The fortress of Rocca Calascio is considered the Abruzzo’s picture-perfect historic movie set.

The fortress was a military observation point

Located at an altitude of 1,460 metres asl in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, it is one of the highest fortifications in Italy, and dominates the Tirino valley and the Navelli plain in the province of l'Aquila, about two hours north of Rome. On a military layout the fortress is unique for the way it blends into the impervious surrounding territory, a position chosen as it was formidable from a defensive point of view. Made of very white limestone it is on a square plan, has four cylindrical towers at the corners and a square keep in the centre which is the castle's innermost military defense structure.  The castle was an excellent military observation point, allowing communication with other castles as far as the Adriatic coast, using torches at night and mirrors during the day.

Destroyed by an earthquake in 1703

At the foot of the fortress there are also the ruins of the ancient village, to which it is connected by a wooden bridge. In 1703, a disastrous earthquake damaged both the fortress and the village. Conservative restoration work was carried out in the late 1900s and this has allowed the entire area to be discreetly preserved, and open to visitors today. 

A popular film set

Rocca Calascio is a magical place and is famous for having been the location for many successful movies like Lady Hawke, Padre Pio and The Name of the Rose. For the beauty of the surroundings, the film industry considers the entire area, from Rocca Calascio to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the movie set par excellence. 

In the Gran Sasso-Monti della Laga National Park

A visit to the castle is included in many of the itineraries and tours of the Gran Sasso-Monti della Laga National Park. On the road leading to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Small Towns in Italy you will encounter the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, which can also be admired from the fortress.

The Catacombs of St. Callixtus, on Rome’s ancient Appian Way were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century A.D. 

Martyrs and popes are buried in 12 miles of galleries

Around half a million Christians were buried in these Catacombs, many of them martyrs and 16 popes. Named after the 3rd-century deacon St. Callixtus, since 1930 they have been entrusted to the custody of the Salesian Brothers of Don Bosco. Among the largest and most important catacombs in Rome, they and occupy an area of 90 acres. The network of galleries is some 12 miles long, on four levels and over twenty meters deep. The crypt of the popes, the most important and venerated in the cemetery, is called Little Vatican as it was the official burial place of nine popes. It is still possible to see the original Greek inscriptions of five popes. On four of three tombstones, near the name of the pope, there is also the title of bishop, since the Pope was, and still is, the head of the Church of Rome.

The Crypt of Saint Cecilia 

Cecilia is the popular patron saint of music and was the daughter of a noble Roman family. She was martyred in the 3rd century and entombed where the state now stands. Venerated in this crypt for at least five centuries, in 821 her relics were transferred to Rome’s Trastevere district to the basilica dedicated to her. The statue in the Catacombs is a copy of the celebrated 1599 work by the sculpture Stefano Maderno.

Rome’s Catacombs were lost for centuries

When the Barbarians invaded Italy they systematically destroyed monuments and sacked many places including the city’s catacombs.  In the course of time landslides and vegetation hid the entrance to these burial chambers and all trace of their existence was lost. The exploration and scientific study of the catacombs stared centuries later with Antonio Bosio (1575-1629) nicknamed the Columbus of Subterranean Rome.  The systematic exploration of the catacombs, and in particular those of Saint Callixtus, was later carried out by Giovanni Battista de Rossi (1822.2894) who is considered the father and founder of Christian Archaeology. 

Guided tours for visitors

In 1930 the Holy See, as the owners of the catacombs, entrusted the Catacombs of Saint Callistus to the care of the religious Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are guided tours for visitors. For information: www.catacombesancallisto.it/en/index.php

Many tourists know the elegant water city of Treviso only for its airport, Venice-Treviso, which is used by low-cost airlines thanks to its vicinity to Venice, which is just 40 minutes away by train and an hour by car.   

Frescoed facades and a historic bridge

This charming walled city, just 20 miles from Venice, has canals, and rivers, frescoed facades, great art, wines and food, and one of Italy’s, and the world’s, most popular desserts: Tiramisù, was invented here. For over 400 years the city was part of the Venetian Republic when it boasted over a thousand frescoed facades with scenes from legends and religious themes, some of which, though faded, can still be admired today.  On the tree-lined banks of the Sile and Botteniga rivers there are ancient waterwheels and contemporary art pieces, and the Ponte Dante bridge known as Ponte dell’Impossibile Bridge, so-called because it was seemingly impossible to build a crossing on this stretch of water.

A great city for food and wine

Treviso is closely tied to its surrounds and the vine-covered hills of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of the local wineries offer tours and tastings and Treviso’s most popular aperitifs are the Spritz and a glass of Prosecco. Another favourite is the Panino al Prosecco for which the bread is first soaked in Prosecco and then filled with thinly sliced mortadella, aioli garlic sauce and cheese. And no visitor can resist the local Tiramisu! 

