Arsenale has started work on Rome’s Orient Express de la Minerve.

Designer Hugo Toro has been entrusted with the furnishing and restyling of the historic hotel by the Arsenale group, in collaboration with Accor.

This will be the group’s first Orient Express (on completion in 2024), with a second property, the Venetian Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, planned for the same brand.

“A time of historical renaissance for the city of Rome”

"The history of a hotel like La Minerva will be given new life with Hugo Toro at a time of general historical renaissance for the city of Rome itself, which will become a focal point for luxury tourism - said Arsenale's head of real estate and construction, Gilda Cotzias. - With La Minerve we inaugurate the first chapter of a project that with the launch of the Dolce Vita Orient Express will unite the country, from the great art cities to small villages, in an integrated and complete luxury offer for millions of foreign travellers who will choose Italy as their first destination."

The hotel’s style will be inspired by the Eternal City

"The first Orient Express Minerva hotel in Rome will be inspired by this city of history and legend," adds the CEO of the Raffles and Orient Express brands, Stephen Alden. " Hugo Toro continues his journey with us. His passion for history, his sensibility and his atmospheric style, imbued with a new contemporaneity, will undoubtedly enhance the world's first Orient Express.”

At Lonato del Garda’s Cittadella in Festa festival on 25 September visitors will be plunged into the past with an historical procession, an ancient crafts market, tournaments, falconry shows and much more in this enchanting old town which is just half an hour from Brescia.

The town and its 15th-century fortress will revive for a day the splendours of the court of Isabella Gonzaga, the primadonna of the Renaissance who left her heart in Lonato in 1514. 

Historical tournaments and processions 

In her letters to her husband Isabella wrote that she had never seen a more beautiful fortress than that of Lonato, and the Cittadella in Festa festivities will be a real leap back in time. Re-enactments of Renaissance trades and tournaments will see the streets come alive with elaborately dressed ladies, knights in arms, craftsmen, and musicians.

Knights on steeds and falconry

The highlight of the day will be the spectacular arrival in town of the Marchesa Isabella Gonzaga, accompanied by characters in noble attire and knights on steeds. The festivities will also include music and dancing, performances with flags, drums and clarions, and falconry demonstrations with hawks and other birds of prey. 

Games for children 

Ancient trades will be revived in the historical marketplace with artisans intent on the arts and skills of the past – from the waxmaker, the apothecary and the cobbler to the amanuensis, the carpenter and the gunsmith. Costumed characters will involve adults and children in various activities, and for young children the games of yesteryear will be revived.

One of Italy’s most imposing fortresses

Cittadella in Festa will be an opportunity to discover Lonato, this enchanting town overlooking Lake Garda with many treasures of art and history and hidden corners. From the Rocca Visconteo Veneta, one of the most imposing fortresses in northern Italy to the the Casa del Podestà, a truly fascinating museum-house and from the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista to the Churches of Corlo and Sant'Antonio Abate, and the Sala Celesti room in the Municipality with a large altarpiece by Andrea Celesti dedicated to the plague.  www.lonatoturismo.it 

Merano, a city with a green heart, will host the Merano Flower Festival from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May 2023, and the Tourist Office is already working on the new programme for this 5th edition.

The focus will be on nature and plants, from botany to gardening, and from meetings with intellectuals, landscape architects, and artists to entertainment and workshops for adults and children. 

An abundance of urban greenery

Merano was awarded the 2022 ECOT - European City of Trees Award, which has been given to European cities that have distinguished themselves in the care of trees in an urban context since 2007. Valencia, Prague, Frankfurt, Apeldoorn, Turin in Italy in 2008, and Vienna last year were among the major cities to receive the award. Merano, a wellness destination, is a city of only 41,000 inhabitants and it stands out for its abundance of urban greenery and the diligence and competence with which this is cared for and constantly integrated. 

A new philosophy of life

This summer’s Merano Vitae programme ranges from self-massage to the recognition and management of emotions, from the Move in Merano project to the individual discovery of public green areas thanks to the Merano Biodivercity Tour in 17 stages, led by an audio guide. Move in Merano consists of a network of pedestrian paths as the whole city becomes a setting for experiencing the beneficial contact with nature, slowly and joyfully. And also to rediscover that energy that many need to find again following the Covid 19 epidemic. 

Information  www.merano.eu

Office-on-the-go is the ideal kit for working on holidays or smart working.

Remote working has entered the vocabularly, and it does not just mean working at home, as many people like to work in city parks, in bars, on trains and other forms of transport.

A 2021 study by Inapp showed that over 7.2 million people work in remote, and 61% of them do it at least three days a week, but to make the most of it you really need to have right equipment.

