The Belavita Leading Wellnesshotels Sudtirol group, symbolizes hotel excellence and luxurious wellbeing in the Italian Alps.

Ten hotels to choose from for seasonal breaks 

The spa town of Merano, steeped in history and renowned as a health resort, undergoes a transformation with the changing seasons. As the second-largest city in South Tyrol and the ancient capital, it unveils its riches through Art Nouveau buildings and medieval porticoes, serving as witnesses to the lives of artists and poets who once called it home. It is within this captivating setting that the Belavita Leading Wellnesshotels Sudtirol group, symbolizing hotel excellence in the Italian Alps, presents ten establishments offering an opportunity to indulge in luxury wellness and savour the best of autumn in Merano. This includes engaging in outdoor activities, relishing seasonal flavours, and experiencing ancient traditions.

©Belvita-Hotel Chalet Mirabell

Outdoor activities and musical evenings

The Hotel Chalet Mirabell, nestled in a vast 10,000 sqm park is a five-star luxury hotel in Avelengo.  Guests have a choice of exclusive rooms with panoramic views, modern Bergvillen with private swimming pools and saunas, or even a private cabin surrounded by meadows and woods—a true luxury reserved for adults. Autumn is welcomed with yoga retreats, guided llama and alpaca hikes, and evenings filled with live music.

Holidays dedicated to well-being and sport 

The Hotel Hohenwart, situated in the rolling hills of Scena, is a 4-star wellness resort comprising three interconnected buildings and a dedicated well-being unit. The Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier, nestled among the Dolomites of Alto Adige in Val Passiria, ensures a holiday dedicated to well-being, sport, and luxury. It features wellness and spa areas, horse riding courses, a golf course, and facilities for a range of outdoor activities.

Wine, oil and vinegar tastings

In Tirolo, above the city of Merano, Spa & Relac Hotel Erika is a modern 5-star hotel that seamlessly blends into its Mediterranean garden. The wellness centre and spa areas, both indoors and outdoors, provide a haven of relaxation. Autumn pleasures include Wine Week with visits to nearby wineries, tours of local vineyards, and tastings with food pairings. In Marlengo, overlooking Merano, La Maiena Meran Resort delights outdoor enthusiasts with clay tennis courts, excursions to the hotel refuge, and a cycle path along the Adige river.  There is a spa, hair salon, five swimming pools, six saunas, gourmet cuisine, and weekly tastings of wine, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.  For information: www.belvita.it/it 

The Terme di Saturnia Natural Destination in Tuscany’s Maremma region, among the most prestigious spa facilities in Italy, is offering new yoga retreats.

A haven nestled in the heart of Tuscany’s Maremma

Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, autumn and winter usher in a season of regeneration and inner rebirth. With its 120 hectares of natural surroundings, a thousand-year-old spring which is a source of well-being and health, Terme di Saturnia Natural Destination enhances its yoga offerings with the introduction of the new Detox Yoga Retreats. These retreats blend the benefits of yoga sessions with the care and attention of the Terme di Saturnia Method Detox Programme.

Lorenza Minola

Four new Detox Yoga Retreats

With the cold season on the way Terme di Saturnia presents four Detox Yoga Retreats scheduled for 23 to 26 November, 30 November to 3 December, 14 to 17 December and 4 to 7 January 2024. Expert yogis Lorenza Minola and Claudia Esposito of LoYoga App will guide the yoga and meditation activities. Their approach, characterised by flows and sequences, will emphasise the reconnection of mind and body to the natural elements surrounding the resort: Earth, water, and air. 

Indulge in the unique surroundings

Throughout the autumn and winter Terme di Saturnia guests can partake in the yoga practice choosing between private or group sessions. The services of the Terme di Saturnia Natural Destination Resort. include an immersion in the thousand-year-old spring, surrounded by panoramic views of the distant Saturnia Castle, for a tranquil experience in the embrace of Maremma's natural beauty.

Guests can enjoy the gym, tennis court and golf driving range

The 3-night Detox Yoga Retreat package includes a stay with breakfast, lunches, and dinners following the Saturnia Method Detox Terme menu. Additionally, guests will experience the Saturnia Sap Ritual in the morning, an Evening Herbal Tea Ritual, five group lessons of 50 minutes each, and one private lesson of 30 minutes. The package also features a medical check-up and daily access to the thermal spring, hydromassage tubs, and the sauna and Turkish bath among other facilities such as the use of the gym, the tennis court, and the golf driving range. 

The Casa Gallo, Casa San Grato and Casa Clara, all located in Monteu Roero, are charming residences exclusively marketed by Italyscape.

The Roero consists of 24 towns rich in traditions

The Quality Group's incoming agency recommends these properties for an experience in contact with nature and with the history of the UNESCO World Heritage area. The Roero is a gem set among gentle hills on the left bank of the Tanaro river, adjacent to the Langhe and Monferrato regions. Consisting of 24 municipalities rich in traditions, fascinating castles just waiting to be discovered, trails that lead to the Roero's fortresses across a rocky terrain and through rows of vineyards. Wine is one of the great protagonists of this area, which can boast the prestigious Roero DOCG.

