Visitors can discover the mysterious Etruscan people on the island of Elba from July to October to find out how the Etruscans lived.

If it is true that they wrote from right to left and then backwards, in alternating lines. If their cuisine was very different from ours. If it is true that their women were emancipated. What were their hobbies, games, music? Were they really mining talents capable of masterfully working metals?

Etruscan recipes and food tasting are planned 

To answer all these and many other questions Elba, the island of the Etruscans, celebrates its bond with the mysterious Mediterranean people with a year of events dedicated to Etruscan culture. The Etruscan Elba programme also features Etruscan recipes, food tastings, historical re-enactments, and visitors can try their hand at metallurgical technique.

©Rachele Lori per Enjoy Elba

“Visitors can try things first hand”

"Etruscan Elba is a new and wonderful opportunity to show the thousand faces of our island - underlines Niccolò Censi, a coordinator at Visit Elba. - Visit Elba will allow visitors to experience Elba authentically and try things out first hand.”

Precious Etruscan metals on display 

Mediterranean routes between Etruria and the East opened on 1 July and will continue until Sunday 2 October 2022. The exhibition - the main attraction is the Iron and Gold exhibition - showcases a selection of precious materials from the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, originally from the necropolises of mining Etruria.

Wine tours and conferences 

The banquet was a central moment in Etruscan social life, and the programme includes presentations of recipe collections and wine tours featuring the history of Etruscan wine. Many conferences are scheduled focusing on the many known and lesser-known aspects of the Etruscan civilization.

Info: www.visitelba.info and blog: blog.visitelba.info

City retreat Palazzo Belvedere has opened in Montecatini Terme with a spa. The new hotel, which is on the site where the old hotel of the same name once stood, is on the street leading to the Tettuccio Spa.

Leading the new team are Simone Galligani, an entrepreneur from Montecatini Terme who comes from an historic family of hoteliers, and manager Chiaralberta Valentini, who has been with the Belvedere group for ten years. 

An events and concert area

Palazzo Belvedere now has 60 rooms, 33 fewer than the original property. It also has three apartments for long stays and features a circular garden which is ideal for running, Pilates, yoga and meditation sessions, and is also a perfect area for events and concerts. 

The spa is inspired by the holistic concept of circularity, with treatments and programmes that allow guests to regain their balance. Next to the circular garden the wellness centre includes eight treatment rooms with natural light as well as a private outdoor area. The B&B outlets, helmed by Tuscan chef Daniele Ciofi, include a bistro, a restaurant and a bar.

Airlines in Europe, especially low-cost airlines, are going too far. They cancel flights whenever and however they want. They set the agenda without a thought for passengers. With an arrogance we have not seen in a long time. The flight’s not profitable? Fine, let’s cancel it. 

Of course they can do this, but customers are losing patience. Customers who have always chosen them, and who in the future will probably no longer choose them. It is no longer tolerable that aviation in general always has the upper hand. That they can do whatever they want, from not refunding customers to cancelling flights. 

We need a European authority with extensive powers of oversight and investigation that can impose multi-million dollar fines on those who do not respect codes and passengers. But not an easy-going authority. What we need is an extraordinarily strong one that can counterbalance the excessive power of the carriers and, why not, even of Iata.

Giuseppe Aloe
Editor in Chief

Villa d'Este’s 150th anniversary celebrations on Lake Como have started in the enchanted setting of Cernobbio. The year of events launched with a big party in June to followed by summer gala dinners and the extraordinary winter opening to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

The Villa dates back to 1568 when Tolomeo Gallio, the cardinal of Como, ordered a lavish villa on the lake as one of his summer homes. But it wasn't until 1873, more than 300 years later, that Villa d'Este was converted into an opulent hotel, becoming a top favourite with celebrities from the worlds of music, film, and the arts as well as for visitors seeking the allure of classic Italian design.

A new general manager

Davide Bertilaccio's arrival as the new CEO of the Villa d'Este Hotels group in April 2022 was the first significant news of the year: "It is a privilege to be charge of one of the most recognizable properties in the world. With research and offering emotional experiences to our guests, many of whom have been customers for a long time, we will validate its DNA while projecting it into the future.” 

Opening for Christmas and New Year

After the commemorations for the Fourth of July and French National Day on August 15th the property plans a series of gala dinners and themed evenings. The Villa’s unusual opening for the Christmas and New Year holidays, for the second time since 1999 the year the new millennium was celebrated, will be the most significant surprise in this memorable year of 2022.

Sleeping under the stars this summer with Vacanze col Cuore Group is thanks to Loek van de Loo, the father of glamping in Europe, who first spread and promoted the growth and transformation outdoor glamping holidays. And he recommends some new glamping activities to try in Italy this summer in the resorts of the Vacanze del Cuore Group.

