Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, in a letter sent to the candidates in the upcoming election to choose a new mayor for the capital city, announced that the government is to nominate the city of Rome to host the Universal Exposition of 2030. "This is certainly a great opportunity for the development of the city," writes Draghi who thanks the candidates "for the demonstration of unity in favour of our capital.  “Hosting Expo 2030 in Rome would be an upturn for the whole of Italy, with new and significant job opportunities and economic revitalization."

Di Maio. “We have to do our best to get this candidacy”

Following Draghi’s announcement Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio wrote on Facebook: "This is the starting point of a new path. It is another green challenge, a challenge of urban development and economic growth for our capital, and there is a lot to do. They will be intense months and we have to do our best to get this candidacy, " said Di Maio inviting all players to work together.

Expo 2030 would change the face of Italy’s capital city

The Rome project is very different from that for the Milan Expo which was concentrated in a single area just outside the city center. The Rome Expo 2030 would be considerably spread out, with the aim of regenerating public spaces and the abandoned architectural works already in the capital. The other candidates for the Expo 2030 are Moscow and the South Korean city of Busan.

Rome’s public transport system needs to change for the better

Rome’s Tiburtina, Pietralata, San Basilio and ​​Aniene suburbs are just some of the areas chosen for territorial reappraisal. By choosing to spread out pavilions and structures Rome will have to invest in and boost its transport system. The Atac public transport company has long been criticized for the poor state of stations and vehicles, and is one of the most important players in view of a possible victory to host Expo 2030.  The Expo would be a business of enormous proportions attracting  attention from all over the world.  

The Italian tourism associations – from Fto, Aidit, Astoi and Assoviaggi to Fiavet, Ibar and Maavi express their satisfaction following the order from the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, to open up some exotic destinations.

The ministry’s monitoring table needs improving 

In a joint statement they said:

We now need to make sure that this is just a first step towards the rapid overall reopening of non-EU destinations to which it is possible to travel safely. As tour operators, travel agents and tourism professionals we will do our utmost to comply with the requirements and, based on the initial responses of our customers we propose improvements in the technical monitoring table set up at the Ministry of Health.

“There are 40.000 jobs in tourism at risk”

Customer safety has always been at the top of our priorities. However the small list of destinations that have been given the green light will not solve our problems. It will take much more to limit this year’s damage which so far is even worse than 2020. There are some 40,000 jobs in Italian tourism at risk.

Food tells the story of a place and in few places is this as true as it is in Sardinia. The quality of the raw materials and the preparation and flavours of the dishes go beyond your wildest dreams, and are the legacy of an age-old story. Sardinian cuisine today is not all that different from what it was many centuries ago, and it differs from one area to the other in terms of technique. Whether on the coast or inland Sardinia never ceases to amaze with its food, based on simple and genuine ingredients with strong and at the same time delicate flavours.

From home cooking to fine dining restaurants

Sardinia is home to many traditional products of the highest quality: from Pecorino to Fiore cheeses, spiny artichoke to saffron and from bottarga fish roe to great wines. In both family kitchens and fine restaurants you can find typical recipes and specialties. Starting with the bakeries which produce specialty breads such as Coccoi and Civraxu, f pan’e gherda and Carasau. There are also many tasty bread-based dishes like Pane Frattau and Gallura Soup. And then delicious pasta dishes such as Fregula and Malloreddus and fresh pasta favourites like Culurgiones, Filindeu and Lorighittas.

A wealth of local specialties

The main courses are meats such as roast pork, lamb or kid, cordula lamb entrails and boiled lamb. Among the fish we find shellfish, sea bass, sea bream, grilled eels and tuna cooked in a thousand ways. Then come the cheeses: aged or fresh Pecorino, kid Rennet and Casu Marzu, as well as cheese-based desserts such as Seadas and Pardulas, and confectionery with almonds and honey.

Year-round festivals and wine trails

You can find genuine products and traditional dishes everywhere on the island, especially at the many food and wine festivals and events which are organized throughout the year like the Primavere in Baronìa spring festival in Gallura and Sulcis or the Autunno in Barbagia. Or let yourself be carried away by the various typical restaurants or along the wine trails. Each part of the island has one, or more than one, famous wine. From the Vermentino in Gallura, the Torbato and Cagnulari in Alghero, the Carignano in Sulcis, the Cannonau in Ogliastra and in the Nuorese, to the Monica, the Nuragus in Campidano, the Vernaccia in Orristanese and the famous Malvasia in Bosa.

The itinerary starts in the south of the Umbria region, at the point where the ancient Via Flaminia entered from the Latium region. It then crossed the entire region in a straight line from Otricoli to Scheggia. The Via Flaminia was inaugurated in 220 B.C.by Gaius Flaminius to connect Rome to the Adriatic coast, and today the modern main road still follows many stretches of the ancient route.

