The beautiful Italian town of Polignano a Mare, in the province of Bari, wins the title of the world's most welcoming town.

The highest levels of hospitality all year

The little seaside town of Polignano a Mare beat off competition from 220 countries to place first in the Traveller Review Award 2023, which crowned it the most welcoming city in the world. This prestigious award, from booking.com, goes to destinations that are committed to providing guests with the highest levels of hospitality throughout the year.

A town that knows how to make guests feel at home

And, as Polignano’s mayor Vito Carrieri pointed out, what makes this little town, nestled on the Adriatic coast between Mola di Bari and Monopoli, so special is that is has something for every kind of tourist thanks to its vocation for hospitality. Polignano knows how to make each and every guest feel at home.

A mix of nature, culture and traditions

The town captivates visitors with its unique mix of natural attractions, cultural events and traditions, plus the warmth and welcome they get from its inhabitants.  Built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Adriatic Sea, strolling along its paved alleyways, through little white squares with flowering balconies, and taking in the wonderful views from the rocky headland that frames the town, leaves visitors with lasting impressions. Domenico Modugno, a popular singer in the 1960s is Polignano’s most illustrious citizen, and there is a bronze statue to him, his arms outstretched,  on a little square on the seafront.   

The mild climate and local cuisine are an added plus 

The favorable climate is another important factor in making Polignano the perfect place to visit at any time of year.  Many of the town’s hotels and guesthouses are in old houses in the historic center that have been renovated to guarantee quality stays in charming and relaxed settings. And then there is the food. Fresh fish specialties and other typical Apulian delicacies can be enjoyed in the many restaurants, from a simple tomato focaccia to be enjoyed on the beach to a romantic dinner overlooking the sea, there is something for all tastes and all pockets in Polignano a Mare. 

The Boutique Hotel Torre Cala Piccola on Lazio’s Monte Argentario reopens for the summer season with a slew of new amenities. 

“Innovations provide guests with a top-tier experience”

“Over the winter, we introduced many innovations in terms of service and facilities, with the goal of providing guests with a top-tier experience,” says Boutique Hotel Torre Cala Piccola’s gm Stefania Marconi. The hotel's strong point is its seafront location, and it has 53 rooms and suites set in a vast park with breathtaking views of the islands of Giglio and Giannutri. 

A range of eateries and sunset cocktails

Chef Francesco Carrieri's excellent cuisine can be enjoyed in a variety of settings, including breakfast on the roof terrace and lunch at the outdoor bistro shaded by trees. Evening cocktails can be enjoyed at the renovated bar adjacent to the suggestive Spanish tower, and dinner is served in the panoramic Torre d'Argento Restaurant, or with a sunset view. 

A beach club, spa and amenities for pets

Guests staying at the Boutique Hotel Torre Cala Piccola can choose between the magnificent infinity pool that extends to the Argentario's magnificent blue sea and the beach club below, which are easily reached with golf carts. The sensory park, where you can breathe the aromas emanating from essential oils and resins rounds out the range of services together with the wellness centre with its relaxing massages. Four-legged friends are warmly welcomed and find a Puppy Kit in the room with absorbent mats, bags, and a food bowl.

Tuscan cuisine and innovative techniques

Francesco Carrieri, chef of the Torre d'Argento Restaurant, focuses on seasonality and quality, using only the freshest raw materials sourced from local suppliers. Tuscan cuisine meets the most innovative techniques in his creations, and there is no shortage of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and kid-friendly options. 

A new decree obliges visitors to keep strolling through some areas of Portofino, with no stopping allowed until 15 October 2023.

New controlled red and yellow zones avoid overcrowding

Certain areas of the little Ligurian coastal town, like the piazzetta square overlooking the sea, and the Umberto I pier which are regularly taken by storm by crowds of visitors from Italy, Europe, the USA and Japan, have been declared red and yellow zones with only strolling and no stopping allowed. The aim is to allow all visitors to stroll around and enjoy the beauty of the Tigullio coast, while avoiding overcrowding.

