Tropea is a picture-postcard little town on Calabria’s Cast of the Gods perched on a high cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The Coast of the Gods in the boot of Italy

Tropea, which is about an hour and a half from Reggio Calabria and its international airport, and it’s sandy beaches are on a stretch of coastline which is among the most beautiful in the boot of Italy and is known as the Coast of the Gods. Although Tropea has only 7,000 inhabitants, its historic centre is a rich jigsaw puzzle of historic buildings, noble palaces and handsome piazzas. The Co-Cathedral, founded by the Normans in 1163, houses the 14th-century icon of the Madonna of Romania and the tomb of the philosopher Pasquale Galluppi.  

Stunning views over the coast and marine exhibits

The view from the Raf Vallone Belvedere, one of the most beautiful vantage points in the Mediterranean, affords stunning vistas of the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia and the Aeolian Islands. The Diocesan Museum in the premises of the old Bishop's Palace, has a prestigious section of sacred art and an archaeological section. The Municipal Maritime Museum has an important paleontological section and exhibits of marine biodiversity as well as a whale specimen dating back 7 million years which is one of the best preserved and most complete examples in the world.

Tropea and its Coast of the Gods is a very popular summer beach destination with wonderful beaches like the Rotonda Beach which is sandy and located just a few steps from the historic center of the town. The Oasi Beach is further away, just over three kilometres west of the historic center, and it too has golden sand. The Contura Beach is very easily accessible on foot as it is only 850 metres from the port of Tropea, and so it is usually very crowded, especially in August. It is both a free beach and a lido with rental sunbeds and umbrellas. Tropea is particularly famous for its red onions which are particularly sweet and used to flavour summer salads and many local and Italian traditional dishes.  

Nocera Umbra is Umbria’s City of the Waters, a charming little medieval town perched on a hilltop, about two hours by car or train from Rome. 

A hilltop town famous for its natural spring waters

Nocera Umbra’s location, set amidst mountains, hills and valleys that have an abundance of natural springs, favoured human settlements since prehistoric times.   During the Renaissance news of the therapeutic virtues of Nocera’s waters began to spread. Although, as far back as ancient times, Nocera's water was appreciated and known for its purity, freshness and medicinal effects, both in Italy and throughout Europe. There are many springs, but the most important for their historical importance and commercial exploitation are the Angelica, the Flaminia and the Cacciatore.

St. Francis took the waters of Nocera Umbra

This part of Umbria has strong ties to St. Francis and the many legends that surround his life. La Romita is an area near the Angelica spring waters with remains of an apse in the hermitage that hosted Saint Francis in the summer of 1226. The saint was seriously ill and had come here for the waters of Nocera so the citizens of Assisi, made aware of his stay, sent a delegation of knights who carried the saint back to die in Assisi which was his hometown. 

An annual festival on horseback

On the way the townspeople of Assisi way stopped at the village of Satriano, and every year on 31 August and 1 September horses and riders from all over Umbria and its neighbouring regions participate in the festivities for the Cavalieri di Satriano, or Ride of the Chevaliers of Satriano. Departing Assisi, they travel along old mountain roads and shady paths through woods to Nocera Umbra where they present a parchment to the mayor who reciprocates with a similar parchment for the mayor or Assisi. In recent years the colourful procession has counted over a hundred horses and riders.

Nocera Umbra’s Palio dei Quartieri

Every summer Umbria’s City of the Waters’s two districts take part in the traditional Palio against a backdrop of processions in costume and medieval banquets.  The highlight is the uphill race along the town’s narrow cobblestone streets, with the athletes competing first in sprinting and speed. For the final endurance test they race for the finishing line carrying one of their teammates on a heavy wooden sedan chair on their shoulders. 

The bijoux Cottoni theatre and a local pastry delicacy 

CleanJoule, a startup based in the US that focuses on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has secured a $50 million investment. 

Aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050

The funding is led by Indigo Partners, a US private equity firm, and includes participation from GenZero, Cleanhill Partners, Frontier Airlines, Wizz Air and Volaris.  The investment is a significant milestone in reducing carbon emissions and taking meaningful action against climate change. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is used to power commercial aircraft with a lower carbon footprint and has the potential to reduce emissions in the aviation sector by up to 65% and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as stated by IATA.   

Binding agreements from airlines

As part of this investment consortium, Frontier Airlines, Wizz Air, and Volaris have signed binding agreements to purchase up to 90 million gallons of SAF.  Mukund Karanjikar, co-founder and CEO of CleanJoule, commented, “There has never been a more critical time to drive change than by developing viable sustainable fuel alternatives. CleanJoule is well-positioned to bridge the gap in transitioning to a greener aviation industry.”

“We rely on readily available raw materials”

Frederick Teo, CEO of GenZero, added, “CleanJoule's technology relies on readily available raw materials, such as agricultural waste, to produce a sustainable biofuel that can be cost-effective at scale and improve fuel efficiency.”

Castel Gandolfo, the little hilltop Lazio town is known as The Vatican of the Roman Hills.

High above the metropolitan city of Rome, and not far from Ciampino Airport, Castel Gandolfo is home to the summer residence of the popes.  The Roman Hills are called the Castelli Romani for the many Roman villas built here in ancient times, and are a series of small towns that sit atop a volcano crater about half an hoir by car from Rome. Each little town has its own charm and is packed with history and traditions. 

A fountain designed by Bernini and Roman ruins

Castel Gandolfo overlooks Lake Albano and is worth a visit first and foremost to visit the papal residence as well as its gardens that preserve the remains of the Villa of Domitian. In the square in front of the Papal Palace there is the beautiful church of St Thomas of Villanova and the fountain, both designed by the great architect Bernini. A visit to the lake wedged in the former volcanic crater is a must. You can stroll along the promenade with its many restaurants and bathing establishments, take a boat tour, canoe or sailboat, and walk or cycle along the lake path. It is also possible to visit interesting Roman remains overlooking the lake such as the Doric Nymphaeum and the Bergantino Nymphaeum 

The Vatican of the Castelli Romani has beautiful gardens

The majesty of the Papal Palace that greets those arriving on the square, has also contributed to making this one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. From Friday to Monday it is possible to visit the Papal residence and the Vatican Gardens with their many botanical rarities, and the archaeological remains of the Villa of Domitian which has an enormous cryptoporticus. Inside the residence there is a museum and in the courtyard some of the famous popemobile papal cars are on view, 

Visiting the papal bedroom and a monthly flea market

A visit to the 

Genoa Airport is enjoying an international tourist boom with new Ryanair routes from Belgium, Ireland, the UK, and Romania as well as Calabria, Campania, Puglia, Sardinia, and Sicily.

A 310% growth compared to pre-COVID levels

With a remarkable 46% growth in international tourist arrivals, and a 23% increase in arrivals from central and southern Italy during the first three months of the year, compared to the same period in 2019, the airport is booming. And the trend looks like remaining positive with the operation of 12 routes (seven domestic and five international), for a total of 80 weekly flights, and the introduction of new routes from Dublin and Cagliari compared to the summer of 2022.  This amounts to a 310% growth compared to pre-COVID levels. 

“47,411 more tourist arrivals thanks to the new Ryanair routes”

Piero Righi, general manager of Genoa airport, emphasised the significance of air connectivity for the region, stating, “More flights mean that Liguria can attract an increasing number of tourists. We are seeing the results like the final of the Ocean Race attracting thousands of spectators arriving in Genoa on flights from abroad. From the markets of the new Ryanair flights we are seeing three times higher growth in tourist arrivals. From January to March, there were 47,411 more tourist arrivals thanks to the new Ryanair routes. Considering an average cost per night of €136 this represents a direct economic impact of almost €6.5 million extra in just three months.”

For the second consecutive summer, Qantas has rescheduled its direct Perth-Rome flights.    

The only direct flights from Australia to Europe

This is the only direct link between Australia and continental Europe. The route will be served three days a week until 3 October 2023, and the airline also confirmed the route for summer 2024, with flights going on sale from the beginning of next July.

