July 26, 2026
With Calici di Stelle Umbria toasts the summer with wine and stars up to 16 August.
22 wineries will open their doors
Calici di Stelle organized by the Umbria Wine Tourism Movement will bring the Umbria region to life until 16 August with a packed programme of events dedicated to wine and wine tourism. In the heart of Italy, 22 member wineries of the Movement will open their doors to visitors, offering sunset tastings, vineyard picnics, aperitifs with panoramic views, dinners under the stars, concerts, stargazing sessions and guided tours.
Experiencing wine in its natural setting
"Calici di Stelle is one of the most significant events on the Umbria Wine Tourism Movement’s calendar because it immediately conveys the value of hospitality in our wineries. It is an opportunity to experience wine in its natural setting in vineyards and landscapes. The experiences offered by the wineries show once again Umbria’s special and undeniable vocation for providing high-quality wine tourism, built on a direct connection with the local area,” says Giovanni Dubini, president of the Umbria Wine Tourism Movement.
Calici di Stelle - Photo provided by AB Comunicazione
Toasting life in iconic wine-growing areas
The theme for the 2026 edition is “Brinda alla Vita!” (Toast to Life) confirming Calici di Stelle’s mission to combine wine tourism, culture and the discovery of the local area all together. The wineries taking part are in Umbria’s most iconic wine-growing areas, from Montefalco to Torgiano, from Assisi to Lake Trasimeno, and from Monteleone d’Orvieto to Cannara. Alongside tasting experiences, the wineries will offer activities centred on stargazing, transforming the Umbrian hills into natural settings for the occasion.
Concerts, exhibitions and fireworks
On 7 August Torgiano will welcome enthusiasts from 8.30 pm until midnight with the finest wines from the Strada dei Vini del Cantico wineries, accompanied by tastings of local specialties offered by the restaurants and local tourist associations along the route. With tastings led by sommeliers, the evening will be all include supporting events, from concerts to exhibitions and a fireworks display. On 10 Augus Todi and Orvieto will take centre stage, with tastings and performances under the stars. Calici di Stelle celebrates the union between the allure of the universe and a passion for wine with a major event that invites wine enthusiasts and the curious alike to discover the region through tastings of fine wines, meetings with producers, moonlit walks through the vineyards and opportunities for stargazing.
Published in Food&Wine
MHARE has opened in the heart of medieval Capri: a bistro, restaurant and cocktail bar that combines biomedical research, wellbeing, lifestyle and a new gastronomic experience.
An old Capri courtyard house
This new venture reinterprets the concept of advanced nutrition through a sensory experience that promotes energy, vitality and harmony, in line with a lifestyle geared towards longevity. The venue has been created by restoring an old Capri courtyard house, featuring thick, irregular walls whitewashed with quicklime, barrel vaults, an exposed staircase and a hidden garden.
Mediterranean cuisine with contemporary style
The chef who brings MHARE’s philosophy to the kitchen is Andrea Costabile, a native of Campania with an international background, who interprets Mediterranean tradition with a contemporary styl. The philosophy of MHARE (Mindful Health And REgeneration) is based on the development of functional foods aimed at improving biological wellbeing, based on fresh ingredients and minimal processing and that celebrate the sea and the local area with fresh, seasonal dishes in which fish takes centre stage. A signature element of Mhare’s culinary offering is its regenerative water. MHARE’s water, extracted and purified directly from seawater, has both significant beneficial and healing properties, thanks to the salts, particles and ions it contains. Containing 92 elements from the periodic table, its properties can provide new energy and wellbeing to our bodies.
Capri is an island in the Bay of Naples
Capri, in the Gulf of Naples, is an island renowned for its scenery, the sea and its historical heritage. Among the main places of interest are the historic centre with its Piazzetta and the Gardens of Augustus, the Faraglioni and the Blue Grotto, and Villa Jovis, an ancient Roman imperial residence. Ferry and hydrofoil services run regularly from Naples and Sorrento, making the island easily accessible. For information: www.mhare.com
Published in Food&Wine
LVG Hotel Collection has opened the Cascata d'Otro Mountain Lodge, at the entrance to Alagna Valsesia, at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif.
