Following the huge success of last year's event, the 57th edition of the international jazz festival will be held in La Spezia from 13 to 25 July.

“This year we have a truly exceptional programme” 

This is the most important jazz festival in Liguria and the oldest Italian music festival dedicated to the genre.  “The La Spezia International Jazz Festival is the longest-running in Italy and this year reaches its 57th edition, bringing world-renowned artists to the stage in Piazza Europa, true legends of contemporary jazz and progressive rock who have marked the history of music from the 1970s and 1980s to the present day,- says the mayor of La Spezia, Pierluigi Peracchini.  - This year's programme is truly exceptional, continuing a tradition that has long provided us with events of the highest calibre. La Spezia thus confirms its status as a reference point for jazz and live performances. The Festival is an event that continues to grow, supported by a constant commitment to the promotion of music and culture."

The Festival opens on 13 July with Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller will open this year's festival on 13 July. The two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz icon will deliver a show that is unique in its intensity and engagement. On 14 July, it will be the turn of Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Adam Cruz Trio. On 15 July, Jethro Tull are expected for their only summer date in Italy. Ian Anderson's legendary band will play in La Spezia during their new tour, “The Curiosity”. And on 18 July, John Scofield's Long Days Quartet will take centre stage with a new project launched in the summer of 2025.

The last concert on 25 July will star Stewart Copeland

The Festival continues on 19 July with Fabio Concato & I Musici In Concerto performing as part of the “Altro di me tour 2025”, the new musical chapter in Fabio Concato's long artistic career. On 20 July, Incognito, the pioneering Acid Jazz band formed in 1979, will take to the stage. And on 25 July, the grand finale will feature Stewart Copeland presenting his new project “Police Deranged For Orchestra”, an orchestral work in which he revisits the iconic songs of the band that made music history.

Everything is ready at Arbatax Park Resort & Spa in Sardinia for its reopening on 16 May, with a 2025 season full of offers and activities for all ages.

A revamp for the 300-room Hotel Telis

Among the most significant changes is the restyling of the Hotel Telis, with around 300 rooms that have been completely renovated, with new furnishings and travertine flooring. The complex is once again proving to be an ideal destination for families, with a wide range of activities and services designed to engage young and old alike,  combining nature, sport, entertainment and wellness.

Many wellness  and kids facilities

Among the new features is the revamped Vik Club (Very Important Kids), a real world tailored to children, aimed in particular at the 10-13 age group. For sports lovers, the Cagliari Calcio Summer Camp is back again this year, offering children aged 5 to 13 the chance to spend a week as real footballers. There is also a focus on wellness for the whole family thanks to the LongAge Fitness programme, designed for those who want to stay active and healthy even on holiday.

The Olgiastra is one of the world’s Blue Zones

Among the most eagerly awaited events is “A Chent'Annos... a Tavola”, a gastronomic event that pays homage to the longevity of the inhabitants of Ogliastra, one of the five Blue Zones in the world.  On this journey through tradition and innovation, talented chefs will reinterpret typical local dishes with a contemporary twist, showcasing not only the flavours of an ancient land, but also the secrets of long life.

Set in a nature park with a range of accommodations

Located in the heart of Ogliastra, one of the world’s five Blue Zones, Arbatax Park Resort & SPA extends over a peninsula of more than 60 hectares, surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The resort is located within a nature park, the Bellavista Natural Park, a protected area where Sardinia's typical flora and fauna live in total harmony.  The complex offers various options: Cottage, Dune, Telis, Ville del Parco, Borgo Cala Moresca, Monte Turri and Suites del Mare. For lovers of relaxation and wellness, the exclusive Bellavista Wellness Centre & Spa, with over 2,000 square metres dedicated to relaxation, offers wellness programmes and rejuvenating treatments.

This summer, sailing holidays with a 4-legged friend becomes a reality. 

"Dog & Cat On Board" vacations

ItalyCharter, a leader in yacht charters, launches "Dog & Cat On Board" vacations, which are exclusive sailing experiences where pets are welcome on board and become part of the adventure.

Cruising in Tuscany with a pet

Imagine cruising the crystal-clear waters of Tuscany, from Elba to Giglio and Capraia, with a four-legged friend. No leashes, no beach restrictions, no compromises, just pure freedom, breathtaking landscapes, and plenty of time to relax with your 4-legged friend, surrounded by the beauty of the sea.

Dedicated programmes for puppies and adult dogs

Whether for a weekend escape or a full week of discovery, ItalyCharter offers fully equipped boats, with expert skippers trained to handle pets onboard, and all the gear needed for exploring land and sea. There are two programmes: one dedicated to puppies, and one for adult dogs, and there are also options for exclusive or shared charters. Bookings are now open for summer 2025.



For information:  www.italycharter.it

Vueling's Italian summer schedule includes 33 routes, four of which are new international routes: Brussels-Florence, Paris Orly- Salerno, Barcelona- Salerno and Barcelona- Rimini.

New Bussels-Florence flights

The Italian operation saw the launch of the Brussels-Florence route on 1 April, with three weekly flights (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), becoming the first and only low-cost airline to operate this route.

