iTEG are two events promoting Italian food and wine as a tourism product, organized by TEGing, the network founded in 2020 to boost and promote Italian Food and Wine as a tourism resource and product.

With its focus on a wide range of activities that go from training and innovation to consultancy services and communications, TEGing is organizing the two events in Galatina in Puglia on 30 September and 1 October, and in Rome on 1 December.

Starting with two events in Puglia and Lazio

The first two iTEG events (with the “i” standing for innovation, incoming and Italy among other goals) will bring together players at all levels from the tourism sector: hotels and non-hotel facilities and environmentally committed concerns, municipalities, local tourism promotion associations and groups working to enhance the regions.

“The common denominator - says Paola Puzzovio entrepreneur and founder of TEGing Italia - is a commitment to and respect for the virtues and traditions that give added value to the TEGing community.”

“TEGing includes experiential and green tourism. We focus on the unconventional”

“We launched in Puglia in 2020, are now expanding to other Italian regions, and we can already count a network of over 600 Italian and international affiliates. This is the only project of its kind in Italy that deals exclusively with wine and food as a tourism resource and product. It also includes experiential tourism and green tourism, and we focus on the unconventional. This means we put a lot of emphasis on how people are now travelling differently, on their inclinations and aspirations, as well as on the importance of making suppliers aware of the need to reply to different health and dietary needs.”

International and Italian delegates and speakers

The Puglia and Lazio events, slated for October and December, will include conferences and exchanges with DMOs, tour operators, local bodies, associations, business networks, communications experts and media representatives.

www.teging.it

The Luxury Bike Hotels in Apulia appeal to international travellers wanting to discover the delights of the Salento southern region with its beautiful coastline, age-old traditions and luxury accommodation. 

Marenea Suite Hotel in Marina di Marittima

Immersed in the enchanting Salento landscape of sheer cliffs and secluded bays, the Marenea Suite Hotel is a Luxury Bike Hotel in the heart of the Costa Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Regional Natural Park. 

Bike rentals and massages

A new entry to the Luxury Bike Hotels collection, the Marenea Suite Hotel is a perfect starting point for exploring the area on two wheels thanks also to the many bike-friendly services the five-star hotel offers its guests. These include bicycle rentals, e-bike recharging stations, menus and snacks for bikers, and massages at the spa. 

20% Discount up to 22 October

The 25 elegant rooms are furnished in Salento style and have private sun terraces with sea views (except for the standard rooms), gazebos and sun beds. There are also pools, hydro-massage and a private lido as well as the La Terrazza sul Mare restaurant. Up to 22 October there is a 20% discount on the two-night package including a Lecce tour, a Castro tour with a fish tasting, a cooking class and a relaxing massage. 
For information: https://www.mareneasuitehotel.com

Nauralis Bio Resort and Spa in Martano 

The Luxury Bike Hotel Naturalis Bio Resort & SPA in Martano, in the heart of the Salentina area, is a former ancient farming village that has been transformed into a charming masseria-style property. 

The Torrino Suite is on three floors

Surrounded by over 20 hectares of organic olive trees, vineyards and aromatic plants the resort has 14 dwellings and suites with colours, names and furnishings that echo the themes of the surrounding countryside. The exclusive Torrino Suite, on three floors inside the majestic grain silo, has a private spa.

Salento specialties in the restaurant

In the restaurant guests can enjoy the flavours of the Salento, and relax in the Four Elements Exclusive & Private SPA wellness centre and at the organic swimming pool. The more active will enjoy cycling excursions and it is possible to hire mountain bikes and e-bikes directly at the hotel.

Special package with many amenities

Valid from 1 October to 31 December, the Bio Naturalis offer includes accommodation in a junior suite with breakfast, an organic welcome drink, a tour of the greenhouses and extraction of pure aloe gel. They will also enjoy a green detox dinner, a Welcome Wander Spa with mini treatment, a one-hour wellness circuit, two 30-minute sports massages, one takeaway break, and an N&B cosmetics kit. Price per couple €890 for a three-night stay and €1,720 € for a seven-night stay.
For information: https://www.naturalisbioresort.com/it/home

This is the time for an autumn detox at the Josef Mountain Resort in Avelengo, a mountain plateau above Merano in the Alto Adige region. 