A comfortable working area and noise-cancelling headphones

D-Link, a world leader in network technology and connectivity has come up with the pefect kit for the office-on-the-go.  No matter where you choose to work a comfortable chair and adequate space are essential to start with, and of course the light is also important. And better if it is natural!  On a business call and the person next to you starts a videocall? Or maybe you just need to concentrate and avoid being distracted by what is going on around you?  Being able to isolate noise is essential and so a good set of noise-cancelling headphones is a must.

Hubs, USB-Cs and low blue light glasses 

How often have you checked into a hotel to find that the outlets are not suitable for your computer? The answer is a hub like D-Link’s DUB series that amplifies connectivity and boosts productivity. It can add a seond screen and facilitate data and file transfer and power delivery. Low Blue Light filters a blue light that can be bad for your eyesight. The solution is to wear a pair of speial glasses with lens that will ensure you do not tire your eyes.

Public Wi-Fi and the importance of a power bank 

Always check the quality of the Wifi line, using a line with an access password  and performing a speed test to make sure it is reliable.  Or you could use a mobile router like the DWR-2101 that also provides 5G,  Wi-Fi 6 and new safety standards.  Suddenly you find yourself with just 5% power left on your PC (and maybe also on your smartphone) and you did not bring the right cables with you?  The answer is to have a powerful powerbank that can reharge your laptop and other devices.   

A cup of coffee and a quick chat 

These are two essential elements in the kit because they are guaranteed to rechare your energy levels. Every two to three hours take a break, enjoy a cup of hot or cold coffee and have a chat.  A bit of networking never does any harm!  D-Link is a global leader in wireless technology and connectivity; its range of solutions are geared to both  domestic and professional users. 

Information:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Palazzo di Varignana‘s new Il Grifone fine dining restauranti is a journey in time and space. In an historical 18th-century Bologna mansion the experience of the senses awaiting at table has been created by Executive Chef Davide Rialti together with Chef de Cuisine Francesco Manograsso. 

A choice of three dining venues

Set between the rolling hills of the central Italian Emilian region and the sea of the neighbouring Romagna, the menus at Il Grifone are an ideal blend of these two elements, with creations based on meat and fish with sweet and flavoursome elements that enhance the perfume of the sea and have a surf-and-turf consistency.  A style of cuisine inspired by the location of Palazzo di Varignana, the fruits of its farmlands and its extra virgin olive oil, all of which can be found in Il Grifone, but also in the oil-specialized contemporary Aurevo Restaurant and in Le Marzoline which is specialized in traditional Emilian cuisine.

Seasonal creations

The vine-covered hills, the herbs from the gardens, forgotten fruits like goji berries and the resort’s home-grown saffron are given a new look, paired with the meat and fish dishes in Il Grifone.  Seasonal dishes like the Tartare con maionese di mais, tartufo nero dell’appennino tosco emiliano e giardiniera di verdure a tartare with mayonnaise made from the corn grown on the estate, blending with the intensity of the black truffles and the vegetables which vary from season to season.  

Four unique dishes

The Chef’s philosophy is best brought to the fore in four dishes:  Anguilla e Alici with eels from the nearby Comachio Valley that are roasted with anchovies that are dry-marinated in sugar and salt on a tomato cream and sweet potatoes; Risotto del Podere Rio Rosso, a risotto with green herb pesto, almond milk and lemon gel, Capocollo di Mora Romagnola, a local cured pork meat with mushrooms, carrots and horseradish and Come un Babà a light sponge imbued with a saffron and peach-flavoured liqueur. 

Discover Lignano Sabbiadoro's sea, art and food with Sea&Taste, a series of excursions and guided tours combining the art and excellence of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Wine and Flavours Trail.  

Walking and cycling tours and food and wine tastings

This is a secret Lignano Sabbiadoro, made of places, sculptures and colours, that deserve to be experienced. Such as the marvellous mosaics that are liberally scattered along the promenade. But Lignano has more to offer: from the guided tours of the Sea & Taste programme that combine walking and cycling tours accompanied by experts, to delicious tastings of the products on the Friuli Venezia Giulia Wine and Flavours Trail.

The villas, mosaics and sculptures of Lignano Pineta 

Guided walking tours on 12, 19, 26 July and 2, 9 and 30 August feature the art forms of the present and the recent past that have made the seaside resort of Lignano Pineta famous. Lignano Pineta’s visionary spiral-shaped plan was designed by architect Marcello D'Olivo and it has pine forests dotted with large villas like the circular-shaped Villa Mainardis, one of the most important 20th-century beachside buildings in the entire Mediterranean. Then there is the Parco del Mare, an open-air urban container of sculptures and installations by leading Italian and international artists.

The streets of history of Lignano  

Walking and cycling routes on 8, 15, 22 July and 5 and 26 August are a way to discover the history and origins of Lignano Sabbiadoro. Accompanied by a guide visit the first wooden bathing establishment, Art Nouveau buildings and various projects and insights that have made this one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic. Along the itinerary traces of the past are also to be found in the oldest sacred vestiges, such as the little church of Santa Maria del Mare. The tour ends with an aperitif-tasting at one of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Wine and Flavours Trail venues.