No stationing or gathering at group meeting points

The new rules prohibit “the stationing of people at gathering and meeting points for groups and cruise passengers waiting to board boats or other vessels.” This, the authorities emphasise is to avoid “problems of fluidity of pedestrian and vehicular circulation” and “serious obstructions and potential danger deriving from the excessive density of people in relation to the available surface area.” Hence the new regulations, which will remain in force in Portofino until 15 October.

“It is not a closed number” says Portofino’s mayor

The new restrictions in the first red zone which goes from the Delfino restaurant to the Umberto 1 Pier are in place from 10.30 am to 6 pm, while in the second red zone they are from 7.30 am to 6 pm in the area between the Molo Umberto I and the Da Vince complex. Anyone not complying with the new provisions can find themselves having to pay a fine of between €68 and €275.

“It is not a closed number," says Portofino’s mayor Matteo Viacava, “the aim is to allow all tourists coming to Portofino to enjoy the town to the fullest, but also to manage security in the piazzetta.” So Portofino’s new rule is: ok to walking, but without stopping and gathering, in designated areas.

 

The Val Mivola in the Marche region, the tourist destination created a year ago from the union of nine charming little towns, offers an infinite number of itineraries, and just as many unmissable experiences. 

In the Marche region, between the mountains and the sea

The Val Mivola, in the province of Ancona, is a destination with many cultural, traditional and relaxing attractions in close contact with nature. With the Apennine mountains on one side and the Adriatic coastline on the other, these nine charming towns -  Arcevia, Barbara, Castelleone Di Suasa, Corinaldo, Ostra, Ostra Vetere, Senigallia, Serra De' Conti and Trecastelli -  are unique, each with its own character and really worth visiting.

Senigallia

Beaches, art and medieval architecture

Starting with Senigallia, with its 14 kilometre-long golden beach and the fascinating Rotonda sul Mare pier, it is a very popular seaside resort. You cannot miss a visit to the Palazzo del Duca, home to the works of the great photographer Mario Giacomelli, who was born and lived in the city: a permanent collection of around 80 photographs that recount Giacomelli's poetic and artistic universe. Continuing on to Trecastelli we find the interesting Nori de' Nobili Museum, while Ostra is a not-to-be-missed stop for the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rosa and the small La Vittoria Theatre, a fascinating horseshoe-shaped gem built in 1863, Moving inland we come to Corinaldo, a delightful little town encircled by 1 km of old walls. The mediaeval centre unfolds in narrow alleyways in which to lose oneself, encountering enchanting squares along the way.

Teatro Ostra - Andrea Giuliani

Ostra countryside

A fascinating ancient Roman site

In Ostra Vetere, you cannot miss a stop at a construction that dates back to the early 20th century and represents an interesting example of the poor or “atterrati” architecture typical of the Marche region. We find more history and antiquity in Castelleone di Suasa, where the remains of one of the most interesting Roman sites in the region can be found. The municipium of Suasa was an important settlement, especially from a commercial point of view, and it experienced a period of great splendour between the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C., only to be abandoned in the 7th century A.D.

Barbara

Charming and lively towns with much to offer visitors

Once you reach Barbara follow the Canalecchia route, a fascinating itinerary to discover the legends and the treasures of this little town. In Serra De' Conti, not to be missed is the Museum of Monastic Arts "Le Stanze del Tempo sospeso" (The Rooms of Suspended Time) with artefacts belonging to the nearby Monastery of S. Maria Maddalena. The last stop on this charming itinerary is Arcevia with its castles, set in green woods and surrounded by high walls, where time seems to stand still in a place that was once the scene of bloody battles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. The Val Mivola awaits visitors with a warm welcome and a myriad of characteristic and lively towns to discover. 

Serra De' Conti, Museum of Monastic Arts

In the medium term, the goal is to become the specialist broker for everything that moves on wheels”, and with 3,000 agency clients in Italy and 15,000 in Europe, Flexible Autos is now expanding into Latin America. 

“We are the only broker in Europe that sells exclusively to the trade”

"Through our 20 Italian suppliers for every search made online there are 300 cars, which is an amazing variety and availability," says Alessandro Patacchiola, managing director Spain Italy, France, Belgium and Portugal. “We are the only broker in Europe that sells exclusively to the trade, our site is closed to the end customer.  In the medium term our goal is to become the specialist broker for everything that moves on wheels. We give agencies what they need to stand up to online consumer sales. Anyone can find a cheap price online, but when there are problems you have to have the right answers and be flexible. Car rentals are complex, with endless small details that need to be explained and understood before making a booking.”  

