The Medici Villa in Castello Florence, has undergone a historic restoration.

A milestone for Tuscany 

The work involved the four façades, the courtyard, the roof, the entrance halls and the windows and lasted about two years. ”The system of the Medici Villas in Tuscany,- said Eugenio Giani, president of the Tuscany Regional Government, - is a heritage of extraordinary beauty and incredible historical, artistic and architectural worth. Adding to the charm of the Castello villa is the fact that it is home to the Accademia della Crusca, which safeguards the Italian language. The restoration of the villa's exterior brings it back to its former splendour and is a milestone in the recovery of the historical and cultural heritage of our region and of Italy.”

“Villa Careggi will reopen by 2026”

 President Giani also took the opportunity to take stock of the restoration of another of the Medici villas in Florence, Villa Careggi, which is owned by the Tuscany Regional Givernment. “The restoration work on this Medici villa where Lorenzo the Magnificent died, is proceeding well, and I am confident that by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026 it will be open to the public.”

Miramis is the new luxury hotel brand of the Swedish investment group Qarlbo. 

Investing in urban regeneration projects

This is the launch of the Erqole Collection, an Italian hospitality company that is part of the same Scandinavian group. The brand's launch portfolio includes the La Roqqa hotel and the Isolotto Beach Club in Porto Ercole, both of which will open in 2023, together with the Torre di Cala Piccola hotel in Porto Santo Stefano and the La Capitana farmhouse in Magliano, Tuscany, which will both undergo major renovations. In addition, as part of a series of urban regeneration projects, a new hotel is to be built in the area of the former Cirio factory, also in Porto Ercole.

“Exploring unique tourist destinations”

“With Miramis we are celebrating a new brand. Our objective is to explore unique tourist destinations and create authentic and unforgettable experiences,” says Qarlbo Hospitality's CEO, Flavio Bucciarelli. The brand intends to base its identity on the values of social and environmental sustainability, respect for communities, and innovation. A goal reflected in the decision to hire local staff, source raw materials regionally, and embrace a farm-to-table philosophy supported by its own gardens. 

A carefully selected portfolio

“The launch of Miramis is an important milestone for our company,- added Erqole's CEO Stefano Cuoco. -With a carefully selected portfolio and a solid operational base, we are ready to embark on this exciting journey.”

The historic Neapolitan hotel Britannique, formerly affiliated with the Hilton soft brand Curio Collection, it be become the de Bonart Naples. 

The hotel was renovated in 2020

The hotel was built in 1870 and was given a major renovation which was completed in 2020 under the Caracciolo Hospitality Group, founded in 2022 and which can now boast a portfolio of three properties: the former Britannique (since 2016), Palazzo Caracciolo Naples (since 2001, newly branded Tapestry by Hilton), and the Grand Hotel Telese, in the province of Benevento.

There are 150 artworks on display

The new name, contemporary look and feel, renovated spaces and a brand new lifestyle aim to make the hotel a landmark in the city not only in terms of hospitality, but also for the celebration of art and culture in Campania. The soul of the Bonart Curio Collection is in fact an ode to art with the name created using the terms Bon and Art, to the extensive collection of works by contemporary Campania artists specially created for the hotel.  Some fifty artists were involved in interpreting the myths and legends of the city, creating the 150 works that can now be found inside the hotel.

A rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar

The names of the suites are dedicated to Neapolitan myths: Partenope, Ovo, Diamante, Sibilla, ‘Mbriana and Donna Regina. In addition to the 72 rooms, of which six are suites, the de Bonart, embraces the Gulf of Naples and The Macphersons Rooftop restaurant, with its Mediterranean cuisine, and the NiqBar Rooftop cocktail bar, are other standout features.  

This year, for the first time since its reopening as a Rocco Forte hotel, Villa Igiea will be open for the entire winter season, and it will be offering guests visits to film-set locations.

Itineraries on land and sea

For a luxury Palermo stay in winter Villa Igiea offers guests exclusive experiences such as behind-the-scenes access to Palermo's Teatro Massimo and cultural itineraries. Guests will also find themselves in close contact with nature by land and sea, such as the sailing itinerary from the Villa Igiea Marina, and gastronomic and wellness experiences. Among the alternative itineraries suggested by the hotel, Set-Jetting, created by the movie director Gabriele Muccino, accompanies guests to discover film-set locations in and around Palermo.

Tonnara di Scopello

The film-set of Ocean’s Twelve

Muccino’s itinerary starts from the well-known seaside resort of Mondello, with its white sands and crystal-clear waters, and the historic centre of Palermo from his film Fino alla fine (2024). It then continues through Palermo's historic streets and squares, including Vicolo Ponticello, Casa Professa and Piazza Bellini.  On to the Tonnara di Scopello, between Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito lo Capo, and the Zingaro Nature Reserve, and the cove that served as the set for a scene in Steven Soderberg's film Ocean's Twelve (2004) starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts.

San Vito Lo Capo

Historic palaces used as film sets

Back to Palermo to visit Palazzo Gangi, the 18th-century residence of the Princes of Valguarnera made immortal by Luchino Visconti's The Leopard (1963). Film buffs will remember the scene of the ball, filmed in one of the palace's most elegant salons. Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale stayed at Villa Igiea during the filming. Far from the classic tourist routes Palazzo Abatellis, home of the Regional Gallery, was the evocative set of Wim Wenders' Palermo Shooting (2008). Here, using a painting, Muccino recounts the soul and contradictions of Palermo’s society, while Villa Palagonia is the last stop on the route that ends in Bagheria, the location chosen by Michelangelo Antonioni for L'Avventura (1960) and by Giuseppe Tornatore for Baarìa (2009). 

