Castello Il Palagio is a landmark location for experiential tourism, events and weddings featuring history, food and wine.

A private chapel and large garden 

The medieval 13th-century aristocratic residence located halfway between Florence and Siena, is in the land of Chianti Classico, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Originally a tower of the Florentine Republic, over time it became the country residence of important Florentine families. Today the property is equipped to host meetings, weddings and events of all kinds, thanks to the interior spaces of the historic residence, the private chapel and the large garden with panoramic views over the Tuscan hills as far as the Apennines and the Alps.

Taste of History tours on reservation

Alongside the events, Castello Il Palagio offers historical-gastronomic tours dedicated to guests seeking authentic experiences. On reservation the “Taste of History’” tours combine a visit to the property with itinerant tastings of local delicacies from small local producers. The aim is to enhance the agricultural traditions of the Chianti region and encourage a popular approach to the history and culture of the area. Integrating history, local identity and typical products through places, flavours and memory,  reinforces Chianti's attractiveness as a destination with a high cultural and enogastronomic value.

Siena’s Piazza del Campo is famous for the Palio horserace

Alongside better-known Florence, Siena has been described by UNESCO as “a masterpiece of dedication and inventiveness in which buildings were designed to fit the entire urban structure.” In 1995, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List for having preserved important features of its medieval structure: a historic centre delimited by ancient ramparts built between the 14th and 16th centuries and a main square, Piazza del Campo admired for its monuments and as the venue for the annual Palio horseraces.

Skiing away from mass tourism: what new this season in the Val Senales.

42 kilometres of slopes and 11 ski lifts 

A destination for downhill skiers and ski mountaineers of all levels, the Val Senales Valley has several new features this year. The Alpine Arena Senales ski area stretches between 2,011 and 3,212 metres asl, offering 42 kilometres of slopes and 11 ski lifts. The area is ideal for those who want to ski in freedom away from mass tourism, also in light of the upcoming Olympics.

A new trail for ski mountaineers

Ski mountaineering enthusiasts can look forward to a new trail some 7 kilometres long with a difference in altitude of about 1,200 metres, which will be open from the end of December to April, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The route starts at the Roter Kofel chairlift in Maso Corto (2,011 metres). The uphill route, which is marked in green, follows the track of the downhill slope and runs along a route that passes several lifts and mountain huts. It is also possible to vary the length of the route by taking a break at the Teufelsegg hut (400 metres altitude difference), or at the Bella Vista hut (800 metres altitude difference), at the Ötzi bivouac or the Glacier Hotel Grawand.

A special discount for super-seniors

Outdoor activities include snowshoe hikes, winter hikes - including a visit to the ice grotto with a mountain guide - and a visit to the Merano Christmas Market, thanks to the free shuttle service provided by the Val Senales Tourist Cooperative.  A further novelty is dedicated to super-seniors: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the month of January anyone born before 1965 will be able to benefit from the day pass for only €29. 

The tour operator Ancient&Recent presents the majesty of Ancient Rome using a state-of- the-art VT visor.  

State-of-the-art VR visors to visit Ancient Rome

Italy’s heritage seen through Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, is a way to highlight cultural and tourist sites from an innovative point of view, with the help of technology. Using a state-of-the-art VR visor, Ancient&Recent restores some of Rome's major attractions to their former glory, transporting the visitor back in time. In an instant, reality and technology intersect, taking the tourist into another dimension, making it possible to partake in the quadrigas race at the Circus Maximus, while in the Colosseum it is possible to watch gladiator fights up close, while mingling with passers-by in the Imperial Forum.

Visiting the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum

This original experience allows visitors to appreciate world-famous archaeological sites in an exclusive and original way. With Ancient&Recent the complete tour of Ancient Rome takes in Circus Maximus, the Colosseum and the Imperial Fora and lasts about an hour and a half. Alternatively, visitors can choose a particular site with an augmented reality tour lasting about half an hour. 

Virtual and real guides

Visitors who choose to experience the splendour of Ancient Rome firsthand will be accompanied along the interactive tour by staff in the flesh as well as by a virtual guide, with a real Roman citizen guiding them through the various steps to be taken and explored. The experience is for groups and is outdoors, a cultural, educational and entertaining product suitable for all age groups, especially families with children, but not only.

Set in the Euganean Hills Park, and since 2024 a UNESO Biosphere Reserve, Arquà Petrarca is a medieval village.

Home to the poet Petrarca whose house is now a museum

With its mediaeval allure intact, this Veneto town with cobbled streets and historic palazzi is famous for having welcomed the famous 14th-century poet Francesco Petrarca in his last years of life. The Casa del Petrarca, now a museum, bears witness to the poet's stay in the village from 1370 until 1374, the year of his death. The house has period furnishings, documents and 16th-century frescoes recounting episodes from the poet's life, but the village is rich in many other historical and cultural points of interest. One such is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to 1026 which houses precious works of art, including a high altar. The monumental tomb of the poet Francesco Petrarca is located outside the church.