Casa Gallo can take up to 26 guests

Casa Gallo in the hamlet of San Gallo, is a large country residence that can accommodate up to 26 guests in its ten rooms, each of which has a private bathroom. The 2023 renovation harmoniously blends modern and old elements. The photovoltaic system of more than 50 kW provides the energy for the entire house with a great focus on sustainability. There are panoramic views, a large garden and a 100 sqm pergola under which to enjoy convivial moments.

Casa San Grato has table tennis and a wood-burning oven

With its eight rooms, each with en-suite bathroom, Casa San Grato can accommodate up to 18 guests. Tradition blends with contemporaneity in the furnishings and natural colours. The 2020 renovation makes it suitable for families, and contributing to its appeal there is a canopy with a table-tennis table and table football, a wood-burning oven in which to bake pizzas, a barbecue for tasty meals with friends and a wine cellar that can host private tastings.

Casa Clara has a private spa with a Finnish sauna

Renovated in 2022, Casa Clara is on two floors.  On the ground floor there is a large living room, dining room and kitchen, while the sleeping area on the first floor has three bedrooms, with four bathrooms. Views of the Roero hills, a patio and a garden with an orchard complete the outdoor area. There is also a private spa with a mini hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna, emotional shower and Turkish bath.

The portfolio of the Roman white label company Giada Hotels Collection is expanding. 

Renovations on a midscale boutique hotel 

Owners Dario and Gianluca Lupi, have just acquired a midscale hotel in the centre of Rome, close to the Vatican City. The plans are now to transform the asset into a boutique hotel, following a thorough renovation. The transaction is being handled by the hospitality team of WCG - World Capital Group. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed. The Giada Group currently manages two properties with another two in the pipeline (not counting the latest new entry), all located in the Rome area. The properties already in operation are the Hampton By Hilton Rome North and the Hotel Relax Roma Nord.

“It is important to enhance the value of midscale properties”

Rome reconfirms itself as one of Italy’s most sought-after leisure and business destinations, and this operation confirms the interest of national and international hotel players,- says Cristina Gentile, senior real estate consultant Hospitality at WCG. -This deal also underlines the importance of enhancing the value of midscale properties, in the now necessary process of transforming the Italian hotel industry to the new needs of travellers. We are happy to contribute to this and to share this success together with Dario and Gianluca Lupi."

High interest rates continue to hold back Italy’s hotel real estate market, but it is starting to show some encouraging signs of recovery. 

So, while real estate is suffering from the current macroeconomic climate with its rising interest rates, hospitality is proving to be one of the most attractive sectors for investors, thanks to record performances, especially in terms of average rates. A trend that also emerged at the 5th Hospitality Investment Conference, organized by Teamwork and Thrends.

Many analysts agree that interest rates could soon fall by a few points, though levels are expected to remain high at least until the end of 2025 (Ibor rate higher than 3%). It is also thought that while international investors are still interested in Italy, the gap between the expected demand and prices is still too wide, leaving capital holders in a wait-and-see position.

Having said this, deals like Six Senses Rome, La Suvera in Tuscany and Novotel Florence show there is still interest in luxury in the main destinations. The latest developments have also influenced the volume of transactions which, according Cbre, amounted to around €0.85 billion to the third quarter of this year. But Thrends’ managing director Giorgio Ribaudo says they should already be at €1.1-1.2 billion, and that the year will possibly close at around €1.4-1.5 billion.

Massimiliano Sarti
Journalist

The Hotel Catinaccio in Vigo di Fassa, looks back on last summer and a on 10% rise in occupancy. 

A wide range of outdoor activities

Arrivals registered a 10% increased over the previous year with an average stay of 5.5 days, a figure that fully satisfies the management’s strategic plan. In line with expectations, the percentages expressed by the reference target, which is confirmed to be couples looking for high added value experiences to be enjoyed in close contact with the uniqueness of the Val di Fassa and, in particular, the area of the Catinaccio mountain range. A decisive factor for the appeal of the property is the range of activities offered to guests, who have the possibility of trekking, mountain biking and e-bikes, hiking and climbing, either in the company of a professional guide or independently.

The focus us on food and wines 

Guests, who include a high number of repeaters, are particularly drawn by the wellness offering as well as the food which is inspired by a creative twist on Ladin cuisine, and on the excellence of the local products, in particular focus on wines. Looking at the figures for the winter, the results are already in line with expectations for the pre-Christmas period, and higher than the excellent 2022 results in the Christmas and New Year weeks.

“Innovations in slow key activities for our guests“

"We are very satisfied with the summer performance, and the excellent numbers that exceeded expectations,- says the hotel’s owner Giorgio Lorenz. -We are now looking to the winter with confidence and with some interesting innovations in terms of gastronomy and activities for our guests, also in a slow key. Working in synergy with local players can make the difference and will be central for the winter months.”

The Palace Resorts Group now has 100% ownership of Baglioni, having previously secured 75% control in November last year.  