For groups, families and couples

The Orlando in Chianti Glamping Resort offers a new selection of  and a new Airstream®, for new excursions in special and personalized vehicles. The development of the Glamping Collection area, with huge beds, bathrooms, and kitchen areas, is ideal for small groups, families and also couples, thanks to vehicles for six, four and two people.

A vintage touch

There are three vintage caravans in a designated location in the Sivinos Camping Boutique, a delightful green nook with exclusive access to Lake Garda. In Sivinos, guests can choose between tents or  wooden chalets which are larger, in addition to the new Glamping Collection area.

Like Native Americans

They're called Tipi Lodges, and they're traditional tents for adults and children who want to pretend to be Native Americans. They are fully furnished glamping accommodations with all creature comforts for wow glamping experiences at the Lago Idro Glamping Boutique that includes a café with local specialties, a hot tub and sauna, and swimming pools.

Comfort in XXL format 

The new Next XXL mobile houses have a big patio for larger families as well as large rooms and plenty of luxury. With delivery service and the nearby water park and restaurant, the Weekend Glamping Resort has five spots on 40 square metres. And the new giant Spotty Lodge Ranger safari tent has three bedrooms and a large outdoor seating area ideal for up to seven people. 

The Italo-Dutch Group’s resorts

The resorts of the Italo-Dutch groups are the Weekend Glamping Resort in San Felice Del Benaco, the Park Residence Il Gabbiano in Moniga Del Garda, the Vacanze Glamping Boutique in San Felice Del Benaco, the Orlando In Chianti Glamping Resort in Cavriglia and the Vallicella Glamping Resort in Scarlino.

More info: www.vacanzecolcuore.com

Being the highest town in Basilicata, ancient Pietrapertosa is truly spectacular and takes its name from Pietraperciata which means pierced stone, a name given for the presence of a hole in a large cliff that is visible from the city. 

An ancient military fortress

At the highest point of Pietrapertosa stands the 10th-century Norman-Swabian Castle which is difficult to identify from afar as it is literally carved into the mountain. From the castle you can see a vast landscape with a long stretch of valley, which is why it has always had an important military sighting function. The fort was first used by the Saracens and later became a Norman-Swabian stronghold. Abandoned in the 17th century, it has recently been refurbished.

The old Arab district

In the historic centre of Pietrapertosa the 13th-century Chiesa Madre church has important pictorial works such as The Beheading of the Baptist.  Not far from the centre the Convent of Saint Francis has the painting The Apparition of the Child to Saint Anthony of Padua  by Giovanni De Gregorio (known as Pietrafesa) and there are numerous frescoes by Giovanni Luce. Don’t miss taking a tour of the Arabata district, the oldest in the area. It’s name derives from the Arabs who dominated the area for about fifty years.

A skeleton dating back 35,000 years

In the 1960s Pietrapertosa was at the centre of a mysterious story, as in 1964 a human  skeleton together with rudimentary objects and some furnishings was found in an ancient cave in Piano Avena. Investigations began and experts from the Pigorini Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography in Rome found the skeleton dated back to 35 thousand years ago, and belonged to a man who was attacked while he was eating with his partner in his house. The skeleton is currently on display in Rome while the remains of the woman are believed to be still in the cave.

Terme di Sirmione aims to surpass pre-Covid levels. Closing 2021 with results exceeding expectations, it has set itself the goal of exceeding pre-Covid levels in 2022.

The balance sheet as of last December shows revenues of €27 million, with a net profit of 1.2 million. “Surprising figures in some ways - comments the general manager of the Brescia-based company, Margherita De Angeli - given the collapse in sales in 2020 and considering that 2021 was a year with many limitations. Our facilities have operated in full compliance, opening at full capacity from June 2021 onwards, although there have been some limitations in terms of capacity (Aquaria Thermal Spa) and in the provision of some services.”

Significant growth in the hospitality sector

All areas from health to wellbeing, and from hospitality to products experienced a rapid recovery in turnover in the second half, generating volumes almost equal to the same period of 2019. There was significant growth in the hospitality sector with the 5-star Grand Hotel Terme, the 4-star Sirmione and Acquaviva del Garda, the 3-star Fonte Boiola, and the Golf Bogliaco. “These results confirm there is a great interest in Lake Garda, both from the domestic market and from German-speaking countries,” added De Angeli.