Discover the lagoon and Aquileia

These excursions are part of the Sea&Taste programme of activities, which can be viewed online, combining sea-related historical and cultural experiences with the products of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Wine and Flavours Trail. In addition to the new, purely city, excursions Lignano also offers, routes to discover its lagoon, treasures such as Aquileia or some of Trieste's wonders. Prices: €5 for children, €15 for adults. FVG Card holders: 50%.

For more information:  https://www.lignanoholiday.com/it/escursioni-e-natura 

Oriana Suites opens Homel serviced apartments in Turin, a property which has all the comfort of a home and the services of a hotel.

"The term Suites was too inflated, and I could not find a competitor that came close to the even more sophisticated concept of Oriana Suites," explains Domenico D'Oriano, one of the three partners (together with Marco Fogliamanzillo and Pasquale d'Esposito) of the company that manages designer apartments in prestigious historic buildings owned by Reale Immobili. 

Properties in Rome, Verona, Udine and Turin 

The two companies have been actively collaborating since 2015 and in the last seven years have created four prestigious facilities in Rome, Verona, Udine and now Turin.  In the Piedmont capital they have redeveloped a  building built by the aristocratic Costa Carrù family in 1769: an example of continuity between 18th-century classicism and Piedmont neoclassicism. 

Eight residential units and an internal courtyard

The restructuring has transformed what were once old stables and granaries into eight residential units: one, two and three-room apartments with every comfort, bedrooms, living areas with a kitchenette and two bathrooms. The old cellars in the basement are now used as public areas and the internal courtyard was reconstructed using sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

“Oriana is a new concept that involves young people”

"The ribbon cutting of Palazzo Costa Carrù represents a key moment in my entrepreneurial career and in that of my partners - adds d’Esposito. – When we opened the doors of this magnificent building to guests from all over the world, we presented our new concept of hospitality. We have many projects planned for the next few years. Oriana is a new concept, made up of young people who have solid experience in the world of hôtellerie."

Coming in September a new 94-room Unahotels in Trastevere, which is Rome’s bohemian district just across the Tiber river.

Located on the corner of Via Morosini and Via Roma Libera, the new 4-star Unahotels Trastevere Roma will have the character of a large Roman house, and will include six suites.

A rooftop terrace for drinks and dining

The property, which aims at becoming a lively and new addition to the area, will have bright public spaces open also to non-residents, an intimate and cool inner courtyard, and a terrace on the seventh floor where guests can enjoy an aperitif, dine with a view or relax with after-dinner drinks. 

The Po Delta Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a distinctive intertwining of lands and seas, islands, and canals.

It is on a sizable region of some140,000 hectares stretching to Ravenna, and home to pine forests of exceptional beauty as well as salt flats, fresh and brackish water valleys, dunes, and pine forests.

The Po Delta Park is one of the most significant ornithological regions in Europe, providing an environment for over 300 different bird species.

Delta itineraries

The Sacca di Scardovari the largest lagoon in the delta, features a remarkably diverse fauna, and is a popular fishing spot. It is accessible by boat, but the best way to experience the Sacca as a whole is to cycle along the picturesque embankment road that circles the entire island. Bicyclists can rent bicycles right in the hamlet and get directions to any of the numerous pathways that meander through banks and dunes. These comprise the 70- km ring road around Donzella Island, touching on the Sacca di Scardovari and starting at Porto Tolle-Cà Tiepolo.

A new indoor riding facility

Exploring the Po Park by horseback is an exhilarating experience. Horse lovers will find the Villaggio Barricata to be the ideal vacation spot. They can even bring their own horses to the Ranch del Mare, and when the weather is less than ideal they can use the brand-new indoor riding school.

The blue of the sea, the purple of lavender

With the deep blue sea and the lavender fields' vibrant purple hues, a trip to the Sacca di Scardovari lagoon is the ideal spot for breathtaking photographs as well as leisurely walks. The 12-hectare Barricata Holiday Village is between two stunning beaches: the one-kilometer Spiaggia delle Conchiglie private beach, and the 12-kilometer Spiaggia Barricata. The village's two beaches have each been awarded the coveted blue flag. The minimum stay is two nights with a four-person minimum, and rates start at €135 for a lodge tent and €205 for a luxury tent.

A wide range of services

All village amenities are included in the offers, including access to the Water Park with kid-friendly pools, a whirlpool, daytime and evening entertainment, a mini and junior club, a gym, soccer fields, tennis, archery, beach volleyball, group sports courses, free WI-FI in public areas, and 24-hour security. www.villaggiobarricata.com