Bringing influential US-based agents to Italy
As part of this collaboration, ItaliAbsolutely and TravelSMG will organize trips that bring influential U.S.-based travel agents to Italy, allowing them to personally experience destinations featured by ItaliaAbsolutely’s partners. These immersive journeys will enrich the agents' expertise enabling them to better serve clients eager to explore Italy. Attending agents will have exclusive opportunities to connect with Italian tourism and hospitality businesses, gaining an insider’s view of Italy’s charm, culture, and unique offerings.
“Building strong connections with travel professionals”
Daniela Battaglioni, General Manager of ItaliAbsolutely, added, “We’re thrilled to welcome these distinguished U.S. travel agents to Italy and showcase our fantastic partners. Collaborating with TravelSMG allows us to highlight our beautiful country in a way that builds strong connections with the travel professionals who shape leisure travel experiences. This alliance benefits our partners and strengthens Italy’s presence in the U.S. travel industry.”
“Empowering agents with authentic experiences”
“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for both of our organizations,” said Jim Cloonan, President of TravelSMG. “By bringing successful U.S. travel agents directly to Italy, we’re empowering them with authentic experiences and in-depth knowledge about Italy’s diverse destinations. With this new awareness, agents will be able to convey their genuine passion for Italy to their clients, ultimately driving travel interest.” The partnership will launch with a series of exclusive events across Italy, showcasing key destinations while also providing agents with unparalleled insights into the country’s history, culture, and scenic landscapes.
About ItaliAbsolutely
ItaliAbsolutely by Travel Quotidiano is a leading Italian B2B travel portal delivering daily news, insights, and stories from Italy to promote the country’s most iconic and hidden-gem destinations to an international audience. Through collaborations with top industry partners, ItaliAbsolutely provides a platform for Italian travel and hospitality businesses to reach a global network of travel professionals.www.italiabsolutely.com
About Travel Show Marketing Group
Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG) is an independent organization offering solutions that drive success in the B2B leisure vacation market. Since 2009 TravelSMG has partnered with thousands of tourism clients to engage and empower the North American Travel Agent community through education, networking, and global experiences. Their diverse range of engagement solutions includes large-scale trade shows, specialized niche-focused events, and a comprehensive suite of digital opportunities.
www.TravelSMG.com
A journey of must-visit destinations, and unforgettable experiences
In the heart of Lombardy, Brescia is easy to access from the A4 Milan-Venice motorway (the exit is about 80 kilometres away), is served by regional and high-speed trains and by four airports, Orio al Serio's Caravaggio, Verona Villafranca's Valerio Catullo, Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa). The province of Brescia is a treasure chest brimming with nature, art, history, culinary pleasures and experiences, offering everyone the chance to carve out their perfect holiday. It also provides guests with rejuvenating holidays centered on green living, nature, active lifestyles, wellness, and culinary delights. A region waiting to be explored through a diverse on-the-road journey, rich in inspiration, must-visit destinations, and unforgettable experiences.
A handsome and authentic city with endless attractions
Brescia is a surprisingly contemporary and trendy city and, together with Bergamo, was the Italian Capital of Culture 2023. It is a city to be enjoyed in total relaxation, and an ideal destination for those in search of authentic and stimulating places off the beaten track. A cultural tapestry to be discovered by wandering unhurriedly on a fascinating itinerary through squares, palaces, elegant porticoes and extraordinary historical-architectural treasures gracefully enhanced by contemporary artistic interventions. Visitors can shop in elegant boutiques, artisan workshops and concept stores, visit contemporary art galleries and antique shops and enjoy an aperitif or live music in trendy clubs, gourmet fine dining. This and much more awaits them in the historic centre and in the suburbs which have a contemporary vibe.
Three historic squares and ancient Roman ruins
No visitor should miss the city’s three historic squares, the medieval Piazza Paolo VI, the Renaissance Piazza della Loggia with its majestic palazzo, and Piazza Vittoria with its rationalist architecture, and then there is the Via Musei with BRIXIA. In the Brescia Roman Archaeological Park (the largest Roman ruins in northern Italy, with the Capitoline Temple you can admire the Winged Victory, an extremely rare large Roman bronze statue) and the Museum of Santa Giulia (with the history of the city from the Bronze Age to the present day) both of which are UNESCO sites, while the Castle that dominates the city from the Cidneo Hill, is one of the most imposing fortifications in Italy.
