From this year, the comprehensive programme with all the information and insights on the 2026 Macerata Opera Festival from 17 June to 9 August, becomes a coffee-table book.

A coffee table book with in-depth essays

This cross-disciplinary work of art is a true collector’s piece and will also be available for purchase online alongside performance tickets, at a price designed to remain affordable and accessible to all.  With in-depth essays on the operas written by the artists responsible for staging the productions, and original images by one of the most highly regarded figures in international art photography: the award-winning photographer Christian Tasso. 

The book has photos by Christian Tasso 

Tasso's images capture the artistic essence of the Sferisterio as experienced through the opera, thanks to the unique perspective of his photographs, thus offering purchasers of the Libretto Unico a different and emotional narrative of the year’s most eagerly awaited events. Despite the Libretto Unico’s actual market value, its retail price will be just €10, whether purchased online in advance, at the Sferisterio shop or at the ticket office. Anyone purchasing the booklet online will be able to collect it from the box office on the evening of the performance, thus avoiding queues at the Book Shop.

The 2026 Macerata Opera Festival programme 

Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi on 17, 26 July, 1, 9 August

Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini - 18, 24 July, 2, 8 August

 Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi - 19, 25, 31 July

 Carmina Burana by Carl Orff - 7 August

The authentic harm of Teramo, L'Aquila and the surrounding towns in the Abruzzo region, spotlight centuries of culture, deep-rooted traditions and landscapes of rare beauty.

Teramo dates back to Imperial Rome 

This journey was experienced on a recent travel agent educational tour organized by the Abruzzo-based tour operator Baltour into the region's most authentic treasures; an itinerary that blended historical heritage, local identity and food and wine experiences. Teramo, the ancient Interamnia, preserves traces of Roman and medieval history with a Roman Theatre as well as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the famous Mosaico del Leone Roman mosaic floor in the historic centre. This work, with the figure of a lion framed by geometric motifs, bears witness to the cultural vitality of the city as early as Imperial Rome.   

L’Aquila’s rebirth after the 2009 earthquake 

L'Aquila, the Italian Capital of Culture 2026, is one of the most significant European examples of urban and cultural rebirth following the 2009 earthquake, the impressive restoration and reconstruction having  restored churches, palaces and squares. Among the city's most symbolic sites places are the Basilica of Collemaggio, linked to Pope Celestine V and the first Jubilee of 1294, and the Fountain of the 99 Spouts, a medieval masterpiece with decorated spouts and symbols that  recount the collective identity of the people of L'Aquila.

Majolica and a replica of the Holy Stairs

Nearby Castelli is a village famous for its centuries-old ceramic tradition, its majolica tiles having embellished European courts and residences since the Renaissance. The Church of San Donato, with its extraordinary majolica ceiling, is a unique testimony to this art. Not far away, Campli is home to the Holy Stairs, built in 1772 and recognized by the Holy See as a faithful reproduction of the Scala Santa in Rome. The National Archaeological Museum tells of the area’s Italic and Roman origins, while the gastronomic traditions go from porchetta to typical rural products.

Abruzzo at its most authentic 

Civitella del Tronto is dominated by the majestic Bourbon Fortress, one of the largest in Europe,  with views that embracs the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, ideally sealing the encounter between history and nature that defines the soul of this region.  Baltour’s fam trip allowed a group of tourism professionals to experience not only a destination, but an authentic Abruzzo, where culture, resilience, craftsmanship and gastronomy interact in perfect balance. For information: https://baltourbus.it/ 

At the first Italy Edition of Travel Hashtag in Matera, Mayor Antonio Nicoletti outlined how tourism is experience, culture and innovation.

Matera invites visitors to slow down

The mayor’s clear strategy for tourism in the city in the coming years is to consolidate the legacy of 2019, transforming it into a stable, international and market-oriented project. “Matera has a unique relationship with time, an element that directly influences the visitor's experience. In an era of fast and fragmented travel, the city invites visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in its layered history, not only as a backdrop, but as part of the experience itself,” said the mayor.

Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026

After its experience as European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera is preparing for 2026 as Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. But, the mayor warns, the title is not the goal: “It is the message of a city that is planning itself”. The idea is to go beyond the isolated event and build a concrete legacy: “It is not a project that starts and ends in 2026, it must have a future life.”

Matera’s House of Emerging Technologies

The title chosen for 2026, “Terre Immerse” (Immersed Lands), broadens the vision of the Mediterranean to include inland areas and their cultural stratifications. Not just coastlines, but territories with common roots in symbolic cities such as Jerusalem, Athens and Rome.  Alongside the cultural dimension, Nicoletti mentioned the House of Emerging Technologies, a hub that works on advanced technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum communication, applying them to tourism and communication. In practice, it is a place where innovation and culture come together to create new services, experiences and opportunities for the city.

“A destination…with integration between culture and innovation”

Collaboration with the Italian Space Agency and the European Space Agency also strengthen Matera in the business, MICE and educational segments. “Matera does not want to replicate 2019, but make 2026 a structural lever for growth. For the trade this means a destination with a stable vision, long-term planning and integration between culture and innovation. 2026 will not be a point of arrival, but the beginning of a new phase of international positioning,” concluded the mayor.