Excursions and outdoor activities

The Josef Mountain Resort is ideal for a regenerating autumn detox, combining excursions and outdoor activities with moments of absolute laidback dolce far niente in the hotel's spa.  Or you can choose to relax in the exclusive Forest Sauna, a charming outbuilding in the woods which is perfectly integrated with nature.

A forest spa

The Forest Spa is an oasis of well-being where you can eliminate toxins and tensions while absorbing positive energy with specific facial and body treatments. The avant-garde Methodist and Piroche cosmetic lines have incredible benefits and are based on local ingredients.

Regenerating outdoors

Fitness and workout sessions in the well-equipped gym overlooking the woods, yoga and meditation courses, Pilates and aquagym are available.  As are myofascial gymnastics and sauna ventilations to regenerate through outdoor activities. In addition guests who want a personalised programme have the support of the personal training service.

Indulging in a pinch of worldliness

If, on the other hand, you want to indulge in a pinch of worldliness or a few moments of retail therapy, no worries: Merano, an elegant spa and holiday town, is only ten kilometres away and easily accessible. 

Autumn packages up to 6 November

Up to 6 November prices start from €129.00 per person per day including ¾ board and all Josef special services, from the Forest Spa to the Active & Vital programme, and from the Guest Card for Merano and surroundings to Wi-fi and free covered parking.

For information: https://www.josef.bz /it/rooms-prices/services-included/28-0.html 

Autumn breaks in the Alpine Bonfanti Design Hotel, in the Val Pusteria which is a true outdoor paradise: a  wide valley with picture-postcard pastures, immense plateaus and the majestic peaks of the Dolomites in Italy’s South Tyrol.

Brunico has been twice voted Italy’s happiest town

Among the many exciting attractions Lake Braies, at 1,500 metres asl, in the enchanting Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, is one of the most Instagrammable places in South Tyrol. Brunico, one of the most picturesque towns in the Puster Valley, was awarded the title Italy's happiest town in 2014 and again in 2015 for its exceptional quality of life, culture and the wide range of sports it offers both in summer and in winter.  

UNESCO peaks and a marmot trail

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are the most famous peaks in South Tyrol and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With exciting routes and trails, idyllic landscapes and breathtaking views, they are hard to forget. The Marmot Trail is for those on holiday with the whole family. Strolling along the alpine pastures and lush vegetation near Chienes to the spectacular Moarhofalm, at 1,883 metres above sea level, you can sample delicious South Tyrolean specialities…and if you are lucky enough meet some of the marmots that inhabitat these heights.  Here both relaxation and fun are guaranteed for all the family.   

A wellness hotel with indoor and outdoor pools

Bonfanti Design Hotel is a modern retreat with an exclusive wellness centre that has an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, saunas, a Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and a fitness room with the latest Technogym equipment. 

Rooms with Alpine views and refined cuisine

Alpine-chic design also for the lovely guestrooms, like the Design Room Lux, Royal Design Suite and King Royal Suite with exclusive comforts and splendid views of the forest. In the kitchen Chef Maurizio Lauriola, who hails from Puglia, creates refined and simple dishes reworking Mediterranean flavours for international and traditional South Tyrolean specialities. “These dishes conquer the palate (and the eyes) of even the most demanding gourmands,” says hotel manager Jan Vlasak.

Three ¾-board special packages

Valid until 29 October: Design your weekend with ¾ board. A weekend with breakfast, light lunch and dinner at the hotel, starting from €390.00 per person for 3 nights. Design your week with ¾ board  is the same formula for a whole week, starting from €910.00 per person for 7 nights and Design your weekstart with ¾ board, starting from €540.00 per person, is for 4 nights from Sunday to Thursday.

https://www.bonfanti-hotel.com/en/bonfanti-design-hotel/inclusive-services

The traditional Bellini Opera Festival, that every year since 2009 has paid homage to Vincenzo Bellini in Catania his native town, is back again in the Sicilian city. 

Starting, as per tradition, on the anniversary of his death on 23 September, and concluding on 3 November 2022 with a concert at the Duomo on the day we celebrate the 221st anniversary of his birth.

