Bergamo Alta, or Upper Bergamo, stands as the oldest, most historic, and enchanting part of the Lombard city. 

A funicular leads up to the old city

With its historic buildings, churches, cafes, and artisanal shops, Bergamo Alta unquestionably represents the pulsating heart of Lombardy's capital. It is made to be explored on foot in a single day, whether you arrive by train or car or opt for the funicular that ascends from the lower part of the city up to the centre. 

A fountain with sphinxes and a fresco museum 

First and foremost is Piazza Vecchia, the arrival point of the funicular with Piazza Vecchia which is packed with cafes offering outdoor seating. At the square's heart stands the distinctive Contarini Fountain, guarded by its sphinxes that seem to watch over the visitors. 

Not far from Piazza Vecchia the Palazzo della Regione di Città Alta, the oldest municipal building in Italy, houses the Fresco Museum with many interesting highlights.

Ancient monuments and 6 kilometres of walls

Another of Bergamo Alta's attractions and a true symbol of the city is the Campanone or Civic Tower. At a towering 52.76 meters it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the ancient city. The summit can be reached on foot up 230 steps or more comfortably by lift, and the tower houses Lombardy's largest bell. In Piazza Duomo visitors find the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro, the Baptistery, and the Colleoni Chapel.  For history enthusiasts, there are the Venetian Walls of the Upper Town. Stretching some six kilometres, and with four city gates, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The MSC Group's acquisition of approximately 50% of Italo is official. 

The binding agreement, reached with Global Infrastructure Partners, aims to “establish a long-term strategic partnership for the future development of Italo.” The remaining 50% of Italo will continue to be owned by GIP, with joint governance with MSC, alongside entities of the Allianz Group, funds managed by Allianz Capital Partners, and other co-investors.

Aponte’s group is expanding its portfolio

The Geneva-based transport giant, founded by 83-year-old Gianluigi Aponte, is expanding its portfolio, which already includes cargo shipping companies, cruise ships, ferry companies, port terminals, maritime and travel agencies, tour operators, technology and cybersecurity centers, and logistics companies. The Mediterranean Shipping Company Holding has a global workforce of some 180,000 and posted over €86 billion in consolidated revenues last year, with a profit of €36.2 billion.

A long-standing commitment

Diego Aponte, group president of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, said,

“This agreement demonstrates our long-standing commitment to Italy and support for its high-speed passenger rail transport. We strongly believe in Italo's potential to further boost rail connectivity across Italy and the national tourism market. The agreement also reflects our Group's objective which is to develop sustainable modes of transport for both passengers and goods, aligning with Italy's efforts to enhance its infrastructure network through new projects outlined in the PNRR to extend high-speed rail services.”

“This is Europe’s leading intermodal group” 

Bayo Ogunlesi, president and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, added, “We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers, and benefits for the Italian economy. We are pleased that MSC shares our vision for Italo's future, as high-speed rail transport is fundamental to achieving emissions reduction objectives and aligns with GIP's energy transition and decarbonization strategies.”

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, president of Italo, highlighted three key points regarding the operation: “The acquisition of the majority of Italo Spa by MSC is a source of satisfaction and pride, bringing growth and development. This agreement marks the birth of Europe’s leading intermodal group, offering a truly integrated mobility service for trains, ships, and buses. I am pleased that GIP, along with Allianz and other investors, ensures stability and continuity, reaffirming the commitment of key figures like CEO La Rocca.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to the customary conditions, including obtaining regulatory and competition approvals in relevant jurisdictions.

Giuseppe Ciminnisi, president of Fiavet-Confcommercio, the travel agency federation of Italy’s largest business association, recently commented on the complex trend of the summer travel flows, which were on the rise until April but suddenly came to a stop because of the increase in prices.

"This was supposed to be the year of full recovery, but new tourism models we may have inherited from the pandemic emerged, especially for air transport which is often not crystal clear.”

"We can’t intervene on external factors such as volcanoes that erupt, fires in Sicilian airports, earthquakes like the one in Morocco, and now the crisis in the Middle East that involves so many of our colleagues who operate in that area. What we need is to find common solutions, and strive to establish consistency wherever feasible, as in the territorial continuity for Sicily and Sardinia, and in relations with some of the low-cost airlines". Legality and the law will be the strength of Fiavet-Confcommercio next year, added Ciminnisi.   

Great news for Pisa Airport as easyJet boosts its international network with two new routes from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Porto. 

