Anda Venice Hostel has been awarded the Best Hostel in Venice and Best New Extra Large Hostel in Europe.

One of the absolute best

The Anda Venice Hostel in Venice, the latest generation hostel by the Pagnan Group, confirms its position as European leader in youth tourism. The awards presented by Hostelworld – Best Hostel in Italy, Best Extra Large Hostel in Europe, Most Popular Hostel in Venice and a place among the top four best hostels in Europe – confirm the Venetian establishment as one of the absolute best in international hospitality.

Some 7 million bookings analyzed

Hostelworld, the world's leading hostel booking portal and a benchmark in social travel, rewards the best establishments every year based on verified traveller reviews. In 2026, a total of 7 million bookings were analyzed to determine the winners. The ratings are based on key criteria such as overall experience, value for money, safety, location, atmosphere, staff, cleanliness and services. In the case of Anda Venice Hostel, these indicators recorded excellent scores, confirming the quality of an innovative, people-centred accommodation model.

The hotel hosts 170,000 guests annually

Opened in 2018, the hostel had already won the Best New Extra Large Hostel award in 2019. Since then, steady growth and a string of awards have strengthened its international reputation. Today the Anda Venice Hostel welcomes 170,000 young people from all over the world every year, and is one of the flagships of the Pagnan Group, a historic Venetian family company founded in 1929 by Cavaliere del Lavoro Romano Pagnan.

A Venetian family business

“A Venetian family business is a European leader in the youth tourism sector thanks to one of its properties in Venice,- says Silvia Pagnan, Chief Tourism Officer of the Pagnan Group. -This shows how entrepreneurial skills, vision, investment, local resources and team spirit can bring extraordinary results. Once again, Italy, or rather Veneto, is a leader in tourism, with Anda Venice Hostel planting yet another flag."

From double to 9-bed rooms

Accommodation is flexible and caters to different needs: double rooms for those seeking privacy, mixed or female dormitories with 6 to 9 beds, all equipped with private bathrooms to ensure comfort and functionality. An offering that combines affordability and quality, in line with the expectations of the new generation of travellers.

A strategic location near Mestre station

The location is also strategic: the Anda Venice Hostel is located a few steps from Mestre station, a key point for public transport links and for reaching the historic centre of Venice in just a few minutes. The hostel's success is part of the broader vision of the Pagnan Group, which operates through three divisions – tourism, agriculture and real estate – maintaining values of sustainability, respect for the territory and attention to the community at its core. Alongside the Anda Venice Hostel, the group manages the Isaholidays open-air villages, the Hotel Plaza Venice and important agricultural and real estate businesses in Italy and Argentina.

For information: www.andavenice.com Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An open-air workshop dedicated to traditional handicrafts

When winter embraces Aosta in its most authentic embrace, the historic centre once again lights up with voices, scents and lights. It happens every year at the end of January, when the city welcomes the Fair of Sant’Orso on 30 and 31 January, the most eagerly awaited and characteristic event in the Aosta Valley. Fornover a thousand years Aosta has transformed into a large open-air workshop dedicated to traditional handicrafts.

Choirs, folk groups, open cellars and convivial moments

The fair takes place in the heart of the city, along the pedestrian streets of the historic centre, where more than a thousand craftsmen from all over the region exhibit their works, an event that goes far beyond being a simple exhibition. In the night between 30 and 31 January, the veillà, the collective vigil that animates the streets until dawn, comes to life with choirs, folk groups, open cellars and convivial moments on a night when residents and visitors share music, stories, aromas and flavours.


Craftsmen work with wood, iron, copper, leather and fabrics

The roots of the Sant’Orso Fair lie in the figure of the saint after whom it is named. Orso of Aosta, a hermit who lived between the 4th and 5th centuries, is traditionally associated with charity and manual labour. Legend has him intent, on the coldest days of the year, on making wooden sabot clogs to give to the poor. The stars of the fair are the craftsmen. Each one has a different story with some who began as children carving wood for fun, those who learned the craft from their family, those who discovered it later as a passion that became a profession. Wood dominates the scene, but it is not the only material: stone, wrought iron, copper, leather, fabrics and natural fibres give shape to unique objects, the result of creativity and skill handed down from generation to generation.

