The Christmas Village in the little village of Grazzano Visconti is an enchantment not to be missed.

Christmas celebrations and a market

In the village of Grazzano Visconti, not far from Piacenza in the Emilia Romagna region, from mid-November, every weekend, and then every day from 26 December to 6 January 2026 (excluding 31 December), the streets will be transformed into a magical Christmas Village.  In addition to the long-awaited Christmas market, the 2025 novelty will be the Elves' Village, with a workshop for writing wish letters and a post office to send letters to Father Christmas, who will meet the children inside his little house. 

A Santa Clause rollercoaster and a gospel choir

Another 2025 novelty will be Santa's Big Sleigh, a playful rollercoaster for the little ones, while there will also be a skating rink and a Taboga slide. Every day at 4 p.m., the Village 's central stage will light up with a rich programme of shows: from gospel choirs to bands and Christmas music.

Over a hundred food and souvenir stalls 

In the market visitors will find as many as 80 exhibition stands dedicated to Christmas-related hobbies and crafts, perfect for unique and special gifts, as well as 20 stands entirely dedicated to food and wine with sweet and savoury specialties, spiced wines, freshly baked Christmas cakes and craft beers.  And there will be guided tours of the village’s castle, an opportunity to discover the history of this enchanted place. For information: https://www.facebook.com/events/662383493601732

“Lombardy is increasingly asserting itself as a destination of excellence for international golf tourism,’ said Barbara Mazzali, Lombardy regionak tourism, territorial marketing and fashion councillor.

Lombardy is a leader on the luxury golf scene

“Golf, continued the councillor, “is a fast-growing segment that combines sport, nature and lifestyle.” The Lombardy region is just  back from the International Golf Travel Market in Cannes, where it presented its tourism offer combining culture, sport, landscapes, efficiency and high quality accommodation. This participation confirmed Lombardy's role as a destination of excellence on the international luxury golf scene, a fast-growing segment that combines sport, nature and lifestyle.

Over 70 golf courses in varied landscapes

Lombardy has over 70 golf courses from those in the vineyards of Franciacorta to the historic villas of Brianza, and from the lakes of Como and Garda to the landscapes of Pavia and the hills of Varese. "We offer not just sport, but experiences such as exclusive resorts, starred restaurants and wellness centres immersed in nature and in towns that preserve art and tradition. The strength of Lombardy's tourist offer is knowing how to combine culture, sport, landscapes, efficiency and high quality accommodation,” said the councillor.

Lombardy has 29% of Italian golfers

In 2024 the region confirmed its leadership at a national level, with 27,225 members, equal to 29% of Italian golfers, and the highest concentration of courses with 18 holes or more (28 in total). But in Lombardy, golf is not just sport: it is authenticity, elegance and sustainability. “Our goal is to promote golf as a strategic lever to enhance Lombardy's landscape and cultural heritage. We want to attract high-profile tourists, deseasonalize flows, and create an integrated system that combines sport, food and wine, and culture'.

Neos has opened sales for flights on the New York-Bari route, which will resume on 2 June 2026.

Twice weekly JFK-Bari flights

The twice weekly flights will be on every Tuesdays and Fridays departing from Bari at 11.35am and arriving at 2.50pm (local time), Tuesdays and Fridays. The return flights from JFK New York at 5pm and arrive at 7.40am (next day) on Mondays and Thursdays. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating on the route is configured in two classes of service - Premium and Economy - and can accommodate 355 seats.

Working with local travel agencies 

‘The doubling of frequencies,’ said the president of Aeroporti di Puglia, Antonio Maria Vasile, "is the result of constant work that strengthens Puglia's international connectivity, making it increasingly accessible to global markets. The new operation expands the possibility for passengers to plan their stay in a more flexible way. The confirmation of the Neos flights further strengthens our partnership with the network of travel agencies, with whom we share a commitment to enhancing service quality and expanding our range of offerings. With 10,000 passengers carried from June to last October, the response from the Apulian market has been extremely positive, confirming the strategic role of Bari’s Karol Wojtyla  airport within the Neos network.