Van, scooter and also camper rentals

The growing number of small local suppliers popping up in specific destinations such as Sicily and Sardinia is providing Flexible Autos with greater product availability

"and it certainly allows us to propose even more aggressive pricing for the high season. Now we are launching van rentals, and also scooters on the Italian and Spanish islands.  And there is the return of the camper, a product we launched during the pandemic. In the first two months of this year we have had more requests for campers than in the last three years.” 

Costa Toscana, the Italian flagship of the Costa Crociere fleet, is to return to Naples for the second year every Wednesday up to 22 November 2023.

Stopping also in Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa and Cagliari

The itinerary, with a total of 43 stopovers, 10 more than in 2022, will explore some of the most beautiful destinations from art cities to beaches and beautiful landscapes, with stops in Naples, Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona and Cagliari. 

Visiting the famous Rione Sanità district

Costa Toscana will take its guests on a tour to discover Naples and its territory with expert local guides. One of the main novelties is a new tour entirely dedicated to the Rione Sanità district, which is scheduled to debut at the end of April. 

A 4-hour walking tour with a stop for fried pizza

The tour will be entirely on foot, thus ensuring maximum sustainability and without impacting on city traffic. The itinerary will wind its way through the streets of the district from Piazzetta Crociferi to Palazzo dello Spagnuolo; from Vicolo della Cultura to Totò's house; from the Cappella dei Bianchi with  Jago's Veiled Son' to the Basilica of Santa Maria alla Sanità, with its fabulous crib and to Palazzo Sanfelice. The tour will last some four hours in total, and will also allow visitors to sample some of the district's gastronomic delicacies such as pizza fritta, which is delicious fried pizza.

Costa Toscana has 21 different restaurants and food experience areas

The Costa Toscana, which entered service on 5 March 2022, is a true travelling "smart city", a state-of-the-art ship with furnishings, lighting, fabrics and accessories all Made in Italy.  On-board offerings include the Solemio Spa, dedicated entertainment areas, themed bars and 21 restaurants and food experience areas. For information: www.costacrociere.it

The new spring 2023 edition of Week-End Gastronomici (Gastronomic Weekends) in the province of Pesaro and Urbino features fixed-price local menus from April to June. 

Discovering local foods and wines in charming little towns

The new publication promotes the cuisine of charming hinterland towns and villages in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, featuring 46 local restaurants. The guide, now in its 40th edition, was presented this week at the ENIT headquarters in Rome.  

Every year the guide has a spring and an autumn edition

Dishes that are never banal, expressions of the culinary excellence of the province of Pesaro and Urbino, are featured in exciting menus in 46 different restaurants at promotional prices, which is the gastronomic format devised by Confcomercio Marche Nord.

"The secret of the success of these weekends, which this year run from Saturday 15 April to Sunday 11 June, is clarity and respect for the consumer. The new guide lists the menu, the type of drinks and the price excluding any service charge for each of restaurants on the weekends planned from April to June. Then we have the autumn edition with more restaurants in the hinterland," said Amerigo Varotti, president and director of Confcommercio Pesaro and Urbino-Marche Nord. 

 

“A way to shift tourist flows away from mass circuits” 

"Each restaurateur has the opportunity to make himself known to a clientele other than his regular customers, and visitors get a chance to try excellent menus based on local specialities at lower prices than those normally charged,” added Varotti. "This congruous and intelligent way of discovering Italy’s gastronomic wonders also helps to shift tourist flows towards lesser-known areas, away from mass circuits. It is a great way to allow visitors, and also Italians, to discover all about Italy’s gastronomic excellences," commented ENIT’s managing director Ivana Jelinic. 

Local delicacies like prosciutto, cheese and wines 

The Gastronomic Weekends are also a vehicle for promoting the PDO products of the province such as Carpegna prosciutto, Cartoceto olive oil and Urbino’s casciotta cheese, as well as wines like Sangiovese Colli Pesaresi, Bianchello del Metauro and Pergola Rosso DOP, among others. 

