The Ravella Festival  returns from 31 May to 13 July with a packed programme of music, dance and theatre for Romagna’s summer.

From June to July Ravenna becomes a stage for artistic events 

The main venues of the festival include Ravenna’s Pala Mauro de André, the Alighieri Theatre and the Basilica of San Vitale. The events take place not only in theatres but also in basilicas with their golden mosaics, in cloisters and historic buildings, as well as on the beach, in the pine forest and in many other places, including the town of Cervia-Milano Marittima.

Riccardo Muti will open the Festival on 31 May

The 36th edition will be inaugurated on 31 May with a concert by Riccardo Muti with the Cherubini Orchestra and violinist Giuseppe Gibboni, and will conclude on 13 July with the dance gala “Les Étoiles.” Exceptional conductors including Zubin Mehta and Daniel Harding stand out among the artists who also include Cat Power, Max Richter, Pietro Fresa and Alexander Gadjiev. There will also be many theatre productions, such as Bhagavadgītā, a sacred Indian text, and the third and final adventure of Don Quixote.

Where there is music, there can be no evil

The title chosen for this edition is “Donde hay música no puede haber cosa mala” - ‘Where there is music, there can be no evil, a quote from the famous squire of world literature, Sancho Panza, which is an opportunity to reflect on the courage and transformation of this value.

Wizz Air’s summer schedule this year includes over 200 routes from Italy to 80 destinations in 32 countries, for a total of over 13 million seats.

A very busy summer

From its base at Rome Fiumicino’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there will be new flights to Zaragoza and Bilbao, as well as various beach destinations such as the popular Greek islands of Corfu, Mykonos, Skiathos, Santorini and Zakynthos. Wizz Air will also be operating 14 weekly services from London, Madrid and Barcelona. In addition, there will be nine weekly flights from Valencia and seven flights from both Malaga and Seville. Focusing on routes to Western Europe, the airline will also operate seven weekly flights from Lisbon.

More frequencies from London Gatwick

From Milan Malpensa, there will be 12 weekly flights from London Gatwick stand out, but flights to Spain are the most numerous: the low-cost airline will increase weekly flights to Barcelona, the capital Madrid and to the cities of Malaga and Valencia. In addition, there will be several flights from Milan to the Greek islands of Crete, Corfu, Mykonos, Skiathos, Santorini and Zakynthos.

Spain takes the lion’s share

New for the end of 2024, the Venice-Barcelona and Venice-Madrid routes are two of the most important for passengers from the north-east of Italy wishing to travel to Spain: the frequency of flights to both the Spanish capital and Gaudí's city will be increased to seven weekly.

“We are offering passengers more flexibility”

“With this expansion, Wizz Air further consolidates its position in Italy, offering passengers an increasingly extensive network and more travel flexibility,- said, corporate communications manager Salvatore Gabriele Imperiale. -We can say that Italy and Spain are even closer thanks to the numerous connections, especially to Rome, Milan and Venice.”

In Val Senales, on Mount Grawand stands Europe's highest hotel: the Glacier Hotel Grawand.

An extraordinary installation at 3,200 metres  

The installation “Our Glacial Perspectives,“ by the Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, is located at over 3,200 metres asl on the Val Senales glacier in South Tyrol.  This extraordinary work of art, which invites visitors to reflect on climate change and glacial melt, is spread over a 410-metre path along the mountain ridge. The path is marked by nine doors spaced at intervals proportional to the duration of the Earth's ice ages and culminates in a pavilion made of steel and glass rings that can also be used as an astronomical instrument to determine the time of day and follow solstices and equinoxes.

ph credits wisthaler.com

The Grawand peak is one of the most easily accessible high peaks in the world

Just a 10-minute walk from the top station of the cable car takes you to the Iceman Ötzi Peak viewing platform. From here, you can see the amazing vista of 126 peaks over 3,000 metres high belonging to three countries: Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The view also opens up onto the Giogo Alto Glacier and the Similaun snowfield, where Ötzi, the world's oldest mummy, was found.

Olafur Eliasson Our glacial perspectives Bildauswahl MartinRattini

Glacier Hotel Grawand is Europe’s highest hotel

The Glacier Hotel Grawand is Europe’s highest hotel and stands at 3,212 metres asl, directly on the slopes of the Alpin Arena Senales.  The 3-star hotel is located on the ski slopes and has a steam bath and infrared cabin, as well as the highest Finnish sauna in Europe. The four-course dinner menu features South Tyrolean, Italian and international flavours.  The hotel offers weekly half-board packages with 6 days of ski pass included, starting from £810.00 per person, valid until 4 May 2025.

The 1000 Miglia, the iconic car race that has fascinated the world for over ninety years, returns to Sorrento. 

