The history of San Gimignano, a UNESCO site with 14 of its original 72 towers still standing, is lost in the mists of time. Legend has it that in 63 BC two young patricians who were accomplices of Catilina, fled Rome and took refuge in the Valdelsa valley where they built two castles: Mucchio and Silvia. Later, in the 10th century Silvia’s name was changed to San Gimignano. 

Medieval buildings and an old well

The historic centre is a true work of art, and very accessible: from Via San Giovanni, where you are surrounded by splendid buildings, you come to the Piazza della Cisterna square, so called for the well that provided water to the surrounding countryside.  A little further on there is the Piazza del Duomo, the town’s centre of religious and political power.

The tallest tower soars to 54 metres 

San Gimignano’s soaring towers symbolize the power of the most important families of the time. The oldest is the Rognosa tower, while the highest is the Torre del Podestà at 54 metres. A 1255 regulation prohibited private individuals from erecting towers higher than the Rognosa (which at the time was the highest), but two of the most important families had towers built just slightly lower to underline their position and power in the town’s social hiercarchy.

The Museum of Medieval Torture

Next to the Torre del Podestà, is the Palazzo del Podestà which has a fine fresco depicting Sodom, while in the beautiful Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta there are Sienese 14th-century and Florentine 15th-century frescoes. The Museum of Medieval Torture is a real curiosity, with many instruments and torture techniques relating to the period of the persecutions.

A UNESCO site since 1990

San Gimignano is one of the best examples of urban organisation of the old European city states, and thanks to the characteristic medieval architecture of its historic centre, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. Every year millions of tourists from all over the world discover the atmosphere and the history of the Middle Ages in this charming little Italian town.

The Italian multimedia and publishing group Gambero Rosso has ranked the best patisseries in Italy. No travel bucket list is complete without one, so here are five of them to get your taste buds tingling.

Pasticceria Veneto – Brescia

This year the prestigious World Pastry Stars jury ranked Iginio Massari the best pastry chef in the world. His bakery really is something to behold: the home of a professional who is always focused and precise, and brilliantly showcases his talent for sweet treats through his products. Some examples include the Veneziana alla Crema, the Paradiso Cake and two classics from Lombardy: the Milanese panettone and the Bossolà Bresciano.

Dalmasso – Avigliana (Turin)

A maniacal attention to detail, the best ingredients, and the highest quality. This is the mantra of Alessandro Dalmasso who blends tradition and innovation to perfection in his patisserie. His mignon are beautiful to look at and there are many captivating flavours to choose from: strawberry and vanilla, raspberry and violet, zabaglione or salted caramel just to name a few. 

Biasetto – Padova

First Maitre Pàtissier Chocolatier Confiseur Glacier, then World Pastry Champion in 1997 with his Setteveli Cake, Luigi Biasetto has been at the forefront of Italian and international pastry for years. His philosophy is precise and impeccable and in his elegant atelier in Padua he produces cakes, mignons, his famous macaroons (mango and yuzu or lime and mascarpone), pastries, and chocolates.

Maison Manilia – Montesana sulla Marcellana (Salerno)

Giuseppe Manilia is self-taught, but thanks to talent, perseverance and passion he has managed to reach notoriety through his exemplary techniques and constant research. A true goldsmith of pastry he knows how to push the boundaries of patisserie, like with his noteworthy meringue sphere enriched with custard, mandarin jelly and caramelized pineapple with red fruit and lime jam.

Gino Fabbri – Bologna

Unsurprisingly, as he is considered one of the fathers of modern Italian pastry, Gino Fabbri won the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon in 2015 and is the president of the Association of Italian Pastry Masters. Although his bakery is not in the centre of Bologna it is a destination for pilgrimages to the city. For breakfast he serves croissants and a variety of stuffed calzones, and don’t forget to try his rice cakes and his tiramisu.

