May 21, 2026
With the arrival of Easter and spring, the Island of Elba offers a calendar of excursions focusing on trekking, astro-tourism and culture.
Trekking, e-biking, walking and stargazing
Nature, history and local traditions will feature in the events organized by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and local guides. From panoramic trekking to e-bike experiences, walks through pastures and stargazing along the Grande Traversata Elbana, this is the way to experience the island at a slow pace, in one of the most favourable periods of the year.
Volterraio Fortress
An e-bike excursion and an Easter trek
One of the first events on the programme is a guided e-bike excursion around the Porto Azzurro area, scheduled for Saturday 4 April and ending with a tasting of local products. On Sunday 5 April, there will be an Easter trek on the Enfola promontory, a route offering views of the island's northern coast and historical evidence linked to the Second World War.
History and a walking tour
On Monday 6 April, Easter Monday, it will be possible to visit the Volterraio Fortress with a park guide, discovering one of the island's historical symbols overlooking the Gulf of Portoferraio. The visit takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and no booking is required. On Saturday 11 April, walk along one of the Via dell'Essenza trails with a trek from Fetovaia to the village of Seccheto, crossing Mediterranean scrub landscapes and stretches of the Costa del Sole.
Visiting a farm and stargazing
On Sunday 12 April, a nature walk and local agricultural activities are planned in Portoferraio, with a trek alongside a flock of sheep to discover the life of the animals and how a farm's zero-kilometre production develops. The experience ends with a snack based on typical local products. One of the most evocative initiatives is the night trek on the Grande Traversata Elbana scheduled for Saturday 18 April, during International Dark Sky Week, with stargazing through a telescope. The meeting point is at 9:00 p.m. at the Le Panche car park.
An archaeological guided tour
The calendar concludes on Saturday 25 April with a guided tour of the Villa Romana delle Grotte, an archaeological complex overlooking the harbour of Portoferraio and the stretch of sea between Piombino and Elba. The tour lasts two and a half hours and is free of charge on reservation.
Published in Experiences & Tips
In Sicily, Easter is a living tradition: the streets become a stage, and devotion intertwines with music, craftsmanship and ancient customs.
Processions, parades and marching bands
In the heart of the island, Easter becomes a collective experience that unites faith, identity and intangible cultural heritage. In Enna, the Good Friday procession (3 April 2026) sees 2,500 hooded members of religious brotherhoods parade, accompanied by funeral marches; the rites culminate with the ‘Paci’ on Easter Sunday and conclude with the ‘Spartenza’ on Low Sunday. In Caltanissetta, Holy Week is marked by the historic “Real Maestranza” (1 April 2026), the Varicedde (2 April) and the Vare (3 April), with marching bands transforming the historic centre into a veritable soundscape.
Easter in Sicily Culture Enna Holy Week ph credits: Sicilian Region Archive Paolo Barone
Events in small towns and villages
Alongside the two regional capitals, Easter in central Sicily comes alive in its small historic villages with many events to mark in the calendar: Nicosia – La Casazza (26–28 March 2026), a travelling sacred procession featuring numerous costumed participants; Pietraperzia – “Lu Signuri di li Fasci” (3 April 2026): 200 linen bands dramatically wrap a large crucifix; Piazza Armerina – Good Friday (3 April 2026) with the procession of the Crucifix; Sperlinga – “Via dei Santi” (3 April 2026), a procession through the village dominated by the rock-cut castle; Centuripe – “La Tiledda” (4 April 2026), the evocative “falling” of the ancient Lenten cloth; Aidone – “A Giunta” (5 April 2026), the ritual of the meeting culminating in the lowering of the black veil of Our Lady of Sorrows; Mussomeli – “Annacata di li Santi” (5 April 2026) and the ancient ritual of the “Lamentatori”.