Pisa Airport has flights to nine cities

Starting between late October and early November, the new flights will increase Pisa's international offerings to nine routes. The existing network includes flights from London (Gatwick and Luton), Paris Orly, Bristol, Berlin, Manchester, and Amsterdam. EasyJet is set to become the second-largest airline at the Tuscan airport.

The Berlin flights move to year-round

The Paris route is scheduled to commence on October 29, with flights operating every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Following closely, the Porto connection will start on November 1, offering two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. As winter approaches, the Berlin to Brandenburg connection will become year-round, providing service during the Christmas holidays and winter long weekends. Looking ahead to summer 2024, easyJet plans to add a new route to Barcelona.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Pisa-Barcelona ticket sales by end 2023

Lorenzo Lagorio, easyJet Italia Country Manager announced that the company will put the Pisa-Barcelona route on sale by the end of the year. In 2023, easyJet offered over 600,000 seats at Pisa airport, demonstrating its commitment to expanding connectivity at the Galileo Galilei airport. Roberto Naldi, CEO of Toscana Aeroporti, highlighted the importance of having a diverse range of airlines at the airport £to enhance competitiveness and passenger options.” 

A consortium of Italian regions – stretching from the central Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Umbria to Friuli-Venezia Giulia and down to Campania – has launched the second phase of the Tourism Ministry’s “Discover the Italy you didn’t know campaign. The spotlight is on Italy’s breathtaking landscapes, sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, gastronomy, art, culture and the countless spectacular lesser-known places and one-of-a-kind attractions and experiences that make it the ultimate dream getaway choice.

In terms of figures, Italy boasts over 400 islands, ranging from the two largest, Sardinia and Sicily to one of the world’s tiniest inhabited islands, Isola Tiberina nestled in the heart of Rome. It has 365 regional nature reserves – yes, one for every day of the year.  Culturally, where does one even begin? Its cultural heritage is the most extensive on the planet, encompassing nearly 70% of all the artistic treasures worldwide and – the icing on the cake - it offers some of the world’s most sensational and best-loved cuisines and wines. And the list goes on. Still not convinced? Come and see for yourself, and prepare to be blown away.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Exciting news! The opening of Italy’s first Casa Cook in Madonna di Campiglio, is confirmed for December 2024. 

A hotel with privileged views of the World Cup Slalom

Just in time for the classic World Cup Salom on the Miramonti Gully, guests will be able to enjoy live views of the event from the panoramic terrace with its rooftop bar. Originally launched by Thomas Cook in 2016, the Casa Cook brand merged with the Fosun group, and the hotel in Madonna di Campiglio will be managed by Treasurests Hospitality Group through a franchising contract.

“It has a special charm that makes it unique”

The former Milan Hotel, now owned by JP Hospitality, is to become the Casa Cook Madonna di Campiglio. JP Hospitality, led by Viennese entrepreneurs Daniel Jelitzka and Reza Akhavan, specialises in preserving the individuality and legacy of historic hotels. With a commitment to conscious resource use, Jelitzka emphasises their philosophy of preserving authenticity and enhancing beauty.  “Because it is a ski resort, like in Kitzbühel or Zermatt it is extremely varied in both summer and winter, with a special charm that makes it unique among leading destinations.”

Guests will delight in a luxurious dining experience 

Spanning 2,900 square meters, Casa Cook Madonna di Campiglio will have 50 rooms and suites and the project emphasises ecological responsibility, incorporating nature into every aspect of the hotel. The interior design, blending the legacy of the sixties with a contemporary lifestyle, will feature abundant use of wood, marble, and concrete. The hotel aims to provide a luxurious dining experience within an environment promoting mindfulness and relaxation. Exciting times ahead!

Tourism without seasonality: Italy is growing in value, sustainability and innovation, and its MICE industry holds a prime position among the top countries in the world ranking of conference tourism. 

Italy is one of the world’s top conference tourism countries

ENIT has a raft of important international events under its belt, including international workshops in collaboration with the Convention Bureau and the Italian Knowledge event that brings the industry's elite to Italy for a professional networking experience. The meetings industry segment is growing rapidly thanks to the all-Italian ability to combine the professionalism of specific services with the country's historical, architectural, and cultural heritage.  And it is riding the most promising wave of the MICE sector, which is the bleisure trend, that sees the conference tourist with or without his companion, enjoy not only meetings but also leisure activities that are often high-spending. 