Stop in Otricoli to discover eight centuries of history

If you imagine yourself following the same stages that marked the Roman conquest of this part of Italy, your journey will begin in the Otricoli Archaeological Park. On one stretch along the river Tiber it encapsulates eight centuries of history. There is a guided pedestrian path and green areas with services in which to stop and relax.

Will I turn left or right? 

Resuming the journey towards Narni the ancient consular road forks and you have to choose between two directions. One is the straight stretch towards Carsulae, while the other road was built later and passes through Terni and Spoleto before reconnecting with the older road at the ancient Forum Flaminii near Foligno.

The archaeological park of Carsulae and hand-rolled pasta

The first route is shorter and easier, but then you have to take the Via Flaminia in the direction of San Gemini, a charming hill town. Just beyond this medieval town there are signs for the Archaeological Park of Carsulae, the Roman municipality on the ancient Via Flaminia. Before or after the visit you should make time to enjoy a tasty dish of the typical local picchiarelli, a hand-rolled pasta served with a generous helping of spicy sauce.

Over the Appenine mountains towards the Adriatic coast

There is still quite a way to go before reaching Bevagna. Just beyond this village the two branches of the Via Flaminia join again as they advance into the mountainous Apennine sector. Passing through the Monte Cucco Park the Flaminia leaves Umbria and crosses the Scheggia Pass on its way towards the Adriatic Sea.

The drive along 50 kilometres of the rocky coast of the Gulf of Salerno below Naples, is one of Italy’s most beautiful and popular tourist attractions. 

Of course you can drive along the twisting Amalfi Drive coastal road or enjoy it by boat, but why not take to the skies and enjoy it on a tandem parachute flight? And to fully experience the unique spell of the Amalfi Coast stay at the Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi, a splendid Art Nouveau hotel overlooking the sea with a wellness spa in which to enjoy a relaxing massage after an intense day of sightseeing.

The Amalfi Coast has high cliffs that tumble down to the sea, inlets dotted with colourful houses, small fishing villages, crystal clear waters and fiery sunsets. It is a magical place that remains forever in the heart of those who visit it. Whether seen by land or by sea it is one of the most beautiful and characteristic stretches of coastline in Italy. Skydiving from 4,500 metres is an exciting way to enjoy this unique spectacle, and has to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. The tandem parachute jump consists of leaping out of a plane firmly attached to an instructor, and it is certainly the simplest and fastest way to experience the thrill of free fall. No special courses are required and the instructor guides the passenger for the duration of the launch. All it takes is a short ground briefing from the staff of experienced paratroopers. This extraordinary skydiving experience is designed to satisfy all levels, from expert skydivers and those who have already experienced tandem jumps, to those who have never done it before. The starting point is Salerno Airport, which is easy to reach from the Amalfi Coast, where you can stay at the Hotel Santa Caterina which has lovely rooms and suites overlooking the sea and is steeped in the natural beauty of the coastal area.

About 15 minutes after take-off, when the plane reaches an altitude of 4,500 metres and the exact point for the launch, the doors open and you are overwhelmed by an extraordinary emotion. The Amalfi Coast from this height is truly unique and stunning. Then comes the moment to jump. For the first 60 seconds you fly freely at 200 kilometres an hour with the parachute closed, giving you a deep sense of freedom. Being suspended between the blue sky and the blue sea is difficult if not impossible to describe. Inlets, bays and little houses clinging to the hillsides can all be seen from above, and lulled by the air the only sounds you hear are those of the wind and the sea. When the parachute opens at about 1,500 meters, you start to glide more slowly towards earth for your soft landing.  All stages of the launch, the free fall and the highlights are filmed by an expert skydiver with a camera so that you can relive and share this incredible adventure with your family and friends.

Skydiving is an experience with an unparalleled adrenaline rush, and after such an exciting and exhilarating day what could be better than a nice relaxing massage? In the Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi guests can use the spa in the wellness center, an oasis dedicated to wellbeing where the skilled hands of the therapists regenerate guests with citrus massages and specific therapies for the harmony of the body and the mind. The Gold of Amalfi lemon massage is extremely relaxing, stimulates the Chakra points and restores the energy and psycho-physical balance of the body. The lemon-based oil also has a toning, smoothing, purifying and vitaminizing effect and the heady scent will lead you into an enchanted world. Apart from the lemon-scented essential oils you can choose from other fragrances such as cedar, bergamot, orange, mandarin, mint and rosemary. Parachuting is the most famous and perhaps the best loved extreme sport practised on this stunning stretch of Mediterranean coast. What an incredible story to tell, and an indelible memory to keep with you forever! 

Tuscany has a huge variety of ancient historical and religious itineraries of inestimable natural and cultural excellence like the Via Francigena, which has religious origins and led ancient pilgrims to holy places passing through villages, towns and cities. Travelling along this route Sigeric, the Archbishop of Canterbury, entered Tuscany over the Cisa Pass on his way to Rome. Today the Via Francigena is an important cultural itinerary of great beauty, the embodiment of the new slow travel trend, a journey of great personal enrichment to be made on foot or by bike.

