Room Mate Hotels has new openings coming soon in Milan, Rome and Sicily.

Florence’s New Year is on 25 March 

Kike Sarasola, CEO and founder of Rome Mate Hotels has prepared his properties to welcome tourists to Florence’s main attractions for “Capodanno Fiorentino,” the Florentine New Year, an ancient medieval tradition marking the start of the calendar year, which takes place on 25 March.

A day dedicated to the poet Dante Alighieri

“March is one of the best times to visit Florence: the city offers unique activities, thanks in part to Dantedì, the day dedicated to Dante Alighieri and the start of the journey narrated in the Divine Comedy. We at Room Mate Hotels want to facilitate the exploration and discovery of the city through our key strengths: a central location, immersive architecture and a team ready to provide all the necessary information to enable visitors to join in the local festivities and traditions,” says Sarasola.

Two new Room Mate Collection hotels

Over the past year, Room Mate Hotels has consolidated its presence in Florence with two 4-star hotels located in the historic centre. The Room Mate Collection Isabella is a 17th-century palace recently renovated by interior designer Luis García Fraile, and the Room Mate Luca, a neoclassical 1865 building with a modern and functional design and ideal for exploring museums and monuments on foot.

“2026 will be a positive year thanks to…repositioning” 

2026 is set to be a year of strong growth for Room Mate in Italy, a market considered strategic by Sarasola. Here, the group forecasts a 10.5% increase in turnover and new openings in Sicily, Milan and Rome. “Italy is a priority market, with great opportunities for development,” says Sarasola. “2026 will be a positive year thanks to the repositioning of the brand and the work of our teams.” The chain currently has six properties on the Italian market, all central 4-star hotels with a strong lifestyle focus, often designed by international designers. The recent repositioning towards the Room Mate Collection brand, which now comprises ten hotels, has also yielded excellent results in terms of reputation.”

In the heart of Bolzano's historic centre, in the South Tyrol, the Stadt Hotel Città is a benchmark for contemporary hospitality.

A luxury hotel in the heart of Bolzano

An elegant four-star hotel with 91 rooms, it combines traditional charm with contemporary comfort designed for leisure and business travellers. Stadt Hotel Città is part of PH HOTEL, the hospitality division of Podini Spa, which also manages Castel Hörtenberg and Palais Hörtenberg. The rooms are furnished with fine materials and have original parquet flooring and architectural details that complement the Baroque South Tyrolean façade. From the windows there are picturesque views of the cathedral and Colle del Virgolo hill. In 1913 the property was transformed into the luxury Stadt Hotel, then the Hotel Città welcoming illustrious guests such as Walt Disney and the conductor Claudio Abbado among others.



A popular café bistrot and a spa

The Cafè e Bistrot Al Città has seating for 180 overlooking the square and is famous for its local: rituals ranging from morning coffee to Friday aperitifs, as well as a rich calendar of weekly events. Wellness finds its place in the spa centre with a sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool, as well as a Technogym-equipped gym.

Bolzano has interesting museums

Bolzano is unique in Italy and Europe: an elegant, friendly city that combines efficiency, tradition and a direct relationship with the Alpine environment. The historic centre, with its medieval arcades, is home to important institutions such as the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, famous for Ötzi.

Skiing in the winter months

A few minutes away from the hotel the walks along the Talvera river and the Renon cable car, which connects the centre to the Renon plateau have spectacular views. The South Tyrolean Wine Road and Lake Caldaro are located nearby, while in winter, resorts such as Val Gardena and Obereggen offer excellent skiing areas. For information: https://www.hotel-citta.com

Spring blooms in Florence with the return of the Firenze Flower Show, as winter’s grey skies slowly give way to longer, sunny days and milder temperatures.

Florence’s flower show will be on 28 and 29 March 

With the arrival of spring the Tuscan capital once again celebrates nature’s rebirth with the return of the Firenze Flower Show, the city’s most important floriculture fair. On 28 and 29 March 2026 this popular event reaches its 11th edition.  Set against the enchanting backdrop of Giardino Corsini, the historic garden in the heart of the city, the two-day showcase will host around 70 of the finest Italian and international growers. From 9:00 am to 8:00 pm guests can wander through a vibrant open-air exhibition where rare and often hard-to-find botanical varieties take centre stage, alongside exclusive previews presented especially for the 2026 edition.