An itinerary through Campania, Basilicata and Puglia.

Created in 1927 as a speed race, the 1000 Miglia covered 1,600 km of road, starting and finishing in Brescia, after passing through Rome. The event soon attracted internationally renowned drivers and quickly became an iconic competition.  Today, the race is a historical re-enactment that continues to celebrate elegance, tradition and automotive passion.  On the first day (it runs from 10 to 13 April 2025) the drivers will compete in a regularity race along the picturesque Corso Italia promenade to win the ‘Trofeo Città di Sorrento.

An overnight in UNESCO Matera 

They will then continue along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most famous stretches of coastline in Italy, before reaching Matera. In this first stage, the participants will take part in an exclusive tour of the Sassi, characteristic dwellings of the area that will also host them for the night. Matera has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Passing through Alberobello with its trulli houses

The drivers will then cross the Murgia Materana Park to Alberobello, with its characteristic trulli cone-shaped houses. The race will continue towards Castel del Monte, a 13th-century fortress with an octagonal shape which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The race will end in Bari where the award ceremony will take place.

A luxury hotel with 49 rooms and suites

The 5-star Hotel Ara Maris in Sorrento is the perfect choice to experience the history of motoring up close and enjoy the surrounding area. Thanks to its privileged position guests can experience the excitement of the 1000 Miglia while discovering the attractions of the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts and the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, as well as enjoying sailing trips and trekking.  The hotel has 49 rooms and suites, exhibition areas for art and culture, the Thala Spa, the Cora Bistrot for gourmet dishes and the Lumi Sky Lounge which is the ideal place to enjoy fantastic cocktails.

Hilton Rome Airport presents the new AIR-aperitif, a moment of relaxation designed for travellers and those waiting at arrivals at Rome Fiumicino airport. 

The AIR-aperitif formula includes private parking 

In the hotel's Artists' Bar, the AIR-aperitif is served every evening from 5pm and on Fridays it is accompanied by live music. The aperitif is accompanied by four tastings such as a savoury croissant with prosciutto and stracciatella cheese, a parmesan cheese version, a bao bun with pulled chicken and vegan lime mayonnaise, and seafood flavoured bruschetta. And there is also a taste of typical Roman dishes and pizza to share. This new aperitif formula with private parking included, costs just €35.

Hilton Rome Airport Artists Bar Aperitif

The Hilton Rome Airport is celebrating its 25th year

The AIR-peritivo is designed for those looking for a quiet break away from the chaos of the airport, both for those travelling through the airport and for those waiting for friends and family.  The Hilton Rome Airport, which this year celebrates its 25th year, is the only hotel directly connected to Leonardo da Vinci airport. With 517 rooms, a restaurant, bar, fitness room and indoor swimming pool it also has 22 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 800 people.

With the arrival of spring, plants and flowers from all over the world bloom in the gardens of Rome and its surroundings.

Cherry blossoms in Rome

Lovers of Hanami, the traditional Japanese cherry blossom viewing, will find several places where they can admire this spectacle like the EUR lake, the La Sapienza University Botanical Garden and the Appia Antica Park. Another place not to be missed is the garden of the Japanese Cultural Institute, designed by Ken Nakajima, which celebrates Japanese culture and the beauty of cherry blossoms.

Rome has spectacular rose and tulip displays

But spring in Rome is not just about cherry trees: the Municipal Rose Garden of Rome, on the Aventine Hill has 1,100 types of roses that bloom between April and May. And, just over an hour from the city, the Roseto Vacunae Rosae in Roccantica, in the Sabine hills, is home to over 5500 varieties of roses from all over the world. Rome also has a TuliPark and extensive tulip fields to photograph and pick. In April the park also offers engaging events and activities for families, and tulips are also on display at Tuscia Flower, near Viterbo, along with sunflowers and gladioli.

The FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino 

For orchid lovers, the “Orchidee dal Mondo” event is not to be missed; taking place in April in Monte Porzio Catone, just outside Rome, it features a wide variety of orchid species from all over the world. To enjoy these flower-filled months in the Eternal City the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino is a 4-star in the Monti district, a short walk from the Coliseum and the Imperial Fora, and close to the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla. The hotel's restaurant, Le Spighe, is open for lunch and dinner with tasting menus and à la carte, also for non-residents.

The island of Montecristo,in the Tuscan archipelago, is a protected area with legends and history and access by permit only. 

Visits to Montecristo require paid permits 

Visits to Montecristo are only possible after requesting a paid permit from the secretariat of the State Forestry Corps in Follonica. Well-known to many thanks to the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, the island has unique flora and wildlife, and is one of the main nature reserves in the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

Reservations for trekking with rangers 

In addition to its crystal-clear waters, it is also the protagonist of stories and legends, and is home to the monastery of San Mamiliano and the convent and grotto of the saint, both of which can be reached by following two trekking routes, accompanied by Forest Rangers for which reservations are required.

