As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Rocco Forte Hotels launches the Musical Suite Service, an immersive en-suite dining with music experience, combining food and music in the privacy of your suite.

Live music and fine dining

All the iconic hotels in the collection have called upon theatres, musicians and opera houses to present the most unprecedented performances, available to order together with in-room dining from the restaurants of the individual hotels.

Singers, instrumentalists and musical groups

From established sopranos to funky-jazz bands, to young talents from renowned musical institutions, guests have the privilege of attending their own private concert in the comfort of their personal suite. Singers and string players, keyboard and wind instruments, soloists and groups, each hotel has drawn up a fun billboard to offer the most engaging breakfast, lunch or dinner ever experienced.

A jazz session or a soprano aria?

Why not gather friends for a jazz session in the Hotel Amigo's Blaton Suite! Alternatively, for a romantic evening for two, the terrace of the Picasso Suite at the Hotel de Russie is the setting for an unforgettable Roman dinner with the famous cuisine of Fulvio Pierangelini and a soprano who fills the air with the delicate notes of a serenade.

Musical Suites are subject to availability and to be booked in advance

Prices start at €2,000, and the service is available at four hotels in Italy. In the Presidential Suite at the Hotel Savoy in Florence, the Tuscan cuisine of the Irene Restaurant blends with the young talents of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Academy. At the Villa Igiea in Palermo, the Teatro Massimo Opera House, grand dame of Palermo’s music scene, presents the ancient tradition of the serenade. You can choose a trio or opt for the Antiche Serenate Notturne group, for poetic love songs overlooking the gulf. At the Hotel de Russie in Rome Fulvio Pierangelini provides the sumptuous dinner, to accompany lyrical arias. From classical to jazz, from violin to saxophone, the music concierge knows how to choose the best traditional Roman music for a romantic serenade at the Hotel de la Ville in Rome.

With seven hotels in different districts of Rome totaling nearly 1,000 rooms OMNIA Hotels has enjoyed constant growth, opening and acquiring new properties even during the last few difficult years.  

Redevelopment projects

The group is currently involved in hotel redevelopment projects in Rome ranging from the Donna Laura Palace, a villa overlooking the Tiber river in the Prati district, with work just finished work on the facade and internal garden, to the Hotel Imperiale on Via Veneto with a completely restored façade. The Rose Garden Palace, a boutique hotel in Via Boncompagni, will be completely renovated, getting a new-look façade while the guest rooms and the common areas, with special attention to the internal garden,  will also get a makeover.

An extra 70 guest rooms

A new congress area is being added to the Shangri La Roma EUR, starting with a modular room of some 200 sqm suitable for meetings, events, and as an extension of the restaurant, followed by the conference centre on 1,500 square meters which will have a swimming pool.  Additional development in 2024 will include an additional 70 guest rooms, and the new Shangri La restaurant. 

Committed to training and heritage

“Our group started just a few months before the lockdown, - says CEO Francesco Lazzarini, - we opened the St. Martin in 2021 after completely renovating a disused building. We are growing and developing, with special attention to staff training and to the enhancement of the heritage of the buildings.”

The OMNIA Hotels portfolio

The OMNIA Hotels portfolio now includes: the Hotel Donna Laura Palace in the Prati district overlooking the Lungotevere, the Grand Hotel Fleming, the Hotel Imperiale in Via Veneto, the Hotel Shangri La Rome, the Hotel Santa Costanza in Via Nomentana, the Rose Garden Palace in Via Boncompagni, and the new Hotel St. Martin.

Only4U, an Italian destination management company specialized in experiential tourism, offers a one-of-a-kind day in search of a rare treasure, the white truffle, in the Friuli region’s woods near Udine. 

With boundless hectares of English oak and hornbeam, maple, oak, ash, and elms, as well as a fresh and deep rich soil very close to the lagoon which accentuates its salinity, this is ideal truffle land. 

The precious white truffle

An expert will give a brief explanation of the product to look for and the techniques to use before the adventure begins. Following that you set out in search of the precious white truffle accompanied by a local guide and the truffle hunters with their faithful dogs. 

An area of extraordinary scenic beauty

Following the conclusion of the truffle hunt, the appointment will be in the nearby Marano Lagunare, an area of extraordinary scenic beauty, to taste the Malvasia di Laguna. This white wine typical of the area stands out for its elegance and refinement, and for its strong floral tones and exotic shades.

Only4U is an innovative DMC

Only4U is an innovative Italian DMC that promotes the integrated management of territories, improving their image, and acting as a driving force for local economic development. It is also a business facilitator and promoter of a coordinated and cohesive system that benefits small local producers.

