta One Lunge and Sky Club in Seattle
Over the past decade, Delta has launched flights to 28 new markets from Seattle, and now operates up to 180 daily connections from this airport to more than 60 global destinations. From Seattle, through Delta's global alliances, passengers also have access to hundreds of additional connections in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The airlines most recent investments in Seattle include a new Delta One lounge, a new Sky Club, priority access to 18 gates to support Delta's growing network, and the development of a premium airport experience for all passengers, from arrival to boarding at the gate.
Also a new Seattle-Barcelona
Concurrently with the flight from Rome, Delta announced a new flight from Seattle to Barcelona starting in summer 2026. Delta will not be alone in operating the Seattle-Rome route: in recent days, Alaska Airlines announced its debut on the same route, also from May 2026.
Published in Transportation
The temporary closure of Naples Capodichino Airport to allow for runway resurfacing has been postponed to November 2026.
A decision taken by all airport players
Initially scheduled for between February and March next year, the decision to postpone the work comes after this week’s meeting between ENAC and the involved airport players and was aimed at optimizing the management of the planned works. Previously these had envisaged the diversion of some routes to Salerno airport.
“We have focused on protecting passengers”
“What we have focused on is protecting passengers and limiting the closure days to a minimum,- said ENAC president Pierluigi Di Palma. -We must work in a coordinated manner aimed at safeguarding the right to mobility.”
Reducing the length of the closure
Everyone involved agreed with Enac, which aims to optimize processing times and thus reduce the airport's closure days compared to the 30 days of the second proposal presented by Gesac at the end of June. Thus limiting the inconvenience to passengers by carrying out the works in November 2026. A technical table will be set up between ENAC, ENAV, the airport management and operators. “We all agreed on this solution which limits the days of total closure during the period with the least traffic of the year.”
Salerno and Rome’s airports will provide support
The planned works are radical and concern the runway which will cost some €20 million and will have to be completed on time. Initially the closure days were 42 and the interventions were to be carried out in the period from January to March 2026. It is essential that the airport be ready for the international events coming up for the city - the America's Cup, among others - and airlines have long been asked to review their flight schedules on the basis of specific operational and commercial strategies. The main alternative to Capodichino during the closure period, or at least the closest, will be the Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi airport. This too is managed by GESAC and will be able to absorb a share of passenger traffic. But only a portion of it as up to 12 million passengers revolve around Capodichino. As a result it is inevitable that Rome’s two airports be considered as potential support.
Published in Transportation
Reciprocal premium services for ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group passengers will be available from 1 July.
The new Premium Services will offer many benefits
Thanks to the activation, from 1 July, of these services passengers will be offered a reduction in transfer times, direct access to codeshare flights with Lufthansa Group companies and entry to more than 130 lounges worldwide. The new Premium Services will facilitate passenger travel with benefits such as priority check-in, dedicated transit counters, priority boarding, Fast Track, additional baggage and a free choice of seats on board, available regardless of the airline chosen within the group.
Also for frequent traveller passengers in the loyalty programmes
In addition, Club Plus customers of the Volare programme, departing on flights operated by Lufthansa Group airlines, will be able to benefit from priority booking in the waiting list, additional checked-in baggage, priority check-in and priority in the airport waiting list. And these benefits will also be available to passengers with frequent traveller status in the Miles & More loyalty programme.
“Our goal is to continue to raise service standards”
“The launch of the new services, which are aligned to those offered by Lufthansa Group airlines, represents a concrete step towards an even smoother and more comfortable travel experience for our customers,- said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and managing director of ITA Airways. -These new features are the result of joint work with the Group and further strengthen the path developed since the early stages of our collaboration. Our goal is to continue to raise service standards, making the most of the synergies with our partner, in order to offer passengers even higher levels of connectivity, comfort and quality.”
Sharing of terminals at the airlines' main hubs
All this is in addition to the steps already undertaken to promote the company's harmonization within the Group, including the accumulation of reciprocal points between the Volare and Miles & More loyalty programmes, the sharing of terminals at the airlines' main hubs, and the launch of codeshare flights with the Group's airlines, which have recently added intercontinental flights to Africa, Asia and South America.
Published in Transportation
New rules on what passengers can’t bring onboard, and a look at what could be changing soon regarding carry-on bags in Italy and European countries.
Bans on hot drinks and alcohol
Flying today is a carefully choreographed ballet of rules, rights, and restrictions, and travellers planning to visit Europe this summer need to know there are some new realities they’ll need to digest before their next trip with airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, or TUI. Airlines in general are ramping up restrictions on what can be brought onboard, not just for safety, but for comfort and compliance too. Hot drinks, like those mega lattes picked up at an airside outlet just before boarding, are a no-go. Any alcohol carried on board must remain unopened and untouched, and thanks to post-Brexit rules, passengers are also barred from bringing meat and dairy products from the UK into the EU…so it’s no to that ham sandwich. 
Crisps, fruit and cereal bars are ok
The reasons for all this are a mix of logic and logistics. Cabin crew aim to reduce the risk of spills, strong odours, and allergens, while keeping the cabin environment as pleasant as possible. It is still possible to bring snacks like crisps, fruit and cereal bars, as long as they are cold, and baby food and milk get special dispensation.
No more charges for carry-on bags?
In another move that will have sweeping repercussions EU lawmakers have backed a reform to eliminate hand luggage fees across all flights within and to the EU. Starting as soon as July 2025 - if the member states agree - passengers will be able to bring a small carry-on bag (up to 7kilos and 100cm) and a personal item like a laptop bag or handbag, free of charge. This move could spell the end of the hefty surcharges by budget airlines just to put a bag in an overhead bin. The reform also includes bans on charging families for seating children under 12 next to their parents, and mandates full price transparency for tickets. The airlines, of course, are far from happy about all this and are warning that what used to be optional services might now be bundled into higher ticket prices for everyone.
Published in Transportation
Milan Bergamo Airport has a new check-in area with 30 new counters.
A new look for passenger terminal departures
This renovation is part of a wider project for the passenger terminal enlargement works involving the departures area. Due to be completed by the beginning of December 2025, the new area dedicated to security checks will be equipped with latest generation radiogenic machines, currently being built on the upper floor above the check-in area.
30 new “self drop bag” counters
In the new check-in area, 30 new check-in counters have been installed, 22 of which in “self drop bag” mode, which allows the independent checking in of hold baggage. There are also eight traditional counters, in addition to the 34 pre-existing counters (28 traditional + 6 self drop bag), for a total of 64.
SACBO has invested €41 million in the works
Above the two lines of check-in counters two high-resolution LED monitors allow better visibility of the flight overview in real time, with indications of departure times and gates, and allow a 30% energy saving compared to the backlit LCD monitors. The entire check-in area is equipped with stereoscopic sensors to monitor waiting times for check-in operations. For the extension of the eastern section of the passenger terminal, which will be completed in December 2025, the SACBO airport management company has invested €41 million of its own financial resources.
“Speeding up operations and guaranteeing safety and precision”
The opening of the new check-in area was matched by the expansion of the hold baggage X-ray control system (BHS) and, at the same time, road and pedestrian access to the terminal was upgraded. "The enlargement of the check-in area marks a milestone in the airport infrastructure upgrading programme, making reception and accessibility comfortable for passengers and at the same time facilitating staff tasks,- says Giovanni Sanga, president of Sacbo. -The new spaces have been designed to support the technological evolution and digital transformation of check-in procedures, speeding up operations and guaranteeing safety and precision. Within six months the new security controls on the upper level will be a further qualitative leap for our airport, consolidating its level of appreciation among passengers and its role in international air transport.”
Published in Transportation
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