Events in Catania and abroad

This 14th edition has a programme of operas, concerts, dance and theatre performances, exhibitions, meetings and round tables including the Bellini Opera Festival live performances, Bellini Renaissance cultural and scientific studies, and the Bellini International activities around the world.   

Starting with La Sonnambula

The Festival will start this year with a new production of La Sonnambula, an opera considered among Vincenzo Bellini's absolute masterpieces, staged with a first-rate cast on 23 and 25 September 2022 at the Metropolitan Theatre of Catania (the city's largest theatre). 

An anniversary concert with free admission

Opera returns with Bianca e Fernando on 29 October. On 3 November 2022, the day of the 221st anniversary of Vincenzo Bellini's birth, there will be a double date: the Belliniana Concert at the Badia di Sant'Agata, and the grand finale with the evening Anniversary Concert in the Cathedral, with free admission while places last. All tickets are on sale at the usual presale outlets throughout Italy as well as online.

On the official website you can also find the programme at www.bellini-festival.org and www.festivalbelliniano.org.

The Fruits of the Castle harvesting event will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October, when some 180 exhibitors of plants, flowers, fruit, fine craftsmanship and agriculture will get together for a unique weekend at Paderna Castle in Pontenure in the province of Piacenza in the Emilia Romagna region.

Now in its 27th edition

This year is the 27th edition, making Fruits of the Castle one of the longest-running events dedicated to floriculture in Italy. On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October exhibitors of plants, flowers and forgotten fruits, skilled craftsmanship and agricultural producers will showcase their excellence in the charming courtyards and lush park of Paderna Castle in Pontenure, which is about 15 minutes from Piacenza. 

Meeting experts and operators

The two days will also be a great opportunity for meeting operators, experts and enthusiasts, thanks to the packed programme of events open to the public. There will be special focus on research and on the safeguarding of ancient and forgotten essences, environmental sustainability and local territorial peculiarities.

Ample parking and a cafeteria

Opening hours: Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October, from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Visitors to the event will have access to ample parking facilities as well ad to a refreshment area and cafeteria and there will be a storage area for purchased goods

With Pomaria it's apple picking time again in the Trentino region. The Val di Non valley, which is about an hour from the regional capital Trento, is getting ready to welcome back one of its best-loved events: Pomaria, the festival dedicated to D.O.P. apple picking and Trentino food and wine experiences. 

15-16 October in Casez

The dates to put in your diary are 15-16 October in the little town of Casez. The old centre with its patrician palaces, ancient cellars with vaulted ceilings, and the little square will once again lend their noble profiles to this event that tells the story of the unique terroir of the Val di Non.

Workshops dedicated to sustainability

The 2022 edition will consist of encounters, workshops for adults and children, and attention to environmental issues while thanks to the valley's chefs visitors will discover many apple and local recipes. From strudel (which is not made with puff pastry) to savoury dishes such as the very traditional potato tortel. There will also be tastings of alpine cheeses, honey, spirits and wines from the valley’s many small wine cellars.

Pomaria on the Road from 1 to 16 October 

Following last year's experimental version of Pomaria on the road, this event is back again from 1 to 16 October, starting before Pomaria. Staged throughout the entire territory of the Strada della Mela e dei Sapori delle Valli di Non e di Sole (Road of Apples and the Flavours of the Val di Non and the Valley of the Sun) Pomaria has a packed calendar of events to celebrate autumn and tell the story of apples.   

A new guided wine tour

The new Groppello Wine Tour is in the company of an expert guide. Over the course of a day you can discover the wine cellars of the Val di Non and their mountain wines, taking advantage of a convenient transport service provided by the organizers. There will also be the opportunity to pick apples directly from the tree with the Andiamo a Coìr project. For further information on Pomaria: www.pomaria.org  www.visitvaldinon.it www.stradadellamela.com 

Music is king in Emilia, the Italian region that has always been a centre of excellence for music, with the history of the provinces of Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia marked by a symphony of musical events and famous names.

Like Maestro Giuseppe Verdi, whose name attracts visitors to the places where he was born and worked: from the little town of Roncole di Busseto which was his birthplace, to the great opera houses where his operas premiered and are still performed today. 