Three lakes: three different types of holiday
The three lakes of Garda, Iseo and Idro are three very different holiday choices. Lake Garda - the largest lake in Italy - with its shorelines, Art Nouveau villas and an allure that enchanted the likes of Goethe, Mann, Kafka and D.H. Lawrence, has levels of hospitality that attract both Italian and international visitors. Blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate its shores re dotted with villages, castles, monasteries and enchanting towns, such as Sirmione (with the grottoes of Catullus, the most impressive Roman ruins in northern Italy), Desenzano, Lonato, Salò, Gardone Riviera and Limone. The Mediterranean vegetation is extraordinary with olive, lemon and palm trees, and is a perfect setting for green and active holidays in one of the most beautiful spots in Italy. Another main attraction is the Lake Garda cycle path between Limone and the Riva del Garda area.
Lake Idro is a perfect choice for nature lovers
At an altitude of 368 metres Lake Idro is the perfect refuge for those who prefer holidays in the open air, with campsites and villages equipped for glamping, nature walks, extreme sports and outdoor activities. Caressed by a constant wind that is perfect for sailing, surfing and kitesurfing, it is surrounded by mountains that are the ideal training ground for those who love mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding, canyoning and fun activities.
Lake Iseo has Italy’s most beautiful cycle route
Lake Iseo is known as the “Lake of Christo” since summer 2016 when the celebrated artist created his “The Floating Piers,” installation that allowed the public to literally walk on the water to Monte Isola, the highest lake island in Europe which can only be discovered on foot. Lake Iseo is ideal for those who love sailing and windsurfing, but also for anyone looking to relax and enjoy nature and sport. There are many scenic routes for walking and biking, including the lakeside section of the Oglio Cycle Route, voted Italy's most beautiful cycle route at the Italian Green Road Awards.
Rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves
Surrounding the lakes are rolling hills carpeted with vineyards and olive groves and dotted with ancient villages, castles and abbeys, such as the hills of Franciacorta that slope down to Lake Iseo and from which come highly prized wines. Then there are the hills of the Garda morainic amphitheatre and those of the Valtènesi, the land of great wines and equally fine oils. And further on, the vast expanses of the plain marked by the course of the Oglio and Chiese rivers, where patrician villas and castles can be admired, and which are ideal for relaxing rides and walks, and holidays in the countryside.
Alpine peaks for mountain sports
Heading north we come to the Alps with the Valle Camonica, Valle Trompia and Valle Sabbia, with their magnificent panoramas. From trekking to mountain biking to cycle touring, here fans of the one-step-at-a-time movement will find everything they could desire. And in winter there are white sports in the various ski areas, like the Pontedilegno-Tonale..
Nature, history, art and archaeology
The Brescia area has archaeological sites, historic villages, castles, fortifications, parish churches, abbeys, museums and art galleries for all tastes. The first Italian locality on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, the “Rock Art of the Camonica Valley” is an extraordinary open-air gallery of over 200,000 catalogued engravings. At no less than 180 sites (the main one being the Naquane National Park at Capo di Ponte) spread over 24 municipalities, the Valle dei Segni spans 12,000 years of history, from the end of the Upper Palaeolithic to the Iron Age.
An ancient Roman villa and an imposing fortress
Another absolute gem to be discovered on a walking expedition is the Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione, the most magnificent example of a Roman villa so far unearthed in northern Italy. On Lake Garda there is the Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera, the fascinating house-museum of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio with its beautiful park, and the Rocca di Lonato, one of the most imposing fortresses in northern Italy with an unparalleled view of the lake, as well as the annexed Casa Museo del Podestà, all of which bring visitors back through history.
Spas, speleotherapy and 13 golf courses
The Brescia region has an exciting golf circuit which is one of the most important in Italy, with no less than 13 courses. For those looking for wellness holidays and want to get back into shape, there are the well-known thermal spa towns of Sirmione and Boario and the mountain spa of Vallio, as well as speleotherapy in the Sant'Aloisio mine in Collio, in the Trompia Valley.
Brescia’s gastronomic excellence
The province’s food and wines are also very varied with PDO products, such as the EVO oils of Garda and Sebino, traditional products like the Rosa Camuna cheese, Slow Food products like Bagòss cheese and a range of excellent wines such as Franciacorta and the 9 DOC Botticino, Capriano del Colle, Cellatica, Terre di Franciacorta, Garda, Garda Classico, Garda Bresciano, Lugana and San Martino della Battaglia. There is also an extraordinary range of Michelin-starred restaurants, trattorias and typical osterias with everything from mountain to lake to country-themed menus. The culinary delights of the province of Brescia are just waiting to be discovered and savored and in 2017 Brescia’s province was honored as the European Region of Gastronomy.