Easter in Sicily San Fratello Holy Week Feast of the Jews Sicilian ph credits: Region Archive Paolo Barone
Western Sicily holds onto its Easter traditions
The Easter celebrations in western Sicily are intense and fascinating. Trapani preserves a centuries-old tradition with the Procession of the Mysteries on Good Friday, featuring sculptural groups, floral decorations and the rhythm of the bands accompanying the characteristic “annacata”. Erice experiences the same day in an intimate atmosphere amidst its stone-paved alleys. Marsala offers Holy Thursday with the Living Mysteries and a grand performance featuring over two thousand participants; Buseto Palizzolo brings Palm Sunday to life with a constantly evolving procession. In Salemi, on 19 March, the Pani di San Giuseppe revive the art of votive breads and domestic altars, amidst symbols of faith and ancient customs.
Handmade marzipan and pistachio sweets
Sicilian Easter is also a journey through flavours. In Favara, in the Agrigento area, the tradition of the Agnello Pasquale lives on: a handmade sweet made of marzipan and pistachio. During the Easter period, the town celebrates this symbol with events and tastings, particularly within the setting of Chiaramonte Castle, where the festival dedicated to the Agnello Pasquale attracts visitors and curious onlookers.
Published in On the road
On Saturday 28 March San Casciano dei Bagni will host the first edition of Fonti di Vino, a weekend of wine, spas and experiences.
Nine local wineries and producers
This opportunity to celebrate local winemakers with food and wine tastings, nature experiences and spa relaxation, will take place in the province of Siena, Tuscany, in the picturesque setting of the Casina delle Rose at Fonteverde Resort & Spa. The location will host nine local wineries, wine producers with distinct identities, historic establishments and new faces in the sector, family-run and artisan businesses.
Masterclasses and meeting the producers
During the day visitors will meet the producers directly at the tasting tables, where they can taste their wines and listen to their stories. There will also be space for local flavours with tastings of typical products. The programme will akso include three masterclasses led by Paolo Cepollaro, lecturer and president of the Italian Sommelier Foundation for Tuscany. The experiences will take place at 11.30am, 2.30pm and 5.30pm and will explore the organoleptic characteristics of each glass, discovering the grape varieties and production peculiarities of the area.
Guided tours to Etruscan and Roman sites
The experience extends beyond the boundaries of Fonteverde Resort & Spa to discover the environs throughout the weekend. On reservation it will be possible to visit the wineries featured in the event and meet the producers directly in their vineyards. Guided tours of the Santuario Ritrovato excavation site are scheduled for Saturday at 11.15 a.m. and Sunday at 11.00 a.m. From 2021 to 2023 this site has yielded over 5,000 Etruscan and Roman bronze artefacts. On reservation on Saturday and Sunday at 9.30 a.m. and 4 p.m., the weekend will be rounded off with horse riding to discover the surrounding area from a new perspective.
The Fontanaverde thermal springs
During the weekend the wines featured in the event will also be offered in restaurants in the municipality of San Casciano dei Bagni, amplifying the link between producers, food and wine. To conclude a weekend of relaxation, the Fonteverde thermal baths are offering a special rate for all those participating in the event.
Published in Experiences & Tips
The Grand Hotel Mediterranée in Alassio joins the LVG Hotel Collection portfolio.
A benchmark for high-level Ligurian hospitality
Located on the Alassio seafront, the Grand Hotel Mediterranée is one of the historic addresses of the Ligurian Riviera and has long been a benchmark for high-level Ligurian hospitality. “The addition of the Grand Hotel Mediterranée in Alassio to the LVG Hotel Collection has a special meaning for us,- says Claudio Lavagna, CEO of LVG Group. -It is part of the history of Italian hospitality, and needs no introduction as it is a symbol of Alassio and Liguria. The fact that the owners chose LVG is a source of great pride and responsibility for us. It confirms the path we are pursuing: to grow, competing with high-profile assets and national and international players, while always maintaining our identity, quality and long-term vision."
The group has 15 other hotels with 987 rooms
The integration of the Ligurian hotel is part of a broader development plan for LVG, which aims to boost the group's presence in major Italian destinations. The group now has 15 other properties with a total of 987 rooms in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Liguria and Sardinia.
