Ryanair, Italy's No.1 airline announcs that from Turin this summer it will operate 310 weekly flights on 35 routes including four new routes.

An unbeatable choice at the lowest fares

Ryanair's operations from Turin for summer 2023 include 2 based aircraft, a $200 million investment, 35 routes including four new ones - Alicante, Stockholm, Porto and Vilnius, over 310 flights per week, increased frequencies on five routes: Brussels, Cagliari, Pescara, Seville and Valencia and over 1,800 total jobs.  The summer schedule offers customers and visitors an unbeatable choice at the lowest fares. 

“Ryanair has carried over 13 million passengers to and from Turin” 

"Ryanair is delighted to offer even more choice to the citizens and visitors of Turin for summer 2023 with the launch of our largest new operation there, operating over 310 weekly flights on 35 routes, including four new ones to Alicante, Arlanda, Porto and Vilnius,” said Ryanair's Eddie Wilson. “Marking the first anniversary of our Turin base, Ryanair continues to be committed to the growth of the region with over 13 million passengers carried to and from Turin since we launched operations on the airport. To celebrate we are launching a special promotion with fares starting at just €29.99 for travel between April and October 2023 only on Ryanair.com." 

“The international flights have fuelled new tourist flows for Turin and Piedmont”

Andrea Andorno, CEO of Torino Airport said:  "We are happy that the investment made by Ryanair on our airport has led to an increase in the offer also for this summer. All the international flights activated so far have fuelled new tourist flows for Turin and the Piedmont region." 

Will easyJet and Wizz Air end up in the hands of legacy carriers? “After covid we are certainly entering a 4 to 5 year period of consolidation of European airlines," Ryanair's Michael O'Leary told Reuters on the sidelines of a press conference in Lisbon.  

In Italy traffic should grow by 50% over a 5-year period 

According to O’Leary, the Italian government should obtain a commitment from potential buyers to grow airline traffic by 50% over a 5-year period.

“Europe will move towards having four major carriers”

"It is inevitable that ITA Airways will be bought,- O'Leary continued, - and then I think it is likely that in the next two years easyJet and Wizz Air will also be taken over by the legacy carriers." O'Leary said he believes the industry in Europe will move towards having four big airlines: Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, IAG and Ryanair. 

Valentine's Day is always a good occasion to celebrate love, and the Starhotels Collezione hotels have exceptional gourmet, wine and wellness experiences for two. 

Romantic getaways in the world's most beautiful cities  

Valentine's Day is a special occasion to dedicate to love in all its forms, and for those who want to celebrate love and treat themselves to a romantic getaway, the Starhotels Collezione hotels have unique proposals in the world's most beautiful cities.  

A package with hotel transfers and exclusive wellness treatments

From 1 to 19 February, staying in a suite the LOVE SUITE LOVE package at Starhotels Collezione includes extras such as hotel transfers, strawberries and sparkling wine on arrival, minibar included and breakfast in the room. And the Helvetia & Bristol Firenze - Starhotels Collezione is the ideal setting for celebrating Valentine’s Day as guests are pampered with the Ama-Ti con Gusto package that includes dinner plus a series of exclusive wellness treatments.

Presidential Suite Helvetia & Bristol Firenze Starhotels Collezione

Oysters and lobster in the Cibrèo Restaurant

The wellness menu includes an entrance for two to the Roman Baths, a rose facial scrub and a citrus body scrub, as well as the scenic aufgass ritual in the sauna.  In the Helvetia & Bristol’s Cibrèo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar the Love Night! signature menu is a sensory journey of aphrodisiac inspired dishes, including oysters and lobster and sophisticated classics of international cuisine such as Fillet Wellington. 

Terme di Saturnia natural destination

Terme di Saturnia’s relaxing natural thermal waters 

For those who choose to immerse themselves in nature and wellness, there is no destination more satisfying for the senses than the Terme di Saturnia: 120 hectares of wellness at the foot of a fascinating medieval village where a thousand-year-old spring gushes forth thermal waters. This unique place in the heart of Tuscany’s Maremma has the Love, Spa & More pakage which is valid for relaxing and pampering two-night stays that include couple's treatments, cooking or golf lessons. 

Italian hospitality in the Starhotels Premium

Starhotels is synonymous with the excellence of Italian hospitality. Starhotels Premium, located in the heart of Italy's most beautiful cities in Bergamo, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Parma, Rome, Saronno and Turin, are distinguished by their contemporary style, a perfect synthesis of elegance and comfort, and by the excellence of their service. 

Tobogganing, skiing and a day spa, all this is possible in the Val d'Ega in the heart of the Dolomites in the province of Bolzano. 

