Oria is the epitome of Puglia’s Salento hilltop allure, a little town nestled between the cities of Brindisi, Taranto and Lecce, on the highest hills of a cordon of ancient fossil dunes. 

A medieval re-enactment in historical costumes

Famous for its gleaming whitewashed houses with colorful window boxes, maze of narrow cobbled streets, Rococo cathedral, majestic castle and its historical Jewish quarter, the hilltop town’s medieval origins are spotlighted every year with the August Torneo dei Rioni (Tournament of the Wards) re-enactment.  Representing the four town districts that compete for victory, it is centered around the figure of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, the builder of the castle. During this tournament athletes and knights from the city's four districts, dressed in historical costumes, challenge one another in medieval-style trials and challenges requiring great skill, speed and dexterity.   

The Little St. Peter’s and an archeological museum

The Basilica Cathedral has a handsome Baroque façade and draws so heavily on the architecture of St. Peter’s in Rome that it is known as the Little St. Peter’s. The majestic Castle of Oria, also built by Frederick II is a national monument, and the nearby Montalbano Park has ponds, lakes and stairways leading to a panoramic walk that connects the castle’s two towers. Other places of interest worth visiting are the Crypt of Saints Crisante and Daria, the Porta degli Ebrei and Porta Manfredi gates, the Torre Palomba tower and the Jewish Ghetto. Palazzo Martini is a classic example of 18th-century Baroque architecture and houses an archaeological museum with finds from local tomb and sites. 

Friendly townspeople and ancient cooking techniques

The lasting memory visitors take away with them from this hilltop town of allure is that of an alluring and lively town, snowy-white houses, ancient monuments, the smiles of the friendly and welcoming townspeople and the genuine traditional local cuisine. Like the Pignata that uses an ancient cooking technique, with beef or other meats cooked in terracotta placed over an open fire.  This slow cooking allows the meat to cook gently, keeping in all its flavour while remaining juicy and tender. 

For information: https://www.beautifulpuglia.com/oria/

Hotel La Gemma, opening in April 2023, a concept hotel and Florence’s hottest new 5-star, charmingly captures the essence of Florence’s unique elegance and distinctive sense of timeless sophistication.

A luxurious home with first class services and 5-star amenities in the heart of Florence

The inspiring concept hotel is located within Palazzo Paoletti on the famous via Calimala, close to the city’s most iconic landmarks and stylish shopping streets. An oasis of serenity in the heart of Florence’s vibrant city centre, the new 5-star is moments from Piazza della Repubblica, the Ponte Vecchio, the Cathedral and elegant Via de’ Tornabuoni. The perfect destination for travellers interested in the arts, fashion, design, architecture, and contemporary Florentine culture, this design-led hotel created and masterminded by the Cecchi family is a charismatic Florentine experience where guests feel they are being hosted in a luxurious home, yet with first class services and 5-star amenities.



Rooms with private terraces and family Prestige Suites

Hotel La Gemma’s interior reflects the innate splendour of Florence’s famous Cathedral featuring a palette of vibrant greens, powder pinks, and gentle ivories alongside bold geometric patterns, opulent marbles, sumptuous textiles and elegant furnishings. Located over five floors the accommodation includes a selection of rooms and suites with several featuring private terraces overlooking the city. Rooms and suites are impeccable and the impressive Prestige Suites are perfect for family vacations and include a sofa-bed, open-plan kitchen and living space.

The Luca’s restaurant is helmed by Chef Lorenzo De Vivo Martini

At the heart of Hotel La Gemma is Luca’s restaurant and lounge, inspired by the Art Deco era. Gentle arches divide the room into comfortable dining areas, while the panelled walls, open wine cellar and handcrafted bookcases add warmth, character, and charm. The concept of Luca’s gourmet menu has been created by talented chef Lorenzo De Vivo Martini, one of Tuscany’s most inspiring culinary talents. Honouring the classic traditions of Florentine cuisine yet reinterpreting these with a strong, contemporary vision, Lorenzo’s style of cooking is both authentic and innovative and celebrates locally sourced Tuscan ingredients and the much-loved Florentine street-food, giving classic dishes a modern twist.