With 320 kilometres of track, the Gran Sasso horse trail is the longest in Italy and crosses three provinces in the Abruzzo region: l'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo as well as eight of the eleven protected tourist-environmental districts in the area. The Gran Sasso (meaning big stone) range is the Abruzzo’s highest and its Corno Grande is the highest mountain in the Apennines, and the second-highest mountain in Italy

Rest areas with shelters for horses

Within the Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park, the horse riding trail runs along the Teramo Aquilano and Pescara sides of the Gran Sasso  range. There are rest areas equipped with shelters for horses, like the Paladini complex in Crognaleto which also has a guesthouse with 50 beds, a restaurant, an information point, and a stable that can accommodate up to ten horses.

Nine rest areas with stoves

Along the trail eleven water points have been repositioned and nine drinking troughs and dozens of springs have been restored in support of the local sheep and cattle farmers. Nine rest areas equipped with stoves were also set up, two mountain refuges were refurbished, and eight huts were built for sheltering horses near tourist service facilities.

Farmhouse accommodation and equestrian centres

Along the way the naturalistic, historical-architectural and archaeological attractions are highlighted.  As well as the shelters, hostels and local delicacies to be found in the various areas crossed and the long route connects various farmhouses offering accommodation as well as several equestrian centres.

A trail also for hikers and mountain bikers

Of course these renovated and well-equipped routes can be travelled not only on horseback, but also on foot or with mountain bikes, making them a hit with nature lovers, and particularly appealing from spring to autumn. The Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park also has medieval hamlets, castles, hermitages and abbeys which are authentic treasures of art, culture, archaeology and tradition, many of which are still shrouded in mystery, and date back to as early as Roman times.

In the coming months work will start on a commercial hub and visitor services at Catania’s Cruise Terminal as well as on the important new areas that will safely accommodate cruise turnaround operations at the Sporgente Centrale pier. 

An eco-sustainable facility

Both the Port System Authority of Eastern Sicily and the Catania Cruise Terminal, have always given great importance to eco-sustainability so it is expected that recycled materials, and solar panels will be used in the new terminal. 

A portfolio of 21 ports in 13 different countries

Catania’s cruise terminal is managed by Catania Cruise Terminal which is part of Global Ports Holding, the largest independent operator of cruise terminals in the world, with a consolidated presence in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Asia-Pacific regions. Thanks to recent global acquisitions Global Ports Holding manages a portfolio of 21 ports in 13 different countries, with over 4,000 berthings every year.

The terminal is just ten minutes from the city centre

Positioned at the center of the Mediterranean, equidistant from the Suez Canal, Gibraltar and all the North African and European ports, Catania is easy to include in any cruise itinerary. The proximity of the cruise terminal to the city centre (only ten minutes on foot) and to Catania’s international airport (ten minutes by car), as well as to bus and train stations, make it the ideal port for cruise ships. 

Excursions to Mount Etna and Taormina

Catania also boasts exciting shore excursions that can be booked directly on board or at the Guest Information Center on arrival at the port. From excursions to Mount Etna to local food and wine experiences, and from shopping to a day at the beach and visits to Taormina and Syracuse. Although the services are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, the Guest Information Center also has electric bicycle and scooter rentals, so that tourists can enjoy green tours of Catania.

Calabria has it all!  History, art, tradition and so much more, and even if you travel the length and breadth of Italy, you'll be hard pressed to find another region with the variety of attractions and the wild, unspoiled natural beauty you find in Calabria. And it’s really easy to place it, just think of the large region at the toe of Italy. 

Stunning architecture and underwater treasures

With its craggy mountain ranges and miles of pristine white-sand beaches this region is a treasure trove just waiting to be explored. From the stunning architecture of ancient castles and cathedrals to opera houses and magnificent underwater artistic discoveries, Calabria is a land of many hidden treasures.

Reggio Calabria’s Aragonese Castle 

The Aragonese Castle is considered the symbol of the city of Reggio Calabria. Over the centuries it has seen the passage of many civilizations from the Normans to the  Angevins and the Aragonese. Each one has left its mark on the castle which underwent various modifications down the centuries, but it was Ferdinand I of Aragon who made the most drastic changes and greatly expanded the castle, so it is his legacy that remains. This is one of the city’s most visited monuments for its medieval architecture and unusual maritime setting. Following long years of decay the castle was finally restored and once again stands proud as a focal point in the center of the city.