Alassio has many attractions
Alassio is a historic destination on the Ligurian Riviera, known for its charm that combines sea, culture and tradition. The town offers attractions such as the Muretto, a wall with autographs of famous people and works dedicated to lovers, and the characteristic Budello district with boutiques and local businesses. Natural attractions include the 19th-century botanical gardens of Villa Pergola and Via Julia Augusta, dating back to the 13th century BC, which is one of the most evocative historical, naturalistic and archaeological routes in Liguria. Starting from Alassio, the easy four-kilometre route starts at the Santa Croce Church and ends at the monumental complex of San Martino.
Published in Hospitality
Longevity Suite, in collaboration with The Lake Como EDITION, inaugurates The Longevity SPA inside the second EDITION hotel in Italy.
Seven treatment rooms and specialized treatments
The spa takes a scientific approach to wellness, combining precision diagnostics with treatments focused on cell regeneration and metabolic and mental balance. It has seven treatment rooms, including a suite for couples, and offers a wide range of specialized treatments including the Iki-Sabi Ritual with a remineralizing seaweed wrap, followed by a mixture of fermented rice water and silk powder, a facial massage with silk cocoons and gentle bodywork. 
ph Credit Nicholas Koenig
Steam rooms and a Finnish and herbal sauna
Ultimate Biohacking is a regenerating treatment that combines Dry Floating with Near Infra-Red Therapy and Hydrogen-Oxygen Therapy, designed to promote sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and improve collagen production and elasticity. Facial treatments include Cryofacial Hydrashine, a moisturizing and brightening treatment that uses Local Cryo and an oxygenating mask to deliver active ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin production. For the body guests can enjoy Cool Dren & Toning, a draining and toning treatment to stimulate microcirculation, reduce swelling, eliminate toxins and promote collagen production. The spa also has a Finnish and herbal sauna, as well as two separate steam rooms and Turkish baths.
Menus designed by 3-Michelin chef Mauro Colagreco
The hotel, scheduled to open in March 2026, is a luxury destination in a historic 19th-century building with a refined contemporary design. With 148 rooms, including 25 suites and two penthouses, The Lake Como EDITION offers experiences ranging from evocative boat tours to immersive wellness rituals. The Lake Como EDITION also offers seasonal wellness programmes, with sunrise yoga sessions by the lake, personal training and guided treks in the surrounding mountains. Completing the experience are several restaurants and bars with panoramic views of the Bellagio hills, designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco. For information: editionhotels.com
Published in Leisure
Masseria AuraTerrae in Polignano a Mare welcomes back its guests from 19 March, with the introduction of new astro-tourism, food and wine experiences.
Creative paper modelling workshops
Alongside workshops dedicated to clay working and wicker weaving, AuraTerrae is offering a new workshop on Putignano papier-mâché, an ancient art form that is part of the Apulian tradition. Under the guidance of master craftsmen guests will learn paper modelling techniques, colour decoration and finishing in a creative and meditative experience. The workshop ends with a glass of wine in a relaxed atmosphere and the pleasure of having learned something new.
Astro-tourism and wine tastings
One of the new offerings for the 2026 season is the astro-tourism experience. Given the farm's privileged location far from light pollution, this allows guests to discover the starry sky with the naked eye and through a telescope, guided by an expert. To promote its wine production in spring the farm offers the AuraTerrae Wine Tasting experience: guided tours led by an expert sommelier, walking the rows of vines and tasting the house wines in a selected location.
There are 22 rooms, some with hot tubs
Masseria AuraTerrae is in the province of Bari, on a hill with 180° views of the sea and the coastline stretching from Mola di Bari to Monopoli. The 22 rooms have king beds and are all different: six with a Turkish bath, three with a fireplace and four boasting an outdoor hot tub. With two infinity pools with views and an outdoor panoramic barrel sauna, AuraTerrae is a scattered hotel set on 24 hectares, built with local limestone and eco-friendly materials and defines itself as a “zero-emission” property.