The Allure spa offers bespoke treatments

The sophisticated sub-terranean Allure spa offers guests the ultimate setting for total escapism. Therapists use Biologique Recherche for the quality bespoke treatments in a serene space that features a boutique wellness area, a Turkish bath hydro-massage, ice shower and two therapy rooms. For information: the Hotel La Gemma website is coming soon

Scalapay and Federalberghi have joined forces for flexible and fast bookins, taking a decisive step towards customers demands for flexible and fast bookings. There are also advantages for hoteliers who will be paid immediately.

Immediate payment for the hotelier

Thanks to the new agreement with the buy-now-pay-later operator Scalapay, Federalberghi is now able to offer  accommodation facilities the possibility of assigning the credit, on favourable terms, owed to the customer, while the hotelier will be able to receive the full amount immediately.

“The agreement opens up a new customer acquisition channel to increase direct sales”

"Collaborating with Federalberghi means having a channel to listen to the needs of more than 27 thousand Italian accommodation facilities, but also making available to hoteliers a customer potential that now exceeds 2.5 million in Europe, - says Scalapay’s travel partnerships director Matteo Ciccalé. - Together we are responding to the hospitality industry's need for a new payment method in three interest-free instalments, eliminating collection operations for the property and, at the same time opening up a new customer acquisition channel to increase direct sales.”

“I am certain this formula is a winner” says Bernabò Bocca

"This partnership represents added value for our customers, who are increasingly looking for services and facilities," says Bernabò Bocca, President of Federalberghi. "Hoteliers will feel partly relieved of the financial bureaucratic aspects giving us time to devote to the operation and functionality of our businesses. I am certain this formula is a winner.”

Winter travel has never been easier with the winter promotions from B&B HOTELS Italia, valid up to March 31, 2023.

Promotions start at €29 exclusively on hotelbb.com 

The international B&B HOTELS chain which has over 670 hotels in Italy and around the world, continues its winter promotion with rooms starting at €29, available exclusively on hotelbb.com up to March 31, 2023.

Cortina d’Ampezzo for snow, mountains and good food

Winter is an ideal time for visiting many Italian cities and discovering the gastronomic specialties of each destination for a real taste experience, and  Cortina d'Ampezzo is the best choice for those who enjoy snow, mountains and good food. The B&B HOTEL Passo Tre Croci Cortina is strategically located directly on the ski slopes of Monte Cristallo and only ten minutes from the centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The hotel has 124 large rooms of various types, including family rooms, furnished in perfect Alpine style Wi-Fi, smart TVs and free Sky channels. There is also a restaurant and a bistrot bar for traditional dishes and aperitifs, which is also open to non-residents.

B&B Hotels Arezzo -  Restaurant

Arezzo is a destination made for winter relaxation

Arezzo, a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, is surrounded by four beautiful valleys just made for winter relaxation. The B&B HOTEL Arezzo enjoys a privileged location, just a 15-minute walk from the centre, and a few minutes from the city's main attractions, including the Medici Fortress and the Piazza Grande square. It also has the Lo Zafferano Restaurant for breakfasts, and dinners with a traditional Tuscan menu that will delight foodies. The special B&B HOTELS’ winter promotion is valid until March 2023 for a prepaid double room (room only), non-cancellable, non-modifiable, non-refundable, bookable online only at hotelbb.com. The offer is subject to availability and is only valid during certain periods; additionally, it cannot be combined with other discounts or the B&B HOTELS Club programme.

Continuing Minor Hotels’ European expansion, Anantara Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi will open this Spring following extensive restoration and renovation works.

New-look rooms and refreshed dining concepts

The heritage hotel on the stunning Amalfi Coast south of Naples, occupies a 13th-century monastery and former Cappuccini Friars Convent and will be lovingly restored to its original glory. The historic property will reveal new-look accommodation, refreshed dining concepts and a completely redesigned spa, all perched on a clifftop 80 metres above the sea level with spectacular views of the Mediterranean coastline.


