Ryanair will be operating four new routes to and from Puglia this winter. 

Ryanair operates 45 routes form Bari and Brindisi

With 600 flights a week on 45 routes from Bari and Brindisi, including four new services to Marseilles, Nuremberg, Tirana (from Bari) and Trieste (from Brindisi), together with increased frequencies on existing routes (Budapest, Cagliari, Madrid, Milan Malpensa, Pisa, Sofia and Turin): this is how Ryanair is relaunching in Puglia for the winter that has just begun.

Supporting over 4,600 local jobs

There will be five low-cost aircraft based in Puglia (three in Bari, and two in Brindisi) to transport over six million passengers a year, with a 7% growth “We have been operating to and from Puglia for 20 years, during which time we have carried over 50 million passengers and made significant investments in the region, including our five based aircraft ($500 million investment). We support over 4,600 local jobs, increasing inbound tourism and improving connectivity for Puglia residents,” commented Fabrizio Francioni, Ryanair's head of communications Italy.

Puglia’s international connections are growing

“The new flights are a further step forward in strengthening and expanding the international connectivity of our region, but above all they testify to the continuous commitment of Aeroporti di Puglia aimed at expanding flights,” says Antonio Maria Vasile, president of Aeroporti di Puglia .

Trieste Airport is aiming at 1.3 million passengers by the end of 2024 and will add four new destinations in 2025.

Ryanair and Transavia to add new flights 

One new service will be the direct route from Rotterdam with three weekly frequencies from 1 April 2025, operated for the first time by Transavia, which will become the fifth scheduled airline operating at the airport. Then, from the end of March 2025 Ryanair will operate two new flights from Prague and Lamezia Terme, while a direct connection from Stockholm will also take off in July.

A record one million passengers handled

 On 7 October the Friuli Venezia Giulia region’s airport celebrated the threshold of one million passengers handled since the beginning of 2024. This is a record number for the airport which also inaugurated a direct flight from Bucharest with Wizz Air in October.

Environmentally sustainable practices

The airport is making a significant investment in environmental sustainability, with the drastic reduction of CO₂ emissions, thanks to the largest photovoltaic system in operation in an Italian airport, and the new fleet of electric vehicles for airport operations.

The Bauer in Venice, which has been taken over by Mohari and Omnam, will be a Rosewood hotel.

A Cypriot and an Israeli group

Following the collapse of the Austrian colossus Signa at the end of 2023, the rumours that Mohari Hospitality was in the front row for the acquisition of the trophy asset on the lagoon has been officially confirmed The Cypriot company specializing in luxury real estate investments has been awarded the hotel in partnership with the Israeli group Omnam Investment, for some €300 million.

Some €150 million is to go on the restlying

Once the restyling is completed for a further commitment of €150 million, the property will be branded Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. Mohari and Omnam were assisted in the acquisition by Kryalos sgr, Dla Piper, Deloitte, Eastdil Secured, Cbre and Cushman & Wakefield.

Mohari Hospitality has many luxury properties

Mohari Hospitality's investments include a selection of luxury properties operating under various brands, including the Four Seasons Madrid and the Peninsula Papagayo, as well as the future Baccarat Florence Villa Camerata, l’Hotel Toronto and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. In addition, the company owns the Tao Hospitality Group, which specializes in catering, nightlife and entertainment.

Italo is counting on intermodality, international traffic and the 2025 Jubilee.

An intermodal train+bus group

 “Over the past year we have sboosted and consolidated our synergies with travel agencies,- says commercial director, Fabrizio Bona. -We are an intermodal group capable of covering the entire national territory and we have also made our debut abroad. By combining trains with buses we are now exploring these new markets. It will certainly be a first step, and we will soon extend our presence to other European countries.”

Moving into international markets

Italo’s network counts 118 daily services, 54 connected cities and 62 railway stations served, plus train+bus services thanks to the 100 Itabuses in the fleet. Thirty intermodal services (with the convenience of a single ticket) serve all of Italy 24 hours a day (there are also night services to optimize travel times) and now Italo is moving into international markets, serving locations such as Ljubljana and Zagreb. Foreign destinations connected to the main Italian cities can be reached by a combination of Italo trains to Mestre and then with dedicated buses.

