The first edition of the Terre Tagliamento Festival will run from 19 to 24 September in eight municipalities in the province of Pordenone. 

A week-long festival in historical locations

The festival programme will consist of a week of events in places that are significant for local history and traditions, such as the former powder magazine of Casarsa della Delizia or the kiln of San Paolo di Morsano al Tagliamento. They will also include historical locations such as San Vito al Tagliamento, Sesto al Reghena, the Castle of Valvasone Arzene.  

Excursions on foot and by bicycle 

Visitors will furthermore discover the nature and landscapes of San Martino, Cordovado and historic hamlets. The formula includes excursions on foot and by bicycle aimed at discovering this territory and the many events programmes for the festival.

On 22 September 2023 take a guided night tour into the mysterious life of Padernello Castle, a 15th-century manor house in the Lower Brescia area.

A 16th-century manor house

A mysterious voice will lead visitors on a journey through time, amid ancient secrets and intriguing stories. The drawbridge over the moat will open to welcome curious guests. They will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 16th-century kitchen,  the elegant rooms of the noble chambers,  the fascinating library, and the 18th-century staircase of the manor house in Borgo San Giacomo. 

The story of a young girl who fell to her death

In the rooms they will find works of art by the painter Giacomo Ceruti, displayed in high resolution photographic reproductions.

And perhaps it will be possible to meet the restless soul of Biancamaria Martinengo, known as the Dama Bianca: the 13-year-old girl belonging to the family that lived in the Castle of Padernello for five centuries and one summer night, leaning over the walls of the manor to admire the luminous trails of fireflies, tragically fell to her death. According to legend every ten years the White Lady reappears on the castle's grand staircase dressed in white, carrying a golden book containing her secret. 

Nestled within a serene oasis, Tenuta de l'Annunziata is just 20 minutes from Lake Como.

A Relais with twenty rooms 

Located not far from Como and from its lake, Tenuta de l'Annunziata offers a harmonious blend of four distinct elements: the Relais (featuring twenty rooms), the Quercus Restaurant, the Wellness Farm, and the Bioenergetic Forest. This forest has forty trees whose bioenergy fosters an environment conducive to lowering overall stress levels and enhancing well-being.

A unique Bioenergetic Forest

The wellness services have been meticulously designed to provide guests with a holistic journey, offering a comprehensive choice of treatments and practices. These go from forest therapy in the Bioenergetic Forest, to the Spa and the beauty and wellness treatments available at the Wellness Farm. Additionally, a groundbreaking addition this year is the revolutionary Relooker Image consultancy service, an exclusive opportunity, on reservation only, for those seeking a genuine new look.

Plants with therapeutic benefits

As well as physical well-being Tenuta de l'Annunziata recognises the importance of nurturing the mind and the spirit and its sprawling 13-hectare Bioenergetic Forest -  the largest in Europe - invites visitors to enjoy forest therapy and forest bathing. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing involves leisurely walks through the woods, guided by nature's scents and hues and encountering forty designated plants, each offering its own therapeutic effects. 

The captivating display of autumn foliage in the Veneto region’s Belluno Dolomites offers a serene escape, and with culinary delights.

Autumn foliage in the Belluno Dolomites 

Beech trees, white and spruce firs, larches, and maples come together to weave a tapestry of colours across the autumn forest of the Belluno Dolomites. This palette of colours blends harmoniously, creating a mesmerising landscape of foliage. In the Tre Cime Dolomiti Tourist Consortium, in the evocative atmosphere the silence is occasionally punctuated by the haunting bellow of deer during their mating rituals and also by birdsong.

Misurina’s landscape and Malga Maraia’a culinary delights

The beech trees take on a distinctive bronze hue during autumn, their leaves ranging from fiery red to rich maroon. Embarking on a journey from Misurina to Malga Maraia allows you to marvel at these majestic trees on a trail that starts near Albergo Cristallo di Misurina and stretches 9 kilometres with an elevation difference of 400 meters. The rewarding ascent unveils the captivating panorama of the Marmarole and Cadini di Misurina, accompanied by the culinary delights of Malga Maraia.

Somadida Oriented Nature Reserve: a haven for wildlife

In the Somadida Nature Reserve in the Dolomites, meandering along flat, accessible paths, visitors will delight in the  tranquil habitat with lakes, vast meadows, and rugged peaks hosting an array of wildlife. Keen observers can catch sight of the graceful kestrel, soaring buzzards, and even the majestic golden eagle. 

Tre Cime Dolomites: unhurried, authentic tourism 

Nestled within the heart of the Belluno Dolomites, a holiday here is a genuine retreat, an embodiment of unhurried tourism set against untamed landscapes where nature takes centre stage. Unlike bustling resorts and crowded slopes, you find a realm of authenticity and serenity in the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Auronzo, and Misurina.

For information: www.auronzomisurina.it.

Promoting high-quality, sustainable tourism, Italian Railways FS has launched tourist trains as an integral part of the holiday experience. 

Newco FS Treni Turistici Italiani is part of the Italian railways group

“The creation of the newco FS Treni Turistici Italiani tourist trains highlights the role of the FS Group in tourism, which is one of the driving sectors for the country's economy,- said Luigi Ferraris CEO of  Italian railways Ferrovie dello Stato group. - Our intention is to contribute to the growth of quality, sustainable, and conscious tourism that promotes our lesser-known destinations. We want to make the train journey an essential part of the holiday experience and foster synergies with other tourist activities like guided tours of historical-archaeological sites, trekking adventures, and food tastings.”

