The Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort in Val di Tires opened its first Culture Week in June with concerts, workshops, theatre and music in the new Culture Lounge.

Bringing artistic performances to guests

The 5-star resort in Tires al Catinaccio is the first property in South Tyrol to host a programme of cultural events open not only to hotel guests but to the entire community: "Bringing artistic experiences here to the Cyprianerhof is a gateway for creativity, inspiration and fun,-  explains Diego Villegas, culture manager of Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort and creator of the Culture Week. 

“We want to contribute to enriching the area’s artistic landscape”

“Another of our goals is to create a bond with the local community: both local artists and local residents, who are always welcome at our cultural events. We want to make our contribution to enriching the area’s artistic landscape.”

Mountain walks, climbing and excursions

By day a library and a space for smart working, in the evening the Culture Lounge hosts cultural events of all kinds, leaving room for young talent. The resort, located in the heart of the Dolomites, offers guests mountain walks and excursions of various levels, via ferrata and climbing while the Similde Spa is immersed in nature and has a panoramic sauna overlooking the Dolomites which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano in the mountains of South Tyrol are the ideal destination for families and children. 

Activities and attractions

Covering an area of 12 hectares and with 80 botanical environments with plants from all over the world, the Gardens never cease to intrigue and surprise even the smallest of children, with entertaining yet informative activities and innovative attractions that stimulate their curiosity and make it easier for them to learn about the botanical world.  Walking through the Gardens, children will discover the four thematic areas  and  numerous attractions that will stimulate their fantasy and imagination, including the adventure bridge which is a suspension bridge swaying in the void.

Children can enter a giant beehive



The Gardens are home to numerous animal species such as alpacas, colourful arrow frogs, Zackel sheep and leaf insects. In the South Tyrolean Landscapes area, there is a giant beehive containing a reproduction of a beehive in which children can enter and observe up close, in safety of course, a colony of 60,000 bees at work and raise their awareness, while having fun, of the importance of their role in our ecosystem.

How plants grow and a terrarium

In the Underground Kingdom of Plants, amidst twists and turns the multimedia trail with sudden noises and plays of light, accompanies children on a discovery of the main elements that, underground, are essential for the growth of plants. In the Woods of the World area, in addition to the greenhouse with a terrarium, there is also an area dedicated to ferns, with some rare specimens. 

A Japanese garden and the Museum of Alpine tourism

Continuing on they reach the Japanese garden where children can have fun crossing the stream barefoot. They then come to the entrance to Trauttmansdorff Castle, the winter residence of the Empress Sissi and now home to the Touriseum, the provincial museum of tourism, which tells the story of Alpine tourism over the last 250 years in an interactive and dynamic itinerary. And at the end of the museum tour there is a surprise for the little ones: a giant wooden pinball machine.

ph credits: Karlheinz Sollbauer

Favourable family rates

Every Wednesday in July and August, at 10.30 a.m., the Gardens offer guided family tours with a final workshop abd creative activities for children. The cost of the tour is €8.50 per person and is free of charge for children under the age of 18. It is for a maximum of two adults per family. In addition to the cost of the guided tour, there is an entrance fee. The family ticket of €36.00 allows two adults and children under 18 to enter. And with the seasonal mini-ticket families have the opportunity to enter the gardens several times at a special price. For information: www.trauttmansdorff.it.

For more than a century Switzerland has been a treasure trove of ambitious engineering projects, and the Rhaetian Railway, which is universally known for its two routes, the Bernina and the Albula, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Every year these routes attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world who discover Switzerland’s green valleys, impervious gorges, lakes, glaciers, bridges and the incredible spiral viaducts that seem to touch the sky.

The Bernina Express, the flagship of the Rhaetian Railway, connects Tirano, which is the gateway to the Valtellina valley, to St. Moritz and Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland and the capital of the Grisons Canton. It then covers a further 200 kilometres and more to the resorts of Arosa, Davos and  Scuol which is a stunning spa resort in the Lower Engadine.

Bernina Express on the Brusio Viaduct (Bernina Line)

The little Rhaetian Railway red trains have become a favourite with Italian and German tourists, for both of whom the journey is an easy day trip. It is also a prized destination for travellers from as far away as Asia. Because, numbers in hand, no other Swiss destination has as many passengers as the Rhaetian Railway. 

"A success that started some thirty years ago, when we first marketed our train in Italy," says Enrico Bernasconi, the Rhaetian Railway's representative for Italy.