Italy is 2nd in Europe and 3rd in the world for MICE events 

Italian MICE was high on the ranking of the world’s 9,042 international meetings in 2022; in second place in Europe with 522 meetings and third in the world ranking behind the USA (690) and Spain (528).  Among the cities, Rome came out top with 79 meetings and Milan with 66. (source: Enit Studies Office based on ICCA data). ENIT is committed to the development of the MICE segment with sector and luxury workshops like the Espacio Maldonado in the heart of Madrid which was attended by over 100 buyers and 35 sellers from all over Italy. 

Italy at Hand will attract 200 Italian buyers and sellers

ENIT will also be present at IBTM in Barcelona from 28 to 30 November with over 80 Italian partners, of which participation has been confirmed by Alto Adige, Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, Piedmont, Puglia, Sicily, Veneto, Rome Capital and Yes Milano.  Over 200 sellers and buyers will come together thanks to ENIT and Convention Bureau Italia at Italy at Hand, the benchmark event of MICE and Made in Italy that sees Italian cities take turns as business travel capitals.  With four days of networking, interaction between highly qualified buyers and the best operators of MICE, this unique event with its B2B meetings, workshops, shows and entertainment, stems from an ambitious idea: to become the leading connecting tool between Italian business tourism and international users.

The MICE sector is expected to return to its pre-Covid levels in 2026

In 2021 Italy recorded a total 86,438 events in presence or hybrid format with a growth of +23.7% over 2020, totalling 4,585,433 participants (+14.7% over 2020). The average duration of events was 1.34 days, in line with 2020 (1.36). 52.5% of congress and event venues are located in the North, 25.5% in the Centre, 13.9% in the South and 8.1% on the islands. International business travel expenditure in Italy in 2021 was approximately €4.3 billion (+50.8% over 2020) and was higher  than holiday expenditure (+16.8%). Some 10.8 million international travellers chose Italy for work/business in 2021 (+18.2% on 2020) for a total of some 33 million nights (+16.7%). (Source: Ufficio Studi on Bank of Italy data). In the first 6 months of 2022 foreign arrivals to Italy for business purposes spent almost €3 billion (Source: Ufficio Studi on Bank of Italy data - provisional 2022). The MICE sector is expected to return to its pre-Covid levels in 2026. 

“Effective networking experiences are crucial for success”

"In the future the success of face-to-face meetings will have to be based on the quality of the content and the contribution the destination can make to achieving the objectives of the event, the combination of virtual elements, the provision of an effective networking experience, and sustainability.  There is a need to focus on the intellectual value that the destination can offer to meetings with public-private interactions. Effective networking experiences by the organiser will be crucial for the success and ROI of the in-person meeting,” says ENIT president and CEO Ivana Jelinic. 

There is a demand for outdoors areas and flexible spaces 

“If we analyse the available data- continues Jelenic, - we realise that there is a growing interest in factors such as reputation, the accessibility of venues, environmental factors, climate, extra-conference opportunities, the quality and safety standards of accommodation facilities, and that people are turning to facilities with fewer rooms and a more homely kind of hospitality. This is also true for facilities with outdoor areas and flexible space, attention to sustainability and food and wine, and for those with advanced technological equipment.” 

On the weekend of 14 and 15 October 2023 and on 8, 9 and 10 December discover a gem in Umbria, the city of Foligno.

Itineraries and learning experiences for adults and children

This journey of discovery of the Umbrian city and its nature, art, sport, food, and wine offers visitors the chance to enjoy a wide range of itineraries and learning experiences, aimed at both adults and children. Located in the central-eastern part of the region, at the foot of the Umbria-Marche Apennines, Foligno has a rich artistic, museum and architectural heritage.

Cycling itineraries and historic landmarks

However, it will not only be the urban area of Foligno, with its historic buildings, museums, and churches that will feature in the VisitFoligno Weekends itineraries. The surrounding landscape can be discovered by bike, thanks to the cycling itineraries on the tour: The mountain of Foligno and the Menotre valley and Pedalling to discover the park of Altolina and the Hermitage.

Visit Foligno - laboratories for children

Special offers in accommodation facilities

The VisitFoligno Weekends, with the same formula that combines art, culture, nature, sport and food and wine will be repeated on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception, on 8, 9 and 10 December. During the event some Federalberghi and Cuore Verde Umbria B&B Association accommodation facilities, and the Pierantoni Hostel will have special offers for visitors at the events.

For information: https://www.comune.foligno.pg.it/visitfoligno