For the second consecutive summer, Qantas has rescheduled its direct Perth-Rome flights.    

The only direct flights from Australia to Europe

This is the only direct link between Australia and continental Europe. The route will be served three days a week until 3 October 2023, and the airline also confirmed the route for summer 2024, with flights going on sale from the beginning of next July.

The route was supported by the Western Australia government

The launch of the route in 2022 was supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia and the Aviation Recovery Fund, part of the A$195 million 'Reconnect WA' programme. “In 2022, we helped Qantas kick off direct flights between Perth and Rome, to secure what was the first ever direct connection to mainland Europe,” Western Australia Premier Roger Cook commented.

ITA Airways' new VIP Room, inside Leonardo da Vinci airport’s Hangar Lounge, has designs by Italian furniture company Lema.

A living-room styled area for business meetings

For passengers departing for domestic and international destinations in the Schengen area of Rome Fiumicino international airport, the new VIP section offers a living-room styled area in which to organize business meetings in total privacy, or in which to relax in a comfortable environment. The furnishings are from Lema, an Italian company that blends innovation and tradition in designing and producing contemporary furnishings for the home and for the workspace.  

“This is a reserved and functional space”

"It is truly a pleasure to present our VIP Room inside the Hangar Lounge which ITA Airways recently inaugurated, - said Giovanni Perosino Chief Marketing Officer of ITA Airways. - This is a reserved and functional space entirely dedicated to those looking for more privacy to hold meetings and get in some networking before boarding our flights." 

Executive members do not need to make a reservation

The new Hangar Lounge was inaugurated on l9 April, and from today it extends a welcome to Executive members also in the new VIP Room, without the need for a reservation. And there is also the possibility of accommodating up to six already-eligible passengers (Business Class, Executive members, Premium Volare and Elite Plus Skyteam members).

"With this important collaboration, Lema wishes to improve the customer experience of travellers from all over the world, creating a space that is hospitable, practical and in which to breathe in all the warmth of Italian hospitality and design," said Angelo Meroni, president of Lema.

Airport taxes will have to increase warned Olivier Jankovec, general manager of ACI Europe.

Airports have lost over €20 billion since 2019

It’s a return to profit for European airports, which in 2022 recorded a collective net profit of €6.4 billion. Not a bad result given that the passenger volume was 21% lower than 2019 pre-pandemic levels. But the financial situation of European airports remains "uncertain and challenging" and airport taxes across the continent will have to increase. Olivier Jankovec, general manager of ACI Europe said that since 2019 the sector has lost more than €50 billion in revenues and accumulated over €20 billion in losses.

“The investment crisis is already a reality"

"At stake is the ability of airports to invest in decarbonisation, resilience, digitisation and capacity where needed,- underlined Jankovec. - Looking ahead to 2023 and the following two years, European airports have already reduced future investments by €34.6 billion to €18.4 billion. The investment crisis is already a reality." Jankovec says airport taxes are up 7% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and airfares up 32%. There is only one logical way forward, and that is to respect the user pays principle, he said.

"Regulators and governments must accept that cost pressures and investment needs require an upward adjustment of airport charges."

IATA boss Willie Walsh says airports are trying to defraud airlines 

Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, has repeatedly attacked airports for hiking taxes, arguing that the industry "cannot tolerate a situation where airports try to defraud airlines and their passengers with significant increases in airport charges." Walsh recently criticized Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.

ITA Airways and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) have signed an agreement to ensure air connectivity with preferred fares to Italian American community members.

Discounted offers on ITA flights

The United States is ITA Airways’ number one international market and destination, and the most strategic after Italy, as well as the country with the largest number of citizens of Italian origin. The Italian flag carrier is providing NIAF members traveling between the United States and Italy with an ongoing dedicated discounted offer and several flash discount promotions within the agreement. These go from a 20% discount on business class fares to a 10% reduction on fares for all routes within the ITA Airways’ network.

“The partnership further strengthens ITA Airways”

"By entering into this partnership with ITA Airways, we are delighted to offer our members exclusive discounts when traveling to Italy," said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President. 

“The partnership further strengthens ITA Airways' commitment beyond tourism flows development,” stated Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airways Chief Commercial Officer.   With direct flights to New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, and San Francisco (launched on July 1) ITA Airways will operate 122 weekly roundtrip flights between North America and Italy in the height of the summer season. 

    

The Salento-based Relais San Martino is the debut Italian property for Accor's new soft brand, Handwritten Collection. 

Rooms, suites and apartments in a 1700s building

Located in the town of Taviano, about five kilometres from Gallipoli, Relais San Martino is a historic building dating back to the 1700s that has been renovated in keeping with the local architectural tradition. It has 31 rooms, including five suites, a junior suite and two apartment residences (superior and deluxe).

The restaurant has a complete menu using seawater 

A wellness area with an outdoor pool, whirlpool, fitness boutique and a meditation citrus grove is also part of the Accor facility. There is also an additional fitness area located on the terrace. The F&B features Chiara Murra's restaurant A Casa Tu Martinu, which specializes in authentic Apulian cuisine. As of 2021, an interesting experiment was introduced, involving the use of seawater in the kitchen with a complete menu including desserts. This has made it possible, among other things, to eliminate salt from the preparation of dishes.

