Tarquinia, the Lazio region’s ancient Etruscan city and just 50 minutes from Rome, is also a charming medieval town. 

Palazzo Vitelleschi is a national museum

As well as its Etruscan art and interesting old centre, it has popular beaches and is only 50 minutes from Rome’s Fiumicino international airport, and 15 minutes from Civitavecchia, the port of call for cruise ships visiting the Eternal City. To get an idea of the magnitude and artistic refinement of the Etruscan period, visits must include the ancient Necropolis and Tarquinia’s National Archaeological Museum in the Renaissance Palazzo Vitelleschi.  The museum on three floors, contains the largest collection of Etruscan art in the world and also has many remarkable finds from other eras.

The Winged Horses of Tarquinia

The piece de resistance is the group of two Winged Horses dating back to the 4th century B.C., found near the remains of the Etruscan Altar of the Queen Temple. The horses are drawing a chariot (alas this was not found) and when brought to light in 1938 by the archaeologist Pietro Romanelli, it was fragmented into one hundred shards, before being magnificently restored.  

The Etruscans lived between Lazio and Tuscany

The 200 depicted tombs and frescoes in the Monterozzi Necropolis are the only example of major pre-Roman artwork in the Mediterranean basin. They also open a window on the Etruscan people who created the western Mediterrean’s first urban culture, between Lazio and Tuscany, between the 8th to the 1st century B.C. The necropolis has been known for centuries and Michelangelo visited it, as can be seen in his sketch in the Buonarroti Archives. The Barriera di San Giusto gate, the ancient entrance to the town, leads to Piazza Cavour with Palazzo Vitelleschi and to the Piazza del Duomo where you can admire the Cathedral with its majestic bell tower. 

Lazio’s only salt pans attract flamingoes

Not far from the town the Natural Salt Pans Reserve is an extremely important natural site. These are the only salt pans in the Lazio region and one of the few left on the Italian coast, and this lagoon welcomes a large number of migratory birds including pink flamingoes, egrets and herons, making it a must for nature lovers, birdwatchers and photographers. 

Beautiful sandy beaches and water sports 

Tarquinia has some charming beaches like Lido di Tarquinia, which is just 10 minutes away from the city center and is popular for surfing, windsurfing and sailing. Marina Velca is a small beach some four kilometers to the north of the Lido, and Riva dei Tarquini is a beautiful stretch of coast just north of Marina Velca. One special favourite is the soft golden-sand beach of Bagni di Sant'Agostino which is famous for its dunes and pine forests. 

For information: https://tarquiniaturismo.com

Terme Chianciano’s new thermal season has many novelties, including a new wellness and thermal health facility.

Treatments with serotonin, the happiness hormone

The new thermal facility combines the beneficial and therapeutic effects of Chianciano’s waters (the Acqua Santa and the Acqua Santissima) in the form of drinking water, baths in hot thermal pools, or mud macerated in thermal water. 

The therapists at the medical centre combine metabolic check-ups and customized diet and exercise plans. There are also wellness treatments for a general sense of relaxation that produce serotonin, the happiness hormone, which has astonishing anti-anxiety qualities.

Four new signature packages 

Weight loss, physical activities, and the ability to maintain healthy and lasting lifestyles: these are also part of Terme di Chianciano’s treatments. There are also some almost free thermal cures and therapies, and access to the Terme Sensoriali spa, as well as the health gym. Among the novelties are the four signature packages lasting three or six nights: Serotonine Boost, Acqua Santa Detox, Naturally Fit and More Beautiful, Longer.  

Starhotels Echo in Milan is the first city hotel in Europe to join the Beyond Green circuit, a reference brand for eco-sustainable travel. 

Over 90% sustainability compliance

The new Milanese hotel adopted building and interior design measures aimed at sustainability measures with Echo obtaining the sustainable design award at the 2012 European Hotel Design awards. It was also awarded the green globe certification with a rating that has exceeded 90% compliance in the last five years

Vegetarian and gluten-free menus, and community support

Thanks to its collaboration with Fedegroup, the menus in the Orto Green Food & Mood restaurant also include many vegetarian and vegan options, with great attention paid to local produce and gluten-free products. For those traveling by electric car the hotel provides charging stations, while through Tuomobility, guests can use electric scooters and bikes for a fee. Beyond Green’s partner hotels are engaged in programmes that support cultural heritage and the local community.

