Christmas markets create a festive and intimate atmosphere in the historic town of Vipiteno where Tenne Lodges & Resort in Racine promises enchanting stays.

Racine is one of Italy’s northernmost towns

This small town in the Valle Isarco valley in the province of Bolzano, is among the northernmost municipalities in Italy (we are very close to the Austrian border) and has perfectly proportioned architecture. Its iconic Torre dei Dodici is actually a gateway leading to the oldest Medieval part of the town, and during the Christmas market period it opens onto a fairytale world with gastronomic specialties and local handicrafts. Everything is absolutely original, and the atmosphere is unparalleled. 

A 5-star mountain resort 

This year the market opens this year on 28 November and ends on 6 January 2026 and to celebrate the magic of the season at its best, choose a stay at the Tenne Lodges & Chalets in Racinc, a five-star mountain resort, set in the majestic landscape of the Racines Giovo district. 

Seasonal cheer and a family welcome

The Rainer-Schölzhorn family of hoteliers have been welcoming snow lovers and hikers here for over 40 years and guests can devote themselves to snow sports and wellbeing, delighting in the pleasures of the table, thanks to the mastery of chef Mike Bräutigam. The best possible choice for a serene holiday in a season that is packed with joy and goodwill.

For information: https://www.tenne-suedtirol.com/it/

ItaliAbsolutely met Nello D'Auria, the mayor of Gragnano, at the WTM and talked about how tourism is evolving in Gragnano. 

Close to Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast 

“As far as tourism to Gragnano is concerned, I think we have passed the start-up stage, and have positioned ourselves in a defined tourist system. Geographically speaking we are very advantaged, as we are halfway between Naples and Salerno, close to Pompeii, and very close to the Sorrento peninsula and therefore to the Amalfi Coast.” 

“The true food and wine capital of the Campania region”

“The figures are growing and we are very happy with them. Another point I would like to make is that we position ourselves as the true food and wine capital of the Campania region. But, of course, we also leverage our natural beauty and experiential tourism linking products to our territory. For example, we involve tourism in the production of pasta, bakery products, wine, oil and mozzarella cheese.”

The need to network and promote 

“Now we need to network between homogeneous territories. This, our first time at the WTM makes us realize the importance of selling ourselves at an international level. Of course, this is only the starting point towards targeting new destinations and new international flows, without, of course, overlooking Italian visitors. So, we are developing an idea aimed at expanding our margins, while always keeping our focus on our territory.”

Puglia out of season is a precious opportunity to discover the most authentic Puglia at Vista Ostuni. 

A 5-star Leading Hotels of the World member

Vista Ostuni will remain open until January 2026, in line with the philosophy of the Vista brand, which promotes deseasonalization and chooses places able to offer a slower, gentler and more conscious idea of luxury tourism. The five-star luxury hotel, owned by the Passera family and a Leading Hotels of the World member, is in a privileged position in the heart of the Upper Salento: close to Ostuni, the White City, overlooking a plain of monumental olive trees that descends towards the sea.

Dinners that tell the story of Puglia 

The Berton al Vista Restaurant, opened just a few months ago and already listed in the Michelin Guide 2025, inaugurates the Wine Dinner Series ‘Un Assaggio di Puglia e oltre’ (A Taste of Puglia and Beyond), a series of dinners that bring together cuisine, values and territories. scheduled for 14 November with Tormaresca, 5 December with Amalberga, and 19 December with Maison Bruno Paillard, Vista Ostuni’s autumn of wine and food itineraries tell the story of Puglia through the wines and the new seasonal menus with local ingredients as protagonists. And in autumn the Chiostro Bar comes alive with warmth and atmosphere: the wide arches and the large open wine cellar creating a cozy ambience.

