The Frasassi Caves are a journey beneath the surface of the Marche region.

Less than an hour from Ancona and its airport

Hidden beneath the rolling hills of Italy’s Marche region, the Frasassi Caves are just a 40-minute drive from the coastal city of Ancona.  Renowned as Europe’s most expansive cave complex, these remarkable grottos and tunnels invite some 270,000 visitors a year to step into an underground wonderland shaped by nature over nearly 200 million years. 

For anyone with a sense of curiosity

What sets the Frasassi Caves apart isn’t just their extraordinary scale but the ease with which you can explore them. This is not an adventure for the daring few but an accessible journey for anyone with a sense of curiosity. Visitors find well-maintained walkways to guide them and, stepping into the first massive cavern, they are awestruck by the sheer scale of the entrance chamber which is so vast it could comfortably house Milan’s iconic cathedral.  

There is even a church inside the caves 

Water and rock have worked over millennia to create towering stalagmites while stalactites descend from above in crystalline patterns. The twists and turns of the path reveal shimmering underground lakes and deep wells, and mankind has also left its mark as tucked inside one of the chambers is the Temple of Valadier, an exquisite octagonal church built in 1828.  

For seasoned travellers and families

For seasoned travelers seeking a unique destination or families looking for an unforgettable outing, the combination of natural beauty, accessible pathways, and intriguing history makes the Frasassi Caves a must-visit site in the heart of the Marche.  For information: https://www.frasassi.com

Munich is getting closer to Puglia with the new direct Lumiwings flights to Puglia’s Foggia airport. 

“Supporting the Foggia region’s economic and tourism growth”

The flights will operate from the end of May 2025 to October on Tuesdays and Saturdays, introducing a strategic connection between Germany and northern Puglia. “The launch of the new flights,- said the president of Aeroporti di Puglia, Antonio Maria Vasile, -is thanks to an ambitious and very concrete project in synergy with the Region and stakeholders to boost the Gino Lisa Airport and respond to the Dauna region’s need for international services. Thanks to these flights we are also launching the international network of Foggia airport while responding to the needs of an increasingly international clientele, boosting both inbound tourism and opportunities for locals and local businesses. Munich is a strategic gateway to the heart of Europe, and we are confident that this new route will contribute significantly to the growth of air traffic to and from the Gino Lisa Airport. Aeroporti di Puglia continues to pursue its mission to expand the network of flights, improve the connectivity of the region and support its economic and tourism growth.” 

Boosting tourism to Puglia throughout the year 

Gianfranco Lopane, the councillor for tourism, added: -The new direct flight from Munich to Foggia scheduled for the end of May is an additional opportunity for the international expansion of the destination Puglia. The direct flights will make it possible not only to bring the heart of Bavaria closer to the Gargano, but also to broaden accessibility to our entire region, favouring the discovery of lesser-known destinations as well as those that are already popular. We are certain that this new route will contribute to making Puglia even more attractive throughout the year, supporting our efforts to extend the tourist season and promote the authenticity of our territory.” 

Boosting arrivals especially in the summer months 

“We are certain that the Munich flights will give a considerable boost to tourism and connections with the north of Puglia, contributing to the development of the area, especially in the summer months,- added Dimitris Kremiotis, accountable manager Lumiwings, - The Bavaria to Foggia route is a further step towards the growth of this area that is well known in Germany. Munich is an international hub and this new route makes it possible to fly all over the world from Foggia.”

The 7Pines Resort Sardinia has joined the luxury Virtuoso network.

A very selective evaluation process 

Important news for the 7Pines Resort Sardinia, which enters the portfolio of the Virtuoso luxury network.

"This partnership is a great honour and an extraordinary opportunity for our resort,-  says managing director Vito Spalluto. -The evaluation process is incredibly selective underlining our constant commitment to excellence and our dedication to creating unique and unforgettable experiences for guests.”

Virtuoso generates $25-30 million annual sales 

Membership of the Virtuoso network offers the 7Pines Resort Sardinia new marketing and sales opportunities aimed at the more than 20,000 travel consultants and their exclusive clientele, which generates annual sales of between $25 and 30 billion.

This is a golden moment for the historic Italian Tourist Train fleet, with the FS Group bringing them back into the spotlight. 