Independence and the comforts of a high-end hotel
The new property confirms LVG Hotel Collection’s growth trajectory focusing on an original and contemporary approach to Alpine hospitality The 47 two- and three-room apartments, managed with the same care and to the same quality standards of the entire LVG collection, are designed for guests seeking independence, privacy and the comforts typical of a high-end hotel. Inspired by the Capanna Regina Margherita, the highest mountain refuge in Europe, the design interprets high-altitude architecture through a minimalist and refined aesthetic, and harmonizes with the natural surroundings without disrupting their balance.
Views of Mount Rosa
The 47 residences open out through large windows, allowing Monte Rosa, the changing seasons and the silence to accompany every moment of the stay. An architectural style that does not seek to dominate the landscape, but to experience it with respect and elegance.
A 24-hour concierge and fine dining
The bespoke hospitality includes personalized premium services, coordinated by a 24-hour concierge, and the exceptional culinary offering by the Maio Group, which elevates local ingredients through the principles of contemporary fine dining. Bisa Rifugio Gastronomico, the Maio Group’s new venue dedicated to mountain conviviality at the foot of Monte Rosa, is a contemporary space combining a restaurant, pizzeria, steakhouse and entertainment for all, allowing guests to experience the mountains without a schedule.
"The freedom of a mountain apartment"
“We chose Alagna Valsesia,- comments Claudio Lavagna, CEO and founder of the LVG Group, -because it is an authentic, international destination with rapidly growing demand for quality. With our 47 apartments managed to LVG standards and an exceptional gastronomic offering, we are confident we can offer something new: the freedom of a mountain apartment, with all the benefits of a professional hotel facility.”
Promoting authentic and dynamic Alpine destinations
With this opening, LVG Hotel Collection consolidates its growth trajectory in the high-end leisure segment, complementing its network of traditional hotels with an innovative format geared towards a premium clientele and the promotion of Italy’s most authentic and dynamic Alpine destinations.
Published in Hospitality
Fashion in Light 1955–1975, the era of the Dolce Vita, is an exhibition on display in the Centrale Montemartini in Rome.
Rome as the centre of international taste
From 26 June to 15 November 2026, the Centrale Montemartini at the Capitoline Museums brings that unique era back to life with "Moda in Luce’ 1955–1975: ‘Rome between Glamour and Industrial Innovation," an exhibition that chronicles the period when the capital became the centre of international taste.
Film, fashion and art on display
The exhibition, organized by the Luce Cinecittà Archive and curated by Fabiana Giacomotti, is a fashion retrospective with over 150 photographs from the Luce Archive that take visitors on a journey through catwalks, ateliers, film premieres and encounters destined to go down in history. Alongside the images are period film clips, original documents and twenty-seven exquisite gowns designed by leading figures of Italian fashion: Valentino Garavani, the Fontana sisters, Roberto Capucci, Fernanda Gattinoni, Irene Galitzine, Federico Forquet, Renato Balestra, Emilio Schuberth, Laura Biagiotti and Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi, to name but a few.
Red Valentino Haute Couture Spring Summer 1959 dressThe famous Valentino red dress
Among the highlights of the exhibition are Valentino’s first fashion show in 1959, the famous "Fiesta" dress that established red as the house’s signature colour, Irene Galitzine’s elegant palazzo pyjamas, the extraordinary costumes created by Gattinoni for the cinema, and the creations worn by actresses, princesses and leading figures of international high society.
