A new entry for the Una Esperienze brand, as the Grand Hotel in Parma is added to its portfolio. 

59 rooms and suites overlooking the garden

The historic Palazzo Vighi, dating back to 1913, was once the Royal Surgical Clinic. Today the property retains many traces of its illustrious past, from the grand staircase that welcomes guests at the entrance, to the handsome rooms with vaulted ceilings and the Carrara marble floors.  The Grand Hotel di Parma Una Esperienze has 59 rooms and suites overlooking the hotel's 10,000 sqm garden.

“Emilia-Romagna is a strategic region for us” 

There is also a restaurant and an area for meetings and events, as well as the possibility of using the park for occasions such as book presentations, vernissages, theme evenings, small concerts, tastings and culinary itineraries, as well as weddings, ceremonies, cocktails and parties.  “We are proud to welcome the Grand Hotel di Parma Una Esperienze into our portfolio,- says Gruppo Una’s CEO Giorgio Marchegiani. -This new affiliation not only expands our presence to a key city in a region as strategic for us as Emilia-Romagna, but also enriches our portfolio of exclusive experiences.”

Just eight miles from the Baroque Sicilian city of Messina, Forte Cavalli is a monument of unique historical, military and natural significance and beauty.  

“The most beautiful terrace from which to admire the Strait.”  

ItaliAbsolutely spoke with Vincenzo Caruso, the director of Forte Cavalli who is also Messina’s tourism councillor. Caruso told us that the fort is a must-visit for history buffs and curious travelers alike, as it is a unique testament to Sicily's rich historical tapestry. “This massive fort is steeped in cultural and military significance, and visitors have the added value that, given its elevated position, there are stunning panoramic views over the Strait of Messina and the surrounding Mediterranean landscape. Environmentally speaking Forte Cavalli is the most beautiful terrace from which to admire the Strait.”  

“Overall, it is a truly emotional experience." 

“Forte Cavalli was built by the Italian Army in the late 1800s as part of the defensive system of the Strait of Messina.” (The Strait is that narrow strip of Mediterranean Sea that separates the Italian peninsula from Sicily, which is Europe’s largest island, and Messina is the first Sicilian city across the Strait. Ed.)  The fort played a pivotal role in the defense of the Strait during World War II, as its strategic location was crucial for monitoring and protecting the entrance to the Strait.  “Forte Cavalli houses a historic museum where visitors can learn about its role during World War II,- added Caruso. -They can also watch videos, and there is an air-raid shelter with audio effects like the sound of approaching planes; overall it is a truly emotional experience.”

Forte Cavalli is both a museum and a cultural venue

Forte Cavalli welcomes visitors year-round with guided tours and educational programmes for schools and families, and it also serves as a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, theatrical performances, and concerts on its vast square. “There is a €3 entrance fee,- said Caruso, -and we will soon  be introducing an audio guide in various languages. However, the fort’s guides are always on hand to explain to visitors the significance of the artifacts and wartime relics on display. For example, we have bombs that are up to ten feet tall.” 

Stepping back in time and getting the best photos

No visitor to Messina or its surrounding area should miss this chance to step back in time and uncover the secrets of this remarkable Sicilian gem. And for those who like to keep photographic records of their travels, the views from Forte Cavalli over the Strait of Messina and the Mediterranean’s stunning landscape and colours, make for truly memorable photos and selfies. Opening days: every second Sunday of the month and, on request, also on weekdays, for groups. www.fortecavalli.it

Rome is currently sweltering in near 104F temperatures, while Greece soared to an unprecedented 109F last month.  At Easter Catalonia had to ration water for a record-breaking drought, and Sicilians are still shaking their heads at the sizzing 119F temperatures that hit them three summers ago.

Yes, the Mediterranean has always been hot in the peak summer months but, as records are showing, never as hot ,nor as frequently, as it has been in the last few years. 

With beach tourism counting for 12% in Spain 10.5% in Italy and 8% in Greece, these countries are increasingly worried about the future of their summers, and they are beginning to search for alternatives. 