Puglia’s ancient masserie have become hotels and event venues
Originally built as small self-sufficient villages, masserie are ancient rural dwellings typical of Puglia. These characteristic farmsteads have been used since the Middle Ages as centres of agricultural production and livestock farming, and are often surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Today, many masserie are charming accommodation options, restaurants and event venues. For information: https://www.masseriaauraterrae.com/en
Published in Experiences & Tips
FunActive Tours, in partnership with Dolomiti Superski, launches RODA, zero stress mountain bike holidays in the Dolomites
Basic, Superior or Luxury tours
These bike tours are the summer version of Dolomiti Supersummer: the new project that brings the concept of the Dolomite ski areas to the world of mountain biking. Taking advantage of the same ski lifts, RODA allows you to cross the Dolomites on a mountain bike or e-bike, with the comfort of a carefree and customizable experience. The proposed stay is of variable duration, from two or three days up to a whole week in the UNESCO World Heritage valleys. The experiences are divided into Basic, Superior or Luxury and include selected hotels, services for cyclists, wellness and typical cuisine.
Funactive RODA ph credits: wisthaler
Top-of-the-range bikes directly on site
RODA promotes carefree holiday by transporting guests' luggage from one hotel to another and thus allowing for light cycling every day. The organization also includes GPS tracks, a dedicated app, technical and logistical assistance, a 24-hour emergency number and the possibility of having top-of-the-range bikes directly on site, as well as the support of expert MTB guides. RODA offers the opportunity to visit the same places as in winter, such as Alta Badia, Val Gardena or Alpe di Siusi, from a different perspective.
Promoting the galaxy of Dolomite cycling routes
Thanks to the use of ski lifts to overcome the most difficult climbs, the cycling experience focuses on the pleasure of pedalling, scenic routes and connections between the valleys along cycle paths and secondary roads. Roda is part of Dolomiti Supersummer's Dolomiti Bike Galaxy, a project aimed at promoting the galaxy of cycling routes in the Dolomite valleys. For more information, visit roda.bike.
Published in Experiences & Tips
Roseto degli Abruzzi in Abruzzo, is preparing to host the 2026 edition of Transumare Fest, a festival of electronic, pop and rock music on the Abruzzo coast.
Music but also side events
The three-day event, one of the most eagerly-awaited for the summer season will take place from 20 to 22 August in a location, on Roseto degli Abruzzi’s Lungomare Trento seaside promenade. The inclusive and sustainable project includes a programme of side events that will be published a few weeks before the festival. The programme will also feature the well-known musical group I Cani, who will perform at the Fonte dell'Olmo Stadium om 1 August.
A journey beyond a summer festival
Transumare nello Spazio is an extension of Transumare Fest, a format designed to bring music on a cultural journey that goes beyond the temporal boundaries of the summer festival, crossing seasons, places and communities.
Transhumance was linked to flocks of cattle
Transhumance was the practice of moving flocks in autumn from the cool mountain pastures of Abruzzo to the warmer ones of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, while in summer the journey was reversed, and they returned to the mountains of Abruzzo. In the concept of the Abruzzo festival, therefore, Transumare comes from the fusion of the word Mare, meaning sea and symbol of the town of Roseto degli Abruzzi, with the Latin prefix Trans which expresses the idea of going beyond.
A Blue flag and a Green Flag
Roseto degli Abruzzi is on the Adriatic coast, in the province of Teramo. In addition to the Blue Flag, awarded for the quality and cleanliness of its waters, it also holds a Green Flag for the best child-friendly beaches.
For information: www.transumarefest.com
Published in MICE & Events
The 30th edition of Dolomiti Ski Jazz is coming to the the snow-capped peaks of northern Italy.