The Sense Experience Resort on the Tuscan Coast

The five-star Sense Experience Resort is the ideal place to stay to experience the island. This exclusive retreat in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, is in a privileged location within a nature park. The 112 rooms in the five buildings go from Comfort, Deluxe and Superior to Themed Suites and Two Bedroom Suites with sea view and outdoor whirlpool tubs. There is also a private beach and a heated outdoor pool. The Experience Specialist replaces the traditional concierge, and the gastronomic offering includes the à la carte Dimorà restaurant and the fine dining Eatè, directly on the beach.

The Divinity Restaurant & Lounge Bar, on the rooftop of The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, pays homage to Picasso with special evening aperitifs and brings the sea to the table during sunny Roman Sunday lunches.

Two exciting new food and wine experiences

Chef Francesco Apreda, with the guidance of Resident Chef Luca Decembrino, offers the new food and wine experiences “Picasso - a Divinity Experience” and “Sea on the Rooftops.”. The first is a tribute to the great artist, conceived on the occasion of the exhibition “Picasso the Foreigner.” scheduled to open in Rome at Palazzo Cipolla. Every evening, the aperitif combines the traditions of Italy and Spain with three refined signature cocktails inspired by significant moments of the spring that Picasso spent in the Eternal City. The cocktails are accompanied by three meat, fish and vegetarian tapas.

Marine flavours for Sunday lunches in March 

“Mare sui Tetti’ is the fish menu every Sunday in March: a gastronomic experience with marine flavours in the heart of the city. Located on the sixth floor of the five-star luxury hotel, the Divinity Restaurant & Lounge Bar offers a stunning view of the Pantheon, in the centre of Rome. The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel is also home to the Michelin-star Idylio by Apreda restaurant.   

The Bergamo area has a range of historical walking paths and opportunities for waterway wanderings.

Marian shrines and hospitality for pilgrims

Rich in places of worship, with a long religious tradition, Italy can also be explored along  its spiritual paths, routes of faith and pilgrimages, to be rediscovered also on the occasion of the Jubilee 2025. In the Diocese of Bergamo the Alta Via delle Grazie (High Way of Grace) is a 271 km walk in the Orobic heart of Lombardy. The brainchild of Gabriella Castelli and Giovanni Battista Merelli, after the experience of Santiago de Compostela, like the famous Spanish route it offers hospitality to pilgrims. 

Pilgrims are welcomed into convents and family homes

Along the 13 stages, convents, monasteries, parish centres and family homes open their doors to welcome pilgrims, transforming the experience of the journey into an opportunity for relationships and sharing. Along the route there are 18 Marian shrines, but the spirituality is intertwined and enriched by the natural and cultural dimension of the experience. 

Via Valeriana

Legendary paths in the places of Charlemagne

A route that takes its name from an ancient legend is the Route of Charlemagne proposed by the Cammini Amici della Via Valeriana (Friends of the Valerian Way Routes). It is said that Charlemagne, along his path of conquest, forced the local lords who lived in castles to convert and had numerous churches built to celebrate his victories, sometimes on the ruins of the destroyed castles. 

In the footsteps of the Holy Roman Emperor

The route, created by Antonio Votino and Andrea Grava, follows in the footsteps of the historical figure of Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor, and starts from Bergamo, crossing the municipalities along the Serio river, the Valli d'Argon, the Val Cavallina, the Val Borlezza, the Valle Camonica, the Val di Sole and the Val Rendena up to Carisolo in Trentino. Expanded over the years, today it is some 140 miles long and has twelve stages. The route, which is unidirectional and of medium difficulty, winds for the most part along the hillside of the mountain ranges, with some challenging climbs. 

Waterways: on foot and by bike along the Adda river

Walking along a stream, listening to the sound of the water, reaching a lake and sitting on the shore, dipping your feet in the icy water, or marvelling at the roar of a waterfall. Waterways offer an infinite variety of landscapes and experiences in contact with nature.  Among the waterway trails proposed by the FAI – Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust) we find the Path along the Adda, which from Villa d'Adda  reaches Crespi d'Adda, in the province of Bergamo. Both the footpath and the cycle path follow the course of the river, allowing nature enthusiasts to enjoy landscapes of great natural beauty. What's more, the route also goes through places that are symbolic of Lombard history, such as the ferry designed by Leonardo da Vinci in Imbersago (LC), the Crespi d'Adda workers' village and the Carlo Esterle Edison power station.