Florence is among the top choices for romantic walks and weddings in the capital of the Tuscany region.  

The city is popular for weddings and honeymoons 

The Tuscan capital attracts foreign visitors, many of whom plan weddings and honeymoons there. The Ponte Vecchio reveals its true beauty at dusk when the lights reflect on the water, creating an ideal setting for romantic walks and the exchanging and sealing vows of love. The bridge is also home to numerous goldsmith shops, carrying on the old tradition of Florentine craftsmanship.

Breath-taking panoramas and romantic walks

To discover the most enchanting views in Florence, which is Tuscany’s capital city, horse-drawn carriages, once used for public transportation, now take visitors to many of the city’s most stunning panoramic vistas. Piazzale Michelangelo and the nearby Church of San Miniato al Monte remain popular for romantic walks in Florence, while the Boboli Gardens are perfect for a hand-in-hand stroll, allowing couples to enjoy the breath-taking panoramas that unfold before their eyes.

The Brunelleschi is a luxury boutique hotel

Two other architectural marvels that offer breath-taking views are the terrace of the Museo degli Innocenti and the Biblioteca delle Oblate. The exhibition space of the latter has a café with a window that directly overlooks Brunelleschi's dome. The Brunelleschi Hotel, named after the renowned Renaissance architect and sculptor, is an exclusive luxury boutique hotel and ideal for couples. It captivates guests with the artistic treasures housed within its walls. Nestled in a welcoming square in Florence's historic centre, just a short walk from the cathedral, Palazzo della Signoria, and the Uffizi Gallery, the Brunelleschi Hotel is surrounded by the city’s most famous shopping streets and museums.

Michelin dining and personalized cocktails  

The Santa Elisabetta is the hotel's gourmet restaurant, and one of the most esteemed gastronomic destinations in Florence, holding a prestigious two-star rating from the Michelin Guide. Chef Rocco De Santis is the mastermind behind the hotel's cuisine. For a more casual dining experience, the Osteria Pagliazza on the ground floor offers a delectable menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. Adjacent to the Osteria is the Tower Bar, where guests can relax with original and personalized cocktails, which can also be enjoyed in the gourmet restaurant.

The Grand Hotel San Gemini is the new Umbrian new entry for Una Esperienze.

The hotel is in a handsome 18th-century stately home

Following the news of a new hotel in Cagliari, now comes another new entry with an affiliation contract, as the Grand Hotel San Gemini Una Esperienze is added to the company's upper-upscale collection. Overlooking the Piazza del Duomo, the property is housed within the walls of the Palazzo dei Principi di Santacroce, a handsome 18th-century stately home.

A spa, fitness centre and picture gallery

Renovated in 2021, the 4-star Grand Hotel San Gemini has 30 rooms, as well as a centuries-old park with a swimming pool. In addition, there is the Canova Fitness, with personalized training programmes, and the Canova Private Spa, with a Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. There is also a small picture gallery in the Count Ottelio Room with works by Umbrian and other artists from 1500 to the present day. The property is owned by the Tacconi-Ottelio Group, led by Antonio Tacconi.

“We make continuous investments in our franchising project”

"We are enthusiastic to welcome the Grand Hotel San Gemini Una Esperienze ,- says Fabrizio Gaggio, general manager Una Group. -This property reconfirms the value of our franchising project in which we strongly believe and which we support with continuous investments."

The UNA Group has expanded its franchising with the UNAHOTELS T Hotel Cagliari, a 4-star hotel with restaurants, bars, a large conference center and a spa. 

Fine 4-star accommodation

“We are delighted to welcome the UNAHOTELS T Hotel Cagliari, which proudly carrys the UNA Group brand. This expands our range of 4-star hotels,” says Fabrizio Gaggio, General Manager of Gruppo UNA. The hotel, consisting of 207 rooms and situated in the heart of Cagliari, is composed of four interconnected blocks, and includes an iconic 15-story tower.  “The addition of this new property brings the number of our affiliated hotels to 18. So, alongside directly managed properties, we now have 52 hotels, making us a leader in Italy,” says Giorgio Marchegiani, CEO of Gruppo UNA.

Conference facilities and a tower for parties

The TConference facility features four conference rooms and four meeting rooms with natural light and equipped with top-of-the-line technology. The TBar is for breakfasts and cocktails, the TBistrot an inviting setting for informal lunches and aperitifs with views of the TGarden, and in the TRestaurant the culinary choices celebrate the delicacies of Sardinian cuisine. From the Tower, which is a venue for private parties and small events, there are breathtaking 180° views of the city. Wellness is another standout feature of the hotel with the TSpa.

The Le Méridien Visconti Rome, in the enchanting Prati district just a few steps from St. Peter's Basilica, presents the Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop. 

The perfect choice for cocktail hour

Located on the 7th and top floor of Le Méridien Visconti Rome, and open all year round, the Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop pays homage to today's Dolce Vita. Nestled under the Roman sky, guests experience unique evenings sipping creative and original cocktails and savouring tasty small dishes. And thanks to the panoramic windows the terrace adapts to any kind of weather. 

Soft music and Executive Chef Giuseppe Gaglione's Mediterranean bites

Paparazzo pays homage to the golden Dolce Vita 1960s, a modern and relaxing cocktail bar, with one eye on the past and one on the present. Elegant but at the same time informal and the perfect choice for an aperitif accompanied by tasty gastronomic bites it is open every day from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The dishes are faithful to Italy’s gastronomic traditions, and the coloured lights, soft music and elegant design provide the backdrop for Executive Chef Giuseppe Gaglione's typical Mediterranean creations made with seasonal ingredients. 