Flowers galore and a stay at the FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo

Visitors will be able to admire countless varieties of roses, rare hydrangeas, orchids, camellias and azaleas, as well as an extraordinary selection of ornamental citrus trees, including ancient and intensely fragrant specimens. There will also be cacti and succulents, majestic centuries-old olive trees, Mediterranean plants, perennials, bulbs, fruit trees and ornamental grasses. Japanese maples, and many other botanical treasures from around the world. Just moments from the event, FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo offers the ideal base for a refined stay. Overlooking the Arno River and only minutes from the historic centre, the hotel combines comfort, elegance and a strategic location, allowing guests to fully embrace both the magic of the Flower Show and the timeless charm of Florence.

Garden décor and floral cocktails 

As well as plants and flowers the Firenze Flower Show has curated sections dedicated to garden and home décor, fine craftsmanship, food and wine excellence, and natural wellness products, all united by a strong focus on sustainability and authenticity. Beginners can take part in introductory gardening courses and attend talks led by exhibitors, exploring plant history, care and practical uses. Special activities and creative labs are also planned for children, offering a playful introduction to botany, environmental awareness and ecology. And, as tradition dictates, a dedicated food and beverage area will tempt guests with seasonal delicacies, local specialties, craft beers and even floral cocktails. For information: https://www.firenzeflowershow.com

China Eastern will operate five weekly Shanghai-Venice flights from the end of March 2026.

Venice Week in Shanghai Pudong Airport 

Venice presents itself as the main gateway to the Dolomites, reachable in two hours from Marco Polo International Airport, as well as to the entire system of nine UNESCO sites in the Veneto region, thanks to a special initiative underway at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong Airport (until 20 March 2026). “Venice Week” is an exhibition and interactive area, created as a gesture of hospitality by the Shanghai Airport Authority, which conceived and developed the concept of the space to welcome Italy to the Chinese airport. In autumn 2026, Venice Airport will in turn offer a dedicated space within its terminal to promote the airport and the Shanghai area.

The Venetian airport also serves Slovenia 

The event is the result of the close collaboration between the Save Group, operator of Marco Polo International Airport and Shanghai Airport, which saw the launch of a direct flight operated by China Eastern Airlines on 26 September 2024. The flight, which has recorded a load factor of over 80% since its debut, will increase to five weekly flights from 29 March, responding to solid market demand.The Venetian airport thus confirms its role as a gateway to a large, cross-border area that also effectively serves Slovenia. To maximize the impact on the Asian market, the Dolomiti Bellunesi DMO has been involved, communicating the destination to passengers in transit in Shanghai through an interactive space.

First visit to Italy for 65% of Chinese passengers 

“We want to make it known how it is possible to reach various places in the region quickly from Venice, taking advantage of a variety of opportunities, including our mountains,- says Camillo Bozzolo, director of aviation development for the Save Group. The data confirm the effectiveness of the direct flight: 78% of Chinese passengers who choose Venice as their travel destination say they were greatly influenced by the existence of the direct flight, and for 65% of them, this is their first trip to Italy. In a context of instability in the Middle East, this direct flight remains a strategic and safe reference point for traffic between Europe and Asia. It is an important opportunity for our catchment area: 96% of Italian passengers using this flight come from Veneto and Friuli, with a significant penetration of the Slovenian market.” 

Promoting the Belluno Dolomites 

“The presence of the Belluno Dolomites in Shanghai is part of a process of opening up to the Chinese market that we have been pursuing for some time,- says eEmanuela de Zanna, president of the Belluno Dolomites Foundation. -We will return to Shanghai in the coming months to participate in one of the country's major tourism fairs, continuing our work of building relationships with local operators and media. We are seeing very positive signs of interest in our mountains, with growing public engagement on Chinese digital platforms. The direct flights between Shanghai and Venice are an extraordinary opportunity to make the Belluno Dolomites increasingly accessible and known internationally."

GROTTAMMARE – THE PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC - 13-16 November 2026

* The fam trip is aimed at travel agents and tour operators in Europe, preferably from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland.