A food and wine pavilion focuses on local flavours

From 29 January to 1 February, the town also hosts the Atelier des Métiers with the food and wine  pavilion rounding off the experience with artisan excellence and local flavours. The Sant’Orso Fair is not only an event, but a collective ritual that every winter renews the identity and memory of the Aosta Valley.

For information https://www.lasaintours.it/

During the festive season Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, turns into an enchanted stage, whereart, history and tradition intertwine with music, creativity and fun. Florence at its festive best. The lights that illuminate the Renaissance palaces, the decorations that adorn the streets of the centre and the crisp winter air give the city a timeless charm. It is in this evocative scenario that Florence offers a series of not-to-be-missed events for adults and children alike.

Stalls selling home decor and much more

One event celebrating creativity is the The Creative Factory in Piazza dei Ciompi which features local craftsmanship and contemporary design, with a selection of original creations: home decor, jewellery, and sustainable gifts that make ideal gifts. Alongside the market, Inside Factory - Christmas Edition highlights emerging designers and limited-edition products, while creative workshops allow visitors to get involved and experiment first-hand.

Concerts from jazz to gospel

On the outskirts of the city in Sesto Fiorentino, local bands enliven the centre with touring concerts, and in Montepulciano workshops and creative activities offer moments of joy and wonder to be shared. The festive itinerary ends with the Florentine New Year's Eve, which this year features five squares, each dedicated to a different musical genre. From gospel to jazz, from orchestral music to more contemporary sounds, Florence will greet the New Year with concerts and live performances.

FH55 Hotels for festive stays

Making your stay even more special are the FH55 Hotels. The FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli, in the heart of the city, and the FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole, overlooking the Florentine hills, offer exclusive hospitality with packages dedicated to the festivities. The packages include a stay with breakfast and exclusive services, ideal for experiencing the city in freedom during the festive period.

Hotel Calzaiuoli

December 2025 marks a particularly significant moment for the Hotel Boite di Corte, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this December.

Built as a holiday resort it combines design, nature and wellness

Corte delle Dolomiti is a diffused hospitality project in Borca di Cadore, in the heart of the UNESCO Dolomites, and today is one of the most interesting scattered hotel projects in the Alps.

The former ENI Village, commissioned in the mid-1950s by President Enrico Mattei and designed by architect Edoardo Gellner, is a unique example of harmonious dialogue between modern architecture, natural landscape and Alpine culture. Built as a holiday and wellness resort for the company's employees, today Corte delle Dolomiti is a contemporary holiday experience, combining design, nature, wellness and discovery of the territory.

Hotel Boite di Corte’s 20th anniversary

The project includes the Hotel Boite, the Residence Corte, the Corte SPA, the Corte Mountain Lab camping and adventure park in a private forest. Each property is suitable for families, couples, sports enthusiasts and travellers in search of cultural and regenerative experiences. December 2025 marks a particularly significant moment for the Hotel Boite di Corte SPA, which celebrates its 20th anniversary.

©studiovetroblu

Special Christmas Eve and New Year celebrations

The season opens on Christmas Eve, with the Christmas Eve Dinner in the Hotel Boite's Restaurant 942, which is open to both guests and non-residents. On Christmas Day, 25 December, there will be a traditional Christmas Dinner, while 31 December marks the arrival of the New Year with the New Year's Eve Dinner, a gourmet experience designed to celebrate the New Year in an elegant and convivial atmosphere.

A unique backdrop of Dolomite peaks

On Saturday 27 December Corte SPA will host a concert by the pool, followed by the presentation, in the Hotel Boite’s conference room of the prototype of the new lamps designed by Studio Mandalaki of Milan with Gellner's original 1960s furnishings. 2026 also opens with an agenda full of events: from the concerts of the Dolomiti Blues & Soul Festival, every Thursday in January, to immersive experiences such as Camminyoga Yoga and Apnea workshops, and meetings dedicated to the mountains and personal
growth. Corte delle Dolomiti is not just a place to stay, but a living space for encounters, culture and wellbeing, where the past dialogues with the present and the Dolomites provide a unique backdrop. 

