TravelMeetHub is a unique, creative and original digital meeting place that connects tourism players.

Thanks to its innovative technology it is the perfect solution for remote meetings, providing participants with exclusive and unique interactive experiences. 
 

Access to a permanent interactive hub

Presenting the start-up at TTG Experience in Rimini CEO and product manager Patrizia Allara said the app’s virtual environments can promote destinations, tour operators, accommodation facilities, classrooms for e-learning and more.

“What we have is a semicircular open area where a company, paying a monthly fee, rents a space and will have a stand, a permanent interactive hub, on which to present his company or products to visiting clients.”

 

The app works with Oculus and other devices 

“Each company creates its own environment, for example if you want to promote Prosecco wine, as a backdrop you can have an attractive backdrop of vineyards. The app can also be downloaded in 3D on an oculus and well as on mobile phones, ipads and other devices.”

“There will be 500 billion devices connected to the Metaverse in 2030”

“Today more and more people are investing in their virtual identity, and brands will be doing so too,” says Francesco Redi CEO and founder of the Tiramisù World Cup and partner of TravelMeetHub. “According to Euromonitor by 2030 there will be 500 billion devices connected to the Metaverse with a very significant business and data turnover. The high navigation performance and guaranteed connection stability of TravelMeetHub allow the use of numerous remote engagement tools for stimulating and innovative face-to-face events.”

The annual Tiramisù World Cup in Treviso

The Tiramisù World Cup, which was held in Treviso in October for professional chefs from all over the world, is one of the highlights of the Veneto region. This year it attracted 200,000 visitors, and the 2023 edition is planned for next autumn again in Treviso.

Norwegian will make its debut in Puglia with the launch of Oslo-Bari flights next 22 June, operating two frequencies a week on Thursdays and Sundays.

“Air transport is driving the regional economy."

"The new route between Bari and Oslo is also the launch of a new inbound market, - says the president of Aeroporti di Puglia, Antonio Maria Vasile, -  with these direct flights we are sure to repeat the success recorded this summer with Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, this new flight, like all novelties, will be of interest to the local market which will appreciate being able to fly direct to a new and fascinating destination. This is a great new opportunity for air transport in Pulia, which, through exponential growth - as recorded by the Bankitalia report presented a few days ago in Bari - is driving the regional economy."

Tickets are already on sale online

The flight, which is already on sale through all the low-cost airline's distribution channels, departs Oslo at 5.55am and arrives in Bari at 7.05pm. It then takes off from Puglia at 7.45pm, landing back home in Norway at 11pm.

A new airline for Puglia’s Karol Wojtyla Airport 

"The new direct connection with Norway allows us to continue the expansion of the Scandinavian market. With this new flight not only do we welcome an important new airline to the Karol Wojtyla Aiport, we also expand the number of carriers that consider Aeroporti di Puglia a prestigious business partner for the quality and efficiency of our services.

Portrait Milano, a new Lungarno Collection destination combining tailor-made hospitality with gourmand experiences, shopping, and more, will open on 1 December after a long conservative renovation.

Housed in the former Archbishop’s Seminary on Corso Venezia in the heart of Milan's famous fashion district, the majestic Quadrilatero square of over 2,800 sqm will have restaurants, bars and boutiques as well as access to a 17th-century colonnade.

An oasis of privacy and peace

On the first floor 73 rooms and suites will welcome guests to an oasis of privacy and tranquility designed by Michele Bönan, who has curated all the Lungarno Collection properties. The classic style is reminiscent of a Milanese residence, but with contemporary details inspired by Tuscan craftsmanship, such as leather handles and rattan panelling, as a tribute to the Ferragamo family's historic locations.

Adding a new chapter to history

"My family and I are honoured to have had the opportunity to add a new chapter to the long history of this extraordinary place," says Leonardo Ferragamo, president of Lungarno Collection. Our Portraits (which are already in Rome and Florence. Ed) were created with a strong desire to improve the quality, history, and values of their locations.”