"The pace picked up in 2007 in anticipation of the UNESCO candidacy, with Italy and Germany gaining in importance, the former considered at the time an emerging market, where forms of excursion tourism could be developed, the latter already the railway's main catchment area, after Switzerland.”   

 

"In 2006, the Italian market was 3% of our business, today it is 20%, the highest increase of all our markets. This sees Italy in third place, but very close to the second place which is still Germany, which comes after the Swiss market, or rather the Swiss point-of-sale, as it also includes all sales to international tourists who find themselves in Switzerland. The Rhaetian Railway is everyone's dream: sales have continued to grow, both in terms of passenger numbers and revenue, with over 300,000 Italians every year. And after the pandemic 80% of the bookings - both individuals and groups – rescheduled their departures, adding to the strong demand for bookings this year.”

What is the Rhaetian Railway’s appeal?

Bernina Express on the Landwasser Viaduct (Albula Line)  

"The proximity, the perception of Switzerland as a safe and quality destination, competitive prices for an experience that can be enjoyed over a short period of time. And, last but not least, the growing focus on sustainable travel. We are ecological par excellence, our environmental impact is zero, and we even produce the electricity to run our trains by taking the water from Lake Bianco.
Our commitment is to limit as far as possible any fall-off in quality potentially caused by high demand, which means that we find ourselves having to say no to travel agencies and tour operators, although their clients have been asking for seats on the Bernina Express for months. And then there are passengers who choose to travel standing, for which reservations are not required.
So we have come up with valid alternatives, starting with the Albula route, which is an itinerary through landscapes that are just as idyllic. Passengers who have so far taken this route have been more than satisfied, actually beyond our wildest expectations. Then, at the end of 2026, with the change of the railway timetable on the Bernina route, we will be introducing trains every 30 minutes in both directions (instead of every hour as is the case today) with a considerable increase in the number of available seats.
The future is clear, all that remains is “to count on the collaboration of our trade partners, whom we thank and to whom we ask a little more patience to get through the two years that will take us to 2026.”

The fifth edition of the Phygital Sustainability Expo, held in Rome, put the spotlight on the advancement of sustainable practices in the tourism sector and on Made in Italy. 

A hundred speakers from 17 countries

With panels of experts, institutional and political personalities including the minister of tourism Daniela Santanché, the event explored the intersections between sustainability, technological innovation and cultural traditions, outlining new directions for a more sustainable and globally competitive future. More than a hundred speakers from 17 countries took part and what emerged is how the sector can evolve towards sustainable practices that respect the environment and improve the tourism experience, also highlighting the essential contribution of Made in Italy.

“We have earmarked over €5 million for sustainable tourism”

"Tourism is inextricably linked to sustainability,- said minister Daniela Santanchè. -The ISTAT data that has just been published shows us the sector's state of health: in 2023 we had a historical record with over 134 million arrivals and 451 million overnights. We must continue to work together and innovate, especially in terms of sustainability. This is why we have earmarked over €5 million for sustainable tourism.” 

Valeria Mangani organizer of the Expo and president of Sustainable Fashion Innovation Society

The important role of international tour operators

Valeria Mangani organizer of the Expo and president of Sustainable Fashion Innovation Society, said the event was a driver for Roman tourism also thanks to the support it receives from international tour operators. "Thanks to the combination of tourism, fashion, and sustainability we contribute to creating an important induced activity.  Many tour operators have used the event to create five-night packages of fashion, tourism, culture, sustainability, and experiences, and they have met a lot of interest especially in Northern Europe and the UK.”  

Events are on the rise in Rome

"Rome is experiencing a very positive wave," said Alessandro Onorato, Rome's councillor for sport, tourism, major events and fashion. "Today events are really picking up again in Rome, although there is still a hole in the production chain that needs to be filled,” adding that there is a need for closer cooperation between the institutions, for example by favouring the creation of tax-privileged districts to encourage large brands to invest in the capital.

The 5-star luxury hotel EALA, My Lakeside Dream in Limone sul Garda has been awarded two Michelin Keys.  

EALA for an exceptional stay

The EALA is the only property on Lake Garda to be awarded this new award dedicated to hospitality that has identified EALA as "an exceptional stay." The new section of the Michelin Guide dedicated to hôtellerie highlights extraordinary hotel and travel experiences on the basis of five criteria: refinement in architecture and design, quality and solidity of service, personality and character in style, coherence between price and the experience offered, and the relevance of the establishment in the context of the location."We are delighted with the recognition,- says owner Davide Rossi  - it places us among the best hotels in Italy, and in particular on Lake Garda. We will continue with passion on this path of quality.” 