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Suites with terraces, plunge pools and stunning views

To convey continuity and heritage, the property’s 52 rooms and suites will see existing tiled flooring, vaulted ceilings and lime-washed walls carefully preserved. Anantara’s signature hospitality experience will be created through the addition of rich textiles, sculptural furniture, locally-sourced contemporary art and the latest in high-tech comforts. The suites will retain their vast terraces with plunge pools and sweeping views of the coast, while the resort’s pool area will be redesigned with custom-made furniture. Signature Anantara experiences, a new Anantara Spa and Italian dining concepts will ensure that every guest experience at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is exceptional.

Belmond has signed an agreement with Sardegna Resorts S.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority to manage the Hotel Romazzino in Porto Cervo, on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. 

“Romazzino revives the timeless charm of the 1960s”

Under Belmond's management, the property will be named Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda an, commenting on the deal, Belmond President and CEO Roeland Vos said:

"We are very excited to add Romazzino to our portfolio, further strengthening Belmond's position as a leader in luxury hospitality in Italy. This agreement is part of a strategic expansion that includes unique and exclusive properties within our prestigious collection. With its white sandy beach, great views and wide range of activities, Romazzino revives the timeless charm of the 1960s."

The hotel is a refined beachfront oasis with retro 1960s charm

Romazzino overlooks the most picturesque part of the Costa Smeralda and stands on the beach of the same name, a seductive patch of white sand and one of the most iconic views of the entire Costa Smeralda. Originally conceived by the Aga Khan in the 1960s, over the past 40 years, the hotel has earned a reputation as a refined beachfront oasis thanks to its retro 1960s charm that infuses the property with character. The property seamlessly into Belmond's existing portfolio of properties and will undergo rebranding to enhance the more authentic and traditional characteristics of the property and its surroundings, offering guests superior service and experiences. 

Two swimming pools on the private beach 

When it opens as a Belmond Hotel in 2024, Romazzino will feature a number of enchanting rooms, suites and villas, as well as two stunning swimming pools along the private beach. Guests will be able to enjoy the typical Italian resort lifestyle at a slower pace, relaxing with dedicated wellness facilities, carefully crafted adventures on land and at sea, and experiences to discover local craftsmanship. This epicurean journey will be enriched by a wide variety of restaurants and bars showcasing the best Sardinian products, to be enjoyed surrounded by enchanting landscapes. 

Tourissimo presents a 7-day culinary cycling tour of Sardinia hosted by celebrated Chef Gabrielle Hamilton. 

Cycling and culinary delights in Sardinia

Sardinia is famous all over the world for its beautiful coasts with fantastic beaches, and its mountainous and wild interior is also worth visiting. Many travelers describe Sardinia as being a continent unto itself, with each area and town having diverse landscapes and local traditions. Guests on Tourissimo’s cycling tour will experience the culinary specialties of both the coast and the mountains and discover the cultural roots of the island while cycling some of its most scenic and traffic-free roads. 

Discovering local cuisine with Chef Gabrielle Hamilton

Chef Hamilton, the chef/owner of PRUNE, which she opened in New York City’s East Village in 2019, will play an important role in helping guests understand and experience the local cuisine and culinary techniques that tell the story of the territory. Highlights that guests will be able to enjoy are include dishes not found elsewhere in Italy, lunch with a shepherd in a unique setting, a visit to the bronze age site of Santa Cristina with its unique water temple and to the Barbagia and Ogliastra geographical and cultural areas that are the true soul of Sardinia, and of course 7 days of stunning cycling in the rural inner island and along the Mediterranean coast.  

Professional tour guides accompany the tour

The tour is scheduled for May 26 - June 1, 2023 and prices start at $5,995 per person double (all meals included) and e-bikes are available upon request.  Also included are two or more professional tour guides throughout the programme, all accommodations in 4-star hotels, all breakfasts, all lunches, and all dinners, wine with meals, coffee, cappuccino, gelato stops and wine tasting.

For full details see https://www.tourissimo.travel/chef-tours/sardinia  
Click here to contact the seller

 

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Follador Prosecco has devised three Wine Experience getaways: a not-to-be-missed opportunity to discover in springtime, delighting in the evocative atmosphere of the Valdobbiadene Prosecco hills, a World Heritage Site in the Veneto region.