Made-to-measure shoes by the Fontana SistersAn engaging and fascinating cultural experience
The exhibition also looks beyond the glamour with ample space devoted to the industrial innovation that accompanied the growth of Italian fashion, with a focus on Snia Viscosa and the revolution in new fabrics. The exhibition design, inspired by the Roman ateliers of the 1950s and 1960s, draws visitors into an elegant and immersive journey, where photographs, garments, fabrics, magazines and film footage evoke the charm of an era that continues to inspire designers and creatives from all over the world. For those visiting the capital in the coming months, this exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to complement traditional archaeological tours with an engaging and fascinating cultural experience.
For information:www.centralemontemartini.org/it/mostra-evento/moda-luce-1955-1975-roma-fra-glamour-e-innovazione-industriale
Published in Experiences & Tips
dAirect asks the question "Why hotels don’t appear in AI responses.
The increasingly significant role of AI systems
The online visibility of accommodation providers no longer depends exclusively on Google and OTAs, as an increasingly significant role is being played by responses generated by artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and other assistants used by users to plan trips and stays.
Over €2.5 million in investments and funding
In this new landscape many accommodation providers are not included in the responses provided by AI. According to dAirect, the problem does not lie with user demand, but with the ability of hotels’ digital content to be found, interpreted and deemed reliable by generative AI systems. The company, which has raised over €2.5 million in investments and funding, has developed a technology that analyses and optimizes the presence of accommodation providers within AI platforms. The aim is to make hotels’ direct websites and their content more easily readable by AI systems, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will be used as a source in the responses generated by ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and other assistants.
"Artificial intelligence seeks out reliable sources"
Antonio Picozzi
“For years, hotels have worked to be found. Today, they must be chosen. Artificial intelligence seeks out reliable sources; it isn’t satisfied with just any results,- says Antonio Picozzi, CEO and co-founder of dAirect. -The new challenge is to build a digital presence so clear, consistent and authoritative that it becomes the answer the AI decides to offer users. Hotels disappear for one single reason: generic content, unstructured data, inconsistencies across channels and poor-quality information. If an AI system cannot interpret a property clearly, it simply does not use it as a source.”
The 10 mistakes that make hotels invisible to AI
According to dAirect’s analysis, there are ten factors that most significantly affect the ability of accommodation providers to be identified and used as a source by artificial intelligence systems.
1. Websites not structured for automated reading
The information is present but not organized in such a way as to be correctly interpreted by AI systems.
2. Generic and uninformative content
Standard descriptions and texts based on recurring templates reduce the AI’s ability to identify distinctive features of the property.
3. Lack of structured data
Rooms, services and hotel features are not available in a machine-readable format.
4. Inconsistencies between the official website, OTAs and other channels
Conflicting information across different platforms undermines the reliability perceived by AI systems.
5. Incomplete or out-of-date Google Business Profile
One of the tools considered a primary source of information is often overlooked.
6. Reviews not utilized as a semantic asset
Guest feedback is not organized and transformed into structured information.
7. Insufficient content about the local area
The lack of content dedicated to the destination limits the property’s overall informational value.
8. Images lacking context
Visual resources are not accompanied by information that facilitates their interpretation by machines.
9. Lack of conversational content
There is a lack of responses based on the actual questions users ask AI systems.
10. No monitoring of visibility in AI
Accommodation providers do not measure their presence within the responses generated by artificial intelligence systems, making it difficult to assess and improve performance.
AI and hotel visibility: a new challenge for tourism marketing
The way in which users search for information and plan their trips is also changing the visibility strategies of accommodation providers. According to dAirect, in addition to search engine and OTA rankings, the ability to provide clear, consistent and structured content is becoming increasingly important so that it can be interpreted and selected by generative AI systems.
Published in Digital
B&B HOTELS, an international chain with over 90 hotels in Italy, has opened B&B HOTEL Pesaro Des Bains.
The first B&B hotel in the Marche
B&B HOTELS Pesaro Des Bains marks the Group’s entry into the Marche region, further strengthening the brand’s presence in one of Italy’s leading tourist destinations. On the seafront in Pesaro, just a short walk from the beach and the historic centre, B&B HOTEL Pesaro Des Bains is the ideal choice for experiencing one of the most popular resorts on the Adriatic Riviera.