For information: www.visitbrescia.it
The winter season opens on 13 December
Perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters, this charming resort in the municipality of Frabosa Sottana (CN) in Piedmont is easily accessible from Milan and Genoa in three and two hours respectively. The 2024 winter season officially kicks off at Prato Nevoso on Friday, December 13, with the full reopening of its ski lifts. Thanks to recent heavy snowfall, even the renowned Rosso area is ready to welcome skiers and snowboarders, with perfectly groomed slopes promising a season of fun and adventure. “We are thrilled to announce the complete reopening of our facilities,- said Alberto Oliva, administrator of Prato Nevoso SpA. -Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure an unparalleled experience and exceptional snow conditions.”
A hub for unmissable snow events
Prato Nevoso isn’t just about skiing and snowboarding—it’s also a hub of events and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Highlights of the season include: Sunday, December 15 when the Snowpark will host the “Regional Snowboard Slopestyle Championships,” a must-see event for extreme sports enthusiasts. Also on December 15 the Prato Nevoso Village will transform into an enchanted wonderland for the “Open Season Kids” event, featuring live entertainment, family activities, and appearances by the beloved mascots of Frozen and Aladdin, who are guaranteed to delight younger guests. Then, in January 2025 Prato Nevoso will once again host athletes competing in the “FIS Freeski and Snowboard European Cup,” reaffirming its reputation as a world-class venue.
Not just winter: Prato Nevoso is a year-round paradise
Prato Nevoso is a destination that shines in every season. During summer visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and mountain biking to food festivals and open-air performances, making it a year-round treasure for nature lovers and adventure seekers. For fans of carving down pristine slopes, exploring scenic trails, or enjoying a fun-filled day with the family, Prato Nevoso promises unforgettable memories, breathtaking landscapes, and a variety of experiences to suit all ages and tastes.
For information: www.pratonevoso.com
Tired of cramming your carry-on into a luggage sizer, while an attendant glares at you? And of squabbling with fellow passengers who refuse to store their trolleys neatly? Relief may be on the way. Airbus has introduced new L-shaped overhead lockers that add 60% more space. Not only does this mean less stress, but also fewer extra cabin baggage charges.
These lockers will store bags both vertically and horizontally, making it easier to fit everyone’s luggage, so, in theory, airlines may not need to measure your bag down to the nearest millimeter anymore.
But hold that thought - budget airlines aren’t exactly known for letting go of their extra fees without a fight. And given that Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air rake in up to 45% of their revenue from extras like baggage charges, don’t expect them to roll out the red carpet any time soon.
Still, bigger lockers? We’ll take it!
Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor
The property features design art works
The new trendy Tortona neighbourhood has been brought to life by its numerous fashion showrooms, and the project for the renovation of this former railing heritage house, later converted to hotel use, is the creation of the architect Aldo Cibic, who previously worked with Ettore Sottsass.
The Savona 18 Suites is one of Cibic’s most interesting projects: an old railing house converted into a hotel and hospitality venue featuring drawings, photographs and installations that bring the visitor on an exciting journey of discovery.
Home suites, study and fitness rooms
The heritage railing flats have been transformed into 42 spacious rooms divided into five types. The basic room is the home suite on up to 43 square metres and has a living room entrance, corridor and bedroom with bathroom, with rooms overlooking Via Savona on one side and the inner courtyard on the other. There are also study rooms, with a living area, or fitness rooms, equipped with a small private gym which are soundproofed and with an external corridor with the railings overlooking an intimate and cozy garden.
“We welcomed the development of leisure tourism”
“In 2020/21 we had a slow recovery, but in 2024 we are growing steadily and have already exceeded 2019 figures, - says Manuela Miraudo, Blu Hotels marketing & events manager. - The hotel's clientele changed after the pandemic: we opened in response to business demand and then welcomed the development of leisure tourism.”
2003 was also an extraordinary year for Italy which recording over 447 million overnight stays, an increase of 8.5% over 2022. Even more significant is the +23.2% increase in international arrivals, testifying to an appeal that transcends all boundaries.