The Prosecco hills are a World Heritage Site

As well as the romantic and historical enchantment of Venice, discover the hinterland to the north-east which boasts a very special charm: hilly landscapes that are a World Heritage Site, where the virtuous interaction between man and nature has created a unique landscape. Why not indulge in a moment of discovery in the Valdobbiadene’s Prosecco hills: the three Follador Prosecco Wine Experience packages? 

Three exciting wine tastings of the Veneto’s famous prosecco wines 

These wine tastings include, in addition to an initial welcome reception and guided tour of the winery's production process, a transfer to the ancient Torri di Credazzo fortress towers to enjoy a private tasting of five Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. wines, in the heart of the vineyards. Completing the experience is a guided tour of the plant with a tasting of five Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. wines. The Perlage di Prestigio package includes a welcome by a member of the Follador family and a tasting of five Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. wines.

  

The three Follador Prosecco packages are:

Perlage of Prestige
A journey to discover contemporary and family values 
The experience includes a welcome by the hospitality manager or a family member in the tasting room followed by a tasting of 5 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G.
- NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 2 to 10
- DURATION: 1 hour
- TIMES: Mon-Fri 09:00, 10:30, 14:30 or 16:00 and Sat 09:00 or 10:30
- LANGUAGE: Italian, English
- LOCATION: Azienda Vinicola Follador Prosecco
- PRICE: € 15,00

Blending History & Innovation
- From the vine to the goblet a centuries-old history 
- The experience includes a welcome at the winery, the viewing of a short film about the winery's history, a visit to the plant with an explanation of the production process. To conclude, a guided tasting of 5 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore wines is included.
- NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 4 to 10
- DURATION: 2 hours
- TIMES: Mon-Fri at 10:00, 14:00 or 16:00 - Sat at 10:00
- LANGUAGE: Italian, English
- LOCATION: Azienda Vinicola Follador Prosecco
- PRICE: € 25,00

Tasting with a View
- The experience includes an initial welcome, a visit to the winery with an explanation of the production process, a transfer to Torri di Credazzo and, to conclude, a guided tasting of 5 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore wines, while admiring the breathtaking view.
- NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 4 to 8
- DURATION: 4 hours
- TIMES: Mon-Fri at 14:00
- LANGUAGE: Italian, English
- LOCATION: Follador Prosecco Winery & Towers of Credazzo
- PRICE: € 40,00
- NOTE: In the case of bad weather, the visit will be the "Blending History and Innovation" wine experience   

Unahotels Bologna San Lazzaro reopens with a new name and design after almost three years of closure.

“We want to become a benchmark for Bologna”

"It is with great satisfaction that we announce our reopening,” sais Fabrizio Gaggio, general manager Una Group. "Our intention is to become a benchmark for Bologna, with areas and services available to both guests and the public.” The main restyling on the strategically located property in San Lazzaro di Savena, a short distance from the historical centre of Bologna and close to the main connecting routes, includes a new restaurant,  renewed outdoor areas and new services in the rooms.

Close to the Una Group’s conference centre for up to 1,000 people

One of the hotel's strengths remains its proximity to the Una Group's conference centre, which serves all four of the chain's hotels in the city. The venue has meeting rooms with high-speed wireless Internet access, natural light and can accommodate up to a thousand people.

Omnia Hotels will renovate the Rose Garden Palace and the Shangri La in 2023. The Rose Garden is a boutique hotel near Via Veneto in Rome that is currently undergoing a complete renovation, while the Shangri La Roma in the EUR business district will get a congress centre.  

A garden, congress centre and swimming pool

The facades of the Rose Garden Palace have already been restored and the property will have a new design look in the guest rooms, public areas and interior garden, which is a natural setting for private events. After a complete renovation the Shangri La Roma Eur will have a congress centre, as well as large open spaces, while a swimming pool is planned in the future.

Donna Laura Palace

Work is also underway on the Imperiale and Donna Laura Palace

“Our goal is to redevelop our hotels and enhance our building heritage and guest services,” says Francesco Lazzarini, CEO Omnia Hotels. In Rome Omnia Hotels is redeveloping its other hotels: the Donna Laura Palace, a villa in the Prati district that has just completed work on the facade and the interior garden, anf the Imperiale, which will add lustre to via Veneto with a completely restored facade that is nearing completion.