In the heart of Perugia, in the historic rooms of Palazzo Baldeschi, the exhibition "St Francis. Our Contemporary between Art and Spirituality” will run from 18 April to 1 November.

In collaboration with the National Gallery of Umbria

Promoted by the Fondazione Perugia and curated by Costantino D’Orazio, the project celebrates the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi with a fresh and deeply contemporary perspective. Inviting the public to explore the figure of the Saint not only as a historical and religious icon, but as a universal symbol capable of engaging with contemporary sensibilities, the itinerary stems from a collaboration with the National Gallery of Umbria.

Different artistic languages and generations of artists

What makes this exhibition particularly fascinating is its ability to intertwine contemporary art and spirituality, bringing together different artistic languages and generations of artists. The works of leading figures from the 20th century and the early 2000s offer profound and sometimes surprising interpretations of Franciscan values: a harmonious relationship with nature, poverty as an ethical choice, care for the least among us, and the quest for authenticity.

Michelangelo Pistoletto Venere degli stracci ph credits: Archivio Pistoletto Biella

Also works by Chagall, Picasso and Gauguin

Among the artists featured, names such as Alberto Burri stand out, with his humble yet highly symbolic materials; Michelangelo Pistoletto, creator of the famous ‘Venus of the Rags’; and Marina Abramović, who explores the spiritual dimension through the body and presence. Alongside them, figures such as Giuseppe Penone, Maurizio Cattelan and Omar Galliani help to weave a collective narrative, rich in evocative imagery. The exhibition is further enriched by historical works and prestigious loans from institutions such as the MAXXI and the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna, as well as the Custody of the Sacred Convent of Assisi. Particularly significant is the presence of artists such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin, whose graphic works further expand the dialogue between eras and visions.
For information: www.fondazioneperugia.it

In the heart of north-eastern Piedmont, nature, agricultural tradition and gastronomic culture come together for an authentic Italian agri-food excellence: Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese PDO rice. 

A unique type of rice with a PDO recognition

This is the only Italian rice to boast the European Protected Designation of Origin, a recognition not only for the quality of the product, but for its deep connection with the region. The rice is grown in Baraggia, between the provinces of Biella and Vercelli where the soils, pure water from the Alps and day-night temperature variations combine to create a unique natural balance. This gives the grains a particular consistency, excellent cooking properties and an extraordinary ability to absorb flavours.

Rice fields that change colour with the season

The landscape is dominated by rice fields, which transform the area into a natural spectacle throughout the different seasons: mirrors of water in spring, green expanses in summer and golden fields during the harvest. An environment that tells the story of centuries of agricultural history and which today continues to be preserved by companies and producers committed to promoting a controlled and certified supply chain.

ph credits: Donatello Lorenzo

An annual event to promote the DOP rice

To showcase this excellence and bring the public closer to its history, “Riso d'Autore” (Designer Rice) was created, an event promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese DOP Rice. The initiative aims to help consumers navigate the numerous varieties on the market and understand the value of certification that protects not only the product but also the territory that produces it.

ph credits: Donatello Lorenzo

An invitation to rediscover authentic Italy

This rice demonstrates that territorial identity, sustainability and certified quality represent the true path for the future of Italian agri-food. For any visitor the journey through rice fields, traditions and flavours is an invitation to rediscover the authentic value of what Italy brings to the table. The accommodation facilities available in the area will more than satisfy even the most demanding traveller, who will also delight in the choice of restaurants serving local specialties…and of course the wonderful local rice dishes. For information: www.risobaraggia.it

With the acquisition of the former Dolmen Sport Resort in Minervino di Lecce, the Color Holiday group led by Gianluca Scialfa is opening its first property in Puglia.

Color Holiday has ten hotels and holiday villages

The new Color Dolmen Family Village will open in spring, bringing a hospitality formula tailored to families to southern Italy. Color Holiday currently operates around ten hotels and holiday villages in Cesenatico, Milano Marittima, Lido di Savio, Lido di Classe, Bellaria Igea Marina and Riccione, totaling approximately 850 rooms and over 250,000 seasonal guests. The move into Puglia marks the start of a new phase of expansion, broadening the geographical reach and strengthening the group’s positioning in the family segment.



"Tailor-made holidays for families"

The Minervino di Lecce resort stands out for its size and potential: 190 units, swimming pools, sports facilities, play areas, a bar and a large restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. A true holiday village, designed to offer spacious and functional environments, where nature and comfort coexist in harmony. "For years we have been creating tailor-made holidays for families, and so far we have invested mainly in Romagna. In Salento we found extraordinary natural beauty, a genuine welcome, living traditions and historical roots that truly impressed us," says Luca Scialfa, founder of Color Holiday.



