Perugia’s international airport of Umbria has announced that 68,910 passengers passed through the airport in May, a growth of +23% compared to the same month in 2024.

5% more aircraft movements than in 2024

With 777 movements (+5% compared to 2024), passenger traffic at the Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport rose by more than 20%, thanks to the excellent occupancy performance recorded on all network routes. The month of May which has just ended also represents the busiest May in the airport's history, surpassing the previous record of 2023, when the airport handled 57,043 passengers.

International flights were 68% of the total traffic

Some 68% of the airport’s traffic was generated by international flights, while 31% were domestic connections. General aviation traffic at Perugia Airport also grew, with 345 total movements. Analyzing the data for the first five months of the year, 203,283 passengers were recorded, an increase of +23% compared to the same period in 2024 - a record year for the San Francesco d'Assisi, with 164,711 passengers.

Ryanair, Hello Fly and Aeroitalia all operate

With the month of June the flight schedule for the 2025 summer season comes into full swing at the Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport: in fact, Ryanair connections from and to Brindisi have been operative since Tuesday 3 June. On Saturday the new Hello Fly route from and to Pantelleria will start up again and flights, also operated by Hello Fly, from and to Lampedusa will resume. Finally, from mid-month, Aeroitalia connections will also return, with twice-weekly routes from and to Lamezia Terme (from Saturday 14 June) and from/to Olbia (from Sunday 15 June). For all information on flights operated from Umbria International Airport, please visit the airport's new website: www.airport.umbria.it.

Italy’s triple triumph in The Telegraph’s “Ten Best Cities in the World” - Florence at 6th, Rome 5th, and Venice cruising in at 2nd place, is a reminder that when it comes to culture, beauty, and charm, Italy literally steals the show. The only country with three spots in this Top Ten ranking, honestly we’re wondering how Naples didn’t sneak in too.

So why Italy? Because nowhere else blends chaos and elegance quite so effortlessly. Rome is basically an open-air museum with better coffee, a place where emperors, popes, and Vespa drivers have all left their mark. Florence is where the Renaissance was born, sculpted, painted, and then toasted with wine. And Venice? It skips roads altogether. A city where boats do what buses can’t, and where the best plan is no plan and a really comfortable pair of shoes.

But beyond the history and spectacle, these cities really know how to live. Life spills into piazzas, art sneaks into churches, and you start believing heaven might actually be a gelateria. Italy’s cities don’t just top travel lists, they constantly surprise and delight, sending you home seduced by how they turn madness into magic.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

ITA Airways and Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas’ announce a new strategic alliance for connecting flights between Italy and South America via Madrid-Barajas airport.

A single ticket for many ITA domestic destinations

The interline agreement allows the issuance of a single ticket that includes the routes operated by ITA Airways from Madrid to Rome and from there, to a wide variety of domestic and international destinations operated by the Italian carrier, including Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples. In addition, Plus Ultra passengers will have access to connections such as Tel Aviv, Dubai, Riyadh or Jeddah.

Connecting flights at Madrid’s Barajas Airport

One of the features of the alliance between the two companies is that travellers are assured of a connecting flight at Barajas to their final destination in Rome or the rest of Italy, regardless of any schedule problems. Passengers will be able to purchase a single e-ticket covering their entire journey to their final destination, available through major global distribution systems, travel agencies and directly on Plus Ultra.

“This market is very important for us”

“This is the first important agreement with this airline,- says the CEO of the Spanish carrier, Roberto Roselli. -It allows us to access a market that is very important for us, such as the thousands of Latin Americans who live in Italy and frequently visit their countries of origin, in addition to the large community of Italians in Latin America.

The countdown is on for the long-awaited debut of the W Hotels brand in Sardinia, with the opening in August of the W Sardinia - Poltu Quatu. 

A beach club accessible by boat

The property, overlooking the Marina dell'Orso in the village of Poltu Quatu, offers a selection of restaurants, shops, fitness and discovery experiences in the destination. The new W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu will feature 154 luxury rooms and suites, the seafood restaurant Tanit overlooking the marina, a beach club accessible exclusively by boat, the social hub W Lounge, the Wet Deck by the pool, Away Spa and the Fit fitness centre.