In the footsteps of Medieval pilgrims

The shortest way for Florentines to get to Rome was along the Via Sanese which crossed the Chianti area through charming villages and towns such as San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Badia a Passignano, San Donato in Poggio and Castellina in Chianti. The Romea Strata, a route that follows the ancient roads travelled by pilgrims from Central and Eastern Europe, joins the Via Francigena at Fucecchio and San Miniato, and from there continues towards holy places such as Rome and Santiago de Compostela. Today in Northern Italy five different routes meet in the Veneto region, and from there the old road continues along the stretch known as the Romea Nonantolana-Longobarda. In Tuscany there are the six final stages, passing through Cutigliano, San Marcello Piteglio, Pistoia, Vinci, Cerreto Guidi and Fucecchio.

From Stade in Germany to St. Peter’s Square in Rome

The Via Romea Germanica follows one of the main routes that connected the North Sea with Rome in the Middle Ages.  Described in detail in 1256 by the Benedictine monk Albert of Stade, it runs for almost 2,200 kilometers from Stade (Germany) to Rome, crossing Germany, Austria and Italy.  In Tuscany it proceeds through the Casentino area, comes to Arezzo and then continues through the Valdichiana valley to Cortona and on to Orvieto in Umbria. The route then enters Latium, and in Montefiascone joins the Via Francigena, ending up in Rome’s spectacular St. Peter’s Square.

The St. Francis Sanctuary of La Verna

The Ways of St. Francis are a series of trails in Tuscany connecting the many places linked to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. From Florence modern pilgrims can travel to the famous Sanctuary of La Verna where St. Francis received the stigmata and then cross the Tuscan Valtiberina valley to reach Arezzo, continuing on to Cortona where it is possible to visit the fascinating Le Celle Hermitage.

The Via Po cycle path (www.visitemilia.com) in the Piacentino area follows the right bank of the Po river for 110 kilometres through woodlands and the Parco di Isola Giarola with an artificial lake and typical local fauna and flora, and then skirts the city of Piacenza towards the Apennine passes.

Boating and walking tours

It’s worth stopping at the Isola Serafini, the only inhabited area on ​​the Po river, to enjoy the river landscape on foot or by boat with tours organized in collaboration with the Adda Sud Park. Along the itinerary you also encounter local specialties such as the Cacio del Po and Piacenza’s cheeses, and discover gems such as the Castle of San Pietro in Cerro.  There are ancient and modern treasures on display in the Sala delle Armi and also in the MIM Museum in Motion, a constantly evolving collection of over 1500 works by contemporary artists.

Langhirano’s Museum of Prosciutto

Along the Art Trail between Langhirano and Torrechiara you pass through hills and vineyards along the San Michele canal, from the Abbey of Santa Maria della Neve to the Castle of Torrechiara. Starting from the Benedictine Abbey, an architectural gem commissioned by Pier Maria Rossi that has survived unscathed with its Baroque frescoes, refectory, belvedere and cloister, passing through vineyards and lush countryside you come to Langhirano, home to the Museum of Prosciutto. 

Sansepolcro a town the foot of the Tuscan Apennines in the province of Arezzo is on the border between four regions - Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria and Marche. Art and history blend with nature in villages and parks, protected areas and reserves, and bike and trekking routes wind through the valley, unique for their natural beauty. A new project, which will come to fruition in the coming months, will boost the number of biking paths in the valley as well as offering a series of new services.

A scenic cycling trail and local fauna

One of the best-loved trails leads from Sansepolcro to the Montedoglio Dam on the Tiber river, passing through the historic villages of Pieve Santo Stefano, Anghiari and Caprese Michelangelo. Forty kilometres of inclines and descents with stunning views of rolling hills and chances to spot local fauna like mallards, teals, loons, herring gulls and cormorants.

Bicycle rental services

The Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve winds its way through the charming Tuscan villages of Pieve Santo Stefano, Badia Tedalda, Sansepolcro and Sestino. One of the most beautiful routes to discover by mountain bike starts from Sansepolcro, crosses the reserve and ends in Germagnano. From here there are many paths around the area and the Germagnano Farm offers bicycle rental services as well as short excursions on donkey-back. 

The Way of St. Francis

The area’s reserves and parks are crossed by kilometers of trekking routes some of which retrace ancient Roman and Medieval ways and old transhumance roads. One of the most evocative routes on the Way of St. Francis is from Sansepolcro to the hermitage of Montecasale: seven kilometres along the Afra river, passing cultivated fields and ancient farmhouses. On foot it takes about two hours from the village where Piero della Francesca was born, the ascent to the suggestive limestone cliff offering stunning views, while fallow and roe deer inhabit the green woods and majestic golden eagles and sparrow hawks soar overhead.