The only 5-star hotel with direct access to Lake Garda

Adult-friendly and with a special focus on ecology, EALA offers exclusive stays on picturesque Lake Garda as well as gourmet cuisine from chef Alfio Ghezzi. The hotel has 67 rooms including junior suites and suites, a spa and it is the only 5-star hotel with direct access to Lake Garda. Owned by the Risatti family, EALA which means swan in the Celtic language, expresses royalty, peace and purity and offers an experience of total well-being in a luxury property.

“We are the only property on Lake Garda to get Two Keys”

"We are proud to have received this important international recognition from such an authoritative voice as Michelin, - says hotel manager Roberto Tebaldini. -It is a great achievement, the credit for which certainly goes to the team, with the contribution of the Risatti family.  We are the only property on Lake Garda to have received the Two Keys: a considerable satisfaction for the Garda area, as well as a boost of positivity for the future." For information:  https://www.ealalakegarda.com/

The Garden Toscana Resort, located in San Vincenzo (Livorno), on the Etruscan Coast, announces its collaboration with the Società Parchi Val di Cornia.

Experimental archaeology workshops

The aim of the collaboration is to boost awareness of the historical, natural and cultural heritage of the Etruscan civilization. Parchi Val di Cornia is responsible for the cultural, environmental, and tourist enhancement of the parks and museums that include the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia and the Archaeological Museum of Piombino. Starting in June, and for the entire summer, guests of the Garden Toscana Resort - Italy's largest garden village - will be able to enjoy experimental archaeology workshops in the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park. 

Introducing guests to an ancient civlization

"The collaboration with Garden Toscana,- says Mauro Tognoli, CEO of the Società Parchi Val di Cornia, -is part of the broader development and expansion of the Società Parchi's activities. We believe we can boost visitor numbers to our sites.”  The aim of the collaboration is to introduce the resort's guests to the world of this ancient civilization that, with its traditions and techniques, inhabited this area of Tuscany for centuries, says Luca Tonelli, general manager of the Garden Toscana Resort. 

ph credits: Nicola Guidi

Children can become potters for a day

The workshops will allow children to become "potters for a day,” approaching the different techniques of working with ceramics and learning how to model clay using the ancient "colombino" technique.  There is also a writers’ workshop to discover the most interesting aspects of the alphabet and learn how to write their own name in Etruscan as well as trying their hand at using ancient techniques to make an amulet. Resort guests will be able to access the archaeological sites and museums managed by Parchi Val di Cornia thanks to a special promotion and will be able to purchase entrance tickets for the various experiences directly at the hotel.

Following its Sicilian debut, Accor's Movenpick will open the Palace Hotel in Bari (Apulia). 

The property will be branded by Accor 

The development of the Movenpick brand in Italy continues. After the announcement of the Mondello Palace Hotel in Palermo, which is expected to debut in the third quarter of this year, the rebranding of the Palace Hotel in Bari has also been announced. The property has been closed since January 2022, but a couple of months ago the Greenblu Group signed a 20-year lease agreement with the owners the Di Cagno Abbrescia family's Saiga company. The rent, the Italian daily La Repubblica reveals, should be around €1.5 million per year. Greenblu, however, has also committed to upgrading the building, for a total investment of some €7 million, to be deducted from the rent. Greenblu then entered into a franchise agreement with the Accor group brand.

Expanding the square footage of the rooms

The plan is to reduce the number of rooms from the original 198 to 180 thus expanding the square footage, with the aim of both improving the quality of the space and approaching families as well as congress and international tourism. The eighth floor of the building will be reserved for suites and the spa, while a bistro serving local and international cuisine will be created on the ground floor. Work is expected to start by the end of this month, with the hotel scheduled to reopen in 2025 as a four-star hotel. Greenblu is also acting as a white label company of an Accor brand for the Mercure President in Lecce.

Villa Lario Resort is the five-star boutique hotel immersed in a private park on the sunniest shore of Lake Como, and is ideal for a stay of relaxation, nature, history and haute cuisine.

Two restaurants for gourmet and informal dining

In Mandello del Lario the Villa is a 20th-century manor house, offering luxury stays and fine dining helmed by executive chef Luca Mozzanica in the hotel's flagship Amandus restaurant. With eleven tables and seating for twenty-six, the gourmet restaurant is open only for dinner and by reservation only, both for guests of the Villa and for those not staying at the hotel but who wish to enjoy a refined dinner that combines tradition and modernity. For a more informal dinner there is the Grill & Lounge Restaurant, reserved for hotel guests and also ideal for an aperitif or to end the evening with an after-dinner beverage.

