On 12 and 13 July, Gubbio will once again host the Wonderlast Music Festival.

Two days of great music and good fun

Now in its fourth edition, the Wonderlast Music Festival is a music event inspired by the great northern European festivals, with different musical genres over two days of music, interactive activities and good food in the Wonderlast Park, a 2-hectare area surrounded by greenery in Gubbio, Umbria.

Good food and a beauty area

In addition to the Wonderlast Stage, the Wonderlast Forest hosts interactive installations with technologies and products dedicated to sustainability. This is a real simulated forest with plants and floral compositions in which the public can enjoy an aperitif, a spritz, a glass of wine or a platter of cold meats and cheeses in a unique setting. Completing the experience is the Beauty Area, where professional hairstylists and make-up artists are on hand for make-up and hairstyling. “The Wonderlast Festival was created to definitively break away from the concept of a festival as a series of concerts. We created a true festival atmosphere that goes far beyond the mere musical aspect. Every sector is taken care of down to the smallest detail,” says Giordano Babucci, the festival's artistic director.

Gubbio is linked to St Francis of Assisi

Gubbio is a medieval town in the province of Perugia, located in Umbria, in the centre of Italy. The lovely old town is famous for its limestone architecture and narrow cobbled streets.  Among the major attractions are the Palazzo dei Consoli, the Cathedral and the striking Roman Theatre. Gubbio is also closely linked to the figure of St. Francis of Assisi. In particular to the famous episode of the wolf, according to which, when St. Francis arrived he found the town empty because the inhabitants lived in fear of a wolf that had been threatening them for some time. St Francis went into the woods to meet him and told him: ‘Brother Wolf, in the name of God I command you not to harm me and all men.”

From July to October Assisi is offering a summer of free excursions on Mount Subasio.

A summer with 25 outdoors events for all ages

Walks, trekking, yoga, food and wine tastings, stargazing, music, spirituality and family activities: from July to October 2025, the municipality of Assisi has an exciting calendar of free events in the heart of the Mount Subasio Park, “Alla Scoperta del Monte Subasio” (Discovering Mount Subasio ) consists of 25 events each with a different theme and different itinerary, each aimed at exploring the territory in an authentic and immersive way. 

Nature walks, and games for adults and children 

The programme, which propose slow, sustainable and accessible tourism of great environmental and cultural value. gives ample space to wellbeing with sensorial walks combined with yoga. Several dates and locations for these walks are planned and one not to be missed is on Saturday 2 August, in one of the most iconic parts of the park: Mortaro Grande, a karst dolina of great geological fascination.  There are also lots of events aimed at families with children: on Sunday 27 July, adults and children will be involved in Umbrian legends and fairy tales, told by special animators, with games organized in natural suroundings. On Sunday 3 August the focus will be on food  with the Mulino Buccilli mill, a few kilometres from Assisi, which will host a nature excursion with a cooking workshop and tastings of typical products, thanks to the collaboration with the ancient Forno del Mulino bakery.

An 8.5-kilometre walk themed on San Benedict 

A particularly significant event is scheduled for Sunday 17 August, with a walk to discover the historic Abbey of Saint Benedict, starting from the village of Collepino. Situated in the heart of Subasio, the Abbey - built before the year 1000 and depicted by Giotto in the Upper Basilica of San Francesco - is an unmissable stop for those who wish to combine nature, art and spirituality. The 8.5- kilometre circular route, with a 250 metre difference in altitude, will offer extraordinary views of the valley and the city of Assisi and it will end with a tasting of Birra delle Monache beer.

Walks with time to enjoy aperitifs and concerts 

On Saturday 9 August the walk among Fiorenzo Bacci's bronze sculptures will be inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, in the places dear to St. Francis. On Saturday 23 August it will be time to explore the Bosco di San Francesco, the FAI nature park where participants will be able to enjoy an aperitif; and on Sunday 7 September, the excursion will end with a concert by the Ensemble Micrologus and the observation of the total eclipse of the moon. “Alla Scoperta del Monte Subasio” (Discovering Mount Subasio) is a strategic project aimed at boosting the tourist appeal  of the area, based on the quality of the experience, slow tourism and respect for the environment. All events are free of charge, with compulsory booking. For information: www.visit-assisi.it/eventi/serie/estate-2025/

The Caracalla Festival, Rome’s outdoor opera festival returns with a programme of opera, ballet and concerts up to 7 August.

Works by Verdi, Mozart and Bernstein

Set in of the old Roman Baths of Caracalla and, for the first time, in the Basilica of Maxentius, the 2025 edition is a blend of past and present, spirituality and humanity. In addition to the Baths, one of the largest and best preserved thermal complexes of antiquity, this year the Basilica of Maxentius, located along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, is also involved in the event. The programme includes Verdi’s La Traviata’ (Terme di Caracalla, 19, 23, 27 July and 1, 2, 3 August), ‘Don Giovanni’ (Basilica di Massenzio, 20, 22, 24 and 25 July) and the musical ‘West Side Story’ (Terme di Caracalla  9, 13 and 17 July).