“Arquà was recently recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages”

Equally important are the 14th-century frescoes in the Oratory of the Holy Trinity and the collection of historical pianos housed in the Museum of Antique Pianos at Villa Centanin. Visits to the museum, including guided tours, are open to groups by appointment. Pianos are also the protagonists of concerts organized by the Foundation.  “Arquà was recently recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages for the 2025 edition of the UN Tourism Initiative,” says Andrea Schivo the mayor of Arquà Petrarca. This title ais given to destinations that protect their socio-cultural and enogastronomic identity, transforming it into a lever for development,  and focusing on innovation and sustainability. “Petrarca has 1,790 inhabitants and about 15 restaurants. This shows our strong commitment to promoting the area's typical food and wine products, which are of superior quality.” La Montanella restaurant is pointed out as being the best choice to discover the authentic flavours of Euganean cuisine.

Cycle and pedestrian routes and local wineries 

The area offers a network of cycle-pedestrian routes connecting the village to the Euganean Hills and neighbouring towns such as Galzignano Terme; these are ideal slow tourism ways to discover the landscape, local products and wineries and are flanked by food and wine events and festivals that enhance the area's food and wine specialties and attract visitors throughout the year.

Inaugurata a Manarola la 64ª edizione del suo Presepe Luminoso. L’opera di luce emblema dell’inverno delle Cinque Terre torna a valorizzare il versante terrazzato del borgo e i suoi vigneti con oltre 250 figure costruite con materiali di recupero. Il presepe è visitabile fino al 18 gennaio 2026 ed è possibile ammirarlo da diversi punti di osservazione segnalati: dalla piazza centrale di Manarola, da via Rollandi o anche dal sentiero via Beccara che porta da Manarola a Riomaggiore con suggestiva vista di Manarola e tutta la costa.

Quest’anno, dopo tredici anni, sarà possibile raggiungere Manarola da Riomaggiore grazie alla riapertura della Via dell’Amore, per l’occasione accessibile gratuitamente in entrambi i sensi. 

«Il Presepe Luminoso di Manarola è un’eredità visionaria e un patrimonio collettivo delle Cinque Terre, una delle sue attrazioni turistiche più convincenti, simbolo di creatività e memoria – afferma Fabrizia Pecunia, sindaca di Riomaggiore - L’Amministrazione comunale ribadisce il proprio impegno a garantirne la conservazione».

ph credits: E. Podesta

Per la destinazione, il presepe rimane un esempio di valorizzazione territoriale capace di unire creatività, memoria e tutela del paesaggio.

L’opera affonda le sue radici nel 1961, quando Mario Andreoli illuminò per la prima volta le Tre Croci per esaudire un desiderio del padre. Da quel gesto nacque una composizione che, ampliata anno dopo anno, ha superato le 250 figure, trasformando il profilo notturno di Manarola in un’icona riconosciuta a livello internazionale.

Manarola è uno dei borghi storici delle Cinque Terre, nel territorio del Comune di Riomaggiore, affacciato sulla Riviera ligure di Levante. Arroccata su un promontorio roccioso a picco sul mare e circondata da terrazzamenti vitati, rappresenta uno dei punti più iconici dell’area patrimonio UNESCO. 

Oltre al Presepe Luminoso, Manarola offre diversi elementi di interesse: percorsi escursionistici che collegano il borgo alle altre località del Parco, le terrazze vitate, la chiesa di San Lorenzo e il piccolo porticciolo panoramico. La Via dell’Amore è il sentiero più famoso e romantico delle Cinque Terre che unisce i due borghi di Manarola e Riomaggiore in appena 900 metri di percorso. Il sentiero è normalmente percorribile a senso unico da Riomaggiore verso Manarola ed è accessibile tramite prenotazione e pagamento d'ingresso. 

GoOpti is a strategic, efficient and convenient road transport partner, with 30 owned vans, additional carriers, and an ever-expanding network. 

Airport-city connections in five regions 

GoOpti is a strategic partner for those looking for value-for-money road transport solutions. “Our core business is offering shared services to airports in northern Italy at low-cost prices,- explains Massimo Zuccati, head of GoOpti's network in Italy. -We are the only company in Italy to offer such competitive quotes, with an algorithm that determines the cost per route by virtue of booking times.” GoOpti offers connections from all the major cities in the Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions to the airports of Venice, Treviso, Verona, Bergamo, Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa. In addition to shared transfers, VIP transfers guarantee a private service, reserving all vehicle availability for the customer.

Addressing both the end customer and businesses

The platform, which is active in several European countries, addresses the end customer directly and also collaborates with various companies such as ITA and Alpitour, as well as with various portals such as Omio. “We work with almost all the travel agencies in northern Italy,- continues Zuccati, and we guarantee a commission on sales, which in the case of travel agencies is 3%.”

Vans make for quicker and smoother service” 

With a large availability of vans and a ratio of 1.5 drivers per vehicle, GoOpti is also able to cover the demand for services for tourist itineraries throughout Italy and Europe, with departure and completion of the tour from the nearest Italian locations. "With our nine-seater vans we offer small groups itineraries that are usually carried out by coach, with the advantage of being able to meet the demand of smaller groups and eliminate the typical disadvantages of larger vehicles. The vans make for a quicker and smoother service, even on narrower roads, reducing additional costs and making route management much more flexible.” For information: https://www.goopti.com/it/

The Sense Experience Resort, a 5-star in the Maremma in Tuscany, has obtained GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification.