For information: www.only-4u.it/event-details/alla-ricerca-del-pregiato-tartufo-friulano

This summer Europcar Mobility Group, an international leader in the car rental sector with a network of offices in Italy, recorded a strong rise in rentals by inbound visitors especially those on long-haul flights, although the first signs of a downturn were seen towards the end of the season. "At the end of July there was a drop in customer confidence, due to the global macroeconomic situation. This was felt not only in Italy but throughout Europe.  However, the summer was absolutely above our expectations compared to the start of the year," stressed Enrico Farina, the group’s commercial director. 

Farina predicts growth for business rentals in 2023 while the leisure demand remains a question mark.  "The drop in consumer spending power may well have implications for leisure travel trends. But we must also consider some extremely positive aspects, namely that international travellers still view Italy as an exceptional tourist destination. This is both for its high levels of hospitality and its beauty but also with respect to safety, which is perceived as very high.”  

The trend in sustainable demand is both interesting and not unexpected, said Farina, as many visitors from northern Europe, and Italians too, are much more environmentally responsible. "The demand for sustainable mobility solutions is growing, and we are significantly increasing our green fleet. It is a work in progress.”

Central for the Europcar Group is the support of travel agencies. "Our GSA is working structurally and we are in a phase of proposing but also of listening. The rapidly changing customer mix is forcing us to be flexible and to propose a range of rentals that reply to the changing market.”

Step back into an era of Medieval splendor close to Milan at Castell'Arquato in the Piacenziano Geological Reserve which is half an hour from the northern Emilia-Romagna town of Piacenza, and just over an hour by road, south-east of Milan. 

A medieval town of rare beauty

This very well-preserved medieval town of rare beauty and great scenic impact repays the visitors who takes time to wander around its old centre with its medieval stone alleyways and restored houses. Its most striking feature is the Rocca di Castell'Arquato fortress that stands on a rocky promontory overhanging the Arda torrent. 

A massive brick fortress

Built by the city of Piacenza in 1342, the fortress was reinforced and completed by Luchino Visconti in 1347. It is an imposing brick building, purely defensive in character, in a position strategically dominating the surrounding valley. The tall tower dominating the village square performed the dual function of defense against external enemies and control over Castell’Arquato’s inhabitants.

The G. Cortesi Geological Museum

The 16th-century Ospitale Santo Spirito, in medieval days a resting place for pilgrims travelling to Rome, today houses the G. Cortesi Geological Museum. This internationally renowned museum has various collections that allow us to follow the evolutionary history of the Po Valley basin.

The Luigi Illica Museum

Luigi Illica, born in Castell'Arquato in 1857 was a journalist and playwright and was one of the exponents of the Milanese Scapigliatura literary movement. He gained fame as a librettist for famous opera composers including Giacomo Puccini, Umberto Giordano and Pietro Mascagni.

Tying the knot in Castell'Arquato 

For those wishing to celebrate their special day with a civil ceremony, the Municipality of Castell'Arquato offers two venues inside the 14th-century Palazzo del Podestà. The ceremony can take place either in the monumental Council Chamber, which has a 15th-century coffered ceiling, or in the Quadreria, which is more intimate and cozy.  

When you think of Halloween of course you think of pumpkins, so why not take inspiration from the seasonal spirit for a delicious pumpkin recipe? Here is one from Davide Camaioni, founding chef of Posto Nuovo, the prestigious restaurant on the Adriatic Riviera in San Benedetto del Tronto, in the Marche region.

Gurnard Acqua Pazza style with Pumpkin Julienne for four people as an appetiser

2 x 500 grams gurnards

1/2 small pumpkin

1 carrot 

1 rosemary sprig

2 cloves of garlic 

500 ml vegetable stock

Olive oil, salt and black pepper to taste 

2 celery ribs                                                               

1/2 onion                                                                     

2 ripe red tomatoes                                                      

1 bunch of parsley stalks                                             

50 grams flour                                                            

Fillet the fish and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Wash the bones and heads well, these will be used for the stew to complete the dish.

Peel the pumpkin and remove the seeds, soaking the julienne-cut peels in cold water and keep aside. Slice the pumpkin finely and wrap it in the reconstituted fillets, using kitchen foil. Place in the fridge.

Stir-fry all the herbs with the gurnard trimmings, and when wilted, pour in the vegetable stock and simmer until the liquid is 1/3 reduced. Season with salt and pepper. Peel the pumpkin seeds and fry just long enough to become crispy, then let them rest at room temperature.

Soak the fillets for eight minutes (four minutes per side) in the reduced cooking water. Dredge the julienne skins in flour and fry in plenty of oil until golden brown.

Place the fish fillets on the bottom of a serving dish and top with the pumpkin julienne and seeds. Strain the sauce and drizzle it over the dish at the table. 

Tarquinia, the heart of Etruscan art, is a medieval town with many Etruscan sites and great nearby beaches.

The symbol of Etruscan art par excellence, it lies in a strategic position in the Lazio region, just 15 minutes from the Port of Civitavecchia, 50 minutes from Fiumicino’s international airport, and little more than an hour from Rome.