An oil weekend on 8 November

On the weekend of 8 November, the hotel celebrates the region's most precious symbol: extra virgin olive oil. The experience includes an olive harvest at a local masseria, guided tastings, a dedicated spa ritual using olive oil, and a dinner entirely inspired by this noble ingredient at the Berton al Vista Restaurant.

ebiking, cooking classes and pottery workshops

Year-round activities include ebike routes through the Coastal Dunes Park to the Dolmen of Montalbano, the Apulian Aqueduct cycle path and the paths connecting Ostuni to the Marina, to discover the countryside and the coast without seasonal constraints. Experiences linked to the territory are organized inside the hotel. From Apulian cooking classes with chef Andrea Berton to tastings of local wines and oils and from visits to oil mills and masserie to witness the production of Apulian cheeses  and to pottery workshops with local master craftsmen. 

Cibrèo is not just a renowned restaurant in Florence. It is literally “A collection of good things”, because whenever we create a recipe, a menu, an event, a special occasion, or simply welcome our guests, we aim to offer them the best: the finest hospitality, the highest-quality ingredients, and the richest culinary experiences.

Cibrèo has always stood for attention, research, sharing, and a sense of community—a profound connection to the people around us in the broadest sense. Those who choose Cibrèo embrace a philosophy we have cultivated since 1979: authentic, evocative, and emotionally engaging flavors; care for the environment and the entire production chain; and a passion for all things beautiful and good.

With six restaurants and a dinner theater, a branch dedicated exclusively to events and experiences, and another focused on training the chefs of tomorrow, the Cibrèo Group today is one of the absolute protagonists in Italian gastronomy. Renowned worldwide for its unique, traditional, and theatrical dishes, Cibrèo is equally celebrated for its prophetic attention to the environment and the highest-quality ingredients.

World Travel Market London (WTM London) announces it will host a major Australia and New Zealand delegation at this year’s event, running from Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th November 2025. The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) stand, incorporating more than 30 partners, will be a one-stop shop for those interested in boosting tourism across an array of exceptional Antipodean experiences.

A larger Australasian delegation is set to return to WTM London 2025, reflecting renewed momentum and enthusiasm for the region. Buyers and visitors have expressed strong interest in reconnecting with Australia and New Zealand, prompting WTM and ATEC to support an expanded presence.

With an increase of stand exhibitors, the ATEC Australia and New Zealand stand N9-510 will feature a diverse mix of airlines, accommodation providers, and tour operators, marking one of the region’s strongest line-ups in recent years.

Leading brands include historic Australian flag carrier Qantas, and Singapore Airlines, the world’s most awarded carrier. Accommodation options to suit different budgets will be represented by YHA Australia and four-star plus brand Hotel Grand Chancellor Australia and New Zealand, while unique regional stays will include sustainably-conscious Oceanview Eco Villas on Kangaroo Island, rolling vineyard Barossa Shiraz Estate and The Villas – Barossa, Northern Territory floodplain-set Finniss River Lodge and South Australia’s Rawnsley Park Station in the ancient Flinders Ranges.

Buyers looking for luxury ground transport can meet with Marquee Limousines and InStyle Chauffeured Limousines Australia to discover how their premium services can be tailored for discerning travellers. For something even more uniquely luxurious, Bill Peach Journeys offers ‘Aircruising’, using private aircraft to access Australia s stunning regions.

Both Australia and New Zealand are famed for their adventure and wildlife experiences which will take centre stage on the stand, with appearances from Earth Adventure and PureSA, who specialise in soft adventure experiences in South Australia, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, known for its animal encounters, Kangaroo Island Touring Company, offering private tours of wildlife-rich pockets, and Untamed Escapes, offering adventure, food, culture and wellness tours across South Australia, Western Australia and the Red Centre. Sydney’s signature experiences the BridgeClimb, Sydney Harbour Boat Tours and Taronga Zoo, will also be joining the stand.

ATEC’s range of expert inbound tour operators and DMCs will be on hand to help build memorable itineraries across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and beyond. Those sharing local insight will include Australia and Worldwide Travel, Advance Olympic Travel, ANZCRO, Southern World, 39 Degrees South, Travel Time South Pacific, GMTC, ANZ Global Travel, Social Nature Movement, New Zealand Fine Touring/NZ Sidekick, The Green Spot, and Terra Nova Tours.

