The second semester of the year showed strong growth with average hotel prices up 25.9% and occupancy almost back to 2019 levels, says Trademark.

A mass return of non-European customers

The Italian Hotel Monitor, developed by Trademark Italia, revealed that April-June 2023 closed with excellent results, both in terms of room occupancy (+5.9% compared to 2022) and average price (+17.3%). Thee is also a positive trend in terms of both business and leisure tourism, supported by the mass return of non-European customers. The good performance in the second quarter of the year has still not exceeded the pre-Covid numbers of 2019 in terms of room occupancy (-0.3%), and the figures must be read taking into consideration the rise in average prices, now 25.9% higher than four years ago. 

Occupancy is high and Venice is the most expensive city

The data confirms a good performance in all types of accommodation, with the luxury 5-star, upscale 4-star and midscale 3-star sectors growing compared to 2022 by +23.2%, +14.8 % and +14% respectively. Analysing the trend of room occupancy rates on a national scale, among the 39 cities monitored, 37 exceed 60%, with 20 destinations exceeding 70: Florence (81.3%), Naples (81.0%) and Rome (80.4%) lead the rankings, followed by Como (79.7%), Milan (78.5), Genoa (75.6 %), Udine (75.5%), Bergamo (75.1%) and Palermo (75.0%). Regarding prices, Venice is at the top of the top ten, with an average room price of €239.68 (+19.9% compared to last year), ahead of Florence (€205.09, +22 %), Milan (€197.81 ,+19.2%), Rome (€179.33, +20.5%), Como (€149.01, +25.6%), Naples (€115.19 +17.1%), Genoa (€107.94, +12.8%), Bologna (€104.85, +6.%), Turin (€104.84, +8.9%) and Palermo (€102.06, +8.1%).

The Lindbergh Hotels & Resorts group has expanded in Pesaro (Marche) with the opening of the Charlie Urban Hotel.

Five-star and four-star properties

The Charlie Urban Hotel is Lindberg’s third property in the city, following the success of the 5-star Boutique Hotel Excelsior Spa & Lido and the 4-star Nautilus Family Hotel. The modern 4-star hotel was developed with a focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The hotel's greenery is irrigated using a rainwater recovery system, and there are plans to install a photovoltaic system on the rooftop.

“We strongly believe in Pesaro's potential”

Nardo Filippetti, president of the Lindbergh group said: “We are very proud of this important milestone. We strongly believe in Pesaro, it is a city with strong tourist potential, and we are extremely satisfied to have offered our city yet another property just a few months away from Pesaro Capital of Culture 2024.” Each of the 117 rooms in the new Charlie Urban Hotel have an innovative system with sensors that detects guests' presence, enabling automated mechanisms to control the air conditioning, lighting, and room facilities. The hotel also features five modular meeting areas with a total of eight rooms, two of which have direct views of the sea. Complementing the Charlie Urban Hotel’s guest experience are the Charlie Bar, a panoramic room located on the top floor, and a conference area.

An eye on everything that is sustainable

Vice president, Marco Filippetti, added, “With the Charlie Urban Hotel, we intend positioning ourselves in the leisure and business travel market, we are very attentive to new travel trends and have an eye on everything that is sustainable. The Charlie  Urban Hotel will not only be a new hotel for Pesaro, we want to try to replicate it in other Italian cities.”

The first edition of the Terre Tagliamento Festival will run from 19 to 24 September in eight municipalities in the province of Pordenone. 

A week-long festival in historical locations

The festival programme will consist of a week of events in places that are significant for local history and traditions, such as the former powder magazine of Casarsa della Delizia or the kiln of San Paolo di Morsano al Tagliamento. They will also include historical locations such as San Vito al Tagliamento, Sesto al Reghena, the Castle of Valvasone Arzene.  