Bluetour’s sailing ship Jancris has arrived at Porto di Traiano in Lazio, on the second leg of its blue heritage tour.

The sailing boat brings a message of sustainability

The boat Jancris, which is sailing along the Tyrrhenian coast carrying a message of attention to cultural heritage and sustainability, docked at the Port of Traiano. It was greeted by the municipality of Montalto di Castro and the other municipalities participating in Italian Blue Route. 

The mayors of the Lazio towns were present

Welcoming the arrival of Blue Tour at the ceremony to hand over the Italian Blue flag to the mayors present, the mayor of Montalto di Castro Emanuela Socciarelli said:

"We joined the Blue Route because we see it as an extension of our DMO Etruskey project. It is a beautiful initiative because it encompasses the entire Etruscan world. This itinerary that travels through the world of the Etruscans is a truly wonderful thing". 

 

Italian BlueRoute promotes blue heritage 

Bluetour 2023 is a Blue Heritage promotional project organized by Italian BlueRoute, Lega Navale Delegazione Universitaria di Tor Vergata, and the Jancris Sailing Association, with the coordination of FEISC, the European Federation of Historical, Cultural and Tourist Routes, under the patronage of Lega Navale Italiana and the support of local and national partners.

Leading Italian car rental firm Italy Car Rent inaugurated its new headquarters in Carini, close to Palermo, with a colourful ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A family business with a focus on customer service

Founder and owner Alfonso Caravello and his family hosted the ceremony at the company’s new headquarters together with many of the car rental’s 250-strong staff and Italian and international partners and customers. 

"Our company sets itself apart for our craftsmanship.  Our efforts and our unwavering focus is first and foremost on the client and on customer service," stated Caravello. 

 

New airport and railway station offices

"Our current position on the market is the culmination of 11 years of hard work. It hasn't been easy but now we have a fleet of 6,000 cars, one of the largest in Italy. We have already established a presence in nearly all of Italy’s airports, and now we are expanding our offices to major train stations. We are already present in Milano Centrale and Roma Termini, and we will soon open branches in Napoli Centrale, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Bologna, as well as others. These significant investments are aimed at reaching out to a customer base of at least one billion people," explained Caravello.

Alfonso Caravello

“In June our turnover was already up 50% on last year” 

Italy Car for Rent’s founder and chairman expressed his satisfaction not just with the company's territorial expansion but also with the results achieved in the first half of 2023.

"During the first six months of this year, we achieved a 50% increase in turnover compared to last year, primarily driven by leisure tourism, although our collaboration with business travel is also growing," he added.

 

La Gemma Hotel, a new 39-room 5-star which has just opened in Florence, has a Michelin chef and is the Cecchi family's first hotellerie project.

A two-starred Italian-Argentinian Michelin chef

The property, the result of the conversion of the 19th-century Palazzo Paoletti in Via Calimala, has 23 rooms and 16 suites, a lounge bar, a panoramic rooftop and the Allure spa, as well as Luca’s, the gourmet restaurant led by two-time Michelin-starred Italian-Argentinian chef Paolo Airaudo.

Private visits to wineries and ateliers, and cooking classes

The design combines a warm and embracing colour palette inspired by the hues of Florence’s cathedral with bold geometric patterns, exotic details, precious fabrics, ceramics and fine marble. The concierge team is on hand to organize customized activities throughout Tuscany: from private visits to perfumeries, artisan workshops and ateliers, to cooking classes in a farmhouse in the countryside, and from helicopter tours to admire the city from on high to fine wine tastings in some of the region's most renowned wineries.

Recanati, which is known as the balcony city of the Marche, is strategically located in the centre of the Marche region, between the coast and the hinterland. 

Wonderful scenery and delicious local dishes 

Nestled between the sea and the mountains Recanati, which is less than an hour from Ancona’s Marche Airport, is known as the Balcony City for the splendid views if affords. On clear days, in fact, the spectacular panorama is dominated by Mount Conero, the Adriatic Sea and the Sibillini Mountains. Recanati is home to famous personalities, including the illustrious poet Giacomo Leopardi and the famous tenor Beniamino Gigli. 

A city of culture and fine food

The city is permeated by an aura of culture and art in its monuments and churches, art galleries and museums. Not to be underestimated is the local food and wine, with many dishes of peasant origins. These simple but succulent specialties preserve ancient flavours like the Vincisgrassi, which is the Marche's version of lasagne, to the sweet and cheese pizzas typical of the Easter period. Thanks to the Adriatic Sea there is a wide choice of delicious fish and visitors should not miss a dish of the local fragrant Brodetto di Pesce fish soup. 

Leopardi’s house and Loreto, one of Italy’s most popular religious shrines

Among the places of memory of Leopardi in Recanati we find The Tower of the Lonely Sparrow inside the cloister of the Gothic Church of Sant'Agostino, made famous by his poem The Lonely Sparrow. Other fascinating and evocative Leopardi sites are the Colle dell'Infinito and Palazzo Leopardi, where he was born and lived, and which was opened to the public in March 2020. Not far from Recanati, the Balcony City, we find a place that has always had a magnetic appeal for visitors: the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto. This symbolic shrine of Christianity has within it the Holy House of Nazareth in which Mary was born and is a very popular destination with pilgrims and art lovers from all over the world.