Palace Resorts looks to expand in Europe

This development signifies the departure of CEO Guido Polito, who led Baglioni for many years and now embarks on a new professional journey. Taking over his role is Massimo Baldo, appointed vice president Europe at Palace Resorts. Expressing gratitude for Polito's leadership, executive vice president of Palace Resorts Gibran Chapur, said, “I would like to thank Guido Polito for his leadership and the great work done in recent years to bring Baglioni Hotels and Resorts to the top of Italian luxury hospitality.” Chapur also extended a warm welcome to Massimo Baldo, citing his extensive knowledge of the European market and expressing confidence in his ability to expand the presence of Palace Resorts in Europe, including the growth of brands like Le Blanc Spa Resort and Baglioni.

Italy boasts an array of splendid national parks and trails of every kind, from North to South, reveals a Holidu.it study. 

Holidu.it’s list of Italy’s best national parks 

As autumn unfolds, the allure of nature intensifies, showcasing the captivating wonders that make Italy a nature-lover’s paradise. Holidu.it, a prominent booking portal for holiday homes and apartments in Europe, has compiled a list of the top 25 national parks in Italy for 2023, based on the number of trails they have and their popularity.

Stelvio National Park - Ph credits Joseph Vary - Unsplash

Expansive mountainous landscapes and abundant wildlife

Leading the ranking is Stelvio National Park, situated in the Eastern Alps between Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy. It is Italy’s largest national park, featuring expansive mountainous landscapes and abundant wildlife. With an impressive 215 trails and a Google Maps score of 4.8, Stelvio National Park claims the top spot. The Silver Medal goes to the National Park of the Casentinesi Forests, Monte Falterona, and Campigna, located in the scenic regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. With ancient forests and an untouched natural environment, it boasts 128 trails and a 4.8 rating on Google Maps. The Gran Paradiso National Park, known for its ibex and chamois population, secures the third position with 102 trails and breathtaking alpine landscapes, extending between Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta.

Gran Paradiso - Ph credits Ulrich Knoll - Unsplash

Diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity

In fourth place is the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park, which can boast diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, and has the highest number of trails for an Italian national park (237). Although slightly penalised by a Google Maps score of 4.7, it remains an exceptional destination. Closing the top 5 is the Sibillini Mountains National Park, spanning Marche and Umbria, which offers a unique blend of mountains and plateaus, with the prominent Monte Vettore as its highest peak and 97 remarkable trails.

Four Italian regions host three National Parks 

Four Italian regions, says the Holidu.it study, host three national parks each: Tuscany (Foreste Casentinesi in second place, Tosco-Emiliano in fourth, and Arcipelago Toscano in 23rd), Lazio (Gran Sasso in sixth, shared with Abruzzo and Marche, and the National Park shared with Molise and Abruzzo in seventh), Abruzzo (in addition to the two shared with Lazio, Maiella in tenth), and Sardinia (Orosei and Gennargentu in ninth, La Maddalena in 11th, and Asinara in 20th).

Seven regions boast two National Parks

Seven Italian regions boast two national parks each: Emilia-Romagna (Foreste Casentinesi and Tosco-Emiliano), Piedmont (Gran Paradiso and Val Grande in 17th place), Marche (Monti Sibillini in fifth place and Gran Sasso in sixth), Puglia (Gargano in 13th and Alta Murgia in 19th), Campania (Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni in 14th and Vesuvius in 22nd), Calabria (Pollino in 15th and Aspromonte in 24th), and Basilicata (Pollino in 15th and the Apennines Lucan at the 25th). And Holidu.it also reports that a further eight regions host a single national park each, with a special mention for the National Park of the Island of Pantelleria in Sicily. For information: https://www.holidu.it/f/agriturismi-italia#migliori-parchi-nazionali 

If you have never tried paragliding before, Lake Iseo may give you one more reason to take the plunge.

Ideal cyclists, families but also for fishing enthusiasts

For this heart-in-the-mouth experience you choose from several take-off points, such as Sarnico, Monte Bronzone or the San Fermo hills, and decide to land on the shores of Lake Iseo. The lake is halfway between Bergamo and Brescia, and an ideal destination for cyclists and families but also for fishing enthusiasts.

Lake Iseo

Mount Isola seems to float on the water

If you want to drive along the entire shoreline you have to allow about two hours. But it is better to enjoy the view directly from the boats that will take you, in just five minutes, from Sulzano to the jewel of this stretch of water: Mount Isola, a veritable floating mountain that soars 600 metres into the air.

Chasing the footprints of a prehistoric reptile 

In 2016, one and a half million visitors had the privilege of reaching Europe's largest lake island from the footbridge designed by Bulgarian artist Christo and christened The Floating Piers. But if you didn't manage to 'walk' on the waters of the Lombardy lake basin on that occasion, you can embark on another adventurous experience: chasing the fossil footprints of the Archosaurs, prehistoric reptiles up to six metres long, on the rocks of the paleontological site of Zone. Also worth a stop is Lovere, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy which is charmingly reflected in Lake Iseo.