The classic all-inclusive concept with a Romagna twist

The Premium All-Inclusive formula, is an evolution of the classic all-inclusive concept with a Romagna twist. From breakfast until late in the evening, the experience is designed to guarantee a carefree holiday with continuous dining, tasty treats, entertainment, sports activities and entertainment for all ages. The resort is set in a region rich in charm: within easy reach from Lecce’s Baroque architecture to the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, to olive groves and dry-stone walls.

Activities tailored to different age groups

A typical day at the Color Dolmen Family Village promises variety and a carefree atmosphere. You can start with a dip in the pool, followed by sports tournaments or water games for the little ones, whilst the entertainment team organizes activities tailored to different age groups. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy relaxing on sun loungers or in shaded areas, or take part in activities designed specifically for adults, and in the evening there are shows, music and entertainment. For information: www.colordolmenvillage.it

Palazzo di Varignana is an example of how, by blending gender equality and corporate culture, contemporary hospitality can combine the beauty of the territory, well-being and social responsibility.

A certification for gender equality

The Emilian resort recently obtained the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification for Gender Equality, from the Bureau Veritas, consolidating a corporate path that focuses on inclusion, equity and the enhancement of human capital.



An 18th -century rural castle

Located a few kilometres from Bologna, Palazzo di Varignana dominates the village from which it takes its name. The heart of the resort is Palazzo Bentivoglio, an elegant castle dating back to 1705, restored in 2013 and now surrounded by a refined contemporary stone village. With ornamental gardens, nature trails and areas dedicated to wellness the balance between nature and architecture is complemented by a corporate vision that embraces sustainability in the broadest sense - environmental, economic and social.

A spa and five restaurants

For those who choose Palazzo Varignano, the experience goes beyond a simple stay, thanks to its 4,000 sqm Varsana SPA, outdoor trails, Health & Wellness Retreats and five restaurants showcasing the gastronomic traditions of the Emilia region. At Palazzo di Varignana personal well-being goes hand in hand with social responsibility, and it is an example of how tourism can become not only a travel experience but also a laboratory for organizational culture and social progress. For information: www.palazzodivarignana.com

The Easter Pasquali are handcrafted wooden floats carried in procession through Bormio in the Alta Tellina.

The floats have religious themes

Bormio’s Easter is not merely a religious festival, but a collective ritual that has been celebrated for over four centuries. The protagonists of this tradition are the Pasquali, ancient wooden floats with religious themes that each year transform the town’s historic centre into a scene of celebration, colour and shared memory.

Bormio has five historic districts

During the winter months, the five historic districts of Bormio - Buglio, Combo, Dossiglio, Dossorovina and Maggiore - creating their floats with groups of young people designing and building the Pasquali, paying attention to every detail from the symbolic concept to the wooden structure, right down to the decorative elements. The work is carried out in the strictest secrecy, as the floats are revealed to the townspeople and visitors only on Easter morning.

Children, horses, donkeys and lambs also participate

Participants proudly wear traditional costumes, carefully prepared in the preceding weeks, and the horses, donkeys and lambs accompanying the procession are festively adorned, helping to create an authentic and evocative atmosphere. Alongside the more elaborate works are the Pasquali made by children, who carry them with pride, proof that this tradition continues to thrive as it is passed down through the generations.

Prizes for the best creations

When the procession reaches the Piazza del Kuerc square a jury assesses the floats, awarding prizes for religious significance, artistic quality and fidelity to tradition. They then remain on display in the square until Easter Monday, allowing visitors and tourists a precious opportunity to discover the most authentic heart of Bormio and this moving Easter tradition.

For information: www.vitesseonline.it

Anda Venice Hostel has been awarded the Best Hostel in Venice and Best New Extra Large Hostel in Europe.

One of the absolute best

The Anda Venice Hostel in Venice, the latest generation hostel by the Pagnan Group, confirms its position as European leader in youth tourism. The awards presented by Hostelworld – Best Hostel in Italy, Best Extra Large Hostel in Europe, Most Popular Hostel in Venice and a place among the top four best hostels in Europe – confirm the Venetian establishment as one of the absolute best in international hospitality.

Some 7 million bookings analyzed

Hostelworld, the world's leading hostel booking portal and a benchmark in social travel, rewards the best establishments every year based on verified traveller reviews. In 2026, a total of 7 million bookings were analyzed to determine the winners. The ratings are based on key criteria such as overall experience, value for money, safety, location, atmosphere, staff, cleanliness and services. In the case of Anda Venice Hostel, these indicators recorded excellent scores, confirming the quality of an innovative, people-centred accommodation model.

The hotel hosts 170,000 guests annually

Opened in 2018, the hostel had already won the Best New Extra Large Hostel award in 2019. Since then, steady growth and a string of awards have strengthened its international reputation. Today the Anda Venice Hostel welcomes 170,000 young people from all over the world every year, and is one of the flagships of the Pagnan Group, a historic Venetian family company founded in 1929 by Cavaliere del Lavoro Romano Pagnan.