Jazz artists from all over the world
Ten days of music from 6 to 15 March in the most evocative locations in the Fassa, Fiemme and Cembra valleys, at the end of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and during the Paralympics. The final Olympic events with cross-country skiing and biathlon challenges at the Stadio del Fondo in Tesero, mountain huts, pubs and theatres in the UNESCO Dolomites will provide a breathtaking backdrop for performances by jazz artists from all over the world.
“Concerts of the highest calibre”
“The challenge is to offer concerts that satisfy connoisseurs while also appealing to the less experienced. The concerts in the mountain huts can engage and fascinate a wide audience, while the evening events in the theatres offer the chance to enjoy concerts of the highest calibre thanks to the big names on the bill,” says Enrico Tommasini, artistic director of the festival. The festival begins with two events: on Friday 6 March, Evi Mair Olympus Band will perform at midday on the slopes of Ciampedie di Vigo, while in the evening, the Nuovo Teatro di Cembra will host Simone Alessandrini with his group Storytellers, one of the most influential bands on the Italian jazz scene.
Soloists and jazz groups
Among the many events on the calendar the quartet led by saxophonist Pietro Tonolo and drummer Giovanni Giorgi will be at the Palafiemme in Cavalese, followed by the New York trio that brings together three of the most acclaimed names of the moment, Logan Richardson, Harish Raghavan and Jeff Thain Watts. Also on the programme is singer-songwriter Patrizia Laquidara at the Teatro Marmolada in Canazei on 8 March, while Castello di Fiemme will host Hard Bop, a genre typical of the 1950s and 1960s, with the international quintet led by Joe Magnarelli & Kirk MacDonald.
Italian and international artists
For thirty years, Dolomiti Ski Jazz has been the most important jazz music event in the region. What makes it unique is the exceptional Italian and international music on offer in pubs, theatres, squares and on the ski slopes: open-air stages set against the backdrop of the Dolomite landscape. Most of the events are free to attend, while the evening shows, hosted by local theatres and auditoriums, are subject to a charge. For tickets and information: https://www.vivaticket.com/it/tour/dolomiti-ski-jazz-2026/4117
Published in MICE & Events
Collina Luxury Relais launches “L'Essenza del Benessere” (The Essence of Wellbeing), 3 or 5-night deluxe alpine retreats.
An integrated programme for a limited number of guests
The Collina Luxury Relais in Clusone, in the province of Bergamo and about an hour and a half from Milan, is offering an exclusive mental and physical rebalancing programme from 23 to 27 March, based on four key areas: conscious nutrition, psychological mindset, movement and spa treatments. Collina Luxury Relais redefines the concept of luxury in terms of time and self-care, adopting a scientific and personalised approach supervised by a multidisciplinary team that will accompany a limited number of guests through an integrated programme.
Pilates and Forest Bathing
Nutritional wellbeing will be taken care of by a nutritionist biologist who will follow guests with one-to-one check-ups and a tailored nutrition plan, while a psychologist will offer mindfulness sessions aimed at strengthening deep motivation and inner listening. Physical reactivation will be entrusted to a team of experts and will include yoga, philosophical insights and Pilates. Completing the holistic offering, the Forest Bathing experience represents an opportunity for sensory reconnection with the surrounding nature.
All-inclusive and use of the spa
Starting from £980 per person per day, the stay can be for three or five nights. The experience is all-inclusive and includes accommodation in a single room and full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and a final brunch). All specialist consultations with nutritionists and psychologists, clinical and holistic treatments and a packed calendar of activities (yoga, Forest Bathing, cooking classes, mindset sessions) are included. The retreat also includes unlimited access to the My Purity Spa and a daily personalised massage for each guest.
ph credits: Beppe Raso
Rooms, suites and chalets
The Collina Luxury Relais is perfectly integrated into the natural surroundings, with 12 rooms and suites built in wood, five chalets in the park and an exclusive Rooftop Suite. In addition to the wellness experience at the My Purity Spa, the Beides restaurant completes the offer with a gourmet menu that combines local ingredients with refined touches of international cuisine. For information: www.collinarelais.com
Published in Hospitality
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