Rome’s architecture through music
Music will intertwine with the historical and architectural identity of some of the city's most iconic places, and “Every place tells a story” is the motto accompanying the project which is due to start soon. Designed to offer passers-by a total immersion in the history of monuments, the music will integrate with the architectural and landscape forms of the chosen sites.
Five new venues up to November 2025
In addition to the Portico d'Ottavia, five other monuments will be unveiled in the coming months, with a programme that will continue until November 2025, distributing the initiative in different areas of the city, from the Flaminio to the Magliana districts.
Music by Puccini and Morricone
Among the musical offerings from the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia will be excerpts from Giacomo Puccini's famous opera Tosca, the Pini di Roma, Feste Romane and Fontane di Roma by Ottorino Respighi, and Andrea Morricone's Love Theme for the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso with further music from the soundtrack of Morricone’s Mission. The experience will be accessible to all and free of charge every day from 11am to 1pm, and from 4pm to 6pm.
Art and music for an enriching experience
Monumenti Sonori is promoted by the Roma Capitale Cultural Council, in collaboration with the city’s Fine Arts Academy and the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, and is a unique opportunity to rediscover the beauty of the capital through art and music, transforming the monuments into protagonists of sound stories that will enrich every visitor's experience. For information www.culture.roma.it
Boosting connectivity to and from the Campania region
The Budapest-Salerno flights will operate three days weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are part of Wizz Air's expansion project in Campania, helping to boost connectivity between the region and major European destinations. The Hungarian low-cost carrier's trio of routes also includes flights from Tirana and Bucharest.
“The complementary nature of Campania’s two airports”
“Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport represents a new and exciting opportunity for us, allowing travellers to explore new destinations and enjoy unforgettable experiences,- says Sasha Vislaus, Wizz Air’s corporate communications manage".
“The arrival of an airline like Wizz Air is a further demonstration of the attractiveness of the Campania airport system on international markets, and of the complementary nature of Campania’s two airports, which represent each other's resources, guaranteeing quality connectivity to the region,” said Roberto Barbieri, CEO of Gesac, the company managing Salerno’s airport.
A boost for the region’s winter season
The three destinations, besides being unprecedented for Salerno airport, have the added value of starting during the winter season, which is usually when air traffic drops off, thus affirming the solidify of the new airport.
Around the corner from the Trevi Fountain
Located just around the corner from the iconic Trevi Fountain. Aquamarina is the first Shedir restaurant dedicated exclusively to fish, following the successes of Adelaide at Hotel Vilòn and Don Pasquale at Hotel Maalot.
Stylish design and marine objets d’art
The mood evokes the essence of the sea, with objets d’art linked to the marine world including shells and paintings, and terrestrial allusions like jungle-inspired wallpaper and a cheetah sculpture which was brought home from a long voyage. The design is stylish, a blend of chic ambience and convivial cuisine, offering an affordably chic and delicious dining experience under a skylight that sweeps the length of the room revealing Rome’s radiant skies.
The artistry of Chef Fabrizio Leggiero
Aquamarina is open daily for lunch and dinner, and the kitchen, helmed by chef Fabrizio Leggiero, offers a dazzling array of refined culinary creations. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours with carpaccios, risottos and main courses defined by a simplicity that showcases flavors and harmonious pairings, while elevating the treasures of the sea and Chef Leggiero’s remarkable artistry. The wine list, curated by Martino Grassi, has a special focus on Italian and French sparkling wines, and features intriguing marine-themed cocktails such as the Moby Dick and the Poseidon.
Rione Trevi, Rome’s newest food district
With its central location Aquamarina is a new Shedir Collection gastronomic delight that elevates the standing of the Rione Trevi – Rome’s hub of politics and theatres just a stone's throw from the famous fountain - as the Eternal City’s newest food district.
London is an important European hub
ITA Airways operates up to 43 weekly frequencies (86 flights) between London and its two hubs: Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate and up to 5 daily flights (31 weekly frequencies) between London City and Linate and up to two daily flights (12 weekly frequencies) between London City and Rome. All flights to London City are operated with the Airbus A220-100, a highly efficient and comfortable aircraft equipped with the latest on-board technology, perfect for short-haul routes. Thanks to ITA's connections from Rome Fiumicino, UK travellers can avail themselves of the entire domestic and international network, including popular Mediterranean destinations such as Italy, Spain and Greece, as well as long-haul routes to South America, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Buenos Aires.