Nine suites and two beaches

Villa Lario Resort has nine exclusive luxury suites with fine furnishings and refined finishings: five in the Villa, with a large terrace and a view of the Lario, two in the Darsena, a stone's throw from the lake, and two in the Grotta, for an unprecedented holiday experience. Set in a 10,000 sqm park the property has a private mooring on the lake and two beaches with direct access, as well as a swimming pool, solarium and heliport. 

Boating excursions and local history 

Strategic for enjoying walks in nature in the surrounding mountains, or for boating excursions to discover  the beauties of the Lario, the resort also pays homage to places dear to literary giant Manzoni thanks to the recent installation Lucia125, which celebrates not only the young protagonist of Manzoni’s The Betrothed, but also the boat that is the symbol of Lake Como and part of the local heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a growing trend for wine tourism experiences in the Tuscan region. 

Many wineries now open at weekends

With wineries also opening to visitors at weekends and an increasingly young and international clientele, in 2023, wineries in the Tuscan region expanded the range of what they offer visitors by opening also at weekends. The number of wineries that can be visited on Saturdays has risen by 30% compared to 2022, and with it there waa an 11% increase in turnover in the wine tourism sector. 

Visits are more evenly distributed 

These figures are from the Wine Tourism and Direct-to-Consumer Sales Report 2024, compiled by Divinea, a technology company specialized in digital products and services for the wine sector. Also on the rise are wine experiences that go beyond the classic product tasting, with concerts in the vineyard or cellar visits, exhibitions or art installations. Another relevant fact is that farm visits are more evenly distributed throughout the year, including March, April, May, November and December. 

Winery experiences are drawing younger visitors 

The average age of the wine-loving public is decreasing: the 25-34 age group has risen sharply compared to previous years, reaching 43.8% of those choosing to book a winery experience in 2023; this is followed by the 35-44 age group and families. In addition to Italians, it emerges that many Americans and Europeans are attracted by this type of tourism, and there is also a significant presence of Germans, Dutch, Swiss and British visitors. 

Tuscany is Europe’s third most popular wine tourism destination 

In Airbnb's statistics on the ten most visited European destinations for tasting local wines Italy, and more specifically Tuscany, ranks as the third most visited European destination for wine tourism, thanks not only to the variety of wines that can be tasted but also to the variety of landscapes and traditions.

On-the-road trips from Chianti to Bolgheri

For those wishing to enjoy an even more immersive experience, why not discover the cellars and vineyards of Tuscany with an on-the-road trip along the wine roads that stretch from the Chianti region to the lands of Bolgheri, passing through San Gimignano? And it is possible to stop overnight at Hotel Calzaiuoli or Hotel Villa Fiesole, two 4* boutique hotels of the FH55 HOTELS group: the first with a privileged position in the centre of Florence, the second among the Tuscan hills overlooking the city. 

Barricata Holiday Village in Porto Tolle, Rovigo is reopening on 9 May for the summer season with many new features.

A paradise for adventure and nature lovers

The novelties include a wellness area, a Spray Park for the amusement of children, and the possibility of scientific excursions in search of dolphins.  The luxurious resort in the Veneto region about an hour and a half from Venice, is located in the Po Delta Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve, along a 400-kilometre area of beaches and unspoiled areas, and is the perfect place for adventure and nature lovers to relax, and have fun. The 5-star resort has equipped pitches for campers and caravans, Bellagio Boulevard mobile homes, and 188 new and very elegant tent lodges that will expand the glamping area. There are also brand new extra-large luxury dwellings such as the Saturno 3XL, which has three rooms: two doubles, one with three beds and two bathrooms.

A wellness area and bike and boat itineraries

New this year at the Barricata Holiday Village is the wellness service with two Jacuzzi tubs and an area reserved for holistic treatments and Thai massages. For the very young there is a large 400 sqm water park and the Spray Park with castles, waterfalls, water slides and toboggans. For wellness enthusiasts there is volleyball, tennis, five-a-side football and padel courts as well as archery, and you can swim in the blue flag waters of the Spiaggia delle Conchiglie and Spiaggia Barricata, and  also enjo horse riding. There are also numerous itineraries of varying difficulty on foot, by bike or by boat. 

The chance to spot dolphins off the coast

This year, thanks to a project in cooperation with the University of Foggia, it will be possible to participate in scientific research excursions to spot dolphins between six and twelve miles off Barricata. Until 17.05.2024 it will be possible to book accommodations from €120.
For information: www.villaggiobarricata.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.