The route was supported by the Western Australia government

The launch of the route in 2022 was supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia and the Aviation Recovery Fund, part of the A$195 million 'Reconnect WA' programme. “In 2022, we helped Qantas kick off direct flights between Perth and Rome, to secure what was the first ever direct connection to mainland Europe,” Western Australia Premier Roger Cook commented.

ITA Airways' new VIP Room, inside Leonardo da Vinci airport’s Hangar Lounge, has designs by Italian furniture company Lema.

A living-room styled area for business meetings

For passengers departing for domestic and international destinations in the Schengen area of Rome Fiumicino international airport, the new VIP section offers a living-room styled area in which to organize business meetings in total privacy, or in which to relax in a comfortable environment. The furnishings are from Lema, an Italian company that blends innovation and tradition in designing and producing contemporary furnishings for the home and for the workspace.  

“This is a reserved and functional space”

"It is truly a pleasure to present our VIP Room inside the Hangar Lounge which ITA Airways recently inaugurated, - said Giovanni Perosino Chief Marketing Officer of ITA Airways. - This is a reserved and functional space entirely dedicated to those looking for more privacy to hold meetings and get in some networking before boarding our flights." 

Executive members do not need to make a reservation

The new Hangar Lounge was inaugurated on l9 April, and from today it extends a welcome to Executive members also in the new VIP Room, without the need for a reservation. And there is also the possibility of accommodating up to six already-eligible passengers (Business Class, Executive members, Premium Volare and Elite Plus Skyteam members).

"With this important collaboration, Lema wishes to improve the customer experience of travellers from all over the world, creating a space that is hospitable, practical and in which to breathe in all the warmth of Italian hospitality and design," said Angelo Meroni, president of Lema.

Airport taxes will have to increase warned Olivier Jankovec, general manager of ACI Europe.

Airports have lost over €20 billion since 2019

It’s a return to profit for European airports, which in 2022 recorded a collective net profit of €6.4 billion. Not a bad result given that the passenger volume was 21% lower than 2019 pre-pandemic levels. But the financial situation of European airports remains "uncertain and challenging" and airport taxes across the continent will have to increase. Olivier Jankovec, general manager of ACI Europe said that since 2019 the sector has lost more than €50 billion in revenues and accumulated over €20 billion in losses.

“The investment crisis is already a reality"

"At stake is the ability of airports to invest in decarbonisation, resilience, digitisation and capacity where needed,- underlined Jankovec. - Looking ahead to 2023 and the following two years, European airports have already reduced future investments by €34.6 billion to €18.4 billion. The investment crisis is already a reality." Jankovec says airport taxes are up 7% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and airfares up 32%. There is only one logical way forward, and that is to respect the user pays principle, he said.

"Regulators and governments must accept that cost pressures and investment needs require an upward adjustment of airport charges."

IATA boss Willie Walsh says airports are trying to defraud airlines 

Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, has repeatedly attacked airports for hiking taxes, arguing that the industry "cannot tolerate a situation where airports try to defraud airlines and their passengers with significant increases in airport charges." Walsh recently criticized Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.

ITA Airways and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) have signed an agreement to ensure air connectivity with preferred fares to Italian American community members.

Discounted offers on ITA flights

The United States is ITA Airways’ number one international market and destination, and the most strategic after Italy, as well as the country with the largest number of citizens of Italian origin. The Italian flag carrier is providing NIAF members traveling between the United States and Italy with an ongoing dedicated discounted offer and several flash discount promotions within the agreement. These go from a 20% discount on business class fares to a 10% reduction on fares for all routes within the ITA Airways’ network.

“The partnership further strengthens ITA Airways”

"By entering into this partnership with ITA Airways, we are delighted to offer our members exclusive discounts when traveling to Italy," said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President. 

“The partnership further strengthens ITA Airways' commitment beyond tourism flows development,” stated Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airways Chief Commercial Officer.   With direct flights to New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, and San Francisco (launched on July 1) ITA Airways will operate 122 weekly roundtrip flights between North America and Italy in the height of the summer season.