fbpx

A new space dedicated to promoting the cultural, agricultural and social biodiversity linked to UNESCO Italian Cuisine debuts in Grottaferrata outside Rome.

A new terrace for tastings

On 19 March, the Terrace of Villa Cavalletti, a historic estate overlooking the Castelli Romani Regional Park in the town of Grottaferrata will be inaugurated. The presentation will feature a discussion between representatives of Slow Food Italia, the Italian Chefs Federation and the Italian Federation of Travel and Tourism Associations of Lazio.

Italian cuisine, a UNESCO World Heritage

Following the complete restoration of the Villino Rosso Oil Museum and the old oil mill with its innovative olfactory laboratory last year, the Terrace on the top floor of the Academy building, next to the historic villa, is now open to the public. “We imagined it as a convivial open space,- explains the owner. -A place where food becomes a cultural language and a tool for development. Italian cuisine, recently recognized as a UNESCO heritage, is transformed here into a shared experience that unites the community, tourism and local identity.”

The creative reuse of local products

La Terrazza was created as an experiential workshop for guided tastings, educational courses, practical workshops and opportunities for discussion. The programme planned for the year celebrates cooking as a collective ritual, cultural transmission and intergenerational encounter, a heritage that intertwines local and seasonal products and local supply chains as well as the creative reuse of ingredients and conviviality.

la terrazza Villa Cavalletti

Culinary events from March to November

Alongside the various events planned from March to November featuring different elements of food from meat to legumes and from ancient grains to the subject of seasonality, there will also be convivial gatherings and cultural tours featuring oil, wine, tours of the Tuscolana villas and literature, with the possibility of ending the sessions with guided food, oil and wine tastings.

la terrazza Villa Cavalletti

A cuisine that reflects the community and the territory

Part of the archaeological area of Tusculum, Villa Cavalletti is a centuries-old Roman rustic villa, now an organic farm with vineyards and monumental olive groves. The new Terrace is a natural extension of the volcanic landscape of the Castelli Romani where UNESCO Italian Cuisine now becomes a living story of community and territory. For information: www.villacavalletti.it

Published in Hospitality

When Condé Nast Traveler recently named Milan the Best Shopping City in Europe, it wasn’t a sentimental choice, it was a smart one.  Because the 2026 travel buzzword is experience, and Milan has mastered the art of turning retail into the ultimate lifestyle experience.

Yes, Milan’s shopping is exceptional, and what makes it so exciting is context. Within a few elegant blocks you find design boutiques, heritage ateliers, concept spaces and global brands in a city that is both walkable, and efficient, which is exactly what today’s luxury consumer values.

Then there’s the setting. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade with its glass domes, mosaic floors, and cafés, buzzes from the morning espresso to the evening aperitivo. And outside you’re face to face with the Duomo, Milan’s stunning cathedral, while a short distance away hangs Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

Shopping, dining in chic restaurants, and staying in polished boutique hotels all adds up to unforgettable experiences in a curated environment where culture, hospitality, and retail blend seamlessly – and that’s why Milan leads Europe.

Pamela McCourt FrancesconePamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Published in Editorial

Aeroitalia is now flying to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi and Cilento AIrport, having formed an important partnership with the airport management company GESAC.

19 weekly flights from four Italian cities

The airline is basing an aircraft in Salerno and launching 19 weekly flights: direct connections from Genoa, Milan Malpensa, Turin and Trieste. All flights will be operated with 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft, starting on 22 May. This is also a new opportunity for international passengers arriving on the coast who wish to travel to other destinations in Italy.

“We will soon be expanding our network”

“We confirm our focus on Campania, a region of great tourist and cultural value and extraordinary potential for both national and international mobility,- says Gaetano Intrieri, CEO of Aeroitalia. -The agreement with GESAC is a decisive step in the implementation of our growth strategy, which aims to connect areas of Italian excellence with the most important destinations, creating new opportunities for tourism and local economies. We will soon be expanding our network with new international leisure destinations that are in high demand, continuing to invest resources and energy to offer high-quality services and support the growth of a region that we consider strategic and central to our corporate vision." The carrier also notes that, from 1 July to 30 August, flights may be subject to temporary changes in view of the addition of new international routes. “Any changes to the schedule will be communicated in a timely manner.”