Two evenings dedicated to ballet

On 15 and 16 July the Terme di Caracalla baths will host the traditional dance performance “Roberto Bolle and Friends,”, while on 30 and 31 July the corps de ballet of the Rome Opera, directed by Eleonora Abbagnato, will perform “The Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky, “Bolero” by Ravel and ‘Within the Golden Hour’ by Christopher Wheeldon. The festival will end with Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, a cantata based on 24 poetic texts from a medieval collection. 

The Basilica of Maxentius was a Roman wellness centre

The Thermae Antonianae, built by Emperor Caracalla between 212 and 216 A.D., were a vast wellness, sport and cultural hub in ancient Rome. They still impress with their architectural grandeur and are only a stone's throw from the Circus Maximus. The Basilica of Maxentius, in the Roman Forum, is an imposing building dating back to the 4th century, once a seat of public and judicial functions. Today only the north aisle remains, where there was a colossal statue originally depicting Maxentius and some fragments of the statue are now on display in the courtyard of the Capitoline Museums.

Borgo Petrarca is a small relais in the heart of the Euganean Hills Regional Park in Veneto. 

For travellers seeking a reserved environment

With six rooms, a garden and a swimming pool overlooking the hills, the warm  welcome at Borgo Petrarca is matched by the tranquillity and quality of the property, which is aimed at travellers interested in staying in reserved environments and in contact with nature. 

Bicycle trails and visits to wineries

Among the suggested activities, the Euganean Hills ring bike tour is one of the most complete itineraries. This 64-kilometre loop route passes through vineyards, along canals, and past historic villages and thermal resorts. Points of historical and natural interest are encountered along the route, with the possibility of stopping in areas equipped for bikers. Bicycles, including pedal-assisted bicycles, can be reserved at the property. A prized wine-producing area, the Veneto plain produces red and white wines, and many wineries offer guided tours of the cellars as well as wine tastings combined with local products such as salami and typical cheeses. 

The charming little village of Arquà Petrarca

The area is served by the seasonal Colli Euganei Link service, operating until 9 September 2025, which with the new Busitalia Veneto line, in collaboration with Trenitalia, connects Arquà Petrarca to the Terme Euganee station, facilitating travel in the area.  Arquà Petrarca is a medieval village in the province of Padua inside the Euganean Hills Regional Park. It is one of the most characteristic towns in the area and is part of “The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy” circuit. The name of the town is linked to the famous poet Francesco Petrarca, who spent the last years of his life there. His house is now a museum that can be visited. For information: www.borgopetrarca.com

The area Lake Garda, on the border between the regions of Veneto and Lombardy, is a land of wine and authentic wellness. 

A land of slow tourism and great wines

Between the towns of Verona and Brescia, Lake Garda is a destination of charm, wellness and slow tourism. An area where the culture of the territory and the art of the good life meet, in events like “Lugana Armonie Senza Tempo,” an event dedicated to wine, the culture of the area and the art of living well, that has just concluded in Rome in the elegant setting of Palazzo Brancaccio.

One of Europe’s most fascinating wine destinations

The Lugana DOC area is one of the most complete and fascinating wine tourism destinations in Europe with over 25 million tourist ovenights a year. Here, wine is not only an excellence to be tasted but an excuse to slow down and enjoy authentic quality and hospitality. This is the Lugana: a bridge between places, people and stories,’ says Fabio Zenato, president of the Lugana Consortium. 

Wineries offer a range of experiences

Tourists in the Lugana area can enjoy immersive multi-sensory experiences that range from sunset tastings in vineyards to walks along the paths of the “Lugana On Foot” project, the first Iter Vitis Council of Europe certified itinerary. They can explore the area by bicycle with a wine guide, picnic and enjoy yoga sessions among the vines with locally-produced products and take local cookery courses in wine cellars. Some wineries offer olfactory trails in wine museums, others offer wellness treatments with wine therapy, meditation sessions or sensory experiences combined with music, and in many wineries you can also sleep and dine. Here wine tourism is combined with slow tourism, soft sports like trekking, biking, golf and canoeing, excellent gastronomy and local crafts. 

Archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage site

At the tip of the Sirmione peninsula on Lake Garda, the archaeological area of the Grotte di Catullo contains the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in northern Italy. The villa covers an area of some two hectares and is surrounded by a historic olive grove with over 1,500 trees. The microclimate of the lake favours its growth, making this area home to the northernmost olive groves in Europe. The Venetian fortifications of Peschiera del Garda, on the other hand, are a complex defence system dating back to the 16th century, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Desenzano del Garda's calendar of summer events is also packed with wine, history and culture.

The latest trends in LGBTQ+ tourism from Sojern, the digital marketing platform for travel, highlight long-haul, solo and leisure.