In Italy, there is a growing demand for sustainable tourism, says Paloma Blazquez, Southern Europe country manager of Evaneos.

A platform for tailor-made and responsible travel

The Evanos platform is dedicated to tailor-made and responsible travel and works directly with local agencies to promote responsible travel.

“We have been offering this type of product and slow sustainable travel in Italy for over ten years. The Italian market, along with Spain, is one of the main markets and 2022 proved to be a year of complete recovery, with very intriguing prospects for next summer.” 

Families are demanding Tuscany, Sicily and Umbria

“We have noticed not only a growth in demand but also greater attention from our affiliated Italian travel agencies, which are now around 60. We have seen remarkable growth from various types of traveller, but families have been the driving force of this last period, not only for foreign destinations but also for Italy with demand for Tuscany, Sicily and Umbria.”

“Our model allows lower commissions and higher margins for agencies”

In Italy and in Spain new itineraries by train and on foot, even in well-known locations have been launched, with the aim of showing them in a new light. Evaneos aims to retain 87% of the price of each trip in favour of local payers.

“Our model allows lower commissions and higher margins for the agencies that offer this type of tourism aimed to improve the economic and social conditions of the destinations, said Paloma Blazquez. 

Hotel La Baja, near Oristano in Sardinia, joins Felix Hotels, bringing the group to eight properties with 400 rooms. 

A swimming pool overlooking the bay

Felix Hotels expands its presence in Sardinia with a new member to the group: the historic Hotel La Baja in Santa Caterina di Pittinuri (Oristano) which will kick off the tourist season on 18 May. With 29 rooms, and a spectacular terrace with a swimming pool overlooking the bay, the hotel is just a few kilometres from S'Archittu, the famous limestone arch over the water.

The Felix Group’s eighth owned-managed hotel 

The hotel group, which was founded in Gallura in 2020, now adds its eighth owned-managed hotel, bringing the total number of rooms to nearly 400.

“Hotel La Baja has a lot of potential and a beautiful location on Sardinia's west coast. With its entry into the group, all our consolidated service standards will be adopted, and the hotel will be gradually restyled,” says managing director Paolo Manca.

Renovations for the Galanias Hotel&Retreat and La Coluccia Hotel

The Galanias Hotel&Retreat in Bari Sardo, Ogliastra, has been expanded with ten new rooms overlooking the hotel's large garden, and there is also a new swimming pool. The La Coluccia Hotel, the group's 5-star hotel on Santa Teresa Gallura's Conca Verde Bay, will reopen on 13 May after major renovations that saw the addition of six suites and a new restaurant facing the beach.

Seaside hotel openings in April and May

In addition to the two hotels open all year in the centre of Olbia and Nuoro, the season started at Easter for the Country Resort and Restaurant Parco degli Ulivi in Arzachena and the Hotel Residence Porto San Paolo in the seaside village south of Olbia. The Hotel Airone in Baja Sardinia and the Galanias Hotel & Retreat in Bari Sardo are to open on 20 April and the Hotel La Coluccia in Santa Teresa Gallura on 13 May. 

“Liguria’s Versilia region is a lifestyle destination with 7 municipalities and 13,000 beds.

“Versilia is a second home and a lifestyle”

“Versilia should not be seen as just a tourist resort, - says Carlo Alberto Carrai, president of the consortium. – It is a second home, a territory that is also a "lifestyle." It knows how to respond to the needs of guests in a personalised manner, and it offers cycling, walking on the Via Francigena, music festivals and starred restaurants.”

2022 was an excellent year

The Versilia Tourism Promotion consortium says 2022 was an excellent year. Undoubtedly the weather was favourable for tourism throughout Italy and in particular in Versilia. However, the rise in the cost of services and the scarcity of personnel did significantly affect profits.

This year Versilia will host the European Sailing Championship  

Versilia is one of Italy’s safest destinations to stay for a short or long holiday with the whole family and in 2023 big events will return with many concerts and the European Sailing Championship. Visitors to the Versilia riviera can be sure of exclusive locations and impeccable service.