The Bettoja Hotel group is celebrating its 150th anniversary milestone this year while imagining the hotels of the future. 

Looking towards the future

Owned by the same family for five generations, Bettoja Hotels is a symbol of continuity and dedication in the Roman and Italian hôtellerie. With this legacy they are now looking to the future by boosting the renovation, which began in 2017 on four floors of the Mediterraneo Hotel, now scheduled to be resumed next spring on the Hotel Mediterraneo, the Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio and the Hotel Atlantico, taking about a year and a half to complete.

Proud to pass on from one generation to another 

“Celebrating 150 years means celebrating not only our long history, but also all the people who have been part of this journey, from our staff to our guests, who continue to contribute to the success and growth of our hotels,” said Maurizio Bettoja, president and namesake of the founder of the group. Massimo Bettoja, CEO of Bettoja Hotels, adds: “The mission of the current “old” generation is to lay the foundations, upgrading the properties and the management systems to the current needs of tourism, to allow our “new” generations to set out with solid tools , on a path of at least another 150 years.”

The group has been in the same family for five generations

"Celebrating 150 years of history means above all honouring our past, the dedication of our family and all those who have contributed to making our hotels places of hospitality, culture and warmth over time. Today I can say that we look to the future with the same passion that has guided the previous five generations,” said Stefania Bettoja, group manager for the three hotels, on this important celebration of 150 years at the fore of Roman hospitality. 

The Eisenhut Boutique Hotel in Bolzano has reopened in the heart of Bolzano and is an ideal choice to enjoy the famous Christmas market. 

Close to ski slopes and Alpine landscapes

This charming property on the central Via Bottai was an old building that has been given an elegant and intimate makeover. During the run-up to Christmas, with its proximity to the ski slopes and Alpine landscapes, it becomes a strategic starting point to immerse oneself in the enchantment of the festivities and discover the authentic beauty of the area with all its cultural, gastronomic and sporting experiences.

Beside the station, shops and local restaurants

Opened in May 2025 Eisenhut Boutique Hotel is a welcoming and refined oasis in the historic heart of the city for anyone travelling for business or pleasure, especially in autumn and winter. The former 13th-century building blends contemporary elegance and sustainability, offering guests an experience of art, comfort and direct contact with nature. In a strategic central location, just a few steps from the station and in the heart of Bolzano's pedestrian area, it guarantees easy access to shops and a wide range of top-quality local restaurants. From here, it is easy to immerse yourself in the city's cultural heritage or to set out to explore the Dolomite and Alpine peaks, which offer unparalleled year-round heritage.

Bolzano has Italy’s largest Christmas market

Staying here during the autumn and winter months means experiencing Italy's largest Christmas market. From 28 November to 6 January the Bolzano Christmas market fills Piazza Walther, just a few steps from the Eisenhut, with glittering stalls selling fine local handicrafts, gastronomic specialties accompanied by a rich programme of music and workshops.

Seven different types of room and a fitness area

After a day spent on the snowy slopes or in the festively decorated city, guests can warm up in the 24-hour Honesty Bar which complements the breakfast buffet with a selection of typical regional products selected from local suppliers and exclusive specialties from the open kitchen. There is also a fitness area with Pilates Reformer equipment adjacent to the quiet green courtyard, which is an ideal spot for post-workout relaxation. The 33 rooms in seven different categories have with wooden floors and warm tones, and are designed to offer maximum comfort for guests. And to make a stay even more special and tailored to each guest’s individual needs, the Eisenhut Boutique Hotel offers numerous food and wine packages, tasting experiences and wellness programmes.

Christmas markets create a festive and intimate atmosphere in the historic town of Vipiteno where Tenne Lodges & Resort in Racine promises enchanting stays.

Racine is one of Italy’s northernmost towns

This small town in the Valle Isarco valley in the province of Bolzano, is among the northernmost municipalities in Italy (we are very close to the Austrian border) and has perfectly proportioned architecture. Its iconic Torre dei Dodici is actually a gateway leading to the oldest Medieval part of the town, and during the Christmas market period it opens onto a fairytale world with gastronomic specialties and local handicrafts. Everything is absolutely original, and the atmosphere is unparalleled. 