The challenge of the 2025 Jubilee year

Italo is currently operating six services a day (3 outbound and 3 return) from cities such as Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Ferrara, Padua, Venice, Trieste, Verona, Milan and Turin. A first step, preparatory to expanding the European network of the company, which today makes intermodality a pillar of the its growth strategy. There are also connections with regional trains that can be purchased directly on Italo’s sales channel. With regards to leisure the positive performance of the international segment commands attention: with the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands confirming their leadership. These are encouraging signs in view of the next challenge, which is the 2025 Jubilee when 35 million tourist arrivals are expected, generating 105 million overnights, i.e. an expected doubling of flows for a tourist expenditure of €16.7 billion.

“We are flexible and growing continuously”

“Today, our strength lies in being able to meet and satisfy the needs of the business as well as the leisure sector. We are flexible, and this has allowed us to grow continuously on several fronts. For 2025 the Jubilee represents a great opportunity that we already know how to seize, intercepting the strong demand coming from abroad,” says sales director Marco De Angelis.

New benefits for Italo Più card holders

Increasing attention is also being paid to the corporate world through agreements with large companies and SMEs (for which a special triangulation system has been designed with the support of travel agencies). For business travellers the company has launched the restyling of the Italo Club Lounges, exclusive spaces in stations with wi-fi, newspapers and fresh food always available. Following Rome and Milan, the new lounge in Bologna will be soon inaugurated and in the first half of 2025 the lounge in Florence Santa Maria Novella will get a new look. The increased benefits for Italo Più Corporate Card holders include dedicated discounts, access to Italo Club lounges, the possibility of accumulating more loyalty points and unlimited use of the Fast Track to avoid queues when entering stations. And thanks to the new loyalty programme there are also more benefits for Italo Più members.

Wizz Air is launching five new routes to Venice in summer 2025. 

Two aircraft positioned in Venice for summer 2025

From March next year, the lagoon city will be connected to Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Sharm-El-Sheikh and Budapest, an expansion made possible thanks to the introduction of an additional Airbus A321neo, bringing to two the number of Wizz Air aircraft positioned in Venice for summer 2025. 

Over 500,000 seats from Venice in 2025

From Venice's Marco Polo the Hungarian low-cost carrier will be offering over 500,000 seats in 2025, a growth of almost 80% over 2024. With this expansion, Wizz Air will reach a 10% market share in Venice, consolidating its position as the airport's second low-cost carrier. The Airbus A321neo will be operational in the Venice fleet from the 2025 summer season, with daily flights to Madrid and Barcelona and three weekly flights to Sharm-El-Sheikh, Athens and Budapest. 

200 routes in Italy from 25 airports

In addition, the increase in capacity will allow the existing connection to Chisinau to be upgraded from three to four weekly flights.  The Wizz Air network in Italy currently has 200 routes from 25 airports, the low-cost carrier carries passengers to more than 80 destinations in 35 countries from its five operating bases in Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples and Catania.

Over 90 million passengers to and from Italy since 2004

“The new summer routes from Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Sharm-El-Sheikh and Budapest represent an extraordinary addition to our already vast portfolio of cities connected to Venice, and respond to the growing demand for direct, convenient travel that is perfect for holidays or city breaks,- says Mauro Peneda, managing director of Wizz Air Malta. -Today's announcement confirms our commitment to the Italian market as we continue to work towards our goal of WIZZ 500.” Since the first flight from Milan to Katowice in 2004, Wizz Air has carried over 90 million passengers to and from Italy.

New Zealand’s Dunedin Airport recently turned heads with an unexpected appeal to travellers, asking them to limit their public displays of affection. A sign now greets flyers, their friends and family with the directive to "observe a maximum hug time of three minutes."

For those who crave a more lingering farewell, the sign suggests relocating to the airport car park. Daniela De Bono, the airport's director, explains that the quirky suggestion is meant to be a lighthearted way of keeping the airport's foot traffic flowing smoothly, but it does raise an intriguing question. 

Isn’t three minutes a rather generous hug allowance? After all, that’s ample time to boil an egg or deliver a pitch for a new startup. And in this era of high-speed everything, how many people really indulge in a full 180-second embrace?
 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

A new Bike Corner, the first innovative space dedicated to cycling and bikepacking enthusiasts, has made its debut in Terminal 2 of Milan Malpensa Airport.