In Caorle, near Venice on the Adriatic Coast, Christmas is a state of mind that slowly takes shape.

Christmas lasts until 6 January

Until 6 January 2026, the Adriatic town of Caorle once again lights up its Christmas Time, confirming itself as the place where Christmas lasts the longest and is experienced to the full. The Christmas itinerary is almost two kilometres lomg, a luminous path that accompanies the visitor past 85 small houses inspired by a fishermen's village, with the aroma of wood and spices, and sudden glimpses of the sea. Here Christmas is not in a hurry, it invites you to slow down, to stop at a shop window or climb on the Ferris wheel to admire the city from above, wrapped in warm lights and golden reflections.

Live cooking demonstrations

The 2025 edition brings with it some new features that further enrich the experience. Among them, the new Maestri di Griglia (Grill Masters) area which is a declaration of love for food as a time of sharing. Here the fire becomes the protagonist, with live cooking demonstrations, intense aromas and a gastronomic culture that speaks to all the senses.

Even the Grinch comes to Caorle

But the real twist is the village of Chinonsò, an upside-down and ironic world that brings the Grinch to Caorle. This is not just a set design, but a theatrical experience ith actors, mimes, and artists transforming the streets into an open-air set. This is an invitation to look at the holidays from another perspective, without losing their magic, but adding a touch of irreverence.

A skating rink and animations

Alongside these novelties, Caorle best-loved rituals are the skating rink, the videomapping on the facade of the church and the animations that create an atmosphere that runs all the way to Epiphany. And then there is the sea which makes every moment unique, yt another element in this celebration which attracts visitors and is savoured slowly.

Unexpected Maranello with a digital guide to the home of Ferrari where every year more than half a million visitors enter the temple of the F1 racing myth.

Maranello is a living community

For many the journey ends between the museum and the factory gates, without going any further. Yet Maranello is much more than an automotive icon: it is a living community, made up of people, trades and traditions that resist time and tell of the territory's most authentic identity.



The Maranello of restaurateurs, artisans, farmers and families

It is from this awareness that Unexpected Maranello was created, a project promoted by the Municipality  of Maranello in collaboration with Unexpected Italy, a travel-tech start-up that has a UN award for its ethical and responsible approach to tourism. Financed by the Modena Foundation, the project aims to reveal what often remains invisible to the eyes of the hurried visitor: the Maranello of hoteliers, restaurateurs, artisans, farmers and families who guard the soul of the city day by day.



Discovering a city through its people

Behind the magnificent racing engines and the charm of the legend there lives a human fabric of passion, skills and deep roots. Unexpected Maranello tells the story of the city through its people and it does not limit itself to narration, but stimulate new virtuous practices, encouraging environmentally and socially sustainable behaviour: from the short supply chain to energy efficiency, from inclusion to accessibility.

A digital guide with stories, interviews and images

The heart of the project is the creation of a digital guide dedicated to Maranello, which collects stories, interviews and images selected by the Unexpected Italy team. A guide designed to offer a new look at the city and to encourage travellers to stay longer, to discover places of taste, craftsmanship and local traditions. Alongside the stories, the platform proposes themed itineraries, a food and wine section dedicated to typical local products, and a calendar of events in the area from fairs and festivals to cultural
events and markets for experiencing Maranello throughout the year. Unexpected Maranello is an invitation to experience a city that combines innovation and tradition, tourism and community, building a model of shared and sustainable value.

Autentico Hotels enthusiastically announces a new and important milestone: Monaci delle Terre Nere officially enters the collection as its first property in Sicily.