A market worth $357 billion worldwide and growing

The survey is also in collaboration with the tourism group Sonders & Beach and ELTA (European LGBTQ Travel Alliance) and regards June 2025 Pride tourism trends worldwide. Long-haul, solo and mostly leisure travel for the LGBTQ+ tourism market is now worth $357 billion worldwide and is set to grow, and Italian destinations are among the most sought-after destinations.  “According to the latest estimates, LGBTQ+ travellers reached a total value of €55 billion in Europe, up from the pre-covid figure of EUR 75 billion,” says Alessio Virgili, ceo of Sonders & Beach and president of ELTA. 

“Looking for a meaningful experience”

“Our ongoing sector studies for this market segment show that these travellers are looking not only for a destination but for a meaningful experience. The emotional aspect weighs heavily on the trip, which is why brands that invest in Pride, both as a tourist destination and as support for these events, can have an important return, and not only from the LGBTQ+ world, but from all those who value social sustainability."

Rome is in third place in flight searches for Pride

Over 45% of Pride trips are for long haul, with 58% of people being solo-travellers. Travel is mostly for pleasure, although trips combining business and leisure are on the rise. Europeans are those who travel the most for Pride (35%), followed by North Americans (33%), with the United States (38%) being the largest country of origin. On a more micro level, Rome ranks fourth among Pride destinations while Milan, which will have its Pride on 28 June, ranks tenth. On a European level, Rome is in third place in flight searches for Pride (16.7%), after London, and Athens, while maintaining third place (13.6%) in hotel booking searches, after London and Madrid, and with Milan ranking eighth. 

Until 11 September, the Estate Fiesolana will accompany spectators through weeks of summer festivals and historic gardens.

A summer of music, dance, theatre and films

The village of Fiesole is 10 kilometres from Florence, a small Etruscan town perched above the capital, among the Tuscan hills. The annual summer festival, now in its 78th edition, finds its fulcrum in the Roman Theatre, a work dating back to the 1st century B.C., which will host concerts ranging from classical music to jazz, prose and dance performances, themed evenings, theatre, dance, cinema under the stars, historical re-enactments and an open-air film festival.

Free shuttles to the centre of Florence and Villa Fiesole

The FH55 Hotels Group will provide a free shuttle service, running 7 days a week until 31 October, which will allow guests of the Villa Fiesole Hotel to easily reach the centre of Florence. It will also allow those staying in the Calzaiuoli Hotel to go to the Villa Fiesole for gourmet dining in the one-star Michelin Serrae Villa Fiesole Restaurant. Housed in two historic palazzi, both properties are elegantly styled 4-star boutique hotels where period charm meets modern comfort, in the city and in the hills.

An 18th century garden in Florence

To complete the cultural offer, the historic Garden of Villa La Quiete in Florence has recently reopened to the public. This 18th-century garden which is closely linked to the Medici history, can be visited, with guided tours lasting one hour. The visit also includes a tour of the frescoed rooms, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the 17th-century pharmacy and works by masters such as Botticelli and Ghirlandaio.

A garden dating back to Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici

The Giardino dei Semplici in Florence is another green oasis in the city. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, it is rich in centuries-old trees and flowers as well as rare, tropical, carnivorous and poisonous plants in the large greenhouses dating back to the 19th century, and also many animal species. The Garden has been at the service of the community since the 15th century, when Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici made it available to medical students, and today it offers families and children a wide range of sensorial and cognitive paths to learn about nature.

Carrara, in Tuscany, is aa shining example of how art can play a role in wellbeing and become a therapeutic tool.

Viewing art can reduce stress

Slowness, beauty and contemplation are the new keywords for museum tourism. Recent research by the University of Milan-Bicocca, has revealed that visiting museums is not only a cultural experience, but can also become a real therapeutic tool. The study showed that following a mindfulness programme in an art gallery reduces stress and anxiety levels by up to 25%.

Art therapy for dementia patients 

Whether using art as a therapeutic method or participating in a guided tour, the reduction in stress and anxiety is still 20%. In an age where the frenzy of everyday life has a profound impact on mental well-being, museums offer a “slow” space, where slowness becomes a resource and contemplation an antidote to stress. One example is the Musei Toscani per l'Alzheimer (Tuscan Museums for Alzheimer's) project which offers art therapy activities for people with dementia and their carers for two years.

“Carrara’s marble is everywhere in the world”

“Carrara is a natural laboratory for wellbeing through art,- explains Gea Dazzi, councillor for culture of the Municipality of Carrara. -With its marble, Carrara is everywhere in the world. This continuous dialogue between tradition and innovation, between the marble of the quarries and that transformed into art, creates a unique environment where the aesthetic experience also becomes an experience of wellbeing”.

Ortica Noodles A Francesca Rolla murale Carrara 2013

Celebrating Michelangelo and Canova

At the CARMI (Carrara and Michelangelo Museum), until 26 October, “Per Forza di Levare” is a photographic exhibition celebrating the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo's birth through the work of great 19th-century photographers who, over the course of 120 years, immortalized his masterpieces. Until 28 September, the mudaC (Carrara Museum of Arts) is hosting an exhibition that reinterprets the traditional perception of marble, called “Stars and Dust,” and every Saturday morning, the Academy of Fine Arts is open to visitors, with original works by Canova.

For information: https://www.visitacarrara.it