“I advise travel agents to come and see our hotels” 

“My advice for those who want to experience Versilia at its best is to come and discover it early in the year from Carnival up to May, and also between September and December. And I advise travel agencies to come and see our hotels and the families who manage them in order to be able to offer their customers tailor-made packages. You can't sell well what you don't know.”

Sardinia Fun’s kayak and trekking tours are the most authentic way to explore Sardinia, from the sea and in the hinterland.

Canoeing in summer and trekking from September to May

The company was set up during the pandemic period starting with trekking, kayaking and snowshoeing in the mountains as well as aperitifs by the sea with crudo plates.  'We wanted to focus on alternative routes, -says founder Salvatore Meloni, - and last year the demand was such that we could not fulfil all requests. But we invested in 18 new canoes and expanded, proposing new locations and adding lakes and rivers for winter experiences. We offer canoeing and ad hoc activities in the summer months, and trekking from September to May.” 

Pushing off-season tourism with ad hoc packages

Some 90% of canoeing customers are foreign visitors while most of the requests for trekking come from Sardinia. “We want to push off-season tourism, - says Meloni, - so we are proposing ad hoc packages that we promote at specialized fairs.” This year Sardinia Fun has a new EcoGreen boat, from the bottom of which it is possible to observe the seabed. 

Val Gardena, in the heart of the Dolomite mountain range, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has received the GSTC certificate for sustainable tourism.

A project focused on environmental protection and territorial responsibility

This significant recognition is a crowning achievement for the Val Gardena’s commitment to environmental and territorial protection, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable tourism. Obtaining this certification is not the end of the road, but rather the official start of a longer project focused on environmental protection, territorial responsibility, and hospitality, for a more responsible form of tourism.

Respect the Dolomites

Under the slogan Respect the Dolomites, the goal is to raise awareness of the issue of sustainability in the Val Gardena by organizing events and campaigns that ensure compliance with environmental rules and principles. The Val Gardena adheres to the World Council for Sustainable Tourism (GSTC) standards, as evidenced by the certification obtained on March 8, 2023.

Setting concrete goals

Along with the GSTC's criteria for tourist destinations, the Val Gardena has set concrete goals for 2026, including developing projects without cars or barriers, reducing traffic on the pass roads and increasing cycle paths on the pass roads by 20%, achieving a 10-15% increase in public transport arrivals, and boosting the number of electric charging stations. The Mobility Center is also tasked with researching long-term projects, particularly to ensure adequate mobility in light of the possible assignment of the World Ski Championships in 2029.

Air Transat, represented by Rephouse Gsa, will operate 9 connecting US flights to Rome and Venice from 28 May in addition to direct flights to Canada. These are 4 weekly services from Los Angeles to and 3 weekly week from San Francisco: It will also operate two weekly flights to Venice from Los Angeles. All flights are via Montréal or Toronto with convenient connecting times.

16 direct Montreal weekly flights to the US

From Montréal Air Transat will offer a total of 16 direct flights per week, including four to Fort Lauderdale, three to Orlando and three to Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, seven direct flights a week will take off from Toronto, including four to Fort Lauderdale and three to Orlando. From Québec City, the company will offer a weekly direct flight to Fort Lauderdale.

ITA Airways is investing in Brazil-Italy and bringing its Sao Paulo-Rome flights to eleven weekly from next August.

The flights will be operated by Airbus A330s

This increase boosts the company's presence in South America, which has always been an easy area to reach via Rome from all ITA Airways' main gateways in Europe and the Mediterranean. The new frequencies will be operated with Airbus A330s, departing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 19:00 and landing in Rome at 11:45 local time. The new flights from Rome will be operated with a departure time of 9:40 a.m. and arriving in Sao Paulo at 5:00 p.m. local time.

In October new daily Rio-Rome flights

These ITA Airways flights will be supplemented at the end of October with the launch of the direct Rio de Janeiro-Rome Fiumicino flight, which will operate seven return flights weekly, bringing the total number of weekly frequencies between Brazil and Italy to 18. Thanks to codeshares with Azul-Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, Gol Airlines and Latam Airlines, ITA passengers will be able to connect from São Paulo to all Brazilian domestic destinations.