Winter activities to enjoy in and around Palermo

The beaches of Mondello and San Vito lo Capo are ideal for winter walks and swimming thanks to the mild temperatures that can be enjoyed even in January. Not far away, the village of Cefalù, with its Arab-Norman style, is a UNESCO site not to be missed. The Zingaro Nature Reserve, perfect for hiking or cycling, offers breathtaking views of the Faraglioni of Scopello and visits to the historic 13th century Tonnara tuna fishery. Selinunte combines culture, nature and gastronomy, and a visit to its archaeological site, birdwatching on the beach, and olive oil tastings among centuries-old olive trees are just some of its many attractions. 

Four new suites have opened in Palazzo Planeta, the Palermo apartment hotel in an early 20th century mansion.  

Decorations celebrating the four seasons

This opening brings to eleven the number of keys offered by the Sicilian property managed by Planeta Estate, the hospitality branch of the company of the same name. The names and colours of the interiors of the new suites celebrate the four seasons, reflecting the allegorical decorations on the octagonal Quattro Canti square in the historic centre of Palermo.

Local craftsmen were used for the restoration

The project to restore and enhance the property is aimed at reflecting the link with Palermo's history, thanks to a restoration that respects the building's historical architecture while preserving the original fittings thanks to the intervention of local craftsmen. The furnishings reflect the family's taste, with antique prints from Vito Planeta's collection adding to the charm of the new rooms.

A large convivial kitchen for guest use

Another new feature is the large convivial kitchen which guests will be able to use during their stay. This space inaugurates the tasting activities of itineraries guided by a wine expert to discover the great Sicilian varieties produced by Planeta in five areas of the island: Menfi, Vittoria, Noto, Etna and Capo Milazzo.

Vueling is boosting its planned capacity between Barcelona and Genoa with 20% more flights in summer 2025.

Five weekly flights in July and August

The Spanish carrier confirms the four weekly frequencies from mid-May, with a further increase in July and August when the weekly flights will rise to five. Vueling thus confirms its commitment to Genoa, demonstrating how important the Ligurian city is in its operations “Vueling's decision to boost its summer operations on the Barcelona-Genoa route contributes to improving our airport's air connectivity, also thanks to the connecting flights that connect our city with numerous destinations in Spain and beyond,- says Enrico Musso, president of Genoa Airport. -This excellent news confirms the success of this route and demonstrates the carrier's confidence and willingness to invest in the city of Genoa.

“Offering customers a better and more diversified service”

“With the increase in frequencies between Genoa and Barcelona for the coming summer season, Vueling confirms its strategy of increasing flights in order to offer our customers a better and more diversified service,- says Jordi Pla, Vueling’schief network and strategy officer. -In addition we reaffirm our commitment to Italy, aimed at boosting the strategic connections in this market, which is fundamental for us.” 

There is a large network of trails on Monte Conero, the costal promontory in the Marche region, with three different types of hiking itineraries

Official signposted paths

Eighteen itineraries have been signposted by the Park Authority, numbered from 301 to 318[35] and they are known as the official paths. Then there are the routes of public interest, which are not signposted, but often of great interest; and finally, there are paths that run through the integral reserve area, which can only be enjoyed with prior authorization from the Park Authority.

A boat trip along the coast

The itinerary that seems the most interesting to us is getting to know Monte Cioìonero by boat. The Conero Boat Party starts at the port of Ancona in the early afternoon and continues with a panoramic boat trip accompanied by music. This is followed by a visit to the Due Sorelle beach, so called for the two rocks that protrude from the crystal-clear water of the Adriatic. Reachable only by boat, this strip of white sand at the foot of Monte Conero and its unspoilt beauty is the jewel of the Marche region.

A fish dinner under a starry sky

It's time to relax and enjoy the crystal-clear water and, at sunset, time for a glass of chilled wine accompanied by music until late, with the experience ending with a fish dinner under a fantastic starry sky.

The former Golden Palace in Turin will be reopened as the Hilton Turin City Centre. 

Hilton has signed a franchising contract

The Golden Palace was closed in 2022 and acquired at the beginning of the year by the Geras fund managed by Ream SGR. After a complete restyling for €50 million the property will reopen next spring as the Hilton Turin City Centre. It will be operated by the Della Frera Group, which has signed a franchising contract with the American company.

Meeting rooms and a spa

Easily accessible from Caselle International Airport, the hotel is a historic building which was originally the headquarters of an insurance company. It has 175 rooms on five floors designed by the Chiara Caberlon interior design studio. There is also a bar, a restaurant and the Hilton brand's signature executive lounge. On the ground floor,  facing Via dell'Arcivescovado, there is the business area with three large meeting rooms and two boardrooms for private meetings while, on the lower floor, there is the spa with a sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers and a treatment room, as well as an indoor swimming pool and a modern fitness centre.

“We have over 50 hotels operating or in the pipeline in Italy”

“This property, the seventh in collaboration with Hilton, represents another important step in the growth and expansion of our company,” said Guido Della Frera, founder and president of the Della Frera group. ‘We are thrilled to be working with our long-standing partner, the GdF Group to introduce the Hilton brand to Turin,- said Hilton’s vice president, development Southern Europe, Alan Mantin. -This is our second property in Piedmont’s vibrant capital city, and it further strengthens our portfolio of more than 50 hotels currently operating, or in the pipeline, throughout Italy.”