Luxury 4-star and 5-star hotels saw significant growth, with more than 50 million arrivals and 137.5 million overnight stays, and the luxury segment, in particular, achieved outstanding growth with +16% arrivals and +12.3% overnights. International visitors accounted for 54.1% of the total, with emerging markets such as China (+380%), Australia (+134%) and South Korea (+225%) joining traditional ones such as Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Luxury tourism in Italy goes beyond simple sightseeing. Italy turns into a unique lifestyle experience of historic cafés, artisan workshops, starred restaurants and exclusive boutiques. In 2023 tourism spending generated around €51.7 billion, an increase of 16.7% over 2019, which placed Italy in 4th place worldwide for the number of arrivals, and 5th for revenues from international arrivals.
This success is the result of a perfect synergy between tradition, innovation and timeless beauty, positioning Italy as a leading luxury tourism destination. Furthermore, the increasing focus on conscious and sustainable tourism enriches local culture and elevates the country's global prestige. During the winter months luxury tourism fulfills travellers' increasingly refined expectations, from cultural experiences to well-being, but always with a commitment to sustainability. These are the main seasonal trends:
Italy, with its distinctive offerings and capacity to anticipate travellers' needs, confirms itself as a must-visit destination, ready to win the hearts of new luxury explorers.
Tourism has changed post-COVID. The market is increasingly complex and unpredictable and this is why we have created a tourism business network involving 47 operators in the hospitality industry. We are mountain people and the mountains teach you that you cannot survive alone.
An inbound network of 47 agencies
BookingAmiata.com, a business network of 47 tour operators in a wide range of business from hotels, B&Bs, room rentals and chauffer-driven car services, to environmental and tour guides, wine, cheese, oil, honey, mushroom, chestnut and berry producers, bike amd ski-hire services and more. The network's leader is Le Macinaie sas, an imbound tour operator specialized in Monte Amiata that provides booking and hospitality services for the Italian and foreign markets. Our mission is to organise and market tourism services for groups and individuals in Amiata and Southern Tuscany. Drawing on many years of experience in the hotel sector, our Booking Amiata portal is for the online promotion and marketing of Amiata and Southern Tuscany. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the area, we operate on the B2B market, offering customized solutions for organised travel. We are also active in the B2C market through bookingamiata.com which allows customers to create their own holiday, before they arrive or during their stay.
A booking portal which is a DMS
The project has the dual objective of providing users with a single booking platform for Monte Amiata and its surroundings, while allowing visitors to customize their holidays directly online. Perfectly in line with new trends, what makes this project innovative is that it allows travellers to create their own customized holiday directly online, choosing and purchasing not only hotels and apartments, but also individual activities to be enjoy during their stay. By going to the site bookingamiata.com they can book rooms, but also services such as day trips, dinners, guided tours, museum access, taxis, lessons, tastings and more, thus creating the experience that best suits their travel expectations.
Your resource for travel and holidays in Monte Amiata and southern Tuscany
Another distinguishing feature of our network is our continuous expansion of accommodation facilities and services, integrated under a unified brand. Our primary goal is to position Monte Amiata as a premier tourist destination for both groups and individual travelers, while providing the client with an exclusive benchmark for personalized holidays in Amiata and Southern Tuscany.
The mountain as a park, the mountain as a resource—culture, traditions, and hospitality—all brought together under one identity, transcending borders and embracing unity. This is Booking Amiata.
Escaping Rome’s crowds to discover rural Italy
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Castelli Romani, in the municipality of Grottaferrata, Villa Cavalletti embodies centuries of history and a vibrant agricultural tradition. Just southeast of the city, this serene estate spans 67 acres of stunning landscapes studded with age-old olive groves and vineyards and offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern comforts. A visit to Villa Cavalletti means discovering ancient lands, savoring fresh-pressed virgin olive oil, and relaxing in comfortable guestrooms, giving visitors a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Italian rural life. The complex’s roots go back to when the Tusculum area was a Roman settlement. In the 16th century the Cavelletti noble family built the villa which, post-World War II, became the general house of the Jesuit Order where Pope Francis used to attend meetings. Later it became an Academy of Theology under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI.
The new Museum of Oil: showcasing Italy’s “green gold”
The centerpiece of Villa Cavalletti's revival is the newly restored Villino Rosso, a 17th-century farmhouse, now the Museo dell’Olio, a dedicated space celebrating the olive oil produced on the estate; the "green gold" of the Roman hills which are famous worldwide for their white wine production. "Much like wine tourism, oil tourism demands expertise and infrastructure to convey the millennia-old story of an everyday product," says Villa Cavalletti’s sustainability and development manager Tiziana Torelli, whose family developed the concept and realization of the estate when they acquired it in 2014.