The 10th-century Church of the Ottimati 

Near the Aragonese Castle we find the Church of the Ottimati. It is said that it was built as early as the 10th century and then rebuilt by a Norman Confraternity. The exterior is simple but classic, with a large main arched portal and a rose window at the front. Its most notable feature is the bright red dome, while the interior of the church is more intricate, with beautiful coloured mosaic floors, tall marble columns, vaulted ceilings, and period artwork. The most famous painting, The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary by Agostino Ciampelli, is inside the church.

A castle overlooking a marine reserve

Perhaps one of the most unique pieces of local architecture is the Aragonese Castle of Le Castella just above the Marine Reserve of Capo Rizzuto. Connected to the mainland only by a thin strip of land, it has a beautiful stone spiral staircase connecting its three floors each of which has a different view. While the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea from the castle are spectacular, from one of the rooms visitors can get a glimpse of the protected marine life on the seabed in real time thanks to the castle's underwater cameras.

Chianalea, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy

There are numerous wonderful and picturesque villages hidden in the heart of the mountain ranges, as well as atop sheer rocky bluffs overlooking the sea.  One must-see is Scilla, which sits atop steep rocks overlooking the sea and the Strait of Messina, as is the little town of Chianalea, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

The Riace Bronzes each weigh 300 pounds 

The National Museum of Reggio Calabria has vast archaeological collections of artefacts from Magna Graecia and the Byzantine era.  There is also a particularly interesting underwater section with ancient artefacts found in the waters of Calabria including the iconic Riace Bronzes: two six-foot plus bronze statues each weighing over 300 pounds. The statues were recovered from the bottom of the Ionian Sea and are thought to have originally been launched from a seagoing ship in order to lighten its load.

Umberto Boccioni.  A pioneer of the Futurist Movement

A key modern figure in the Calabrian art scene is Umberto Boccioni, a pioneer of the Italian Futurist Movement that prevailed in the early decades of the 20th century. Despite a relatively short career, Boccioni's works have been exhibited in many of Italy's major art museums as well as in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

A journey into the traditions of the Campania region’s craftsmanship with porcelain and ceramics is an exciting way to delve into the region’s treasured art. One way is to join the numerous workshops organized in many facilities to offer visitors a chance to explore the trade and art of pottery. 

Sunday antique fairs

Explore this art in towns like Cerreto Sannita with its interesting Cerreto Civic and Ceramics Museum, while in the nearby small village of San Lorenzello besides the historical workshops, every last Sunday of the month they hold the MercAntico fair.

The Capodimonte Museum’s precious ceramics 

The best place to start is with the ancient and prestigious historical ceramics in the Museum of Capodimonte which has one of the most important collections of porcelain in Europe. The name Capodimonte is inextricably linked with the name of the porcelain manufactory financed by Charles of Bourbon, and in Capodimonte the priceless collections of Bourbon ceramics that had been scattered around the various royal residences were finally brought together.   

Ceramics and coloured tiles are produced along Campania’s coast

Many ceramics and coloured tiles are produced along the coast of the Campania region. From the mascarina rose which is typical of the pieces produced in Calitri, to the floral motifs reproduced in the laboratories of Cava dei Tirreni. Another stunning example is the dome of the cathedral of Vietri sul Mare which is an intoxicating carousel of colours silhouetted against the sky. 

SkyAlps is looking forward to summer 2022, adding Brindisi, Brac (in Croatia) and Palma di Maiorca to the destinations served last season which marked the take-off of the Italian regional airline. SkyAlps will also increase the frequency of its direct flights to Bolzano from Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin to three days a week.