Treviso is a city to be explored

Treviso is also famous for its red-leaved Radicchio Trevigiano chicory which is the basis for the Risotto al Radicchio, a local and worldwide favourite. A visit to Treviso means much more than just avoiding the crowds (and the city taxes) in Venice, it is a delightful way of discovering one of Italy’s most elegant water cities.

For information: www.visittreviso.it/en/

Two new passenger digital services have been introduced by Aeroporti di Roma at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.

Updates on a flight’s status 

Accessible through the Digiport platform, and designed to improve travellers' experience, the services provide real-time updates on a flight’s status and monitor boarding operations directly from smartphones thanks to the use of AI. The first service, a chatbot via WhatsApp, allows passengers to get notifications on flight status and detailed information on Fiumicino airport services. Travellers can access this dedicated chat by framing a QR code in the lower section of the Flight Info Monitor.

Livestreaming of a flight’s progress on smartphones

Smart Boarding is the name of the second service, available for gates E11-E24 of the non-Schengen boarding Pier E area. Through the use of micro-cameras coordinated by AI, the system collects and processes real-time data on boarding operations, allowing travellers to view livestreaming of their flight’s progress from their mobile phones. Updates include the percentage of completion of the boarding process, allowing passengers to decide when to join the queue.

The services were developed in partnership with Airport AI and ZestIot, two of the startups participating in the Call4ideas launched by Aeroporti di Roma at the Innovation Hub located in Fiumicino's Terminal 1. 

“We are revolutionizing the passenger experience”

"With these new digital services, we are continuing to revolutionize the passenger experience in the airport,- said Emanuele Calà, vice president Innovation & Quality Aeroporti di Roma. -Today travellers can find all the information about their flight at their fingertips, without having to check on information screens over and over again. By directly activating notifications on their smartphones and monitoring the boarding status in real-time, travellers can spend their time exploring the airport while waiting for their fight to take-off."

Monte Sant’Angelo is Apulia’s cultural capital this year.

A destination for pilgrims from all over the world

This little town in Apulia is unique for many reasons: not only does it have two UNESCO sites, but an archangel chose it as his earthly home. The archangel is Michael and his home is Monte Sant'Angelo which has the Sanctuary of Saint Michael Archangel. This grotto church, where the archangel is believed to have appeared, is one of the town’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a destination for pilgrims from all over the world. And now the town is in the spotlight as the Apulia region’s Cultural Capital 2024.

Monte Sant’Angelo is in the Gargano National Park 

Monte Sant’Angelo also has an enchanted forest of thousand-year-old trees - a true nature sanctuary - which is the little town’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Gargano National Park the town is about 35 miles from Foggia which is a key transportation hub, offering various services, amenities, and connections to other parts of Italy.  

ph credits: Matteo Nuzziello

Not far from the Adriatic seaboard

For nature lovers the Gargano National Park offers numerous trails for hiking and nature walks and has a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the splendid Gargano Peninsula. Worth visiting are the 11th-century Norman Castle and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maggiore with its stunning Byzantine frescoes. 

A summer packed with events 

This summer sees the UNESCO awards being celebrated with a programme of music, comedy, contemporary art, theatre, cinema, poetry, food and wine that will draw visitors from all over the world. On Saturday 6 July "A Night in the Forest” will feature food tastings and a night walk, and on Sunday 7 July the “Walk of the Two UNESCO Sites, from the forest to the sanctuary, will be both on foot and by e-bike.  On Tuesday 6 August Daniele Silvestri, one of Italy's most popular singer-songwriters, will entertain visitors and on 28 September it will be the turn of Nino Frassica, one of Italy’s best-loved comedians.

ph credits Monica Giardina

A symposium on the Via Francigena

Contemporary art will feature in the iconic exhibition by Michelangelo Pistoletto, and from July to October the Cultural Residences will feature theatre, cinema, and poetry, ending on 18-20 October with the European Assembly of the Vie Francigena, a symposium on the historical, and still very popular, pilgrimage route known as the “Road to Rome.”   

The first Radisson Individuals is the Veridia Resort in Sardinia.

The hotel is located on the Bay of Chia 

It was rumored in March, although at the time it seemed that the brand involved was Radisson Collection. But now comes the announcement of the official opening of the soft brand Radisson Individuals in Sardinia with the Veridia Resort Sardinia. The location is the bay of Chia with its Saracen tower, and the new property has six residences around the central unit with 172 rooms and a private beach. 

Three restaurants and an infinity pool

The Alima main restaurant blends traditional flavours with Mediterranean modernity, while La Gardiana is a grill restaurant with alfresco dining under the stars, and Tanura a bistro serving light and healthy all-day dishes. Those wishing to relax further can enjoy the large 800 sqm infinity pool with a bar, the two tennis courts and a range of activities and excursions, including boat trips and visits to local historical monuments.

The property has been repositioned from midscale to 5-star 

The debut is the result of an agreement with Fattore Italia, an OpCo that at the end of last year signed a lease for the Sardinian Torre di Chia Park, previously operated by TH Resorts, with the aim of repositioning the property from midscale to 5-star.