The GNV launch of the first LNG-fuelled ship of its Italian fleet, was commented by Catani as “accelerating the energy transition.”

“Innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand”

The arrival of the first LNG-powered vessel to the GNV fleet, the first ship of this type operated by an Italian company on long-haul routes, confirms GNV’s concrete commitment to innovation, sustainability and energy transition. “This project is a measurable step on our path towards reducing emissions and the progressive decarbonization of maritime transport,- says GNV’s CEO Matteo Catani. -It is not a declaration of intent, but a ship that now sails and significantly reduces its environmental impact and overall CO₂ emissions. The introduction of LNG into our fleet is a clear signal of our commitment to more sustainable and responsible shipping. We want to show that innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand.”

Improved services and value for communities

“Investing in these technologies means already looking ahead to the future of sustainable maritime mobility. Continuity of connections is fundamental. With these two units we are enhancing the frequency and quality of our service, making the entire transport system between North and South more efficient. The new ferry is strategic infrastructure for Italy and, in particular, for Sicily, not only economically but also socially. Every new unit that enters service is a breath of fresh air for the local economy. Our goal is to generate sustainable development, creating value for the communities we serve.”

Focus on the Genoa-Palermo route

The new ship will be used on the historic Genoa-Palermo route, the first opened by GNV over thirty years ago. Palermo and Termini Imerese now cover about 30% of the company's overall traffic, making Sicily central in the group's development strategy. Within a few months GNV's sister ship Aurora, also powered by LNG, will enter service.

The new LNG ship

The new LNG ship has 440 cabins and public spaces designed to ensure comfort, brightness and quality of the travel experience. “For passengers innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand with comfort and safety, says Catani. Every year GNV carries soms 770,000 passengers to and from Sicily. The overall economic impact generated by passengers on Italian destinations is estimated at almost €1 billion, while freight traffc exceeds €1.5 billion. "These numbers confirm that our route network is not just transport, but a development tool. The GNV fleet is concrete proof of how innovation, economy and sustainability can grow together.”.

The Ecoluxury Fair 2025 confirmed Rome as a leading European hub of sustainable luxury travel.

Rome strengthens its role in responsible high-end tourism 

The 2025 edition of the Ecoluxury Fair has concluded in Rome, confirming the city as a leading European hub for sustainable luxury travel. Held on 13 and 14 November at Spazio Field in Palazzo Brancaccio, the B2B event brought together over 300 buyers and exhibitors, welcoming around 1,000 participants. With its focus on networking, business development and international collaborations, the Ecoluxury Fair continues to play a central role in shaping the future of upscale, sustainability-driven hospitality.

A milestone year for ECO Luxury Hotels Collection

Marking the twentieth anniversary of the ECO Luxury Hotels Collection, CEO Enrico Ducrot presented the new “Observatory on Sustainability in Luxury Hospitality.” With the aim of supporting the global travel trade, the Observatory provides data and benchmarks to guide decision-making in the high-end sector. Its inaugural study, developed with THRENDS and based on 745 Italian five-star hotels, highlights the current situation and the opportunities.

The spiritual philosophy behind Bhutan’s success 

Neytrul Rinpoche, president and founder of the Neyphug Foundation was the guest of honor at the Ecoluxury Fair. Offering a unique perspective on the spiritual philosophy and on the relationship between happiness, governance, and human values that guide Bhutan, he said: “I am very happy to share with you this philosophy that has guided my country.”

Sustainability is a strategic pillar of luxury hospitality

The Observatory reported that only 17% of the hotels analyzed have a recognized sustainability certification. It also points to sustainability as still being too frequently viewed as a cost rather than a competitive advantage. In Italy the Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany, Lazio and Sardinia regions lead the way, each with over 20% of certified properties, while many other areas remain below 10%. The Ecoluxury Fair 2025 underscored how sustainability is now a strategic pillar of luxury hospitality and of how Rome is now a capital of sustainable luxury travel.

The Begin Hotels recently celebrated its10th anniversary at the SeeBay Hotel in Portonovo.

A warm welcome and quality service

To mark the occasion Guido Guidi, CEO and founder of the group, reflected on his idea of hospitality, and shared the group's future vision at the event which was attended by the president of the Marche Region, Francesco Acquaroli. It all stems from Guidi’s childhood dream: to own a hotel. And his hotel collection is unique, each property with its own soul and a deep bond with the territory. At the heart of the project is the idea of a “familiar professionalism,” which Guidi describes as the blend of a warm welcome and quality service: a delicate balance between empathy and competence, which allows for authentic experiences.

The group has 10 hotels and over employees 300

Guidi has impressive numbers to quote: 10 hotels, more than 300 employees and an annual turnover of €20 million. And he underscored how real success does not lie only in numbers, but above all in the people who make up the group, and in the daily passion and shared values that inspire every choice. Which is how he got the name The Begin, because every stay, every opening, every challenge is always a new beginning.