The Dolomites have snowfield trails for snowshoeing and hiking

This snowy wonderland is far from being the exclusive prerogative of skiers, as the Dolomites have a myriad of alternative sporting activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, sledding and wellness. The snowfields surrounding the Catinaccio and Latemar in the heart of the Dolomites are to be explored with patience and a pair of snowshoes on your feet. The snow is a carpet on which to walk through woods and pastures cushioned by a blanket of white. It is also possible to follow in the footsteps of an expert guide, on a planned excursion or booking a private snowshoe hike.  And the same goes for those who like forest hiking along snowfield trails.

Snowboarding and skiing in the Val d’Ega

Skiing and snowboarding some of the activities that come to mind, but in the Val d'Ega, sledding is also the prerogative of the downhill run. Nestled in the Dolomite landscape, between the Obereggen and Carezza ski areas, there are numerous toboggan runs of varying lengths, from easy to medium difficulty. The highlights are the famous Hubertus and the Gardonè Alpine roller coaster which are kilometres of absolute fun for young and old. Twice a week in Obereggen it is also possible to go sledging on an illuminated track until 10 p.m. The Ochsenweide cable car is the direct route to the Epircher Laner hut, the starting point for a 2.5km adventure with 280m of altitude difference.

Relaxation and pampering in a day spa

For lovers of Alpine wellness, a day at a spa in the Val d'Ega means floating in a heated pool, the intoxicating excitement of the whirlpool and the crystal-clear mountain air. Enjoying views of the snowy landscape you can choose a massage, a beauty treatment or simply a few hours of total relaxation reading a book or immersing yourself in the silence. For more information go to www.valdega.com where you can discover all the hotels and accommodation facilities that offer wellness days. 

Milan, like all great cities has many a hidden treasure, and one not to miss is the ancient vineyard in the centre of the city that belonged to one of the greatest artists of all times, Leonardo da Vinci.  

A unique experience for visitors to Milan

Of course no visit to Milan is complete without a visit to the complex of Santa Maria delle Grazie to admire Leonardo’s masterpiece The Last Supper. But not many visitors realize they can also visit the ancient vineyard that belonged to the Maestro.  It is surrounded by legends involving Leonardo, his works and his followers and today visitors can admire the rows of the original vine stock.

Leonardo realized many great works for Duke Ludovico

While Leonardo was working in Milan, in 1498 Ludovico il Moro, the duke of the city, gave him the vineyard in thanks for the admirable works with which he was embellishing the city: from The Last Supper to the equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza - later never realized - to the Virgin of the Rocks of which he painted two versions. Today one is in the Louvre Museum in Paris and the other in the National Gallery in London.

Leonardo Da Vinci Vineyard Milan

The world’s only vineyard in a city centre is on a busy shopping street

The Casa degli Atellani, a 15th-century residence belonged to Ludovico il Moro and, historically it is the last surviving trace of the ancient Borgo delle Grazie. Today is at numbers 65-67 on Corso Magenta a busy shopping street in the centre of the city. Located near the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which is also known as Leonardo’s Last Supper Museum,  the vineyard is in the courtyard of the Casa degli Atellani, a splendid 15rh-century residence that belonged to Ludovico.  The ancient vineyard is some 8,300 square metres in size, and has survived the vicissitudes of centuries and even the 1943 bombings. It is the only vineyard in the world that still exists in a metropolitan centre as well as being a journey through history, art and nature where you can immerse yourself in the world of Leonardo, the greatest  Renaissance painter, sculptor and inventor.

Guided tours to discover the passions and works of Leonardo

Leonardo’s Vineyard was reopened to the public on the occasion of the 2015 Expo. A guided tour takes you on a tour of one of the most fascinating and unsuspected places in the city centre entering Leonardo da Vinci’s world to discover his passions and the traces he left in the city of Milan. The ancient vineyard and the museum are open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, with the last entrance at 5.30 pm. For information: https://www.vignadileonardo.com/en

It’s the start of 2023 and time to take stock of the past 12 months, and for Italian tourism 2022 was an excellent year. This was thanks to the almost complete reopening of international borders and the return of visitors from important markets, first and foremost the United States. While the record figures of the pre-pandemic year have not yet been reached, the trend is obvious and all that remains to do is sit and wait, with 2023 already showing promising numbers despite inflation and global geo-political tensions. 

Data processed by Assoturismo-Cst, the Centre for Tourism Studies in Florence, shows that in 2022 inbound tourism grew with almost 400 million total overnights, and with foreign arrivals making a major contribution. Overnights in accommodation facilities increased by 38.2% year-on-year, totalling some 399.5 million. Arrivals, on the other hand, grew by 2.8% to 112.3 million. These are clear recovery trends although, when compared with 2019, they are still 8.5% lower in terms of overnights and 14.5% of arrivals. 

European visitors were the main driving force behind the recovery, but there was also strong growth from North America, with the US in prime position. All Italian regions benefitted, though the art cities recorded the most significant growth (they had also suffered most during the pandemic. Ed.) Forecasts for the first three months of 2023 are rosy although the slow economic growth in the Eurozone, high inflation, rising energy prices and, of course, the war in Ukraine are casting shadows, and could slow down the recovery in the first part of the year.