Excursions on foot and by bicycle 

Visitors will furthermore discover the nature and landscapes of San Martino, Cordovado and historic hamlets. The formula includes excursions on foot and by bicycle aimed at discovering this territory and the many events programmes for the festival.

On 22 September 2023 take a guided night tour into the mysterious life of Padernello Castle, a 15th-century manor house in the Lower Brescia area.

A 16th-century manor house

A mysterious voice will lead visitors on a journey through time, amid ancient secrets and intriguing stories. The drawbridge over the moat will open to welcome curious guests. They will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 16th-century kitchen,  the elegant rooms of the noble chambers,  the fascinating library, and the 18th-century staircase of the manor house in Borgo San Giacomo. 

The story of a young girl who fell to her death

In the rooms they will find works of art by the painter Giacomo Ceruti, displayed in high resolution photographic reproductions.

And perhaps it will be possible to meet the restless soul of Biancamaria Martinengo, known as the Dama Bianca: the 13-year-old girl belonging to the family that lived in the Castle of Padernello for five centuries and one summer night, leaning over the walls of the manor to admire the luminous trails of fireflies, tragically fell to her death. According to legend every ten years the White Lady reappears on the castle's grand staircase dressed in white, carrying a golden book containing her secret. 

Nestled within a serene oasis, Tenuta de l'Annunziata is just 20 minutes from Lake Como.

A Relais with twenty rooms 

Located not far from Como and from its lake, Tenuta de l'Annunziata offers a harmonious blend of four distinct elements: the Relais (featuring twenty rooms), the Quercus Restaurant, the Wellness Farm, and the Bioenergetic Forest. This forest has forty trees whose bioenergy fosters an environment conducive to lowering overall stress levels and enhancing well-being.

A unique Bioenergetic Forest

The wellness services have been meticulously designed to provide guests with a holistic journey, offering a comprehensive choice of treatments and practices. These go from forest therapy in the Bioenergetic Forest, to the Spa and the beauty and wellness treatments available at the Wellness Farm. Additionally, a groundbreaking addition this year is the revolutionary Relooker Image consultancy service, an exclusive opportunity, on reservation only, for those seeking a genuine new look.

Plants with therapeutic benefits

As well as physical well-being Tenuta de l'Annunziata recognises the importance of nurturing the mind and the spirit and its sprawling 13-hectare Bioenergetic Forest -  the largest in Europe - invites visitors to enjoy forest therapy and forest bathing. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing involves leisurely walks through the woods, guided by nature's scents and hues and encountering forty designated plants, each offering its own therapeutic effects. 

The captivating display of autumn foliage in the Veneto region’s Belluno Dolomites offers a serene escape, and with culinary delights.

Autumn foliage in the Belluno Dolomites 

Beech trees, white and spruce firs, larches, and maples come together to weave a tapestry of colours across the autumn forest of the Belluno Dolomites. This palette of colours blends harmoniously, creating a mesmerising landscape of foliage. In the Tre Cime Dolomiti Tourist Consortium, in the evocative atmosphere the silence is occasionally punctuated by the haunting bellow of deer during their mating rituals and also by birdsong.

Misurina’s landscape and Malga Maraia’a culinary delights

The beech trees take on a distinctive bronze hue during autumn, their leaves ranging from fiery red to rich maroon. Embarking on a journey from Misurina to Malga Maraia allows you to marvel at these majestic trees on a trail that starts near Albergo Cristallo di Misurina and stretches 9 kilometres with an elevation difference of 400 meters. The rewarding ascent unveils the captivating panorama of the Marmarole and Cadini di Misurina, accompanied by the culinary delights of Malga Maraia.

Somadida Oriented Nature Reserve: a haven for wildlife

In the Somadida Nature Reserve in the Dolomites, meandering along flat, accessible paths, visitors will delight in the  tranquil habitat with lakes, vast meadows, and rugged peaks hosting an array of wildlife. Keen observers can catch sight of the graceful kestrel, soaring buzzards, and even the majestic golden eagle. 