A Venetian family business

“A Venetian family business is a European leader in the youth tourism sector thanks to one of its properties in Venice,- says Silvia Pagnan, Chief Tourism Officer of the Pagnan Group. -This shows how entrepreneurial skills, vision, investment, local resources and team spirit can bring extraordinary results. Once again, Italy, or rather Veneto, is a leader in tourism, with Anda Venice Hostel planting yet another flag."

From double to 9-bed rooms

Accommodation is flexible and caters to different needs: double rooms for those seeking privacy, mixed or female dormitories with 6 to 9 beds, all equipped with private bathrooms to ensure comfort and functionality. An offering that combines affordability and quality, in line with the expectations of the new generation of travellers.

A strategic location near Mestre station

The location is also strategic: the Anda Venice Hostel is located a few steps from Mestre station, a key point for public transport links and for reaching the historic centre of Venice in just a few minutes. The hostel's success is part of the broader vision of the Pagnan Group, which operates through three divisions – tourism, agriculture and real estate – maintaining values of sustainability, respect for the territory and attention to the community at its core. Alongside the Anda Venice Hostel, the group manages the Isaholidays open-air villages, the Hotel Plaza Venice and important agricultural and real estate businesses in Italy and Argentina.

For information: www.andavenice.com Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An open-air workshop dedicated to traditional handicrafts

When winter embraces Aosta in its most authentic embrace, the historic centre once again lights up with voices, scents and lights. It happens every year at the end of January, when the city welcomes the Fair of Sant’Orso on 30 and 31 January, the most eagerly awaited and characteristic event in the Aosta Valley. Fornover a thousand years Aosta has transformed into a large open-air workshop dedicated to traditional handicrafts.

Choirs, folk groups, open cellars and convivial moments

The fair takes place in the heart of the city, along the pedestrian streets of the historic centre, where more than a thousand craftsmen from all over the region exhibit their works, an event that goes far beyond being a simple exhibition. In the night between 30 and 31 January, the veillà, the collective vigil that animates the streets until dawn, comes to life with choirs, folk groups, open cellars and convivial moments on a night when residents and visitors share music, stories, aromas and flavours.


Craftsmen work with wood, iron, copper, leather and fabrics

The roots of the Sant’Orso Fair lie in the figure of the saint after whom it is named. Orso of Aosta, a hermit who lived between the 4th and 5th centuries, is traditionally associated with charity and manual labour. Legend has him intent, on the coldest days of the year, on making wooden sabot clogs to give to the poor. The stars of the fair are the craftsmen. Each one has a different story with some who began as children carving wood for fun, those who learned the craft from their family, those who discovered it later as a passion that became a profession. Wood dominates the scene, but it is not the only material: stone, wrought iron, copper, leather, fabrics and natural fibres give shape to unique objects, the result of creativity and skill handed down from generation to generation.

A food and wine pavilion focuses on local flavours

From 29 January to 1 February, the town also hosts the Atelier des Métiers with the food and wine  pavilion rounding off the experience with artisan excellence and local flavours. The Sant’Orso Fair is not only an event, but a collective ritual that every winter renews the identity and memory of the Aosta Valley.

For information https://www.lasaintours.it/

During the festive season Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, turns into an enchanted stage, whereart, history and tradition intertwine with music, creativity and fun. Florence at its festive best. The lights that illuminate the Renaissance palaces, the decorations that adorn the streets of the centre and the crisp winter air give the city a timeless charm. It is in this evocative scenario that Florence offers a series of not-to-be-missed events for adults and children alike.

Stalls selling home decor and much more

One event celebrating creativity is the The Creative Factory in Piazza dei Ciompi which features local craftsmanship and contemporary design, with a selection of original creations: home decor, jewellery, and sustainable gifts that make ideal gifts. Alongside the market, Inside Factory - Christmas Edition highlights emerging designers and limited-edition products, while creative workshops allow visitors to get involved and experiment first-hand.

Concerts from jazz to gospel

On the outskirts of the city in Sesto Fiorentino, local bands enliven the centre with touring concerts, and in Montepulciano workshops and creative activities offer moments of joy and wonder to be shared. The festive itinerary ends with the Florentine New Year's Eve, which this year features five squares, each dedicated to a different musical genre. From gospel to jazz, from orchestral music to more contemporary sounds, Florence will greet the New Year with concerts and live performances.

FH55 Hotels for festive stays

Making your stay even more special are the FH55 Hotels. The FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli, in the heart of the city, and the FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole, overlooking the Florentine hills, offer exclusive hospitality with packages dedicated to the festivities. The packages include a stay with breakfast and exclusive services, ideal for experiencing the city in freedom during the festive period.

Hotel Calzaiuoli