Massimiliano Sarti
Journalist

The Alitalia brand could return to the skies on long-haul routes once Lufthansa's entry into ITA Airways has been sealed, the relaunch plan has got underway, and when the Italian airline finally starts making profits.

The return of the historic Alitalia brand would, it seems, be in the plans, and would be reserved for the airline's intercontinental routes, while the ITA blue livery would remain on domestic and European flights. 

The pay rise dispute has stalled

The indiscretion - nothing has been decided yet - was reported today by the daily newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, following yesterday’s meeting between the unions and ITA Airways CEO Fabio Lazzerini: a meeting that left the dispute over a pay increase still stalled. The airline admits that a change is necessary, but, it explains, 'internal steps' will have to be taken, also with the sole shareholder which is the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to decide when to grant the salary adjustments and to what extent.

The timetable for the takeover could stretch some months

The timetable for the negotiations with the German airline, which began on 27 January last, points to mid-March for the signing of the preliminary contract between the Italian ministry and Lufthansa. It will then be up to the European Antitrust Authority to give the go-ahead in a timeframe of at least 40 days if no other party presents objections. If there are any requests for revision from competitors things could stretch a few months, which would mean a conclusion no earlier than the end of July or the beginning of August.

Read also "Lufthansa istIta Airways"

Guglielmo Giudice, the chef of Rivington, the first New York-inspired restaurant inside the Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale, proposes a romantic recipe for Valentine's Day: Pre-salted Lamb Chop with Herb Bread, Red Fruit Jus and Truffled Potatoes.  

The pre-salted lamb is raised in Normandy in France

The pre-salted, agneau de pré-salé, is a type of lamb raised in the salt marsh meadows of France, particularly in Normandy, as well as in parts of the UK and the Netherlands. The lambs graze on herb-covered land with a high salt and iodine content, giving their meat a distinct and naturally savoury flavour. 

Pre-salted Lamb Chop with Herb Bread, Red Fruit Jus and Truffled Potatoes

Difficulty: medium      

Preparation time: 2.30 hours      

Ingredients for 2: 1 kilo rack of pre-salted lamb 

For the herb breadcrumbs 

100 gr breadcrumbs

50 gr parsley

1 sprig of thyme

6 basil leaves

4 mint leaves 

Olive oil to taste

Salt and pepper

Blanch the aromatic leaves for 30 seconds, cool them in water and ice to preserve the colour. Dry them with a cloth and blend together with the breadcrumbs. Add a little oil and season with salt and pepper.

For the lamb stock

1 onion

½ carrot

1 sprig of rosemary  

1 sprig of thyme

200 gr lamb offal

200 gr lamb bones previously baked in the oven for 20 minutes at 200 °C

30 gr blueberries

30 gr blackberries

30 gr raspberries

1 knob of butter

Brown the vegetables, adding the meat scraps previously sautéed quickly in a pan over high heat and the bones - add 500 gr ice and put back on the heat. Every time the bottom dries out, repeat the ice operation x 3 times. Cook about 2 hours. Separately, sauté blueberries, blackberries and raspberries with a knob of butter for a few minutes, once ready add a small ladle (50 cl) of sauce and mix.

For the truffle potato 

2 potatoes 

Oil

Salt 

Pepper

Scorzone truffle 

Bake the foil-lined potatoes in the oven for about 1 hour at 180°. Once cooked, peel them. Mash while still hot, using a fork and season with salt, oil, pepper and black truffle to taste.

For the lamb

To prepare the meat, sear the already portioned lamb loin. Vacuum bag the seared lamb, adding a clove of onion roasted on a griddle, a poached garlic and evo oil. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes with a Roner at 56°C, failing that go directly to the breadcrumbs and bake for 10 minutes at 180°C making sure to keep the meat pink inside. When cooked, brush the meat with honey diluted in warm water. Sandwich with herb bread. Bake for 4 minutes at 185°C.  Plate the lamb chops, adding 2 quenelles of truffled potato and finish with the hot lamb and red berry sauce.

Volotea relaunches in the Marche region with its first international flight from Ancona’s Raffaello Sanzio airport to Paris-Charles De Gaulle on May 27, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 

We anticipate an increase in the number of inbound and outbound passengers

"Thanks to the new flights it will be possible to organize holidays and short-breaks in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world," said Valeria Rebasti, Volotea's Country Manager Italy & Southeastern Europe. Alexander D'Orsogna, managing director of Ancona International Airport said the moment is “unique and historic. With the new fights we are taking leap forward in quality and recognition at an international level. We anticipate an increase in the number of inbound and outbound passengers, not just for tourism but also business travellers, and we hope that this can benefit the regional economy.”

A significant day for the development of tourism

Marco Bruschini, director of Atim, the Marche Agency for Tourism said “today is significant for the development of tourism in the Marche region and for its industries. A strong intermodality will allow the region to be more easily present at major international promotional events.”