Friday 13 November: Grottamare

Arrival of the participants at Ancona or Pescara Airport, transfer to Grottammare depending on flight schedules, and accommodation in a four-star hotel. Afternoon visit to the facilities and a walk to the town, one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy (subject to reconfirmation, and according to flight schedules). Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Saturday14 November: San Benedetto del Tronto – Offida

Breakfast in the hotel and departure for San Benedetto del Tronto, famous for its beautiful palm-shaded promenade and sandy beaches. Visit to the MAM, Museo d'Arte sul Mare (Art Museum on the Sea), a fascinating open-air museum on the south pier. Stretching for about a kilometre, this route has a permanent collection of sculptures and paintings from the international art symposium “Festival dell'Arte sul Mare” (Art on the Sea Festival), which began in 1996 and has so far seen the participation of 201 artists from all over the world.

The Museo d'Arte sul Mare contains 200 sculptures created on the faces of the breakwater blocks lined up along the promenade,  and over 30 murals painted by world-renowned street artists on the faces of the third section of the concrete blocks. During the visit the participants will meet local fishermen, learn about the typical products of the area and have lunch in a restaurant, with the local “Brodetto alla Sambenedettese.”

Afternoon departure for Offida, the village of lace makers. This ancient village enclosed by 15th-century castle walls,  is listed among the most beautiful small towns in Italy. Situated on a rocky spur between the Tesino and Tronto valleys, it is known for the laborious and patient art of lace-making, an ancient tradition to which one of the town's main museums is dedicated. Aperitif with wine tasting. Dinner at the hotel, overnight stay.

Sunday 15 November: Ascoli Piceno

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for a guided tour of Ascoli Piceno: a town with a special charm thanks to the ivory-white colour of the local travertine stone used throughout the historic centre, from the palaces and stately homes to churches, pavements and private residences. Travertine is not an easy stone to work,, but Ascoli’s skilled craftsmen have create beautiful decorations for portals, rose windows and mullioned windows. Traditional lunch in a restaurant with the famous Ascoli-style stuffed olives. Free afternoon. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Monday 16 November: Grottamare – end of fam trip

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning at leisure for participants, followed by transfers to Ancona and/or Pescara airports according to return flight schedules.

⤑⤑ To join this event, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Events in collaboration with:

Destination Torino is taking a new direction to boost the city's identity.

Tourism as a lever for growth

Destination Torino has been created, and is promoted, by Federalberghi Torino, the consortium of accommodation facilities, private operators and specialized services, which work together to boost its presence on the Italian and international markets. “With this development model tourism becomes a lever for growth, interacting with the economy, culture and innovation without replacing other sectors,” says Caterina Fioritti, president of the consortium. 

A network of 2,700 rooms and 6,000 beds

“The consortium operates in a constructive spirit: it does not replace existing bodies, but works alongside them,” explains Fioritti. The operational hub is the hotel booking centre, integrated with Federalberghi's Italyhotels portal, which manages availability and competitive conditions. The network brings together 2,700 rooms and some 6,000 beds in hotels and apartments, with the aim of presenting itself to the market as a single point of contact and strengthening Turin's position in the leisure and MICE segments.

Building a competitive and recognizable destination 

With strategic sectors including golf and conferences, in 2024 some 12,000 events were held in the Turin metropolitan area, with approximately 1.5 million attendees, and the city hosted 36 international conferences. This is complemented by modern facilities, including the Lingotto exhibition centre, which is awaiting redevelopment. The aim is to build a competitive and recognizable destination, capable of attracting new visitors and positioning itself on international markets, overcoming seasonal peaks and distributing visitor flows throughout the year. Tourism and sport: complementary levers for creating jobs, attracting investment and boosting the city's image.

In 2026, Turi Turi will embark on a new phase in its history with a rebranding.

Focusing on international markets 

The operator will launch a completely restyled logo with a revamped graphic design to accompany the brand's evolution towards an increasingly international dimension, bolstering its position in the organized cultural travel market.

The new logo evokes the world

After celebrating thirty years of activity in 2023, the Bergamo-based company is now taking a natural and symbolic step forward. The new logo is not designed to break with the past, but to transform it into momentum.  The previous logo, which featured stylized yellow lines on a blue background evoking the mountains, gives way to a new dynamic and fluid symbol: a circular shape that evokes the world, movement, encounters and the continuity of travel. The colour restyling maintains the brand's identity colours - blue and yellow - reinterpreting them with more vibrant and modern shades, in line with the evolution of the corporate identity.