Expert sommeliers guide the oil tastings
The new museum traces the journey of olive oil from ancient times to modern sustainable practices, with walks through the monumental olive grove which is home to 3,000 trees, and tastings led by expert sommeliers. “Olive oil tourism offers a profound opportunity for Italy's olive-growing regions," says Tiziana Torelli. “On December 7 and 14 we will start two cultural itineraries led by specialized guides. They will be resumed in spring, probably twice daily, for a maximum of 20 people. A day on the estate can include the cultural tour, oil tastings, lunch, dinner and other activities.” These go from e-bike and walking tours in the Castelli Romani hills, to discovering the Renaissance and Baroque Tuscolana villas around Frascati that were part of the 18th-century Grand Tour.
Agritourism accommodations and a new restaurant
The Villa Cavalletti agritourism experience captures the essence of rural Italian luxury, and guests can choose from elegant rooms in the main Accademia building with views over Rome, or in the villas with classic and superior rooms or the two-room unit which has an equipped kitchen. The Villa Cavalletti Restaurant is due to open early in 2025, but guests can avail themselves of the exclusive three-course menus curated by the chef at the nearby Art Bistrot in Villa Grazioli.
Connecting people, heritage, and nature
The estate also has areas dedicated to co-working, for corporate training and team-building events, and classrooms for Frascati’s international lyceum and catering academy. The Torelli family’s mission is to connect visitors with the land and its heritage while preserving and celebrating the region's natural beauty. Theirs is a dedication to regenerative tourism that ensures visitors experience the authenticity of rural Italy, contributing positively to its safeguarding and to the community.
For information: www.villacavalletti.it For Villino Rosso Museum bookings: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Nyx Hotel is close to the Vatican
The new Nyx Hotel Rome, located in the Prati district, a few steps from the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo, is in a strategic position to attract both tourists and business travellers, and is due to open next year. The new property is in the former Cicerone Hotel, which was renovated with an investment of some €20 million, and will have300 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, an indoor terrace and modular meeting areas.
The Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Monti opens next year
Also in Rome, the Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Monti will open its doors on 1 February 2025. The hotel will have 80 rooms, a breakfast room, a bar, an interior courtyard and a panoramic terrace. Guests will also have access to a spa with sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool and gym. A meeting room for corporate events completes the offer.
Leonardo Hotels has six hotels in Italy
With six hotels scattered along the Italian peninsula - in Rome, Milan, Verona, Venice and Lazise - in 2023 Leonardo Hotels recorded a turnover of €50 million in Italy, an increase of around €10 million over the previous year. Forecasts for 2024 indicate a turnover that is expected to close at around €56 million.
A start-up born with a 100-year-old history
Growing the business is the objective of Roberto Pannozzo, the new CEO of Carrani Tours, the historic Rome-based inbound operator. “Our company is already rich in talent and has achieved much success through international collaborations,- says Pannozzo. -Carrani is a reference DMC for many foreign top-level tours.” Taking over the leadership of the Roman DMC is for Pannozzo first and foremost “an honour and a responsibility, not only towards the owners but towards all the professionals on the team. Many have made this company an extension of their lives for more than a decade or two. It ccan also show how the tradition and values a 100-year-old company can be perfectly aligned with the principles of modern business where technology, process optimization and scalability must be the foundations of company growth. In fact, I like to think of Carrani as a start-up that was born with the competitive advantage of a 100-year history.”
“Travellers are better informed”
With 20 years of experience in inbound tourism, Pannozzo has seen the incoming world evolve at increasing speed: “But apart from the usual technology, which obviously remains central, what has changed above all is the customer, who must always be at the centre of everything, as must the well-being of our employees. Travellers have become increasingly demanding, because they are better informed, thanks primarily to the Internet. Compared to the past, they already arrive with a wealth of expectations and knowledge of the destination that was unthinkable 20 years ago. And we service providers must be aware that now the bar is much higher.”
A post-pandemic surge in demand
Referring to the real revolution that has taken place in the last four years post-epidemic, especially in operational management, Pannozzo concludes: “It’s no secret that those offering travel solutions are now struggling to keep pace with the surge in demand. for post-epidemic travel. Fortunately, Carrani’s well-established relationships with suppliers - from guides to transportation providers and hotels - enable us to adapt effectively to an ever-changing environment.