The airport aims to abolish the municipal surcharge

“Thanks to intense teamwork with a partner who believes in the airport's growth potential, we have restored momentum to Salerno airport, creating the conditions for a stable recovery of scheduled flights, with a purely business focus. We are also building a favourable environment for the development of incoming tourism, adopting territorial marketing strategy aimed at enhancing the destination on international markets. Constructive dialogue with the institutions is continuing to begin the process of abolishing the municipal surcharge, a measure already successfully adopted at several Italian airports with less than one million annual passengers. This is crucial to strengthen the appeal and competitiveness of Campania's second airport,” said  GESAC’s CEO, Roberto Barbieri.

Published in Transportation

There are five bridges in Rome that every instagrammmer should cross and immortalize.

Ponte Sant’Angelo is Rome at its most iconic

Bridges in Rome are not just functional structures, they are part and parcel of the Eternal City’s history and heritage, and natural frames for some of its most compelling images. For Instagram enthusiasts, Rome’s bridges offer endlessly varied moods and many of them to ge found om a stroll through the centre of the city. Let’s start with Ponte Sant’Angelo which is Rome at its most iconic. Lined with Bernini’s angels and perfectly aligned with the towering silhouette of Castel Sant’Angelo, it is both elegant and dramatic. At sunset warm light washes over the travertine statues while St Peter’s dome is silhouetted in the background. This bridge is ideal for wide shots and cinematic storytelling, and it is not difficult to capture timeless images that need no explanation. 

rome-3
rome-2
rome-4
rome-5
rome-6
rome-3
rome-2
rome-4
rome-5
rome-6

Ponte Sisto draws musicians, locals and cyclists

More intimate in scale but rich in atmosphere, Ponte Sisto connects the historic centre of Rome with the bohemian Trastevere district. Here the appeal lies in movement as the bridge draws musicians, locals, cyclists, and evening wanderers. The blue hour brings shimmering reflections on the water and an energy that is authentic, making this bridge ideal for candid shots and reels that capture Roman life rather than monuments.

Ponte Fabricio is Rome’s oldest bridge

For lovers of minimalism and history Ponte Fabricio is not to be missed This is the oldest bridge still in use in Rome, linking the riverbank to the Tiber Island. Early morning or dusk offer clean lines and soft shadows and are perfect times to get understated, poetic images.  Further north, Ponte Milvio reveals a different Rome altogether. Known for its youthful social scene, it comes alive after dark with lights, conviviality and groups gathered along the riverbank. This is a great spot for night photography, with vibrant colours and an urban pulse that are perfect for reels and IG posts. 

Rome does not need filters but it does need time

Often overlooked, Ponte Cavour rewards those seeking unexpected angles. In the early morning its clean structure creates graphic compositions ideal for editorial-style shots, making it a bridge for photographers who enjoy subtlety and perspective. One thing is certain Rome doesn’t need filters, but it does need time. From golden hour to nightfall its bridges become natural stages where light, history, and daily life blend, and for Instagram buffs crossing them is less about getting somewhere and more about capturing timeless shots and clips of this majestic, highly instagrammable and captivating capital city. 

Published in Digital

The Veneto region has UNESCO sites in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.


UNESCO sites in Verona and Vicenza

Giuliano Vantaggi, from the region's tourism and territorial marketing department, which also deals with UNESCO sites in Veneto, talks about the many sites in the Veneto region. 'The Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are considered UNESCO sites for several reasons. For the farmers who cultivate them, for the terraces and for the geomorphological structure of the site. Then we have the Roman part of the city of Verona with three famous monuments: the Arena, the Imperial Forums and the Stone Bridge. Vicenza is famous worldwise for its architecture, and especially for its great architect Andrea Palladio, who built many monuments in the city, including 21 Palladian villas.”

Venice and Padua are also world heritage

“Venice and its lagoon. It is important, but the three islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello are also important. Then we have the site of Padua with Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel and the botanical garden, which is the oldest in the world. Then there are the pile dwelling site of whish the Veneto region has three; and there is another site the walls that were built by the Venetians but are located far from Venice.”

Intangible recognition for Venetian cuisine

“The UNESCO MAB, Man and the Biosphere, which is also very interesting, and refers to a recognition given when a territory changes its value over time. For example, Monte Grappa, which features both mountain pastures and trenches from the First World War. Then there are the final part of the Po, the Botanical Garden at the Po Delta and the Euganean Hills, where you can also see volcanic remains of the past, along with villas and castles. The region’s intangible recognitions are the working of glass and vases, and Verona’s medieval games which are also interesting. And, finally, there is Italian cuisine, and Venetian cuisine which is of course part of Italian cuisine.”
Published in Cities & Regions

The spotlight is on Calabria for Ryanair's summer 2026, which is debuting 5 new international routes in the wake of the abolition of the municipal surcharge.