“Luxury and respect for the environment in perfect harmony”

Between the Maremma’s sea and pine forest, a stay in the resort is an authentic luxury experience, with respect for the environment and the local community. “The GSTC certification is an important recognition for us, but also a starting point for continuing to innovate in the name of sustainability. We believe in a hospitality model in which luxury and respect for the environment coexist in perfect harmony," says general manager Francesco Ficcanterri. 

Putting sustainability to the fore

The resort’s energy comes partly from renewable sources, while lighting and air conditioning are low consumption and intelligently controlled. Water is managed with an osmosis system to produce drinking water from brackish water while rainwater is recovered for irrigation, and the facility is plastic free, using compostable materials and separating waste. 

The menu features local organic products 

The Eaté restaurant offers seasonal menus with local and organic products from the Maremma region. The resort is in a protected natural area and supports projects to reforest the coastal pine forest and protect the local fauna and flora.  For information: www.thesenseresort.it

The Marche’s 60th International White Truffle Fair returns to Acqualagna in November.

Cooking shows by star chefs in the main square  

On the weekends of 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 November, Acqualagna, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, invites visitors to immerse themselves in a centuries-old tradition of the white truffle. There will be a large market exhibition in the main square with cooking shows by star chefs, exhibitions, challenges between VIPs, tastings and creative workshops for adults and children.

No two truffles are the same

Different types of truffle are tasted and in Acqualagna with numerous dedicated events in Acqualagna throughout the year. The Tuber Magnatum Pico is the most famous of truffles and the most expensive on the market. Round in shape and with cavities and protrusions, the outside is smooth with a whitish-yellow colour. The inner colour, on the other hand, varies according to the degree of ripeness and the plant with which it has lived in symbiosis and can range from white to brown to pinkish. Strong-smelling and very aromatic, this truffle is very digestible and is usually eaten raw finely sliced over various dishes.

Caravan and camper facilities in the hills

The Acqualagna area is a base for food and wine itineraries and with its nature trails is ideal for walking, cycling and even horseback riding, both in winter and summer. Forty kilometres away, the Azienda Agricola Bartolacci, recommended by Pitchup.com, offers modern accommodation in caravans or spaces for one's own camper van in the hills and vineyards of the Marche region. 

Urbino: a centre of the Italian Renaissance

The nearby city of Urbino is halfway between the Marche hills where Acqualagna is located and the sea. It is one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998. The Ducal Palace of Urbino houses the Marche National Gallery and, a short distance away, Urbino Cathedral has the oratory of the Grotto with four 16th and 17th-century chapels. Raphael's birthplace houses a museum with works by the artist while, a short distance away, stands the Albornoz Fortress built in the fourteenth century as a defensive structure.

Italy's best experiential hotels were revealed at the Experiential Hospitality Awards 2025. 

Some 778 5-star hotels were in the running 

The winners of the Experiential Hospitality Awards 2025 have been announced by Turneo.The voting was based on the Turneo Experience Index, based on five criteria that measure how effectively hotels integrate, personalize and promote experiences. Some 778 five-star properties in Italy were in the running, among them, 30 hotels that stood out for excellence which were rewarded for redefining the standards of experiential hospitality.

Meaningful experiences top the bill

"Italy's potential for experiential tourism is extraordinary - from the vineyards of Piedmont and the timeless hills of Tuscany, to the Alpine culture of the Dolomites and the coastal heritage of the South. With such diversity, Italy is unique and can lead Europe into the new era of experiential hospitality. Today we celebrate the hotels that know how to translate this heritage into authentic and meaningful experiences," said Alessandro D'Andrea, sales director Italy, Turneo.

Italy’s ten best experiential hotels

The 10 best experiential hotels in Italy in 2025 are 1.Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel; 2. Altafiumara Resort & Spa; 3. Le Marne Relais, Piedmont; 4 Grand Hotel da Vinci, Emilia-Romagna; 5. Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort, South Tyrol; 6. Oasyhotel, Tuscany; 7. Grand Hotel Imperiale, Tuscany; 8. Dolce Vita Hotel Preidlhof, Alto Adige; 9. Vista Ostuni, Puglia, and 10. Terme di Saturnia Natural SPA & Golf Resort, Tuscany.

“Transforming their heritage into experiences”

"Italian hospitality has always been admired for its elegance, warmth and deep connection with the territory. What distinguishes these award-winning hotels is their ability to transform that heritage into experiences that connect guests with the authentic soul of the country. They represent the very essence of Italian hospitality - timeless environments enlivened by unforgettable moments," says Fran Kauzlaric, Turneo’s chief commercial officer.

The RevPAR rises for hotels with a focus on experiences

In Turneo's latest research, which analyzed 122 hotel groups worldwide, representing 12.2 million rooms and €131 billion in annual revenue, it was found that hotels with a focus on experiences register on average 262% higher RevPAR than those with a low level of experiential integration. The research also showed that increasing the share of guests booking experiences by 30% can generate up to 55% RevPAR growth.