Charter and scheduled destinations 

SkyAlps, 100% owned by Josef Gostner’s FRI-EL Green Power, launched its first flights in June 2021 with a network of charter and scheduled destinations. Charter flights were from Bolzano to Olbia, Cagliari Lamezia Terme and Catania, and scheduled services to Düsseldorf, Berlin, Olbia, Rome and Ibiza with a stop in Parma. 

Two Dash DHC-8-Q400s

The fleet is currently made up of two Dash DHC-8-Q400 configured to carry up to 78 passenger, and a third aircraft of the same type is expected to join the fleet in the early months of 2022, in view of the extended summer operation.

A new carry-on baggage fare

Particular attention is paid to on-board service, which is decidedly "premium" for all types of fare. A new Sky Light fare has been recently added with only cabin carry-on baggage.  Experience the Dolomites is the payoff on the home page of the company's website featuring some of the most popular ski resorts for sports enthusiasts from the Alpe di Siusi to Plan de Corones and the Val Gardena.

Confcommercio’s president Carlo Sangalli says tourism needs more support, and according to data released by the Italian General Confederation of Enterprises, the sector closed 2020 with -66% arrivals, and -61%  overnights compared to 2019. 

An overall negative balance for summer 

During the summer there was a partial recovery with the June - August 2021 quarter recording +58% of arrivals and + 71% of overnights compared to the same quarter in 2020, but overall there was a negative balance in that summer quarter with -40%  arrivals and -28% overnights  compared to 2019.

“The losses caused by the pandemic are huge”

"The funds allocated for tourism, must remain with tourism - said the president of Confcommercio Carlo Sangalli – Italy’s economy is recovering. However the losses caused by the pandemic are huge, especially for tour operators, travel agencies and the hotel sector. We need more support for the most penalized businesses.”

The extra-EU big spenders stayed away

The fundamental requests are support for business investments, the opening of more extra-EU international corridors for safe travel, and professional training that reply to the needs of the new scenarios. The most negative figures concern foreign tourism with -26% in August 2021 compared to the same month of 2019, and an absence on the market of the so-called extra-EU "big spender".  

For lovers of climbing the Apennine mountains, the central Italian Emilia Romagna region offers a range of possibilities, from rock faces for beginners to climbs for expert mountaineers. But the Emilia Romagna region offers much more than just the climbing itself, because its mountain ranges are also full of beautiful places for walking and picnicking.  

The Badolo, known as the Sand Castle, is for all levels 

Situated a few kilometers from the town of Sasso Marconi, the Badolo, also known as Sand Castle is popular with climbers and athletes from all over the region. One of the largest and oldest free spots in Emilia-Romagna, it is often used as a gym and open air venue by various local associations to teach boys and girls the art of climbing and the culture and respect for the mountains.

With a vertical surface of 120 meters and intricate slopes, the Badolo is approachable by both beginners and hardened climbers. It also has an excellent exposure with many sunny walls and so is an excellent choice for climbers even in winter. 

The Pietra di Bismantova plateau is a mystical place

The Reggio Emilia Apennines have a unique geological formation at 1047 asl called the Pietra di Bismantova. This narrow plateau with steep walls is also mentioned in the pages of the Divine Comedy where Dante compares it to the mountains of Purgatory. And of course this citation adds to the mystical and spiritual air that is often attributed to it. About 45 kilometres from Reggio Emilia along the State Road 63 it is both a destination for families and a rock gym for the most daring climbers. The Pietra di Bismantova’s climbing routes face east, so during winter it is advisable to climb here in the morning. 

A network of climbing walls 

The climbing routes in the Romagna are a dense network of equipped walls located throughout the region’s mountainous and hilly territory, some 24 different places where you can have fun with vertical evolutions of all degrees of difficulty. Areas like the Perticara, which takes its name from the nearby town on the border between The Marches and Emilia Romagna. Hidden inside the Valmarecchia valley and recently brought back to life after a few years of inactivity, the Perticara is a fully equipped locality with a small climbing center. Home to an ancient sulphur mine, the town also preserves the memory of its past in the little museum and mining park where it is possible to organize and enjoy various themed excursions.