3.2 million passengers per year in Calabria

The operation involves four  Calabria-based aircraft - two in Lamezia and two in Reggio -  for a total investment of $400 million in the region: “This growth will enable us to reach 3.2 million passengers per year (+14%), support over 2,500 jobs and boost tourism and connectivity in Calabria,- says Fabrizio Francioni, head of communications Italy Ryanair. -Thanks to President Occhiuto's decision to abolish the municipal surcharge, Ryanair has already made significant investments in Calabria.”

“Ryanair can deliver 20 million more passengers”

“We now call on the Italian government to follow Calabria's example and eliminate this tax on a national level, so that Ryanair can deliver even more transformative growth, with the addition of 40 aircraft (+$4 billion), 20 million more passengers, 250 new routes and 15,000 new jobs across Italy."

Increased flights also to Italian cities

This summer the Irish low-cost airline's network will cover 42 routes, including five new ones to Lamezia from Bratislava, Budapest, Saarbrücken, Sofia and Warsaw. There will also be an increase in the frequency of existing routes: from Reggio to Milan Malpensa, Turin and Venice, and from Crotone to Milan Bergamo and Bologna.

Published in Transportation

The Mediterraneo Sorrento, a symbol of Italian excellence has joined Virtuoso and received the Forbes Recommended rating.  

Two prestigious global accolades

Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento, overlooking the Gulf of Naples, reopens for the 2026 season at the height of its international trajectory. The five-star property has officially joined the elite Virtuoso Travel network and earned the coveted Recommended rating from Forbes Travel Guide 2026 - two milestones that position it firmly among the world’s most distinguished luxury hotels.

Michelin Keys awarded in 2024 and 2025

These achievements follow consecutive Michelin Keys awarded in 2024 and 2025, confirming a path of consistent excellence for a hotel that began life in 1912 as the private residence of Antonietta Lauro. Joining Virtuoso connects the property with a highly selective international clientele seeking curated experiences, while the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended distinction underscores the property’s meticulous attention to detail and service culture.

hotel mediterraneo 1

“Offering…not just a stay, but authentic emotions”

“Entering the Virtuoso network and receiving the Forbes recognition is the result of extraordinary teamwork,- says Pietro Monti, CMO and member of the owning family. - Being ambassadors of Italian hospitality to the world drives us to constantly exceed our guests’ expectations, offering them not just a stay, but authentic emotions.”

hotel mediterraneo 2

Vista Sky Bar, Sorrento’s first seafront rooftop

Emotions that are rooted in a distinctive balance between heritage and contemporary design. Reimagined in 202, the white façade, Vietri ceramics and natural stone are the work of local artisans, the result refined yet relaxed - more private villa than grand hotel. The Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant interprets the Campania region’s culinary traditions with refinement, and Terrazza Mediterraneo offers a more informal, open-air experience overlooking the sea. For 2026, the iconic Vista Sky Bar, Sorrento’s first seafront rooftop, will debut a full redesign and an expanded gastronomic concept focused on Mediterranean sharing plates.

Excellence, warmth and a profound sense of place

The hotel’s strength lies in continuity: many team members have grown professionally within the property, and the attention to sustainability, collaborations with local artisans and cultural institutions further anchor the hotel within its community. Globally recognized, family-led, and deeply connected to its territory at Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento excellence, warmth and a profound sense of place are consistently delivered.

Published in Hospitality

Hilton Milan has reopened its meeting areas with a completely renovated setting, designed to meet the needs of today's business travellers.

Close to Milan’s Central Station

Located on Via Luigi Galvani, a short walk from Milan’s Central Station and the city's main hubs, the hotel is a strategic destination for business travellers who need suitable venues for professional meetings, conferences or high-profile events. The renovation involved all the rooms on the first floor, which underwent a thorough and complete refurbishment.

For meetings, workshops and corporate conferences 

The replacement of the carpeting, the restyling of the walls and the introduction of new furnishings have redefined the interior spaces, making them more contemporary, welcoming and versatile. The spaces have been designed to ensure maximum operational flexibility, easily adapting to different formats, from business meetings and workshops to corporate conferences.

A complete refurbishment

Particular attention has been paid to the colour scheme, the new palette alternating refined shades of green with elegant accents of burgundy, a combination designed to give character and personality while creating a balanced and professional ambience.

Published in MICE & Events

Bluserena aims for foreign market, having ended 2025 on a high note and with ambitious goals for 2026. 