Extolling the timeless appeal of rail travel 

Extolling the appeal of rail travel that combines comfort, authenticity and sustainability, Luigi Cantamessa, CEO of FS Treni Turistici Italiani and Director General of the Fondazione FS Italiane, said: “What could be better than a train that travels to the Italian provinces and brings wealth? This is what Treni Turistici Italiani is doing, taking over the entire historic fleet and refitting new, sustainable carriages that have been completely renovated and are made in Italy.”

Seasonal departures that enhance the beauty of Italy

From the Alps to Sicily, Italy’s enchanting cities and villages are ready to be explored, thanks to the extensive railway network. This widespread connectivity reflects a deep global fascination with Italy and a growing passion for sustainable train travel. It is a time of great success for historical trains and Italian tourist trains,- concluded Cantamess, adding some eagerly awaited news: the launch of the Settebello in 2026. Since its founding on 15 December 2023, with the maiden voyage of the Espresso Cadore from Rome to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the company has expanded its offer, introducing a series of seasonal departures designed to enhance the beauty of Italy through slow and sustainable tourism. Last summer, FS Treni Turistici Italiani launched itineraries designed to reach many of the most popular destinations. 

FS Treni turistici - Summer itineraries in Cortina

The itineraries have cultural, food and wine themes

The Espresso Versilia connects Milan to the resorts of Liguria and Versilia, while the Espresso Riviera takes passengers along the Riviera dei Fiori to the French Riviera. Beach tourism was also the focus of the Espresso Salento, which travels from Rome to Lecce, passing through the main cities of Puglia. In the autumn, the focus shifted to itineraries dedicated to culture and food and wine traditions. L' Espresso Assisi connected Rome with the city of Saint Francis, proposing a journey dedicated to religious tourism. The Espresso Langhe-Monferrato, on the other hand, offered a unique experience for wine lovers, with an overnight trip from Rome to Alba to discover Piedmont's excellent wines. Winter saw the success of the Sicilia Express, a train connecting Turin to Palermo and Syracuse, combining culture and gastronomy, while the Spa Train travels to Abano Terme from Milan, offering wellness packages and dedicated stays in one of Italy's most renowned spa destinations.

Evocative routes to world heritage sites 

Alongside the modernized tourist trains, FS Treni Turistici Italiani operates in cooperation with the Fondazione FS Italiane, which manages a heritage of around 500 historic vehicles and over 1,000 kilometres of restored railway lines. Among the most evocative routes, the Trans-Siberian Railway of Italy crosses the Apennines between Abruzzo and Molise, the Temples Railway leads to the discovery of ancient Akragas and the Valley of the Temples, while the Val d'Orcia Railway allows visitors to admire Tuscan landscapes which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Until March it will be possible to travel on the Ferrovia dei Parchi, which connects Sulmona to Campo di Giove, while on the occasion of the Festivities for the Flowering Almonds the Mandorlo in Fiore Express will return, bringing passengers to the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples directly by train.

The Unahotels brand expands in Catania with a new franchising agreement for the historic Villa del Bosco.

Villa del Bosco becomes a lifestyle, spa & wellness hotel

Proposed as a lifestyle, spa & wellness hotel, the new Unahotels in Catania is a franchising agreement with the MHG Italy group, already a partner of the Una Group with the Unahotels One Siracusa. The Villa del Bosco, currently under renovation, will officially open its doors next April, thus boosting the company's presence in the city alongside the Palace Catania Una Esperienze.

A spa with two swimming pools

The Unahotels One Catania will have 55 rooms and suites, the Akademia Restaurant, a gym with Technogym equipment, an 80-seat meeting room, and a spa of over 1,400 sqm on two levels which will include two swimming pools, a hammam, Finnish sauna, emotional showers, and an area for beauty treatments. There will also be multifunctional social spaces designed for work, relaxation and entertainment.

“We intend to expand our presence in Sicily” 

“We are proud to be a partner of Italy's largest hotel chain, having created a distinctive project and brand in the urban spa and wellness segment, inspired by the success of the pilot hotel in Siracusa,. says the CEO of MHG Italy, licensee of the One brand, Donald DeVivo. -In fact, we intend to expand our presence in Sicily and are also looking at the main Italian destinations to acquire urban hotels and redefine meeting areas by converting them into large regenerative wellness oases to attract new generations of global and local travellers.”