The interiors will have handcrafted wood and stone features

The sophisticated interior design, with its natural pastel colours and handcrafted wood and stone elements, is inspired by the island's rich history and culture, reinterpreted with a bold modern twist. W Sardinia - Poltu Quatu is owned by Castello SGR, a leading asset management company in the promotion and management of alternative investments, mainly real estate, controlled by the Anima Group, and is managed by Marriott International under the W Hotels brand. 

Opposite the uncontaminated Maddalena archipelago 

Poltu Quatu, which means “hidden harbour” in the local dialect, is a secluded jewel set on the island's northeastern emerald coast, between Porto Cervo and Baia Sardinia, right opposite the uncontaminated Maddalena archipelago. The picturesque white village lies in a natural fjord and is surrounded by majestic granite rocks shaped by the wind, wild vegetation and crystal-clear water.

Condor will maintain its flights between Milan Malpensa and Frankfurt during the 2025-26 winter season.

Two daily flights to and from Malpensa

Following the launch of new European destinations including Rome, Palermo and Milan for the summer, positive feedback during the summer has prompted the airline to confirm its service from Milan throughout the year. From the end of October, Condor will continue to operate flights to and from Malpensa up to twice a day, offering passengers from Milan seamless connections to Frankfurt and beyond.

“Year-round connectivity to important business destinations via Frankfurt”

"Having year-round connectivity via Frankfurt offers our passengers a wide range of choices for travel to both western destinations in North America, Canada and the Caribbean, and eastern destinations such as Thailand, Africa and the Indian Ocean. It also allows us to increase the loyalty of our corporate customers by offering them the flexibility and reliability of year-round connectivity to important business destinations via Frankfurt," said Lorna Dalziel, Condor's general manager for Italy.

Airbus A320s with Business Class and Economy Class

“Milan and Prague are already proving very popular, not only with business travellers and  city- break enthusiasts, but also as convenient gateways to our long-haul network from Frankfurt,- added the company's CEO, Peter Gerber. -With the addition of these two destinations to our winter schedule, we are responding to customer demand and strengthening our presence in strategic markets." On European routes, the German airline operates the Airbus A320 family of aircraft in a two-class configuration of Business Class and Economy Class.

Porto Ercole in the province of Grosseto, in the Tuscan Maremma is a captivating journey through sea, art and nature.

A picturesque village on the Tyrrhenian Sea

Porto Ercole is a picturesque village located on the southern coast of the Argentario promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea; a hamlet of the municipality of Monte Argentario that charms visitors with its history, crystal-clear sea and timeless atmosphere. It is very popular with Roman residents, who flock here in the summer months, as it is easily accessible by car being only 150 kilometres from the Eternal City,  There is no shortage of accommodation: from the world-renowned luxury boutique Il Pellicano to guesthouses, budget-friendly options, self-catering properties and villas.   

Easy access by car and train 

And with Florence just 180 kilometres away, it also draws visitors from all parts of Tuscany.  The A12 motorway connects Rome to Civitavecchia, Italy’s biggest cruise port, and from there, a short scenic road leads directly to the Argentario promontory and Porto Ercole. For those travelling by train, the nearest station is Orbetello-Monte Argentario, which is well connected with regional services to and from Rome and Pisa. From the station, buses and taxis make it easy to reach Porto Ercole.

Tradition has it Caravaggio was buried here

The historic centre of Porto Ercole is a medieval gem with ancient walls. Strolling along its alleyways you come to the Church of Sant'Erasmo, where, according to tradition, the painter Caravaggio was buried. It was in Porto Ercole, in fact, that the artist died in 1610 in circumstances still shrouded in mystery. The town is dominated by four Spanish fortifications: Forte Filippo, Forte Stella, the Spanish Fortress and Forte Santa Caterina from all of which there are spectacular views of the bay. 

Hidden coves, cycle paths and idyllic islands

The hidden coves and turquoise waters of  Porto Ercole’s Cala Galera, Le Viste and Acqua Dolce are perfect for swimming, snorkelling or simply relaxing. A few kilometres away Orbetello, with its lagoon and elegant historic centre, is well worth a visit, and from Porto Ercole there are many scenic trails and cycle paths that cross the Argentario promontory. Not far away, Monte Argentario offers breathtaking views and unforgettable sunsets while little Porto Santo Stefano, on the opposite side of the promontory, is an ideal starting point for boat trips to the beautiful islands of Giglio and Giannutri.

There was a strong participation of global buyers for the first webinar "GAL Etna: Earth, Fire and Beauty", organized by ItaliAbsolutely for the GAL Etna district.