Autentico has 23 luxury hotels in Italy

With this new entry, the collection's portfolio reaches 23 luxury hotels throughout Italy, a number that confirms the brand's constant growth and its commitment to enhancing the excellence of independent hospitality. Located at the foot of Mount Etna, on a 25 hectare estate of vineyards and citrus groves, Monaci delle Terre Nere perfectly represents the values that distinguish Autentico Hotels: identity, territory and sustainability. An ancient 18th-century monastery now transformed into a charming relais, it is an example of natural and discreet luxury, a place of silence, harmony and authenticity.



An ancient monastery becomes a resort

At the entrance lava stone paths accompany the guest into a world of intense colours, citrus scents and breathtaking views of the volcano. The ancient monks' dwellings, restored with the utmost respect for the context, are now contemporary rooms and suites where natural materials and designer furnishings blend with the history of the old monastery The resort's cuisine is a homage to the most authentic Sicily, with dishes that celebrate the organic produce from the vegetable garden and from small local producers, while the wines come from the estate's vineyards, conveying the volcanic soul of the territory.

Enhancing the value of independent Italian hospitality

The entry into the Autentico Collection is greeted with particular satisfaction by CEO, Mario Cardone, who comments: "Welcoming Monaci delle Terre Nere into the Autentico family means bringing into the network the voice of a Sicily that is contemporary but deeply tied to its roots. The resort fully represents the values of excellence, authenticity and identity that drive our collection. It is an achievement we have been longing for and is a fundamental step on our journey to enhance the value of independent Italian
hospitality.”

“Authenticity is the new luxury”

Giovanna Manganaro, general manager of Monaci delle Terre Nere, underlines how this new collaboration enhances a common project: "Being part of Autentico Hotels means sharing a vision that puts people, places and traditions at the centre. We are convinced that authenticity is the new luxury, and this network will allow us to make authentic, contemporary and welcoming Sicily even better known." The entry of Monaci delle Terre Nere is a journey of discovery of the wonders of Italy, a place where guests can feel truly at home. This new stage enriches the network’s mosaic of authentic hospitality and confirms the role of Autentico Hotels as a benchmark for those seeking exclusive travel experiences rooted in the territory. For information: www.autenticohospitality.com

As the capital prepares for the festivities, the Hilton Rome EUR La Lama and Hilton Rome Airport offer the magic of Christmas and the sparkling energy of New Year's Eve.

Fitness and meeting areas and a Christmas Eve menu

In the EUR district, the imposing silhouette of Hilton Rome EUR La Lama dominates the cityscape like a futuristic symbol. With 16 floors and 439 rooms, Hilton Rome EUR La Lama also has a restaurant, bar, rooftop, wellness and fitness area and seven meeting rooms, as well as a direct connection to the La Nuvola exhibition space. Here, Chef Alessandro Pietropaoli’s gastronomic path is one of Italian traditions and creativity. On the evening of 24 December, the menu “The Night That Changes” accompanies guests on a sensory journey that delights the palate.

A fairytale atmosphere and live music

For lunch on 25 December, the atmosphere becomes fairytale, with “The Miracle of 34th Street,” a tale of flavours that combines comfort, elegance and the pleasure of a Christmas with a contemporary soul. On 31 December the hotel lights up with live music, DJ sets and a signature dinner designed to greet the New Year in style with a brilliant dedicated menu. Those wishing to extend the festivities can choose a stay with breakfast and late check-out, for a comfortable start to 2026.

The only hotel directly connected to Leonardo da Vinci Airport

Just minutes from Fiumicino Airport, the Hilton Rome Airport welcomes travellers and Romans alike with a festive programme that extends from 23 December to 6 January. Featuring iconic works of art, and the only hotel directly connected to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, the Hilton Rome Airport has 519 rooms, a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness, parking and a conference centre for up to 800 people. It welcomes travellers and Romans with a festive programme extending from 23 December to 6 January with chef Danilo Corona’s “Nutcracker”menu for dinners and lunches on 25 and 26 December.

Ringing in the New Year in style

For New Year's Eve, the atmosphere becomes lively and convivial with welcome bubbles, and a menu based on fish and traditional desserts. And after midnight the age old ritual of cotechino and lentils brings in the New Year. For information and reservations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.