Casual and fine dining restaurants 

Portrait will also directly manage the bars and restaurants on the north side - which will have a garden and a loggia - thanks to Identità Golose's twenty years of experience in haute cuisine and the skill of chef Andrea Ribaldone.  While Alberto Quadrio is in charge of managing these outlets and the fine dining and casual dining restaurants.

Looking for fashion, design and lifestyle partners

The square of the Quadrilatero will be the common denominator of the project.

“We will evaluate all projects presented to us by fashion, design, and lifestyle brands in general,” concludes Valeriano Antonioli, CEO of Lungarno Collection.

 

Lachea, a tiny island off the coast of Sicily is for travellers who like to collect unusual experiences.

Whether for their own enjoyment, or to post on Instagram that they have been somewhere others have not, this tiny speck of land in the Archipelago of the Cyclops off the coast of Sicily fits the bill.
 

Eight volcanic stacks make up the archipelago

The Cyclops Archipelago owes its name to the legend according to which the Faraglioni are the rocks that Homer in his Odyssey says were thrown by the one-eyed giant Polyphemus at Ulysses and his companions as they fled on board their boat. Lachea, which is only 250 metres long by 150 wide is the largest of the eight volcanic rocky stacks that make up the archipelago. 

A nature reserve with a small museum

They lie just off the coast of Aci Trezza, the coastline of which is known as the Riviera of the Cyclops, some 30 kilometres from Catania. At the end of the 19th century the family that owned them gave the right to use the stacks to the University of Catania. The Nature Reserve the university created has allowed the preservation of the ancient rocks, flora and fauna of the area, making the island a true natural paradise.

The landing area is rocky

At the port of Aci Trezza visitors will find no shortage of little boats for hire to take them across to the island. The crossing only takes a few minutes and visitors are left on Lachea’s rocky shoreline. This cannot really be called a beach as there is no sand, just rather uncomfortable rocks and slippery boulders, and anyone looking for a convenient spot to sunbathe is advised to go early in the morning as the area around the landing fills up.  

Bring lots of water! 

The water is transparent and the sea is rich in fish, so it is a great choice for snorkelers. The few building that can be seen belong to the study station of the Museum of the Sea which houses archaeological finds discovered in the area. There are no facilities, and no shade, so visitors should bring provisions and lots of water.  

Do a tour of the archipelago

Better alternatives are to hire a boat to do a tour of the little archipelago, or to rent a pedalo pedal boat or a canoe at the bathing establishment on Aci Trezza’s beach which is in front of the island. It is certainly the best way to spend time enjoying the beautiful views and seas in this very beautiful area.

For information: https://pti.regione.sicilia.it.

Enit, the Italian national tourist board, says that wellness travel is growing as travellers are hunting for more experiences that make them feel good, and that in the wake of the pandemic, the wellness sector is becoming increasingly important. 

Spas lead the demand this winter 

“In the 2021-2022 winter season 46% of travellers are combining sport with other activities in contact with nature. And some 22% practice an activity related to wellness, with spas in the lead (34%) followed by massages and spa and beauty treatments," says Enit’s managing director Roberta Garibaldi. "Half of Italian operators see this segment, together with nature, slow and sports tourism, as of growing importance.” 

Contact with nature is important

New scenarios and opportunities are thus opening up under the banner of sustainability. Natural resources are among the main reasons for travellers' satisfaction, with contact with nature (37%) indicated by tourists as the aspect that is most influencing their psychophysical wellbeing during their holidays this winter. 

Italy has the highest number of spas in Europe

For the accommodation industry nature tourism (46.6%) comes right after family tourism (49.2%) and some 47% of players see nature tourism as their best bet for the future. Italy can take advantage of this growing trend, as it is the European country with the highest number of spas, mainly due to its particular geological conformation and many volcanic areas. 

Not all disabilities are obvious. Health problems like autism, speech and sight impairments, diabetes and chronic pain can all be invisible. Many people with difficulties like these wear a green lanyard with a sunflower symbol which is the globally recognized sign for invisible disabilities and a simple and elegant way to make travel easier for them.  