“Foreign clients have gone from 2% in 2022 to 16% today”

“From 2023 to today our foreign client base has grown significantly,- confirms CEO Marcello Cicalò. We have gone from 2% in 2022 to 16% today.” In 2026 there are requests from 28 different nationalities, a figure that makes the goal of “reaching 30% foreign customers over the next few years” achievable. The percentage of repeat customers is also growing: ‘We record an annual average of 45% of customers who choose our facilities again, but the percentage is as high as 60% if we consider the data relating to bookings in recent months.

The aim is to stretch the season to 150 days

In addition to expansion into new international markets, the development strategy focuses on extending the opening period of the facilities. “From an initial average of 128 days, we have now reached 138 days, with the aim of stretching the season to 150 days. This is an achievable goal considering the new trend in demand, which also sees Italians moving towards the shoulders of August, with good performance also in July and September.”

Soft-Inclusive, All-Inclusive and Ultra-Inclusive

Bluserena kicks off 2026 with the rationalization of its offering, and the launch of three different holiday packages. “The new Inclusive Made in Italy model includes three new types of holiday - Soft-Inclusive, All-Inclusive and Ultra-Inclusive, to meet the needs expressed by customers to create the “perfect holiday. We will extend a “Trattoria” serving typical regional dishes to all our facilities, to boost the link with the local culture. The enhancement of sports facilities is also to the forefront, with renewed activities and top-level instructors. Just think, for example, of the great paddle tennis court designed by Gianluca Zambrotta.  We are closely monitoring certain areas in Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, and we are not ruling out mountain facilities. We will evaluate any opportunities offered by the market as they arise.”

1.2 million guests in 2025

In 2025 the group exceeded 1.2 million guests and recorded over 440,000 room nights. “From 2023 to today, we have recorded record year-on-year performance and this year, we are raising the bar again with an expected growth of 8-10% in turnover and profitability. The drivers will be an increase in low season volumes, an increase in foreign customers, a renewed relationship with travel agencies (which account for a good 30% of total turnover), a focus on staff (Bluserena has been certified as a “Great Place to Work”), and a constant improvement in the quality of the offering. This ialso involves product redevelopment, in which Bluserena has invested €70 million over three years.

Published in Hospitality

Ryanair is introducing two new routes from Sofia and Tirana to Turin Airport.

A third aircraft at Turin Caselle Airport

With a total investment of $300 million, 3.3 million passengers forecast annually and over 380 weekly flights, Ryanair is strengthening its presence at Turin Caselle Airport with a third aircraft, following the expansion that began last November.

3.3 million passengers annually

The airline’s Turin 2026 summer schedule includes 32 routes, including two new international destinations: Sofia and Tirana. There will also be an increase in frequencies on more than ten existing routes, including Lamezia Terme, Madrid, Malaga, Malta, Marrakech, Reggio Calabria, Seville and Trapani-Marsala. With this expansion, the airline aims to carry 3.3 million passengers per year (+21%) and support over 2,500 jobs in Piedmont.

A call to eliminate the municipal surcharge

During the presentation of the 2026 summer schedule, Fabrizio Francioni, Ryanair's head of communications for Italy, underscored the company's commitment to the region and renewed its call on the government to eliminate the municipal surcharge at Italian airports. If abolished Ryanair has stated that it could invest further in the country with 40 additional aircraft, over £3 billion in investments, 20 million more passengers per year, 250 new routes and 15,000 new jobs.

“In 2025, we exceeded the record of 5 million passengers”

“Ryanair accounts for about half of the airport's traffic and is one of the main drivers of the airport's and the region's development,- points out Paolo Papale, director of aviation development at Turin Airport.  - In 2025, we exceeded the record of 5 million passengers, thanks in part to the third aircraft based there since November and the opening of new routes with increased frequencies. For the summer season, we welcome the launch of flights from Tirana and Sofia, which is strategic for incoming tourism, strengthens our presence in Eastern European markets and responds to significant demand,” As of 31 December, Turin Airport handled 5 million passengers, with overall double-digit growth of between 10% and 15%. The positive trend continued in January, with a 16% increase in both snow-related and ordinary traffic.

Published in Transportation
Page 7 of 164
Image

Latest Video

Castellabate
Video

Castellabate

Castellabate is a charming hilltop town located in southern …

461
Castellabate
Video

Castellabate

Castellabate is a charming hilltop town located in southern …

461

- Our Partners -

© 2021 Travel Open Day Srl | All Rights Reserved. - P.IVA IT13119651001 | Registro Stampa del Tribunale di Roma n. 93/2025