The first session of the four-part webinar series “GAL Etna: Earth, Fire and Beauty”, organized by ItaliaAbsolutely, the platform dedicated to promoting inbound tourism to Italy, aired successfully on Friday, 7 June. The Webinar attracted numerous buyers from several countries, confirming the international interest in the excellence of the Etna area, located on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna in the municipality of Catania in Sicily, and its potential as an authentic and sustainable travel destination.

The Webinar, entirely in English to ensure accessibility for an international audience, immediately focused on the core mission of the series: to raise awareness and appreciation of the GAL Etna territory by providing useful content, inspiration, and ideas for creating authentic travel experiences. Speakers included Andrea Brogna, director of GAL Etna, Valerio Torriero, sales manager of True Italian Experience, and Paolo Teoducci, COO of True Italian Experience. The presentations, interspersed with engaging video content, showcased the landscape, cultural, and productive features of the Etna area, with a special emphasis on sustainability, slow tourism, and discovery-based travel opportunities.

Valerio Torriero presented the travel opportunities connected to the True Italian Experience network. Andrea Brogna outlined the mission and values of GAL Etna, highlighting its commitment to integrated local development. Paolo Teoducci followed with an in-depth look at strategies and tools to promote a different kind of Italy, like the one represented by GAL Etna, made of stories, flavours, and landscapes beyond traditional tourist routes.

The Webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session and the digital sales sent all participants promotional material, photos, videos, and a recording of the event: essential tools for travel professionals who programme and sell Italy. The next webinar is scheduled for June 12 at 3:30 p.m. Italian time and will focus on “Enogastronomy and Unique Excellences: Pistachios, Arancina, Wine and Oil”, confirming the goal of the series to explore the authenticity of the GAL Etna area through its most iconic products. ItaliaAbsolutely thus once again confirms itself as a valuable bridge between the Italian tourism offering and the international market, sharing the most authentic and captivating side of Italy with an audience of global travel professionals. 

Click here to join the upcoming Gal Etna webinars: 

12 June at 3:30 PM Italian time - Food and Wine and Unique Excellences: pistachios, oranges, wine, oil

19 June at 3:30 PM Italian time - Art and Culture: archaeology, villages, castles 

26 June at 3:30 PM Italian time - Festivals, Fairs and Religious Tourism

The Casentino Valley in Tuscany, which is a couple of hours by car from Florence, celebrates its traditions and authenticity.  

Made famous by St. Francis of Assisi

The Casentino is famous for its beautiful forests and for the Sanctuary of La Verna, the Franciscan monastery and pilgrimage site where Saint Francis of Assisi is believed to have received the stigmata in 1224.   Two villages in the valley, Raggiolo and Chiusi della Verna, are planning events of interest to visitors, the first to celebrate the ancient tradition of transhumance, and the launch of an interesting and innovative project of sustainable consumption.

An artisans’ market and local foods

In Raggiolo on Sunday 15 June 2025, the traditional Transhumance Festival will evoke the ancient practice of transhumance, which saw the traditional seasonal migration of flocks. The little village will come alive with markets, workshops, shows, animals, music and typical local flavours. The day will begin with the “La Mercatella” artisans’ market, and continue with the arrival of the transhumant horsemen and the “Lunch of the Shepherd” which consists of local cheeses, grilled meats and traditional dishes such as “acqua cotta”, literally cooked water, which is a vegetable soup and “ciamparine”, small aniseed or citrus-flavoured biscuits. The day will continue with parades, games, handicrafts and clownery for all ages.  

The practice of transhumance 

Down the centuries in Raggiolo transhumance was not only an economic necessity, but also a moment of social cohesion and the transmission of knowledge between generations. Shepherds, families and animals travelled along ancient paths, establishing relations with the territories they passed through and contributing to the development of a strong local identity.

Automated pick-up points for local products 

An innovative sustainable consumption project has recently been introduced to another Casentino municipality, Chiusi della Verna, a small town with around 2,000 inhabitants about 20 miles east of Raggiolo. Called Zero Km Refrigerated Lockers, and promoted by Meet Appennino, these lockers are automated pick-up points installed at local businesses that make it possible to order typical products via app. This innovative project enhances the short supply chain, supporting healthy and conscious eating and boosting the link between producers and local Casentino communities.