Teatro Regio di Parma. Photo Credits Luca Fregoso - Visit Emilia

From Toscanini to Renata Tebaldi

Then there is the opera singer Renata Tebaldi, who had a beautiful soprano voice of an angel that delighted audiences around the world and to whom a museum is dedicated in Villa Pallavicino which is also in Busseto, just 30 kilometres from Parma. Another world-renowned name is that of the great conductor Arturo Toscanini who was born in the Oltretortente district of Parma.

Parma’s Verdi Festival

The Verdi Festival, which will run from 22 September to 16 October 2022, is an occasion to delve into the best of Verdi’s music with prestigious performances in the Teatro Regio di Parma. Verdi Off is a series of events that brings Verdi's music to the squares, parks, and streets of the Emilian region. Starting from Busseto, the town of Giuseppe Verdi but also the little towns of Montechiarugolo, Sala Baganza and Zibello. 

Verdi’s birthplace and museum

In the hamlet of Roncole di Busseto, you can visit the house where the Maestro was born, and where Verdi composed his first symphony at the age of 15. Casa Barezzi also invites visitors to admire memorabilia, letters, portraits and documents that belonged to the maestro. Another stop is the Giuseppe Verdi Theatre where Arturo Toscanini conducted La Traviata. Also worth visiting is the Villa Verdi in Villanova sull'Arda (PC) where he lived with the soprano Giuseppina Strepponi.

Music in venues around the city

Up to 18 November 2022 music will be very much in evidence in a series of venues around the city of Parma thanks to Traiettorie, an international exhibition of modern and contemporary music. It will move between unique locations such as the splendid Teatro Farnese in the Complesso della Pilotta, the Casa della Musica in Piazzale San Francesco, and the Arturo Toscanini Music Production Centre in the ex-Eridania Park which is not far from the historic centre.

For information: www.visitemilia.com

The UNESCO sites’ Verona World Tourism Event has sold out with some 70 buyers attending the 13th edition featuring 80 Italian and international sites on the World Heritage List.

Organized by M&C Marketing Consulting, the event will be held in Verona this year, at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 September. 

“Italy is the country with the most World Heritage sites”

“As always we have selected buyers thanks to the collaboration of ENIT’s foreign offices - explains Marco Citerbo, director of M&C Marketing Consulting -. This year we had to close registrations ahead of time, expanding the number of operators expected, from 60 to almost 70, and creating a waiting list with about twenty names of tour operators who would like to attend. Italy is the country with the most World Heritage sites and we are committed to organizing an event that lives up to expectations.” 

The 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Paris Convention

In addition to the B2B workshop for operators of the UNESCO tourism supply and demand, there is a  large exhibition space with free entry from 10:00 to 18:00 every day and an interesting calendar of events on the themes of the fair. The focus will be on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the World Heritage Paris Convention pending official celebrations in November.

For more information: https://www.wtevent.it/en/

The Ast Group has taken over the Aqua Montis Resort & Spa in the ski resort of Rivisondoli in the Abruzzo region.

In the heart of the Alta Val di Sangro, less than two hours from Rome and Naples, Rivisondoli's 4-star Aqua Montis Resort & Spa hotel now belongs to the Ast Group, already temporary manager of the property, and owner of the central Adriatic’s leading complex, the Salinello Village in Tortoreto.

Up to 200,000 guests annually

The Aqua Montis Resort & Spa is a 63-room property on an area of over 13,000 square metres, and includes suites with Turkish baths and hydro-massage, as well as a wellness area with heated indoor and outdoor pools, a massage area, a Finnish sauna and a Turkish bath. There is also a restaurant, a lounge bar, and a large playground with children's entertainment. The resort is capable of accommodating no less than 20,000 guests per year and employs some 100 full-time staff.

Promoting social and environmental sustainability

The operation was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Roma, which supported the Ast Group in the acquisition that was managed by Vincenzo Moccia. Active in the tourist hotel industry for over 40 years, the Ast Group is a promoter of social and environmental sustainability. A leading player in the Abruzzo region, it guarantees over 200,000 tourist arrivals annually and with its two properties, with an overall 500 staff members, it is headed by Francesco Milazzi, a Roman manager with extensive international experience.