There will be Luxury, Express and Historical, and Omnibus-Regional trains

The tourist train services offered by the new company will be divided into three categories: Luxury, Express and Historical Trains, and Omnibus-Regional. The prestigious Luxury Trains, starting with the Orient Express - La Dolce Vita, will make their debut from 2024. The Express and Historical Trains will feature carriages from the 1980s and 1990s, modernized exclusively for tourist use. FS’s tourist trains will also use historic trains for tours that combine train journeys with guided tours, walking routes, and tastings.

Timetables tailored to create memorable experiences

The Omnibus-Regional tourist trains service will ensure the circulation of regional trains on weekends at favourable fares. These lines will cross territories rich in history, through villages and areas of scenic and natural interest, and with fascinating food and wine traditions. The trip planning, stops, and timetables of all the tourist trains will be meticulously tailored to create a memorable experience for travellers.

At the La Collina dei Ciliegi with its eco retreat, Ca' del Moro Wine Retreat it’s time for grape harvesting. This unique haven, just a stone's throw from the heart of Verona, crafts a meticulously designed itinerary centred around the synergy of nature and wine.

Founded by Massimo Gianolli in 2010, La Collina dei Ciliegi sprawls across 56 hectares,  and adheres strictly to organic practices, with 31 hectares dedicated to vineyards. Garnering an impressive collection of over 300 national and international accolades from competitions and guides, the Collina dei Ciliegi winery proposes an opulent yet eco-conscious wine tourism package in the Ca' del Moro Wine Retreat, in a terroir that is ideally suited for crafting exceptional wines, like the famous Amarone.

Fine dining and heady wine tastings

September's agenda bursts with vitality, commencing with the Yoga Run Wine Retreat (September 15-17, starting from €100). This immersive event spans two rejuvenating days of running, yoga, and meditation, guided by Camilla Cassandro, an accomplished runner and adept yoga instructor. Guests can relish delectable meals at the Ca' del Moro restaurant, with the option of retreating to one of the six sumptuous suites. Delight in autumn wine tastings featuring selections directly from the barrels of the Ciliegio vintages of Amarone, as well as engaging in Verticals which are a heady exploration of Amarone and its Riserva variations across different vintages.

Wine masterclasses, e-bikes, horse riding and a Pump track 

Further enriching the experience are enlightening comparative masterclasses that juxtapose La Collina dei Ciliegi wines against the exquisite offerings of renowned Burgundy and Bordeaux estates in France. For those seeking more active pursuits horse riding and e-bike tours meander through the picturesque vineyards and undulating hills encircling Erbin. Additionally the newly introduced Pump Track promises exhilarating fun with dirt jump bikes, muscle mountain bikes, and e-bikes, featuring thrilling climbs, descents, and parabolic curves.

Naples Capodichino Airport posted record traffic in July and raced into summer with remarkable momentum and a series of record-breaking achievements. 

Internatinal passengers exceeded 1,004,000

Gesac, Naples Airport's management company, highlights the impressive figures for July of 1,427,000 passengers which is the highest traffic recorded in the history of its airport management. International passengers reached an all-time high in July, exceeding 1,004,000 while the cumulative traffic for the past 12 months (August 2022 to July 2023) surged past 12,000,000 passengers.

Seamless global travel departing from Naples

From January to July 2023, the airport handled over 7 million passengers, marking an impressive growth of 18.4% compared to the same period in 2022. The summer Naples Airport offered a remarkable network of 113 destinations accessible via direct flights and including 16 domestic and 97 international destinations. These include European cities and the burgeoning Middle Eastern market as well as flights to global hubs facilitating seamless onward travel.  

   

Avani, the millennials-oriented lifestyle brand of the Minor group, makes its debut in Milan and Italy.

The former railway station now has two restaurants a gym and a spa

The recently inaugurated Palazzo Moscova is a former Nh, located between the two lively neighbourhoods of Porta Nuova, famous for its futuristic skyscrapers, and Corso Como.  The hotel is a neoclassical building designed by Giulio Sarti, which once housed the city's first railway station. It has 65 rooms and suites. The F&B outlets include the smart The Pantry restaurant and the Forte fish restaurant which has a terrace. It also has the AvaniFit gym and the AmaTi spa, located in the basement of the former railway station and equipped with a sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi.

A Pantry Restaurant for both new properties

In Madrid, the recently renovated Avani Alonso Martínez, housed in a 1919 Art Nouveau building has a façade with wrought-iron balconies, 101 rooms and, like the Milan property, a The Pantry restaurant.

The Bwh Group posted a record development in the first half of 2023 with ten new contracts.

Ten new contracts plus two 

The new contracts are for the Best Western Hotel Principe di Lampedusa in Palermo, Hotel Martello in Lampedusa, Centrale BW Signature Collection Hotel in Tirano, Best Western Hotel Leonardo Da Vinci in Erba, Hotel Massafra in Massafra, Puglia, Hotel Fiera, Verona, Sabaudia Hotel & Spa and Hotel Shelley e delle Palme in Lerici. To add to this, there are two new properties in the pipeline in Siracusa and Reggio Calabria. 

Hotel Principe di Lampedusa in Palerm

The Massafra, Verona and Sabaudia hotels will undergo retryling

"The semester that has just ended is the result of perseverance and negotiation by our development team who are a benchmark for the hotel industry and a vehicle for better performance,- says CEO, Sara Digiesi. -Ten new contracts, seven in unprecedented destinations, for a total of over 450 rooms, represent an extremely positive result and are the clear response of entrepreneurs to the value of what we are able to offer.”

The hotels in Palermo, Lampedusa, Tirano and Erba can already be booked on Bwh systems. By next autumn, the hotels in Massafra, Verona and Sabaudia will become Bwh Hotels and undergo significant restyling.