The only airline operating Paris Orly-Salerno flights

In addition, the Spanish airline has launched two new routes to Salerno that are not served by other carriers: from Paris Orly, operating from 20 June to 24 October with three weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and from Barcelona, from 3 July to 25 October with three weekly flights (Monday, Thursday and Saturday). The same applies to the Barcelona-Rimini route, with flights departing from 2 July to 22 October, with two weekly frequencies (Wednesday and Sunday).

Flying into 15 Italian airports this summer

This summer Vueling will therefore fly into 15 Italian airports (primarily the hubs of Rome Fiumicino and Florence, but also Bologna, Bari, Cagliari, Catania, Genoa, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Turin, Venice, Salerno and Rimini) from 13 European destinations (Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia, Malaga, Ibiza, London, Paris, Dubrovnik, Split, Mykonos, Santorini and Brussels) in six countries (Spain, England, France, Croatia, Greece and Belgium). Domestically, Vueling also connects Florence airport with Catania. Globally, the IAG group company will fly through a network of 224 routes to almost 100 destinations in 29 countries.

Ita Airways makes its debut at the Arabian Travel Market in the Dubai World Trade Centre.

A growing demand for business and leisure travel

The event will see the airline meet with trade professionals in the Italian Pavilion, in the ENIT area (EU6250 - hall 6), until 1 May. “The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai is a prestigious opportunity to further establish our presence and commitment in a region of great strategic importance,- said Emiliana Limosani, chief commercial officer of ITAAirways and CEO of Volare. - With the introduction last year of direct ITA flights from Rome to Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, we have facilitated the growth of connections between Italy and the Arabian Peninsula, responding to the growing demand for premium travel, both for the business and leisure segments. These routes are a key part of our international development strategy and allow us to continue promoting Italian excellence around the world.”

Airbus A321neo aircraft and three classes

The Rome Fiumicino–Dubai route, which opened last October, was the airline's first direct connection to the United Arab Emirates and a key step in its intercontinental network expansion strategy. The flight is operated with the Airbus A321neo, the first narrow-body aircraft in the ITA fleet configured with Business Class (with full flat-bed seats), Premium Economy and Economy.

Codeshare agreements with major carriers in the Middle East

In addition to Dubai, in 2024 the carrier expanded its presence in the Arabian Peninsula by launching direct flights from Rome to Riyadh and Jeddah: both routes are served by Airbus A321neo aircraft. In response to growing demand, the airline has increased its Rome-Riyadh service from five to six weekly frequencies during the current summer season. The Rome–Jeddah route operates three times a week. Regional connectivity is also supported by codeshare agreements with major carriers in the Middle East.

Flying to 59 destinations this summer

ITA's summer network includes 59 destinations, flying to 16 intercontinental, 27 international and 16 domestic airports. The seasonal summer routes will connect Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate with popular Mediterranean destinations such as the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca), the Greek islands (Rhodes, Heraklion, Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia) and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria. Furthermore, since 30 March, ITAAirways passengers can also benefit from additional connections to over 100 destinations thanks to codeshare flights with five Lufthansa Group airlines: Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti.

China Eastern Airlines boosts its network to Europe, opening sales for new flights from Shanghai Pudong to Milan and Copenhagen.

From Shanghai and X’ian to Malpensa Airport

The Chinese airline, which already operates at Malpensa Airport with a route from Xi'an that opened in September 2024, will operate the new flights from Shanghai starting on 20 June. The flights will be daily and an Airbus A350-900 will be used on the route.

Copenhagen will also enter the European network

Copenhagen will be a new addition to the European network and will become China Eastern's 15th destination in Europe, including destinations in Russia. The flight to the Danish capital will begin on 17 July and will operate three times a week with an A330-200.

Nine Chinese cities are linked by air to Milan Malpensa

Milan Malpensa Airport is currently connected by direct flights from nine Chinese cities: Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wenzhou, Xi'an and Zhengzhou. China Eastern's latest additions precede the imminent launch of the Shanghai-Geneva flight, scheduled for 16 June with four weekly connections. The carrier is also increasing frequencies on another Italian route, with Shanghai-Venice flights which will rise to four weekly flights to a service that was inaugurated last September.

A new direct service between the city of Florence and Pisa airport will be launched on Thursday 1 May.

The buses depart from the centre of Florence Bus4Fly is a service developed in partnership between Tiemme, Busitalia Rail Service and Florentia Bus. The service will depart from Piazzale Montelungo, in the centre of Florence, and arrive at Galileo Galilei Airport, in Piazzale D'Ascanio.

Six return journeys daily

This is an experimental project which, in this initial phase, will offer six return journeys per day. Departures from Florence are scheduled at 7:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., while departures from Pisa Airport are scheduled at 9:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Starting in June, the service will be gradually expanded based on initial user feedback.

One large piece of luggage and a small bag

The buses are modern, comfortable and equipped with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Free luggage transport is also included, with the possibility of bringing one large piece of luggage (70x50x30 cm up to 30 kg) and one small piece of luggage (55x40x20 cm up to 10 kg) per passenger.

Tickets are also available online

Bus4Fly tickets, starting at €3.99, are already available and can be purchased online, on board (cashless, subject to availability), at the Sightseeing Experience ticket office inside Florence's Santa Maria Novella station and at the ticket office inside Pisa's Galilei airport.