A contemporary, dynamic and recognizable identity

“This restyling is much more than a simple aesthetic change,- explains Diana Cappellini, owner of Turi Turi. -It is the synthesis of a growth path that has taken us from a local reality to a recognized operator in the cultural travel scene. The new logo reflects our ability to evolve while keeping our soul intact: that passion for authentic travel, cultural discovery, and encounters between people and places that has distinguished us from the beginning. We wanted a visual identity that would speak to the international market without losing our essence, one that was contemporary, dynamic and recognizable."

An authentic off-the-beaten-track Italy

Among the tour areas offered by the tour operator there are Eastern Sicily, Vicenza, the Langhe and Modena. Then there is Veneto, with its art, vineyards and sparkling wines, Val d'Orcia, with its medieval villages and the legendary sword in the stone, Padua and the Palazzo della Ragione, the itinerary aboard the Trenino Verde delle Alpi (Green Train of the Alps), and the tour of Lake Braies. So many different ways to discover an authentic, off-the-beaten-track Italy.

Omnia Hotels' new Rome hospitality project, Aria Palace Hotel, is to open just a stone's throw from Rome's Opera House and Via Nazionale.

Inspired by the world of Italian opera

Following the complete renovation of a historic building formerly known as the Hotel Mondial in Via Torino in the heart of Rome, the hotel will be fully operational in the coming months, with all services gradually being activated. Inspired by the world of opera – the Rome Opera House is just around the corner - the hotel will have 90 rooms and suites of various types.

Functional event spaces 

Two rooms are dedicated to the great masters of Italian opera, the Puccini Room and the Verdi Room, located on the mezzanine floor with natural light, ideal for private events and meetings. There are also additional spaces for special occasions, such as the Opera Lounge and the Vivaldi Room where breakfast is served and which also serves as a multifunctional space. The most iconic features of the hotel will be on the 5th and 6th floors with the Terrace Allegro Restaurant and the Roof Dome Pool Bar, which combine a restaurant, panoramic bar and swimming pool with views over the city's rooftops and domes.

“Modern services and a strong identity”

“Aria Palace is a contemporary project, which restores a historic building to the city, redeveloped both structurally and taking into account the most innovative technologies related to energy sustainability,- explains Francesco Lazzarini, CEO of Omnia Hotels. -We wanted to create a hotel that dialogues with the cultural soul of Rome, while offering modern services and a strong identity.”

In the heart of the Eternal City

The location is one of the hotel's strengths: in the heart of the city, it allows easy access on foot to strategic and monumental sites, from Piazza della Repubblica to Termini station, from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to the Imperial Forums, and from the Quirinale Palace to the historic centre of the Eternal City.

To mark the opening of the Giotto and St Francis exhibition in the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia on 14 March, Elle Viaggi is offering a three-day, two-night package.

An exhibition dedicated to St. Francis and Giotto

The exhibition celebrating the eighth centenary of the death of St Francis, which will run from 14 March to 14 June 2026, is dedicated to two figures who left their mark on the history of art and spirituality: Giotto and St Francis of Assisi. The exhibition is one of the most important cultural events of 2026 in Italy, a high-profile tribute to St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy, and the genius who translated his life into revolutionary images, the great 14th-century painter Giotto di Bondone. Through works, insights and artistic comparisons, the exhibition highlights the decisive role played by Giotto in transforming the story of the saint into a human, intense and deeply modern narrative: not just sacred art, but a true visual revolution.

A three-day Spoleto-Perugia-Assisi art package

Elle Viaggi creates experiences designed for art lovers, combining exclusive itineraries with visits to museums, exhibitions and cultural events throughout Italy: packages that include all elements of a stay, from the tickets for the exhibition, museum or event, to the itinerary, the transfers and of course the stays in a wide range of accommodations.  On this occasion it is offering a package that starts on the first day in Spoleto. The second day is dedicated to Perugia and a visit to the St. Francis exhibition, which will run until 14 June, in the National Gallery of Umbria. The third day leads to Assisi, a city that symbolizes universal spirituality. Here, in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, visitors can admire the frescoes that recount the life of the saint with a narrative force that still moves millions today.