A contemporary-style boutique hotel, the newly opened Nh Milano Buenos Aires has 100 elegant and modern rooms. The wow feature is the Mash-up Cocktail Bar, designed to be a focal point not only for hotel guests but also for locals. The hotel also features a terrace and a panoramic gym.

“Important for both business and leisure travel”

“We are thrilled to include NH Milano Corso Buenos Aires in our portfolio of Milanese properties, as this city holds strategic importance for both business and leisure travel,” explains Marco Gilardi, NH Operations Director for Italy and the USA. “It allows us to cater to a young, cosmopolitan clientele that is constantly seeking new experiences. In three words: pop, young, and dynamic.”

Socializing from cocktail time to after-dinner drinks

To highlight the hotel's focus on engaging with the community, the NH group commissioned a study on how Italians socialize over drinks, aperitifs, or cocktails after dinner. It revealed that over 75% go out for drinks at least once a month, with 45% doing so at least once a week. Sone 11.5% expressed a preference for hotel bars which they perceive as sophisticated and with a good selection of cocktails and wines, and high-quality service. A significant 47% identified the aperitif as the ideal occasion, while 26% indicated dinner time, and 27% preferred after-dinner drinks.

Masseria Soluco in Puglia is the latest new entry into the Talea Collection Group. 

Four suites and a saltwater swimming pool

Located in the Monopoli countryside, the farm has six rooms, including four suites, and a saltwater swimming pool. Masseria Soluco is an ancient building complex which, after a long period of abandonment, was the subject of a meticulous recovery and conservation restoration project.

“Our hotels stand out for their beauty”

“We are proud of this addition to our portfolio,- says Andrea Sabato, general manager of the  Talea Collection. – This new opening confirms our dedication to enhancing the Apulian region and our commitment to further expansion towards international markets. The farm caters for guests who want authenticity, beauty, and contact with nature, and it fits perfectly into our development plans. Our mission is to generats a lasting social and environmental impact for the local area and its inhabitants with hotels that stand out for their beauty and as centres of creativity and innovation.” 

Hotels, a beach club and a DMC 

The Talea Collection portfolio also includes Il Melograno with the Mùmmulo Restaurant, the boutique hotel La Peschiera with the SaleBlu Restaurant, the Tamerici Beach Club in Monopoli, the Cala Ponte Hotel in Polignano, the Talea Trulli & Dimore properties and the DMC Talea Collection.

Salento is a historical, geographical and cultural region in southeastern Italy. One of the most popular beach destinations for international tourism, because of the crystal-clear waters of its beaches, the historical and cultural heritage of cities such as Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni, Gallipoli, and Brindisi, the culinary tradition, the entertainment, sports and outdoor activities. The ideal destination for both families, couples and groups of friends on vacation.
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Sardinian travel company 181travel’s experiential offer is growing through financing and new acquisitions.

With €2.5 million, including an investment from Cdp Venture Capital, Sefea Impact, and Primo Ventures, the Sardinian travel company is aiming to expand its offerings in experiential tourism, particularly in Southern Italy. It recently acquired Discovering PreSila, an operator based in Calabria thus positioning itself to surpass 2021-2022 when it handled over 40,000 guests and achieved a turnover of more than €3 million.

The focus is on sea-based experiences

“Our local activities have a particular focus on sea-based experiences, especially during the summer season,- explains Marco Deiosso, CEO and founder of 181travel. – Our exclusive sailboat offers various options, including a popular sunset aperitif. We also offer food and wine tours, cooking classes and wine tastings, as well as lunching with local shepherds and traditional dances.”

“Today’s traveller values authenticity, sustainability, and eco-friendliness”

The company's strong ties with local areas have allowed it to expand its portfolio of distinctive products and grow as an incoming tour operator, offering unique itineraries and experiential holiday packages, particularly in Sardinia and Calabria. These include nature tours, inland excursions with cultural and archaeological itineraries, spiritual journeys, and visits to sacred places. “Today, we are fortunate to welcome a more discerning traveller who values authenticity, sustainability, and eco-friendliness,” adds Deiosso.

Taking holidays until the end of October

Euromonitor data for 2022 shows that an increasing number of Italians prefer local and sustainable vacations. Some 81% of respondents in the study indicated their inclination towards eco-friendly travel, a 10% increase over 2021. This trend is also confirmed by 181travel, with 33% of Italians choosing to travel outside the peak season in 2023, extending their summer holidays until the end of October, and showing a preference for local experiences.

With traffic volumes back at 2019 levels and with many operators seeing results above pre-Covid levels, Tom Jenkins, CEO of ETOA, speaking at the recent Destinations Exchange Europe at the Hilton London Mertropole, said this is a partial recovery.

Italy has outstripped other European countries

 “There has undoubtedly been an increasing interest in individual destinations amongst local markets like the USA and Canada, China, Japan, Australasia, India and all the main far-flung markets. These are showing an increased interest in Europe, and in the individual countries of Europe. Of these the country which has been showing the most sustained level of growth over the last ten years is undoubtedly Italy.”

“We’d be very, very happy with more destinations like Venice, Florence and Rome” 

“Italy remains of unique and global appeal as a European destination, and if only we had more hotels and more destinations like Venice, Florence and Rome I think we'd be very, very happy. This is not for one moment denigrating the universal appeal of the Mezzogiorno, on or Milan or Naples.” 

The industry is returning to pre-Covid levels

“We’ve obviously had three really tough years, so it is great to see the extent to which not only the markets, principally North America at the moment, are bouncing back. The industry which supports these markets is returning as well, and the fact that you're seeing a new event which has proved to be a success (Destinations Exchange Europe 2023 was organized by ETOA, in collaboration with CityDNA. Ed) shows how strongly the underlying demand is for Europe as a destination, and for Italy in particular.”