Tre Cime Dolomites: unhurried, authentic tourism 

Nestled within the heart of the Belluno Dolomites, a holiday here is a genuine retreat, an embodiment of unhurried tourism set against untamed landscapes where nature takes centre stage. Unlike bustling resorts and crowded slopes, you find a realm of authenticity and serenity in the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Auronzo, and Misurina.

For information: www.auronzomisurina.it.

Promoting high-quality, sustainable tourism, Italian Railways FS has launched tourist trains as an integral part of the holiday experience. 

Newco FS Treni Turistici Italiani is part of the Italian railways group

“The creation of the newco FS Treni Turistici Italiani tourist trains highlights the role of the FS Group in tourism, which is one of the driving sectors for the country's economy,- said Luigi Ferraris CEO of  Italian railways Ferrovie dello Stato group. - Our intention is to contribute to the growth of quality, sustainable, and conscious tourism that promotes our lesser-known destinations. We want to make the train journey an essential part of the holiday experience and foster synergies with other tourist activities like guided tours of historical-archaeological sites, trekking adventures, and food tastings.”

There will be Luxury, Express and Historical, and Omnibus-Regional trains

The tourist train services offered by the new company will be divided into three categories: Luxury, Express and Historical Trains, and Omnibus-Regional. The prestigious Luxury Trains, starting with the Orient Express - La Dolce Vita, will make their debut from 2024. The Express and Historical Trains will feature carriages from the 1980s and 1990s, modernized exclusively for tourist use. FS’s tourist trains will also use historic trains for tours that combine train journeys with guided tours, walking routes, and tastings.

Timetables tailored to create memorable experiences

The Omnibus-Regional tourist trains service will ensure the circulation of regional trains on weekends at favourable fares. These lines will cross territories rich in history, through villages and areas of scenic and natural interest, and with fascinating food and wine traditions. The trip planning, stops, and timetables of all the tourist trains will be meticulously tailored to create a memorable experience for travellers.

At the La Collina dei Ciliegi with its eco retreat, Ca' del Moro Wine Retreat it’s time for grape harvesting. This unique haven, just a stone's throw from the heart of Verona, crafts a meticulously designed itinerary centred around the synergy of nature and wine.

Founded by Massimo Gianolli in 2010, La Collina dei Ciliegi sprawls across 56 hectares,  and adheres strictly to organic practices, with 31 hectares dedicated to vineyards. Garnering an impressive collection of over 300 national and international accolades from competitions and guides, the Collina dei Ciliegi winery proposes an opulent yet eco-conscious wine tourism package in the Ca' del Moro Wine Retreat, in a terroir that is ideally suited for crafting exceptional wines, like the famous Amarone.

Fine dining and heady wine tastings

September's agenda bursts with vitality, commencing with the Yoga Run Wine Retreat (September 15-17, starting from €100). This immersive event spans two rejuvenating days of running, yoga, and meditation, guided by Camilla Cassandro, an accomplished runner and adept yoga instructor. Guests can relish delectable meals at the Ca' del Moro restaurant, with the option of retreating to one of the six sumptuous suites. Delight in autumn wine tastings featuring selections directly from the barrels of the Ciliegio vintages of Amarone, as well as engaging in Verticals which are a heady exploration of Amarone and its Riserva variations across different vintages.

Wine masterclasses, e-bikes, horse riding and a Pump track 

Further enriching the experience are enlightening comparative masterclasses that juxtapose La Collina dei Ciliegi wines against the exquisite offerings of renowned Burgundy and Bordeaux estates in France. For those seeking more active pursuits horse riding and e-bike tours meander through the picturesque vineyards and undulating hills encircling Erbin. Additionally the newly introduced Pump Track promises exhilarating fun with dirt jump bikes, muscle mountain bikes, and e-bikes, featuring thrilling climbs, descents, and parabolic curves.