Renovation on the family camping villages Romagna and International Riccione of Club del Sole is finally starting. Thanks to the operational agreement between the Club del Sole Group that specializes in outdoor holidays and the municipality of Riccione, the project also includes the enhancement of the southern area of ​​the city waterfront. The first part of the works will focus on the Family Camping Village Romagna, as well as on the redevelopment of the first section of Viale Torino and the construction of public parking along the railway.

Camp sites, bungalows, mobile homes and water parks

Representing an investment of over €25 million, the project will create over 300 new seasonal jobs and expand the overall site capacity to 7,000 beds. At the end of the redevelopment the area of ​​270,000 square metres overlooking the beach of Riccione will have pitch sites, bungalows and mobile homes, restaurants, 20,000 square metres of sports areas, swimming pools and water parks, an open-air theatre for animation and over a thousand new trees.

“We bring the next evolution of the outdoor holiday to Riccione”

The president of Club del Sole, Riccardo Giondi says: “This journey with the municipality of Riccione began five years ago and was inspired from the very beginning by the desire to create an osmotic connection between our two locations and the city's waterfront. Our history is deeply rooted in the Romagna areal so such an important new chapter could only be written here. With the redevelopment of the Romagna and International family camp sites we bring the next evolution of the outdoor holiday to Riccione.” 

New cycle paths, garden squares and parking lots

Riccione’s mayor Renata Tosi adds: “This is an example of high-level Romagna entrepreneurship. The collaboration between the public and private sectors has generated a great opportunity for our area. The urban redevelopment of the two camp sites managed by Club del Sole has led to some important interventions in the public areas open to citizens on the seafront including cycle paths, garden squares and public parking lots.”

Entering Canale, one of the Trentino region’s prettiest towns, is like opening a book of folklore and history. It is one of the most beautiful little towns in Italy, with a thousand-year history and extraordinary charm, immersed in the lush hilly landscape of Garda Trentino, which resonates with history and medieval culture. 

A haunt for sculptors and painters

Less than ten kilometres from famous Lake Garda, the ancient facades of the stone houses, vaulted ceilings and balconies spilling over with geraniums overlook historic alleyways, and have attracted talented sculptors and painters since the Second World War. The Casa degli Artisti, named after the painter Giacomo Vittone, is a charming location and a meeting place for artists from all over Europe.

A summer festival

In every corner of Canale di Tenno you can sense its culture. Each of its streets takes you on an extraordinary journey through time. During the winter months the Christmas market warms the hearts of visitors, and during the summer history buffs and admirers of the past gather at the Rustico Medioevo festival. During this festive period the lives of historical locals are evoked though storytelling, dance choreographies and medieval costume.

The town overlooks nearby Lake Tenno

In Tenno there is also a castle of the same name whose walls preserve the heraldic coats of arms of princes and bishops, and the San Lorenzo Church which has examples of 12th-century Trentino painting and amazing Gothic iconography. Visiting the castle you can look back into the history of the area and simultaneously observe the timeless beauty of the surrounding landscape that overlooks the sparkling blue of nearby Lake Tenno.

Traditional restaurants and biking trails 

Along the old alleyways you will find many traditional restaurants where you can sit down to some classic Trentino home cooking, in which authentic flavours and generosity go hand in hand. There are also numerous trails for mountain biking or trekking. And for climbing enthusiasts there are many cliffs and trails for all levels of climber. This is an area that can be experienced all year round thanks to the comparative coolness of the summer months and the mild cold seasons.

The Montagna Spaccata split mountain is a popular tourist attraction close to Gaeta. This steep divided rocky promontory near Gaeta, a town on the coast closer to Naples than to Rome, attracts many visitors who come to admire the deep clefts in the huge rock, and is certainly one of the most impressive sights in the area. Visitors are captured by the magic of the promontory’s deep crevices and there are many other points of interest along the route they take to get there.  

A saint once lived inside the mountain

One of these is the Sanctuary of the SS. Trinità built in the 11th century on the top of the promontory and famous as numerous popes, including Pope Pius IX, have come to pray here. Legend has it that Saint Philip Neri lived inside the Split Mountain where there is a stone bed which to this day is known as Saint Philip Neri’s bed.

Majolica tiles depicting the Way of the Cross

On the walls of the rock you can admire majolica panels depicting the Way of the Cross that contain verses by Metastasio and have been partially restored. They date back to 1849 and are attributed to Saint Bernardino of Siena.

The imprint of a hand on the rock face

Your chosen route should also include a visit to the evocative Grotta del Turco cave which is linked to an ancient religious tradition that holds that it came to light at the time of Christ's death.  On the right along the stairway leading down into the bowels of the mountain you can see an inscription in Latin and above it, a disturbing imprint of a hand on the rock which is said to have belonged to a Turkish sailor. 