In a strategic location
Pesaro, the Italian Capital of Culture 2024, continues to stand out even today as a destination that attracts visitors all year round thanks to its historical and artistic heritage, its well-equipped beaches, its vibrant cultural scene and its strategic location between the sea and the hills of the Marche region. B&B HOTEL Pesaro Des Bains combines the charm of a historic building with a renovation that has enhanced its identity, while giving it contemporary style. Thanks to a meticulous refurbishment the modern and functional design has been conceived to ensure maximum comfort for guests. 
The hotel has two buildings
B&B Hotels Pesaro Des Bains is in two separate buildings, including the elegant historic building dating from the early 20th century which has 71 rooms, with a further 24 in the annex overlooking the central Piazzale della Libertà square, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The rooms have all the main amenities including free, super-fast Wi-Fi, individually controlled air conditioning, Smart TVs and functional spaces designed to ensure a convenient and relaxing stay, whether travelling for leisure or business. Thanks to its prime location, guests can easily reach the beach, Arnaldo Pomodoro's famous Sfera Grande installation, the historic centre, the city’s museums and the Teatro Rossini, allowing them to fully experience the authentic identity of Pesaro and the Marche region.
"Investing in destinations with high growth potential"
“The opening of B&B HOTEL Pesaro Des Bains is a significant step forward in our expansion in Italy,- said Liliana Comitini, chair and CEO of B&B HOTELS Italy, Slovenia and Hungary. - In recent years Pesaeo has successfully showcased its cultural and tourist heritage to great effect, establishing itself as a key destination on the Adriatic coast. We are particularly proud to have restored value to a historic building in the city, successfully combining tradition and modernity. With this opening we are further strengthening our presence in Central Italy and reaffirming our commitment to continuing to invest in destinations with high growth potential.” For information and bookings: https://www.hotel-bb.com/it/hotel/hotel-pesaro-des-bains
Published in Hospitality
Suoni Controvento is celebrating the festival’s tenth edition in Umbria from July to September.
Involving 25 Umbrian municipalities
Over the past ten years Suoni Controvento has become one of the most recognisable cultural events on the Italian scene. Originating in the village of Monte Cucco, the festival now spans the whole of Umbria, involving 26 municipalities from 15 July to 13 September in a single project that weaves together music, literature, art, nature and social commentary, and transforming the region into the true star of the experience.
A true cultural network
From Assisi to Norcia, from Perugia to Spoleto, as well as Montefalco, Gubbio, Narni, Trevi, Campello sul Clitunno, Sellano, Sigillo, Costacciaro, Scheggia and Pascelupo, Montone, Magione, Corciano, Acquasparta, San Gemini, San Venanzo, Marsciano, Spello, Bastia Umbra, Fossato di Vico, Gualdo Tadino, Stroncone and Terni, the festival builds a cultural network that brings together local authorities, associations, organisers and citizens in a shared project to promote the region. A mosaic of places and communities that do not merely provide the backdrop to the events, but constitute their very essence.
The local area becomes the star of the show
People do not come here merely to watch a performance. They stroll along footpaths and through woods, discover villages, visit abbeys and medieval fortresses, and explore nature reserves, vineyards and archaeological sites. The concert becomes the culmination of a broader experience, in which the journey is part of the show and the local area ceases to be a mere backdrop to become the star of the show. This model embodies one of the most significant developments in contemporary tourism: experiencing places at a leisurely pace, with authenticity and active participation. Controvento organissz low-impact, temporary events, minimising its impact on the natural environment and promoting responsible behaviour amongst the public.