Chris Carter-Chapman, WTM London’s Event Director, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming such a strong delegation from ATEC this year. Australia and New Zealand are among the world’s most well-loved and aspirational destinations, known for their unique and natural attractions, deep cultural heritage and experiential travel opportunities. I’m positive show visitors will relish the opportunity to speak to varied destination experts in one place to help them build personalised itineraries for every client.”

Peter Shelley, Managing Director of Australian Tourism Export Council commented: “WTM London is the perfect place to nurture valuable connections in our core source markets. With the buzz around the 2025/6 Ashes series from this November, it’s also a key time to harness interest in travel Down Under. We hope to meet as many show visitors as possible to share the unique and exciting experiences our destinations have to offer.”

Visit ATEC’s Australia and New Zealand stand N9-510 at WTM 2025

Excel London, 4–6 November.

Turin Airport's winter 2025-26, which promises to be the largest ever in terms of seats on offer, is connected to 20 countries.

Ryanair r will add a third based aircraft 

With 12 new routes, 7 new destinations and 15 destinations - 8 of which international – and a strong increase in frequencies, the Piedmont airport is a strategic benchmark for winter tourism and connectivity in the North-West of Italy. The new winter season brings the third Ryanair aircraft on base, an investment that allows the boosting of frequencies on many routes already served, and the opening of the new flights from Liverpool as well as the confirmation of the flight from Pescaras for the entire winter season.

New Wizz Air flights from Sofia and Budapest 

On 28 October Wizz Air will inaugurate the new flights from Sofia and Budapest, while from 13 December the new route from Chisinau, also operated by FlyOne will start. Then Bucharest will be connected by the new Wizz Air flights from Baneasa airportin addition to the Otopeni Airport services.

Many fights are for winter sports travellers

Turin Airport confirms its vocation as a gateway to the Alps, with a constantly growing network of flights dedicated to skiers. In addition to the aforementioned flights from Liverpool, there is the new entry of Aer Lingus, which from 20 December will connect Dublin and Turin up to twice a week. Also new for the ski season is the SAS flight from Copenhagen, as well as the well-established British, Irish and northern European flights that include Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, London Luton, Belfast, Shannon and Warsaw. And during the Christmas holidays, the Sharm el Sheikh flights operated by Neos will also be operational.

Many new BA, Ryan Air and Wizz Air flights 

The 2025/2026 winter season will also be marked by a sharp increase in frequencies to many destinations. British Airways will increase flights from London Gatwick, while Ryanair will boost connections from Charleroi, Copenhagen, London Stansted, Madrid, Malta, Marrakech, Porto and Seville, and Wizz Air those from Tirana. In addition, two weekly flights from Paris Orly operated by Volotea will be in operation this winter.

“For the Olympics we are focusing on quality tourism,” says Fabio Primerano of Federalberghi Lombardia.

Sports, food, wine and local traditions

A great opportunity, to be seized in the best possible way. But also a dangerous boomerang should the results turn out to be less than expected: the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, scheduled for February 2026, will allow eight destinations in three regions to shine a light on the excellence of their territory. Sports, food and wine, nature or linked to local traditions. “We can't wait for it to start,- says Fabio Primerano, president of Federalberghi Lombardia. -About 60% of the tickets to attend the competitions have already been sold and, taking into account that sometimes one ticket can correspond to several people, the number of visitors arriving in our country is estimated at between 3.5 and 4.5 million people.”

Visibility to be exploited on foreign markets

Important numbers, which have led operators to predict a demand that will be higher than the supply of beds, even if Primerano throws water on the fire: "The sell-out of some destinations such as Livigno or Bormio corresponds to a different trend in other areas. Milan, for example, is doing well, but I do not foresee a sell-out. However, we are all interested in quality tourism, which is fundamental for creating repeaters willing to return after the event. In addition, the media impact will be enormous and tourists from key markets such as North America or Northern Europe could put a trip on their calendar in the next few years'.

“In Milan…50% of rates are below €500”

Regarding the surge in hotel rates Primerano is categorical: “We must not look at the average price per room recorded during the period of the Olympics,- he explains, -but at the distribution curve of rates. In Milan alone, 50% of rates are below €500. Prices are settling down further and I foresee that by the end of October we will witness their “normalization.”