Air China has returned to the skies over Rome after three years, with the re-establishment of the historic route from Beijing. 

Three classes and continental menus

An Airbus 350-900, a state-of-the-art, silent and eco-friendly aircraft, is in service on the route, and the innovative, high-quality cabin interiors further enhance the in-flight experience for passengers in all classes: economy, premium and business. On board there is a wide range of continental menus and an entertainment programme in Italian.

Daily flights from Beijing and Hangzhou

"With this flight, - states a note from the Chinese airline, - Air China boosts its offer with daily flights to Rome from Beijing and Hangzhou, the ancient city described by Marco Polo as the most beautiful place in the world. Hangzhou is very close to Shanghai, and using the high-speed rail link it is less than an hour away."

18 weekly Air China flights from China and Asia to Italy

Considering the increase in frequencies operated at Milan Malpensa airport, with direct flights from Shanghai, Beijing and Wenzhou, Air China offers 18 direct weekly frequencies between China, Asia and Italy. In fact, the carrier connects many destinations in Asia in particular Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia as well as others.

The Borsalino Museum, which has just opened in Alessandria with a café and a gift shop, is in the historic Palazzo Borsalino in the Piedmont town.

Enhancing Alessandria’s unique cultural heritage

Inaugurated on 4 April – the 166th anniversary of the Foundation - the new museum is a collaboration between the city of Alessandria and the Borsalino Foundation, and commemorates and pinnacle of Italian excellence in the production of hats. Redeveloped while preserving the identity and spirit of the building, the museum spreads over a total of 620 sqm of exhibition areas, and includes a café and a gift shop. The mission of the Borsalino Museum is to enhance the profound historical and cultural heritage of Alessandria, adding to the region’s many tourist attractions.

Hat production techniques and artisan secrets

The museum is a dynamic and innovative space that invites visitors to discover the culture of Italian hat making. The itinerary - from 1857 to the present day - is an emotional journey that starts from Antica Casa, a multimedia installation that traces the main stages in the history of the hat manufacture. Manifattura is the area dedicated to the hat production processes and techniques as well as to the many secrets of Alessandria’s artisans. 

Legendary Borsalino hats that captured the Big Screen 

Galleria features a display of more than two thousand hats, organized into eight fascinating narrative itineraries for an experience like no other in the world: Twenty Hats that Changed the World; Travel with Borsalino; Legendary Panama Hats; Borsalino and Women; Hats that Captured the Big Screen; Divine Hats; Borsalino for…, and Borsalino & Other Stories.  The museum itinerary is completed and highlighted by themed video installations. Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10.00 to 19.00.  

  

Cefalù is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, and one of the most picturesque destinations in Sicily. Located on the northern coast, in a strategic position about an hour from Palermo, it has a millennial history.    

Daniele Tumminello, mayor of Cefalu'
“Our identity and our image in the world is the Cathedral that dominates the old town, which in turn is dominated by the Madonie mountains, and we have been a UNESCO site since 2015,” says Cefalù’s mayor, Daniele Tumminello. 

"The rest is obviously done by nature, and then there is the historical beauty of the city.” And also the warm welcome the townspeople reserve for visitors, which is something that dates back centuries, “but took on new meaning at the end of the 50s when the Club Med first opened.  Last year we recorded 811, 000 overnights against 784,926 in 2019.”

Foreign tourism accounts for 63.7% of arrivals to Cefalù, with France and Germany in the lead and a significant presence of American, British and Swiss visitors, with Italians accounting for 36.3% per cent annually. “While many of our visitors use the city as a door to discover the surrounding area, being a port city Cefalù has a unique appeal and a wide range of accommodation of all levels, and currently we are investing in upgrading many facilities like the waterfront and adding new parking areas."  

At the ITB Cefalù has been promoted through images, typical products, and brochures that tell of the history, places, and experiences that the city offers in terms of culture, nature, food and wine. The aim being, added mayor Tumminello, to consolidate the annual presence of Germans and other loyal visitors, while reaching out to conquer new international markets.