Also trekking, cycling excursions, stargazing and workshops
This year's line-up will feature Angelina Mango, Giovanni Allevi, Coez, Mannarino, Fabrizio Moro, I Cani, Luca Barbarossa, Sam Garrett, Angelica Bove, Cisco and many other artists. Alongside the concerts, there will be talks dedicated to major current affairs, trekking, cycling excursions, stargazing, workshops and activities for all ages, confirming a cultural programme that goes beyond the traditional concept of a music festival. This tenth anniversary will also be celebrated with the photographic exhibition “Beyond the Stage. Who. How. Suoni Controvento”, on display until 14 July in the former Church of the Misericordia in Perugia.
Published in MICE & Events
BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe is expanding its presence in Liguria with the addition of two new hotels.
There are now 13 BWH hotels in Liguria
The new properties are the Sublimis Boutique Hotel, a WorldHotels Elite property in Camogli, and the Sure Hotel by Best Western Nologo in Genoa, both managed by Siho-Hotel Operations. This brings the number of properties in the network across Liguria to 13 and marks an important milestone for Siho, the management company of BWH Hotels, which, with these new additions, has reached a total of six hotels within two years of its launch, bringing its overall portfolio to 340 rooms in Genoa, Camogli and Forlì.
Management of the properties is entrusted to Siho
“The addition of the Sublimis Boutique Hotel and the Nologo enriches the offering in Liguria with complementary segments, ranging from upper-upscale to the most innovative economy segment,” says Sara Digiesi, CEO BWH Hotels Italy & See. “This move confirms our growth strategy and the group’s ability to offer a comprehensive ecosystem that can enhance the identity of individual properties through the brand’s global strength, even in distinctly leisure-oriented destinations. Management of the properties is entrusted to Siho, a company established to manage affiliated hotels. The company forms part of the group’s broader expansion strategy, complementing partnerships with national and international operating companies, white-label brands and independent hoteliers. 
"Highlight the unique characteristics of each property"
“We are proud of these new openings, which together represent an important milestone and demonstrate how Siho is a concrete response to the sector’s needs and generational changes,” adds Giovanni Simonetto, president Siho. “Our mission is to optimize every operational aspect to ensure portfolio-wide efficiency, while preserving the flexibility needed to highlight the unique characteristics of each property.”
Hotel Nologo is a new Sure Hotel
The Sublimis Boutique Hotel in Camogli joins the BWHHotels portfolio, positioning itself in the high-end segment under the WorldHotels Elite brand. In a charming 19th-century historic villa, in one of the most beautiful towns on the Riviera, the hotel overlooks the sea of the Paradiso Gulf. The 4-star hotel has 21 rooms, all with breathtaking sea views. This Adults Only retreat (for guests aged 16 and over) is for those seeking tranquillity and absolute relaxation, and invites guests to immerse themselves in the magic of Camogli, as well as offering exclusive services and moments dedicated to well-being. BWH Hotels is also expanding its presence in Genoa with the Nologo, which joins the Sure Hotel by Best Western brand. Located in the San Vincenzo district, the hotel is just a short walk from Genoa Brignole station. Its 56 rooms, each featuring a specific colour scheme, evoke musical vibes: a concept that blends perfectly with the artistic spirit of the neighbourhood.
Published in Hospitality
The new shuttle bus service from Arenaways' Flytrain to Cuneo Airport, will provide a direct link from passenger trains at Savigliano station.
Starting on 13 July
In fact for all flights departing from and arriving at Cuneo Airport, the bus service will will be operational from Monday 13 July. Flytrain is a service “powered by Arenaways”, meaning it operates with the same principles as the Cuneo–Saluzzo–Savigliano service: innovation, quality and customer care Savigliano station will thus become the centre of a fully-fledged passenger hub where trains and planes will converge, with services and flights enabling both inbound and outbound travellers to make use of the extremely convenient Cuneo airport, without necessarily having to use a car.
Also trains from Turin and Liguria
One of the Flytrain’s key features is that it is designed to serve the airport: running well in advance of all departing flights and closely following all arriving ones. The optimisation of the timetables (which will always be up to date and available on the Arenaways.it website) is also calculated on the basis of rail traffic converging on Savigliano, including both the Cuneo–Saluzzo–Savigliano line and trains to and from Turin and Liguria.