New menus for the winter season
During the 2024-2025 winter season, ITA Airways will fly to 53 destinations including 15 domestic, 23 international and 15 intercontinental. The fleet has 100 Airbus aircraft in operation of which 60% are new generation Airbus A321neo, A320neo, A220-300, A220-100, A330-900 and A350-900 models. Another new feature of the winter season concerns the on-board gastronomy. Passengers on intercontinental flights departing from Rome Fiumicino will be able to enjoy the new sustainable business class menu by Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler. This in-flight dining experience features traditional and lighter dishes, inspired by the authentic flavours of the mountains.
ITA Airways at the World Travel Market
ITA Airways will be present at the World Travel Market in the Europe Pavilion, within the area dedicated to ENIT. At the Europe N3 210 stand Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airway’s chief commercial officer and CEO of Volare, together with the international and local sales teams, will welcome visitors and business partners, offering an overview of the company's latest news and most relevant developments.
Over 4,000 global brands will attend
Held at Excel London from 5 to 7 November, over 40,000 travel professionals are set to attend the 44th edition. On track to host the most exhibitors the show has ever seen, WTM London has reported a 7% growth in exhibitor numbers this year, with over 4,000 global tourism boards, hoteliers, transport services, technology brands, associations and experiences set to take to the halls of Excel London for three days. It’s estimated that in excess of £2.2 billion worth of business deals will be signed this year at the event.
“We are proud of our impact on the host city”
WTM London estimates that 82% of attendees are international visitors who are spending money on transport, accommodation, and entertainment during their time in the city. 40% of visitors are spending three days in London for the event, 33% are spending at least seven days in city and 9% of international visitors are staying in the capital for at least nine days. “While the travel trade are busy curating that £2.2billion worth of travel and tourism deals during World Travel Market, we’re proud that WTM also has such a significant impact on our host city of London, ” said Juliette Losardo, exhibitor director, WTM London.
Are the French really trying to lay claim to Rome’s iconic Spanish Steps? Well, not quite, but there is a bit of drama brewing. It all started when France’s Court of Auditors looked into the financial management of France's vast property holdings in the Eternal City, which include five churches and numerous other properties. And they discovered “numerous and evident shortcomings” in the management of assets worth billions of euros, including the famous Trinità dei Monti church and, by association, the Spanish Steps.
Although it is technically owned by the Vatican, and France isn’t exactly demanding ownership of the Spanish Steps, some Italians have taken this opportunity to accuse the French of eyeing one of Rome’s most treasured landmarks. But there are Italian politicians who are taking it tongue-in-cheek, with one joking that Italy should send experts to the Louvre to “inventory” all the art France took from Italy over the centuries. Touché!
Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor
Prestigious awards for three Starhotels
Starhotels has carried off no less than three awards in the Condé Nast Traveller The World's Best Hotels in the categories Best Hotels in Rome, The Rest of Italy and Best Hotels in Florence. Among them, the newly reopened Hotel d'Inghilterra Roma - Starhotels Collezione, excels with second place among the best hotels in Rome, and a remarkable score of 99.50.
“Committed to providing impeccable and personalized service”
“We are very honoured that Starhotels has once again achieved these goals,- said Elisabetta Fabri, president and CEO of Starhotels. -This prestigious award reconfirms the dedication and professionalism our staff. Starhotels has grown around the importance of people, which is why our group is committed to providing impeccable and personalized service.”
Hotel d'Inghilterra is Rome’s 2nd best hotel
The historic Hotel d’Inghilerra Roma has just reopened its doors after a renovation. With the restoration of the historic façade, the rooms and suites, the Cafè Romano Restaurant and the lounges that for centuries have welcomed artists, men of letters and travellers from all over the world, this true jewel is returned to the city in all its original splendour.
Grand Hotel Continental Siena - Starhotels Collection scored 8th in Italy
Just a stone's throw from Siena’s famous Piazza del Campo, Grand Hotel Continental, which was awarded 8th place in the Rest of Italy category, is the only 5-star hotel in the historic centre of Siena. A Renaissance-style jewel with 51 recently renovated rooms of refined elegance with frescoed ceilings, works of art and precious objects, its Sapordivino Restaurant features typical Tuscan flavours.