So when you see a bright yellow sunflower, remember it means the person traveling alone may need your support and understanding. Like giving them a helping hand or more time when they are shopping, drinking a cup of coffee, or getting on or off a plane or a bus.

While wheelchair-users do not fall into the above category, they face problems getting wheelchairs on and off planes and other vehicles.  Now a company called Revolve Air has developed a wheelchair that folds away so neatly it can be placed in a plane’s overhead bin, taking up no more space than a backpack. With the first models expected to launch next year for around $2,500, they will be a godsend for travellers with mobility issues.

 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

The new Rosewood Milano, set to open in 2025, will be a short walk from the fashion district and have 70 rooms, including twenty suites.

The Statuto Group, the property's owner, has chosen the Hong Kong-based company to manage the property in the former headquarters of the Italian Commercial Bank. This will be the 4th Rosewood in Italy, following the openings of Rome and the Bauer Hotel in Venice, as well as the already operational Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany.

A Spa and a Fitness Centre

Rosewood Milanol will also have a bar and restaurant with a courtyard and garden, as well as the Asaya Spa, which will have three treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and a Fitness Centre. The project will be managed by Ko Studio, which plans to create an eclectic, colourful, and timeless environment with classic details and modern touches.  

“Milan is a perfect Rosewood urban location” 

"We are excited about this opening as it confirms our growth strategy in Europe, particularly in Italy," says Rosewood’s CEO Sonia Cheng. “Our company is expanding into strategic locations. Milan, with its own culture and dynamism, meets all the requirements of a Rosewood urban location and complements our collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the international fashion capitals where we are present, including our New York properties."

Big little weekend breaks in hotels of charm around Italy are the perfect way of stretching a weekend into a three-day staycation, as is becoming more and more popular thanks to smart working and the new work-life balances. 

These three properties, from the splendors of Venice, to beautiful green Umbria, to sunny Sorrento are just the thing for relaxing getaways in hotels of exceptional charm, character and cachet.

Ca’ di Dio, Venice

The new five-star Ca’ di Dio hotel, overlooking the iconic lagoon, is just a short distance from Piazza San Marco and one of Venice’s most exciting recent additions. Set in a building with a fascinating history, the rooms, with polished stone floors, exposed beams, upholstered paneling and Murano-glass lamps, are a contemporary take on a traditional Venetian home, and the two Altana Suites have stairs up to private roof terraces. Next to Venice’s Contemporary Art District the setting for the iconic Biennale, access to the hotel is by direct docking for arrivals in style! The Alchemia Bar and Essentia Restaurant are in the two internal courtyards and in the indoor-outdoor Vero Restaurant looking onto the lagoon, the cuisine is inspired by typical Venetian dishes, revisited with a modern touch. Ca’ di Dio offers rooms from €460 per night on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing. 

Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve

Restored and renovated since its completion in 1907, the 30-room boutique hotel overlooks the beautiful medieval town of Città della Pieve. Etruscans and Romans settled here along with Renaissance artist Pietro Vannucci, better known as Il Perugino, whose most famous paintings are hung throughout the town. Just 45 minutes from Perugia, Hotel Vannucci is equidistant from Rome and Florence and an easy drive from some of the region’s gems. In the Zafferano Restaurant, called for the saffron which is harvested by hand from the crocus blossoms, Umbria’s famous truffles, porcini mushrooms, handmade pastas, and cured meats feature on the menu.  Hotel Vannucci offers rooms from €126 per night, based on two adults sharing on a B&B basis. 

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento

This 188-year-old hotel is just an hour’s drive from Naples and sits on the clifftops of the Amalfi coastline. Popular with VIPs – Richard Wagner and Oscar Wilde both stayed here - the hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant with breath-taking views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, a gorgeous boutique spa and a fascinating history.  The rooms and public areas have frescoed ceilings and antiques.  Sorrento’s central Corso Italia is lined with caffes, restaurants and shops, but the entire historic centre has sights and eateries tucked away on little side streets. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria offers rooms starting from €637 per night on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing a garden view room.