Saracen pirates used to plunder in this area

The sailor was not a Christian and was sceptical of the sacred origin of the cracks in the mountain. According to legend, when as he placed his hand boldly on the rock face his fingers instantly liquefied like wax, thus leaving a clear imprint of his hand and the five fingers that can still be seen today. Given the historical and geographical context, it cannot be excluded that in the Middle Ages the cave was used by Saracen pirates as a refuge as they scoured the area for places to plunder.

The saint’s stone bed

At the end of the path we find the famous stone bed where Saint Philip Neri used to retire to meditate. In 1434 an earthquake caused a large boulder to fall, getting stuck further down the cleft in the mountain. A little chapel was erected on the boulder and from here you can enjoy splendid views of the sea.

Trekking to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona in the province of Verona means treating yourself to a dream - though a somewhat tiring - journey. Starting from the little hamlet of Ferrara di Monte Baldo and then through the town of Spiazzi the path leads you up to one of Italy’s most striking sanctuaries.

The Sanctuary is embedded in the rock

In this silent place surrounded by nature, stands one of Italy’s most evocative landmarks, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona. Embedded in the rock, it looks as if it suspended in the air some 775 metres high and overlooking the valley. Thousands of pilgrims visit the sanctuary every year, and to get up to it you have to climb the so-called Path of Hope that starts from the town of Brentino Belluno.

There is a parking area close by

From here you come to a rather long stairway leading up to the splendid historic building. In the past only pilgrims and devotees used to walk this path, but recently the number of tourists has increased year by year. Many delight in the 2.5 kilometre walk to reach the sanctuary, and for those who prefer not to wear out their shoe leather there is a parking area 50 metres away where they can leave their cars.  

Genova Contactless is a new smart urban travel solution for Genoa in collaboration with VISA. The ILA or "instant lane access" project by AMT and Visa makes it possible to access transport services through contactless payment. All travellers have to do is touch their debit, credit, prepaid or contactless cards, by Visa and other authorized operators, to the smart ILA totems and validators around the Ligurian city.

Available at ten stops on Genoa’s urban network 

In this first phase, ten stops of the Genoese urban network will be equipped with the new ILA smart totems and smart validators on board buses that provide connections with the airport, Volabus and Airlink.

For individuals and groups up to four

The experiment is among the most flexible and client-oriented in Italy, meaning consumers can access public transport services without having to purchase a physical ticket. And they can benefit from the best offers with the use of a single payment card for up to four people. For the first time in Italy, the system offers users the possibility of accessing rates dedicated to groups, such as the 24-hour ticket for 4 people or the rate dedicated to the Volabus for 3 people.

The service will be extended to other locations

This innovative solution improves the travel experience, above all facilitating access to services for tourists who can use the public transport network managed by AMT to discover the city. The experiment, for now focused on areas in the city of Genoa, will serve to collect ideas and data for its possible expansion to other locations.

The project is presented to Portofino

The experiment involves a total of 45 totems and smart ILA validators being gradually rolled out. Another 20 smart totems will be positioned on the Genoese urban network by the summer. In the next few days, the ILA experiment will be presented in Portofino, a strategic location chosen as it is a highlight on any tourist’s visit to the Liguria region.    

The Susa Valley is in the Piedmont region, west of Turin, and is a paradise for rock climbers, skiers and nature lovers.  It is the largest and most populated valley in the whole of Piedmont. It is also one of the most popular with tourists who find many facilities here, such as one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, mountain bike trails, rafting and many other outdoor activities. 

Mountain peaks and lakes

The Sacra di San Michele monument in the Susa Valley is a symbol of Piedmont,  an architectural complex perched on the summit of Mount Pirichiano. Also interesting are the two small Avigliana lakes of morainic origin that attract tourists in all seasons, as are the Novalesa waterfalls and Novalesa Abbey, Lake Moncenisio and the beautiful village of Moncenisio.

Europe’s highest sanctuary 

In the Susa Valley there is certainly no shortage of excursions. One of the most beautiful is to climb up to Rocciamelone. This peak is popular with Piedmont’s hikers and tourists alike. Located at 3,538 metres its peak is the highest sanctuary in Europe with a bronze statue of the Madonna, and the Santa Maria Refuge Bivouac. Rocciamelone divides the Susa Valley from the Val di Viù, with the territories of Mompantero, Novalesa and Usseglio converging on the summit. 

There are two routes to reach the top. One has the Riposa Refuge as its starting point, located at an altitude of 2205 metres, in the municipality of Mompantero. The other, and easier route is the Via dalla Valle di Viù, starting from Lake Malciaussia (1,805 metres) in the municipality of Usseglio. From the top the view sweeps over Monviso, Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa and the Turin hills. A view to take your breath away!