Starhotels Michelangelo Florence is the 8th best hotel in Florence
The Starhotels Michelangelo in Florence, located in the heart of the Tuscan capital, is a perfect blend of classic style and contemporary elegance. Its 119 newly renovated rooms feature typical Italian design, with contemporary and chic lines and a focus on maximum comfort.
Moving into the upper upscale luxury segment
The announcement of the deal between the Accor house brand and the Mestre-based white label company was made recently at the Luxury Hotel Conference organized in Milan by Teamwork.
The property, owned by Fondazione Stelline, was operated until a few months ago by the Voihotels brand of the Alpitour group. Hnh won the tender for its management, issued by the same foundation, just before the summer. The plans are to renovate the hotel, repositioning it in the upper upscale, luxury segment, with the support of the Stefano Boeri Interiors studio.
Adding a spa, fitness centre and a restaurant
The plan is to increase the number of rooms, which currently stand at 105, as well as to build a spa, a fitness centre and a restaurant. The total investment is expected to amount to €16 million, including the renovation of Palazzo delle Stelline’s exhibition and congress areas.
The involvement of the region and the municipality
Fondazi0ne Stelline is controlled by the municipality and the region, which will contribute 1.4 million and 5.5 million respectively, while the rest of the capital has been raised through a leverage.
Just a few steps from the Spanish Steps
Originally built as a private residence for guests of the Palazzo Torlonia, which is located directly opposite, since its transformation into a hotel in the mid 19th century, the Hotel d'Inghilterra became the refuge of the international elite, thanks also to its location just a few steps from the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti.
Conserving historic architectural elements
Now, after an extensive renovation of the historic facade the rooms and suites, the Cafè Romano restaurant and the lounges that for centuries have welcomed artists, men of letters and global travellers, the Starhotels group's Roman property has been restored to its original splendour. The project was supervised by the Florentine company's design team, coordinated by Elisabetta Fabri, president and CEO of Starhotels. The work respected the building's heritage, taking a meticulous approach that also involved the conservation of historic architectural elements and the restoration of precious antiques and furnishings.
A new spa and an exclusive rooftop terrace
Like a cozy home, the rooms and suites, reduced from 84 to 80 to leave more space for the interiors, each boast a distinct character and design, while the Cafè Romano Restaurant will unveil a new gastronomic experience in the coming weeks. To complete the offer, the Hotel d'Inghilterra will soon have a new spa and an exclusive rooftop terrace, which will allow guests to admire the Eternal City from a privileged perspective.
This positive trend finds Italy with the wind in its sails, and prudent flow management strategies will enable operators to move closer to saturation levels. ENIT is concentrating on sustainability, verifying and monitoring the ecological footprint of tourists, the impact of tourism on destinations, and the ability of businesses to put into practice the sustainability criteria laid down by the EU. It is also supporting destinations with traditional, web, and social communications aimed at an increasingly more aware tourist, working towards the creation of a complex and composite model for a stronger sustainable regeneration of the entire tourism system.
One relevant area is the ability to manage climate change, for which ENIT is analyzing data and best practices to provide destinations with viable solutions for emergencies through planned actions that can counter change, while making its tourism destinations increasingly safe, attractive and exciting. This revolution of the tourism system in a green key is accompanied by shifts in focus necessary to make the Italian tourist offer increasingly competitive.
In addition to the immense heritage of Italy's cultural and natural resources, typical products and food and wine, the professionals who work to make travel experiences memorable and unique must be put back at the centre of the development of tourism. To boost employee satisfaction we need to implement processes and models that enhance both service efficiency and staff well-being. At the same time digital growth plays a crucial role, driven by innovative solutions from the start-up ecosystem aimed at transforming the tourism industry and improving the services offered.
Our ability to tell the story of Italy’s vitality is passed on to tourists through our natural and cultural landscapes, history, traditions, rituals and local excellences. It is a story that brings countless international travellers back to Italy to visit relatives and friends (7 million in 2023 for 76.8 million overnight stays and €11.2 billion in spending), rediscovering their origins in the year that celebrates Heritage Tourism in Italy.
ENIT recently highlighted the heritage tourism theme in the Italian Village at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal marking the arrival of the Amerigo Vespucci ship for the first time in Japan, on a tour that included Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and will continue to Singapore, Darwin and Mumbai. Italy's renowned shopping districts and fashion streets are among the key attractions promoted by ENIT through its 26 international offices, and they draw 7.7 million international visitors annually who contribute €1.2 billion to tourism spending.