Moving their minds and their efforts away from traditional sun and sea products, they are creating innovative packages for mountain, nature, sports and wellness holidays, as well as toying with new ideas like stargazing. 

They are also trying to push the off months of April and October - May and September are already firmly embedded in Mediterranean summer bookings – and they are coming up with some strange bedfellows.

So don’t be surprised if you see a rise in promotions for winter breaks in Greece or summer package holidays on the Baltic Riviera.   

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Six Senses Rome has fish and vegetable dishes in the new Rome rooftop restaurant.

The sustainable Eat with Six Senses philosophy

Upholding the culinary principles of farm-to-fork Mediterranean cuisine, the Notos rooftop in the Six Senses Rome which has with a panoramic view over the city, is now focusing on vegetable dishes, seafood and fresh wild fish. The menu in this, the hotel’s second restaurant, embodies the hotel's commitment to sustainability and the Eat with Six Senses philosophy, offering dishes that combine traditional Italian recipes with contemporary cuisine.

Open from aperitifs to midnight 

Following a recent redesign the restaurant occupies part of the rooftop and is open every evening from aperitifs to midnight. Softly lit lanterns and lounge, live or DJ music contribute to the cozy and relaxed atmosphere, while the sunset adds its own form of magic. Like the rest of the Notos rooftop, the restaurant area will also be available for private events.

“The Notos is our flagship restaurant” 

“Since the opening of the Six Senses Rome, the Notos rooftop has become our flagship restaurant,’ says general manager, Francesca Tozzi. -I am thrilled with the opening of this second restaurant which allows us to expand its culinary offerings. Our terrace is the perfect setting for any special occasion: whether it is an intimate dinner or a big celebration. We look forward to welcoming both hotel guests and the local community.”

After renovations that began in 2023, the Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort officially becomes part of Marriott's soft brand, Autograph Collection. 

73 rooms, and 14 suites coming soon

Located near Porto Ercole, just 90 minutes from Rome Airport, the resort has 73 rooms and suites, all with private terraces overlooking the golf course and the Orbetello lagoon. A further 14 suites are expected to be added shortly to what for Marriott is the group's first Italian golf resort and the first for Autograph Collection in Europe.

The only PGA National Italy golf course

The property also includes a wellness centre with a heated indoor pool, and it can boast the only PGA National Italy golf course in the country. In 2025 the Argentario Golf Club will be the venue for the Italian Open, which is part of the DP World Tour. The resort's two restaurants, the Dama Dama and the Club House Restaurant, serve typical Tuscan and Mediterranean dishes using local organic products, many of which come from the resort's vegetable gardens and farms.

The Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome has joined the Virtuoso portfolio.

Virtuoso counts over 20,000 luxury travel consultants and agents

Virtuoso is a network of over 20,000 luxury travel consultants and agents with an average annual turnover of $25-30 billion worldwide.

“Our approach is one of bespoke service” 

"Virtuoso's evaluation process is incredibly selective, so becoming a partner is an excellent achievement,- said Frederico Ayala, sales director Anantara Hotels Italy. -The reputation for exceptional customer dedication enjoyed by Virtuoso's member agencies fits perfectly with our approach to bespoke service.” 

Exceeding Virtuoso members’ expectations

“Now that we are part of this renowned network we look forward to offering Virtuoso consultants and their clients a range of services, values and experiences that will exceed their expectations."

Ryanair is investing in Calabria’s airports by adding Boeing B737-800s at Reggio Calabria and  Lamezia Terme.

New routes to all three Calabrian airports.

It is also introducing new routes in all three of Calabria’s airports - Lamezia Terme, Crotone and Reggio Calabria. The airline will therefore have four based aircraft, 50% growth (up to one million passengers), 15 new routes to the region and support for over 1,200 jobs.