A 5-star mountain resort 

This year the market opens this year on 28 November and ends on 6 January 2026 and to celebrate the magic of the season at its best, choose a stay at the Tenne Lodges & Chalets in Racinc, a five-star mountain resort, set in the majestic landscape of the Racines Giovo district. 

Seasonal cheer and a family welcome

The Rainer-Schölzhorn family of hoteliers have been welcoming snow lovers and hikers here for over 40 years and guests can devote themselves to snow sports and wellbeing, delighting in the pleasures of the table, thanks to the mastery of chef Mike Bräutigam. The best possible choice for a serene holiday in a season that is packed with joy and goodwill.

For information: https://www.tenne-suedtirol.com/it/

ItaliAbsolutely met Nello D'Auria, the mayor of Gragnano, at the WTM and talked about how tourism is evolving in Gragnano. 

Close to Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast 

“As far as tourism to Gragnano is concerned, I think we have passed the start-up stage, and have positioned ourselves in a defined tourist system. Geographically speaking we are very advantaged, as we are halfway between Naples and Salerno, close to Pompeii, and very close to the Sorrento peninsula and therefore to the Amalfi Coast.” 

“The true food and wine capital of the Campania region”

“The figures are growing and we are very happy with them. Another point I would like to make is that we position ourselves as the true food and wine capital of the Campania region. But, of course, we also leverage our natural beauty and experiential tourism linking products to our territory. For example, we involve tourism in the production of pasta, bakery products, wine, oil and mozzarella cheese.”

The need to network and promote 

“Now we need to network between homogeneous territories. This, our first time at the WTM makes us realize the importance of selling ourselves at an international level. Of course, this is only the starting point towards targeting new destinations and new international flows, without, of course, overlooking Italian visitors. So, we are developing an idea aimed at expanding our margins, while always keeping our focus on our territory.”

Puglia out of season is a precious opportunity to discover the most authentic Puglia at Vista Ostuni. 

A 5-star Leading Hotels of the World member

Vista Ostuni will remain open until January 2026, in line with the philosophy of the Vista brand, which promotes deseasonalization and chooses places able to offer a slower, gentler and more conscious idea of luxury tourism. The five-star luxury hotel, owned by the Passera family and a Leading Hotels of the World member, is in a privileged position in the heart of the Upper Salento: close to Ostuni, the White City, overlooking a plain of monumental olive trees that descends towards the sea.

Dinners that tell the story of Puglia 

The Berton al Vista Restaurant, opened just a few months ago and already listed in the Michelin Guide 2025, inaugurates the Wine Dinner Series ‘Un Assaggio di Puglia e oltre’ (A Taste of Puglia and Beyond), a series of dinners that bring together cuisine, values and territories. scheduled for 14 November with Tormaresca, 5 December with Amalberga, and 19 December with Maison Bruno Paillard, Vista Ostuni’s autumn of wine and food itineraries tell the story of Puglia through the wines and the new seasonal menus with local ingredients as protagonists. And in autumn the Chiostro Bar comes alive with warmth and atmosphere: the wide arches and the large open wine cellar creating a cozy ambience.

An oil weekend on 8 November

On the weekend of 8 November, the hotel celebrates the region's most precious symbol: extra virgin olive oil. The experience includes an olive harvest at a local masseria, guided tastings, a dedicated spa ritual using olive oil, and a dinner entirely inspired by this noble ingredient at the Berton al Vista Restaurant.

ebiking, cooking classes and pottery workshops

Year-round activities include ebike routes through the Coastal Dunes Park to the Dolmen of Montalbano, the Apulian Aqueduct cycle path and the paths connecting Ostuni to the Marina, to discover the countryside and the coast without seasonal constraints. Experiences linked to the territory are organized inside the hotel. From Apulian cooking classes with chef Andrea Berton to tastings of local wines and oils and from visits to oil mills and masserie to witness the production of Apulian cheeses  and to pottery workshops with local master craftsmen.