The new Bike Corner has all the necessary equipment

The corner - accessible 24/7 and completely free of charge - allows passengers to assemble their bike comfortably and safely immediately after their arrival at Malpensa. Equipped with professional tools and all the necessary equipment, the Bike Corner is a concrete response to the needs of those travelling with disassembled bicycles.

Encouraging active and ecological lifestyles

The new service is part of SEA Aeroporti di Milano's strategy to promote green solutions, encouraging active and ecological lifestyles. Thanks to its strategic location, the Bike Corner makes it possible to set off directly from the airport to discover the many cycle paths and unique landscapes surrounding the Malpensa area, with the support, as a technical partner, of #VareseDoYouBike, a cycle tourism development project promoted by the Varese Chamber of Commerce.

Routes with all levels of difficulty

There are 45 itineraries mapped so far and available for download on the Komoot platform, over 2,000 kilometres of routes mapped out by cycling guides and enjoyable by all, according to the different levels of difficulty. From routes for families to others for all-round cycling enthusiasts, and still others for those seeking a competitive adrenaline rush. Thanks to #VareseDoYouBike, the Varese Chamber of Commerce is acting in synergy with local authorities, operators and trade associations with the aim of building a cycle tourism system as a new element in the promotion of the Land of Lakes.

Just thinking of Rome is enough to make you want to pack a bag and head for the airport, because the Eternal City has a vibe like no other. An original way to discover the city is to blend its classical sights with countryside charm, touring the city and the Ostia Antica archaeological site and then the countryside of the Alban Hills. And as a bonus you can get to stay in Dolce Vita style either at the fabulous Sina Bernini Bristol or the chic Donna Laura Palace.

So, you’ve checked in – either in the Sina Bernini Bristol with its swanky rooftop views or the Donna Laura Palace by the Tiber river - and are ready to go!   First stop, the Colosseum. Sure, you’ve seen it in pictures and in the movies, but nothing prepares you for standing in front of the greatest of all Rome’s landmarks. Stroll on to the Roman Forum where in olden days toga-clad senators used to gather and discuss affairs of state.

Feeling peckish?  Stop for an espresso in the Caffè Sant’Eustachio for the best coffee in town and stroll to another of Rome’s best-loved landmarks, the Trevi Fountain, which is currently without water as it is under repair for the 2025 Holy Jubilee Year. Skip a formal lunch and opt for an ice cream at Giolitti which is a top favorite, then on to the Spanish Steps to take some selfies. For dinner the choice is between a plate of Carbonara or a Cacio e Pepe at a traditional trattoria like Il Falchetto or Roscioli.

The next morning take a train or a car up to the Castelli Romani’s charming hill towns. Start in Frascati, which is famous for its crisp white wines, and take a vineyard tour with a stop for a mid-morning snack of the local porchetta roast pork. In nearby Castel Gandolfo you can tour the Pope’s summer residence, then on to Grottaferrata and Villa Cavalletti, a country estate with vineyards and olive groves. After an alfresco lunch do an olive oil tasting in the Villino Rosso Museum, and a guided tour of the famous Tusculum Villas, built by aristocratic families in the 1800s and once part of the Grand Tour.  For dinner the nearby Grazioli Art Bistrot hits all the right spots.

Spend your last morning in Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman harbor town just a short train ride from the city. You’ll be amazed by how well-preserved its ruins are. And the best part is that Ostia Antica is like Pompeii but without the crowds!  Back in Rome it’s time for lunch in Trastevere, a quaint old district with cobbled lanes, ivy-clad buildings, and trattorias with tables spilling onto the streets.

Spend your last few hours picking up leather goods and artisan products around Campo de’ Fiori, or, if you’re staying in the Sina Bernini Bristol chill out on the rooftop terrace with its panoramic views, while those in the Donna Laura Palace will relax in its quieter vibe.

Back home and you’re still dreaming of your love affair with Rome’s history, food, and lifestyle? We’re guessing you’re already planning to return. Rome was not built in a day and there is still so much you’ve got to see.  So, Arrivederci Roma!

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Ostia Antica, the ancient harbour-city AND Rome's best answer to Pompeii, is an under-visited archaeological site and not to be missed.