The difficulty of finding staff

Now the goal for 2022 is to exceed the threshold of €40 million in revenues, which is higher than 2019. "In addition to a huge increase in the costs of energy and as well as raw materials and consumables, we cannot find a solution to the incredible difficulty of finding staff - admits Margherita De Angeli -. Companies working withing the compliance of national employment contracts like us at Terme di Sirmione face unfair competition. In a market where undeclared hiring and unscrupulous methods are rife, professionalism should be monitored. It is a sad scenario that further distances us from foreign markets on a competitive level.”

"Tour operators, travel agencies and consumers cannot be expected to pay for yet another consequence of the crisis. The repercussions the chaos in air transport is having on travel must not fall either on people going on holidays, or on the other links in the chain,” said Ivana Jelinic, president of Fiavet-Confcommercio the Federation of Travel Agents of the Italian General Confederation of Enterprises.

She was speaking after the meeting between the Fiavet Transport Commission and Enac, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, called to examine the present unsustainable situation.

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has been asked to intervene

"We have asked Enac to intervene to resolve these difficulties," the president continued. "You cannot cancel flights, vary seasonal capacity and cause major delays, ruining holidays for people who trust in travel agencies.”

“We have asked Enac to respect the rules”

"We understand that during the pandemic staff had to be considerably reduced. That with the upswing airlines are facing problems with equipment. That investments had to be curbed in order to survive. But it is not right for the unknowns of air transport to fall on the other links in the chain. That is why we have asked Enac to respect the rules.”

Arabba is a small jewel nestled between the Campolongo Pass and the Pordoi Pass in the Dolomites in the Veneto region. At 1,602 metres asl, it has numerous trekking routes for novices and experienced explorers alike. Here are some of the most popular.

Trekking in the picturesque Bec de Roces

The starting point for this interesting route is , from which you take Trail 640 leading to Bec de Roces. For those who prefer a less strenuous way, the Campolongo chairlift comes to the rescue. After admiring the 360-degree panorama of the Sella, Marmolada, Porta Vescovo and Col di Lana peaks and scenery continue on Trail 640 in the direction of Lake Boè. After a relaxing break at the lake, you can return to Passo Campolongo via the dirt road N° 638, ending the excursion in about four hours.

A fun bear hunt for kids and family

There is also a route for sporting families. This itinerary transforms the outing for little ones and their parents into a fun  hunt for the Bec Bear. Along the fun-themed trail called Bearlock Holmes, children can have fun finding all the shapes that represent the daily activities of Bec Bear and his family. The track is just over 1.1 kilometres long, and it takes roughly an hour to collect all the bears.

WWI trenches on a challenging walk

 The Arabba area was the scene of fierce fighting during the First World War and the panoramic Ferrata delle Trincee trail gives you the opportunity to discover many old trails and trenches. The route does have quite a challenging first part, but this is amply compensated for by a long but much simpler second part. 

Cliff climbing and an ancient castle 

Moving on to the cliffs, anyone who wants to learn (or improve) their techniques can access the Sass de Bèita cliff in the hamlet of Castello, between the Falzarego Pass and Arabba. You don't need to be an expert climber as the crag adapts to the various levels of ability and the reward is the climb to Andraz Castle, which is Arabba’s symbolic monument.

ph credits: Roberto De Pellegrin

ArtVerona, now in its 17th edition, returns to Veronafiere from 14 to 16 October, strengthening its rapport with domestic operators. It also welcomes international guests, supporting Italy’s art system, while providing collectors and visitors with engaging experiences. The first three years of management have been a decidedly evolving path for ArtVerona, with a different vision of the event and a multi-year programming of events and formats.

Two interesting new sections

The 2022 edition includes many new features, including two new sections: Habitat and Curated by. The latter presents the proposals of galleries that have collaborated with a curator for the construction of their stand, whereas Habitat is a cultural project dedicated to the presentation of important environments of great Italian historical artists.

Promoting new galleries and artists

The main section features a selection of galleries united by qualified research on Italian and international artists ranging from the most historicized to others that are just emerging. The Introduction sections have been reconfirmed, with historical galleries invited to present exhibition spaces that have opened and grown, and this is followed by galleries dedicated to promoting up to three talents from the most recent generations. The evolution of ArtVerona emphasises the importance of experimental languages like Solo, in which galleries are invited to enhance the work of a single Italian artist of the 1990s with a monographic stand. Then there is the second edition of LAB, which is dedicated to experimental non-profit organisations promoting contemporary art in Italy.

A coordinated programme of activities

ArtVerona organises and promotes a series of appointments involving various public and private institutions and venues in Verona that participate in a coordinated programme of 

and activities such as performances, videos, design, musical contaminations, public installations, and visits to collections through Art & The City. ArtVerona is open on Friday 14 October from 11.00 to 19.00, on Saturday 15 October from 11.00 to 20.00 and on Sunday 16 October from 11.00 to 19.00 Information: www.artverona.it