On 1 April Davide Bertilaccio will take over as the new CEO of the Villa d'Este Hotels Group, the small independent hotel group that has the world renowned 5-star Grand Hotel Villa d'Este in Cernobbio as its flagship. Originally from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector, Bertilaccio’s career began with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, for which he contributed to the opening of the Milan hotel in 1993. 

From Sardinia to Geneva, and from Dubai and Kenya

In 2001 he then moved to the Cala di Volpe in Sardinia, then part of the Starwood Group, before becoming general manager of the Savoy in Florence (Rocco Forte) and moving to Geneva for the opening of Le Richemond, another property of the Italian-UK group. In 2008 he was responsible for the opening of the Armani Hotel in Dubai, then from 2011 to 2014 he was general manager for several Moevenpick properties. In 2019, after an experience in Kenya with Frhi Hotels & Resorts, he returned to Italy and the Rosewood Hotel Group, for which he assumed the role of regional vice president and managing director.

An enthusiastic challenge

"I am honoured to join this prestigious group, which is a benchmark in the world of international luxury hôtellerie. I am doing this in an extremely significant historical moment for the company, which is projecting itself into the future while maintaining its roots. I accept this challenge with great enthusiasm,” says Bertilaccio's 

Villa d’Este is celebrating its 150th season 

This appointment comes at a time of great excitement for the company, which is preparing for the celebrations of Villa d'Este's 150th season. Founded in 1873, the group, in addition to the famous Villa d'Este from which it takes its name, also includes Villa La Massa, a property dating back to the 13th century on the banks of the Arno river in Florence in ten hectares of beautiful parkland, as well as the Como-based Palace Hotel and the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior.

The expansion of the DoubleTree brand of the Hilton group adds six new hotels in Europe including one in Malpensa close to Milan. The new hotels in Italy, France, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands and Germany, are part of a development strategy that plans to open an additional 37 properties in the area over the next five years, adding to the more than 120 hotels already operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

DoubleTree by Hilton in 19 different European countries

"Since the debut of DoubleTree in Europe in 2008 the brand has continued to expand, and today it has hotels in 19 different European countries, to which seven more will be added in the coming years," says Senior Vice President Development EMEA, Patrick Fitzgibbon.

Two Hilton hotels near Milan’s Malpensa Airport

The DoubleTree by Hilton Milan Malpensa Solbiate Olona will be the group's second opening in the Milan airport area, after the Hilton Garden Inn Milan Malpensa. The new property will open next April and have 246 rooms. As part of a franchise agreement with Gdf Group, an established partner for Hilton in Italy, the hotel will also include seven meeting rooms.

Openings in Europe

The other new openings are DoubleTree Sittard in the Netherlands, already operational since last December, Hannover Schweizerhof in Hannover, Germany, which also opened at the end of the year, the Lyon Eurexpo in France, opened in January, Budapest Buda Hills Hotel and Residences in Hungary, which is expected to open in 2023 and Brasov City Centre in Romania, due to open in 2024.

Lake Orta is well known as one of the most romantic lakes in Italy and is to be found near Cusio, between the Ossola plain and the western shore of Lower Lake Maggiore. It is the westernmost of the pre-Alpine lakes and begins at the southern front of the Simplon Glacier.

A haunt for artists and writers, celebrity chefs and industrialists 

An ideal destination for artists and writers, the coastal towns of Lake Orta are often described in the works of important authors such as Balzac, Rodari, Montale and Soldati. Over the years, world renowned chefs and industrialists have also added to its fame. This area of Lake Orta, also known as Cusio, is a fascinating treasure trove where nature, art and culture are magically intertwined in the rarefied atmosphere that is typical of lake resorts.

Orta San Giulio is a jewel of medieval architecture

Its Omegna and Orta San Giulio banks represent the main centres. Omegna, located at the northern end of the lake, is the centre par excellence of the household goods district and is known for its centuries-old festival of San Vito. The true pearl of the lake, however, is Orta San Giulio, a small village that has enchanted writers for centuries. It is a jewel of medieval architecture where, among its narrow and suggestive alleys, you are taken into its truly cloaked atmosphere. 

The Island of San Giulio has a Romanesque church

In Piazza Motta with its outdoor tables around the first municipal seat, the 16th-century Palazzotto, there is the landing and launch stage the Island of San Giulio, a small island dominated by a Romanesque church and with an ancient monastery. This is the patch of land where, according to legend, San Giulio defeated mighty dragons and snakes.

Ameno is an enchanting place

Regarding the other surrounding towns, a visit to Ameno is a must, one of the most welcoming, enchanting and magical places on the entire eastern shore of Lake Orta. Located a few kilometres from the village of Orta San Giulio, the town of Ameno resembles a jagged horn on the landscape and it has less than a thousand inhabitants.

It is a place that manages to convey calm and relaxation while at the same time being packed with excitement, emotions and inspirations.