Half an hour by train from Rome

Ostia Antica is really quite easy to reach from the capital, being just some 30 kilometres away.  Trains that depart from  the station beside the pyramid of Caius Cestius takes less than half an hour to Ostia Antica, and the stop is right beside the  entrance to the site. This ancient harbour-city which, at its height had over 100,000 inhabitants, was Rome’s first maritime  port and an important naval and trading base, built by the emperor Claudius in 42 A.D.  Close to what is now Rome’s  international Fiumicino Airport, it was originally on the coast, but the silting up of the Tiber river down the centuries means  that today the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park is four kilometres inland.


 

An example of what an ancient Roman city looked like

Not to be confused with the little borgo (town) of Ostia Antica which is a five-minute walk away and developed around the medieval  Castle of Pope Julius II, the 10,000-acre archaeological park with the old Roman town and port have been excavated and there is a  lot to see.  While it is less grand than Pompeii, what makes it quite unique is that it is one of the best examples of what an ancient  Roman town looked like.  In fact it is possible to see the layout and the distinct parts of the city such as the business district, the  apartment buildings and the aristocratic villas exactly where they were originally built. 

The theatre is the symbol of Ostia Antica

Many of the buildings have been preserved up to the second floor, adding to the sense of what the city really looked like, and there  are remains of mosaic floors and columns throughout the site.  The Decumanus maximum which was the ancient main street has  religious buildings, shops and warehouses, and the forum, or main square, has the remains of a large temple. Ostia Antica’s most  symbolic building is the theatre and it is still used for concerts and performances during the summer months. 

Ostia Lido is a modern seaside resort

The modern town of Ostia, called Ostia Lido, a few kilometres west of the park is on the sea. It is a cement jungle with modern  apartment blocks, but thanks to its many private lido beaches, and large public stretch of golden sand,  it is a very popular summer resort for Romans. 



For information: www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it

In winter, outdoor swimming pools transform into serene retreats where you can escape the chill and delight in magic moments.

The Alagna Mountain Resort & SPA

In the crisp winter air, outdoor swimming pools offer a unique escape from everyday stress, inviting you to connect with nature and savor the subtle beauty that cold weather brings. Each splash becomes a celebration of tranquility, turning simple pleasures into cherished memories.

In Piedmont, in the heart of Alagna Valsesia, a village of ancient traditions, the outdoor swimming pool of the Alagna Mountain Resort & SPA is heated to 31 degrees and overlooks the majestic Monte Rosa massif. For those not staying at the hotel it is accessible as a Spa Day and it has a Finnish sauna, aromatherapy steam bath, emotional showers, massage cabins, and is only 300 metres from the Monterosa Ski lift. www.alagnaresort.com

The Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort 

In the Alto Adige region the rooftop of the Sky Spa at the Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort  overlooks the Dolomite mountain range and is a perfect choice for relaxation in complete harmony with nature.  The adults-only infinity pool with water at 33 degrees dominates the rooftops of San Vigilio di Marebbe (BZ ) with views of the imposing peaks for an immersive and truly suggestive experience. There is also  the brand new Dolomites Family Spa with a swimming pool, a waterfall and a children's pool with a slide, abuffet area and saunas for adults and children, as well as a large outdoor whirlpool with 35 degree water. https://www.myexcelsior.com/

OLM SPA - ph credits Hannes Niederkofler

The OLM Nature Escape in the South Tyrol

The OLM Nature Escape, South Tyrol's first completely energy self-sufficient sustainable eco-aparthotel, is a gem set in Caminata di Tures in the Ahrntal Valley (BZ). The pure, mineral-rich water pours into the wellness area, built with respectful use of natural resources and powered by green energy. The indoor and outdoor pools are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. https://www.olm.it/it/


Laghi Nabi Water SPA ph Aquilante

The Laghi Nabi resort is close to Naples 

At Laghi Nabi, in Castel Volturno (CE) about 20 miles from Naples, nature and wellbeing coexist in harmony, in this eco-sustainable oasis where nature traces a path through which body and mind can rejoice with renewed energy. The Water SPA is a voyage of discovery of inner balance, with wellness paths and treatments created to regenerate the senses and allow the beneficial power of water to be fully enjoyed. The pool overlooks the lake and has a temperature of 35 degrees. Entrance is included for all resort residents, and it can also be enjoyed without a stay with daily admission to the Nabi Water SPA. https://laghinabi.it/