A total of eleven new routes

The winter sees Ryanair launch 11 new routes: 7 to Reggio Calabria from London Stansted, Brussels Charleroi, Milan Malpensa, Pisa, Frankfurt Hahn, Katowice and Paris Beauvais; 2 to Lamezia from Tirana and Brussels Charleroi and 2 to Crotone from Treviso and Turin. In addition, for summer 2025 Ryanair will introduce a further 4 new routes to Lamezia Terme from Trieste, Madrid, Wroclaw and Bucharest.

Growth is thanks to the removal of the municipal surtax 

"This strategic move, following regional president Occhiuto's far-sighted decision to abolish the municipal surtax in Calabria, allows us to rapidly increase our capacity in the region," said Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson. "The winter 2024 operation to Calabria will result in 82% growth over last winter, with three based aircraft and a total investment of $300 million. In addition, we plan to base another aircraft in Lamezia Terme for summer 2025, bringing the total number of aircraft based in the region to four and increasing our total investment to $400 million. This will lead to 50% growth next year for the region, supporting over 1,200 jobs and contributing to economic growth, improving tourism, connectivity and offering lower fares for both citizens and visitors.”

“We could offer an additional 3 million seats a year for Sicily” 

“Ryanair is now calling on all the Italian regions to eliminate this regressive tax. In particular Sicily and Sardinia should follow the positive example of Calabria and revolutionìze their connectivity by eliminating the tax. Ryanair could offer an additional 3 million seats per year for Sicily and 2 million for Sardinia by transforming connectivity on an annual basis, as we have done in Trieste and now in Calabria."

Improving accessibility and internal mobility

"In view of the next winter season, there will be an extraordinary increase in connections to and from Calabria with many European and Italian cities,- added the region's president. -This represents just the right gratification for the efforts we have been making for the past two and a half years to increase tourist flows in our region. Our commitment is linked to improving accessibility and internal mobility services, as demonstrated by the agreement reached just a few weeks ago with the car services company Uber.”

Turning medieval music into “pop” music, and making it known to all. 

Assisi will host 20 different medieval musical events

Using a place where the Middle Ages is still alive in alleyways and squares, vibrating like the strings of a harp played by passionate and expert hands. This is the aim of DeMusicAssisi, the first medieval music festival scheduled for Umbria, and one of the few in Italy, which will be held in Assisi from 15 to 20 August. 

Admission is free to all the concerts and events 

The Festival - promoted by the Municipality of Assisi, with the artistic direction of the Accademia d'Arti Antiche Resonars – was launched last year, attracting a vast and transversal audience. Not only enthusiasts of medieval music, but also many who were not so familiar with it, as well as tourists who discovered how “pop” and fascinating ancient music can be. It was a success well beyond expectations, and it led to this second edition which has even more events and concerts than the first time - all with free admission.

Assisi

Flash mobs and medieval music DJ sets

DeMusicAssisi 2024 takes place entirely in the historic centre of Assisi, with over 20 different events in evocative locations. A temporal journey through musical repertoires composed between the 13th and 15th centuries, it will feature musicological conferences, meetings with historians, didactics, workshops, touring shows and even flash mobs and medieval music DJ sets. The happening also includes an exhibition dedicated to antique instruments and the art of the lute-makers who, in attendance, will answer questions from the public.

Devotional music features in this 2nd edition

The theme of this second edition is the "Laud", or devotional music which is linked to the medieval movement of the Confraternities, and to the celebrations for the Franciscan centenaries 2023-2026.  The Festival will feature educational activities aimed at the historical-musical reconstruction of the performance of the Lauds, recounting the liturgical, "popular," and transversal aspects of medieval devotion, through the cultured compositions of religious origin. 

Assisi will become a world capital of medieval music 

From Gregorian chant to the performance of the Lauds in Latin and the vernacular, from monody to Italian and English polyphony, the journey will conclude with a trip to the Middle Eastern philosophy of the time of St Francis and St Clare. Artists from all over the world will participate in this exciting second edition of the Festival which is becoming increasingly international, with musicians and researchers from England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Syria, Austria, the United States and Belgium. Turning Assisi into a sort of world capital of medieval music.