Tickets online and through the call centre
A Flytrain ticket will cost 7 euros and can be purchased as a single journey from the station to the airport or as a combined ticket with the Arenaways train to and from all stations served by the LFS Cuneo–Saluzzo–Savigliano line. To ensure the service runs as efficiently as possible, travellers need to book a seat at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of their chosen journey, subject to availability. Flytrain tickets can only be purchased online at Arenaways.it or by telephone via the Arenaways Risponde call centre.
"Promoting more integrated and sustainable transport"
“Connecting Cuneo Airport to the rail network via an intermodal service is a crucial step towards making the airport more accessible and better connected to the region we serve with our flights. We are particularly pleased with the partnership we have established with Arenaways and the launch of the Flytrain service as the new shuttle will enable more people to reach the airport comfortably, promoting more integrated and sustainable transport,” said Paolo Merlo, Cuneo Airport's chairman and chief executive."
"An opportunity for constant and progressive growth"
“The return of the train encourages the development of new businesses and creates opportunities that go beyond mere transport along the railway line. The Flytrain service, which was created in response to the needs of Cuneo Airport shows once again that our approach to passenger service is not merely a means of connecting point A to point B, but an opportunity for constant and progressive growth,” added Matteo Arena, Arenaways' managing director.
Published in Transportation
Vinova, Europe’s first experiential scattered hotel dedicated to wine, is now open.
The Broglias EState in Piedmont is the launch vineyard
This project transforms Italian vineyards into destinations that offer an immersive, sustainable and contemporary stay and it is a new way to experience the Italian wine-growing landscape. No longer as visitors, but as guests welcomed into the heart of the vineyards. The launch took place in early 2026 at the Broglia estate, a historic Gavi DOCG winery in one of the most luminous and harmonious areas of Piedmont, with the first Wine Suites finding a home among rolling hills and vineyards. 
Small, wooden, barrel-inspired units
The Wine Suites of Vinova are small units within the vineyards. Constructed from wood and designed with soft, barrel-inspired shapes, they blend discreetly into the landscape. The spaces are minimalist and refined: an intimate bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with contemporary finishes, and large windows framing the vineyard. It is a complete sensory experience: the silence of the morning, the light filtering through at dawn, the scent of grapes in the sun, the wind rustling the leaves, the sunset colouring the rows of vines. And, on clear nights, the starry sky lulling you to sleep.
An ideal choice in all seasons
The Wine Suites are designed for a four-season stay: thanks to natural insulation and modern climate control. Every time of year is ideal for discovering the vineyard in a different light , from the winter stillness to the spring buds and from the height of summer to the magic of the Fall harvest. Unlike outdoor accommodation set in isolated locations, the Wine Suites are right in the heart of the wine estates and they bring new energy to rural communities, promoting wine culture through authentic experiences and fostering positive relationships with the local area. Each partner estate tells a different story, with its own rhythm, light and knowledge.
"The goal is to have 300 Wine Suites by 2030"
From 2026 Vinova will begin to expand into Italy’s main wine-growing regions, creating a constellation of wine destinations where guests can experience nature up close and rediscover the rhythm of the land. The goal is to have 300 Wine Suites by 2030 creating the largest network of immersive wine-focused hospitality in Europe. “Vinova stems from a desire to give a new voice to Italy’s wine-growing landscapes; places of extraordinary beauty that deserve to be experienced from within. We want to offer an authentic, sustainable experience deeply rooted in local areas,” explains Elena Bisio, founder and CEO “The Wine Suites are a new approach to hospitality: design, nature and modularity come together in a format that showcases the wineries and allows travellers to discover wine where it is born, in every season of the year,” adds Filippo Boschero, co-founder and COO.
Published in Hospitality
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