The story of the Begin Group

The group's story began in Ancona with the SeePort Hotel, a building in romantic-industrial style that marked the beginning of the journey. Shortly after came the SeeBay Hotel in Portonovo, in the Monte Conero nature reserve. The growth then continued with the expansion towards Trieste, where the group now has three hotels: the Continentale Hotel, the Palace Suite, and the Modernist Hotel, which brings a touch of urban style to the collection. In the Salento region, The Begin Hotels has the Giardino dei Pini, and it has renovated and renamed the historic Ferrara hotel, now the Casa d'Este Hotel which is in the heart of the city, opposite the Estense Castle. In June 2025, the collection also extended to the Dolomites with the opening of the Hotel Sayonara.

What lies ahead

But the journey does not stop here. In the coming months, the first 5-star The Begin is scheduled to open in the heart of the historic centre of Catania, an ambitious project that boosts the group's presence in the luxury segment. Guidi comments that all this was possible thanks to people who believe in a common project and are stirred by the same passion. This sharing of vision, values and daily commitment is the true spirit of The Begin Hotels.

The medieval village of Genga, in Italy’s Marche region, where nature and history meet.

Genga: a journey through time and nature

The town of Genga is the gateway to one of Europe’s most extraordinary natural wonders: the Frasassi Caves, but this charming town, celebrated as the birthplace of Pope Leo XII, who guided the Church in the early 19th century, is far more than an entrance to an underground world. With its rich history, spiritual heritage, and beautiful landscapes, Genga offers visitors a journey through time and nature. 

A cave taller than Milan’s cathedral

Grotta Grande del vento - Frasassi Caves

The Frasassi Caves, discovered in 1971, extend for over 30 kilometers, allowing visitors to explore vast caverns like the Grotta Grande del Vento, which is taller than Milan’s cathedral, and admire stalactite and stalagmite formations that have been sculpted by nature. The cave complex has extensive walkways that guide visitors safely through the vast chambers. Expertly designed lighting highlights the caves’ natural formations, creating a striking visual experience while ensuring safety along the path and there are there are nearby restaurants that offer a range of traditional Marche cuisine and local specialities.

A cradle of art, wilderness and timeless beauty

Valadier Temple - Frasassi Caves

Above ground history unfolds in Genga’s perfectly preserved historic center, and in the neoclassical Valadier Temple and the Hermitage of Santa Maria Infra Saxa, as well as in the Romanesque Abbey of San Vittore. Genga, which is set within the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi Nature Park. Genga also invites visitors to explore its environs on foot or by bike and to delight in the area’s wilderness, art, and timeless beauty.

The wonders of the Frasassi Caves

The Frasassi Caves, just six kilometres from Genga, stretch for some 30 to 40 kilometres underground and are among Europe’s greatest karst systems. A 1.5-kilometre guided visitor route reveals vast caverns and the caves keep to a constant 14 °C, creating a surreal year-round experience. In 2023 they drew a record 298,000 visitors, while the wider Frasassi area, with the Tempio del Valadier and the museums of Genga and San Vittore, welcomed 435,200 visitors. 

Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Lazio, the island of Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands archipelago. 

A satisfying summer season

Famous for its crystal-clear waters, sheer cliffs and striking natural inlets, Ponza has always been a popular destination for those seeking a perfect blend of beauty, history and authenticity. With its Mediterranean charm, the island succeeds in combining maritime traditions with ancient and genuine experiences, offering visitors a warm welcome and time that goes beyond the classic seaside holiday. “Tourist numbers on the island this year are very encouraging, - says Mayor Francesco Ambrosino. -We recorded a significant increase from May to August, with +18% in May and smaller but still positive increases of around +5% in the other summer months. We are satisfied with this trend.” Tourism is the island’s main economic activity “Ponza has enormous potential not only for its beautiful landscapes, but also for its particular geological conformation. In fact many geologists consider it a true living laboratory,” says the mayor.

Environmental protection and the management of protected areas

Since taking office the municipal administration has placed great emphasis on protecting the territory. “We have given the utmost importance to safeguarding the island's natural riches,- Ambrosino explains. -An important step in this direction was the activation of a memorandum of understanding with the Lazio Region, which allows the municipality to directly manage the marine protected areas around Ponza, Palmarola and Zannone - the latter part of the Circeo National Park. An agreement was also reached with the University of Tuscia’s Faculty of Marine Biology to develop concrete initiatives in favour of environmental protection and the enhancement of marine ecosystems.

An island outside the box

But Ponza is not just seaside tourism. It is a place to be lived as an authentic experience. “Those who come here must experience it not as a simple holiday, but as a journey to an unspoiled place, far from the mainland. We are not a typical island, we are about 40 miles, or 80 kilometres, from the coast, and this isolation has helped to preserve our identity. There have been no major investments by outside operators or invasive forms of urbanization. Guests really appreciate the local lifestyle and the industriousness of the residents. We still have an active fishing fleet and a a way of life that is reminiscent of decades ago." Indeed, Ponza is a rare example of an ideal balance between development and conservation.