A journey through Etruscan days

With its many monuments and museums, charming and historic town center and important UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites, this town of Etruscan origins is a journey in time through ancient history and art. And it is close to the sea, making it a very popular summer holiday destination. The best way to get an idea of the magnitude and the artistic refinement of the Etruscan people, is to visit the Necropolis of Tarquinia. With over 200 pained tombs, the frescoes of the Necropolis of Monterozzi are the most important document of ancient painting before the Roman imperial period. 

The world’s largest collection of Etruscan art

Another must is the National Etruscan Museum of Tarquinia with the world’s largest collection of Etruscan art: sarcophagi, vases, dishes, pottery, statues and ancient coins and thousands of other fascinating artefacts. Strolling through the narrow streets of Tarquinia starting at the Barriera di San Giusto, the ancient entrance to the town, and you will find yourself in Piazza Cavour with the Renaissance Palazzo Vitelleschi, seat of the Etruscan Museum. On the Piazza del Duomo you can admire the striking Cathedral of Santa Margherita, and nearby there is the Tower of Dante and the Tower of Matilda of Canossa.

Natural salt pans, surfing and sailing

Nearby on the coast the Natural Salt Pans Reserve of Tarquinia are one of the few remaining salt pans along the entire Italian coast. The site welcomes a huge number of species of migratory birds including pink flamingoes, egrets and herons and is popular with birdwatchers and photographers. Tarquinia is a paradise for lovers of the sea with beaches like the Lido di Tarquinia which is just ten minutes away from the city center and is popular with families, surfers, windsurfers and sailors. Some seven kilometres south of the Lido, near the Natural Reserve of Salt Pans, there is the free beach of San Giorgio, probably the wildest on this stretch coast, and reached along an unpaved country road. 

Remains of the pre-Roman Etruscan era make Tarquinia an important UNESCO world heritage site. The original burial mounds found within the necropolis contain frescoes depicting the day-to-day life of this vanished urban civilization. Some of the most famous frescoes date back to as early as the fourth century AD, including the Hunter’s Tomb and the Tombs of Hunting and Fishing or Lionesses.

For information: https://tarquiniaturismo.com

One of the oldest in Italy, the Merano Christmas Markets celebrate their thirtieth anniversary this year and are back in style from 25 November to 6 January 2023, with an evocative opening party on the 24 November at 17:00.

Local delicacies and handcrafts 

In the town in the Alto Adige region, which is just half an hour from Bolzano, over 60 wooden houses will be the stars of the markets, hosting a selection of local handcrafted products and dishes from the South Tyrolean culinary tradition.  The traditional village will be in the Piazza della Rena square with a completely new project that features a 100sqm traditional and welcoming Almhütte chalet decorated in keeping with South Tyrolean Christmas traditions, where visitors can sample the best local delicacies.

Merano's Christmas Market - ph credits Alex Filz

Guided tours to discover Merano’s secrets

This year the Albero Infopoint at the heart of the even, has a small food and wine outlet with carefully selected local producers. It will also be possible to buy the official Merano Markets cup. Also on the bill are guided tours to discover the culture, hidden gems and anecdotes of the city. The evocative By Lantern Light and the naturalistic The Secrets of Merano Winter Garden tours are a great way to discover the history that has made Merano one of the most famous garden cities. The Markets reach another important milestone this year as the event celebrates its tenth year as a certified Green Event, having worked year after year to improve its ecological footprint, inviting visitors to share its values of eco-sustainability.

Opening days and times

The Markets will open from 11:00 to 19:00 Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 to 19:00 (food served until 21:00); Friday, Saturday and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00 (food served until 22.30) and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 (food served until 21:00).

Special openings: 24 and 31 December, from 10:00 to 15.30 (food served until 17:00). The Markets are closed on December 25th.
For the complete programme: http://mercatini.merano.eu   

Abano’s Ermitage Medical Hotel is the perfect choice for healthy vacations, with the added value of qualified specialist medical assistance.

This leading Italian medical facility in Abano Terme, close to Padua, provides health and wellness, spa and rehabilitation services as well as top class hospitality.

Curative waters and outdoor activities

This is a privileged location in which to devote yourself to your health while on holiday, with thermal treatments that exploit the scientifically recognised analgesic and anti-inflammatory power of the waters. It is also ideal for relaxation and for enjoying outdoor activities in the uncontaminated setting of the Euganean Hills Nature Park.

A health holiday with a full check-up

Modern laboratory diagnostics and ultrasound services allows guests to do musculoskeletal and/or cardio vascular check-ups. They can also measure the results in terms of risk, performance improvement, and regain a sense of well-being and psycho-physical balance

Boosting the immune system

The natural properties of the thermal waters also stimulate and promote a healthy immune response, and recent research suggests that balneotherapy and mud therapy can also have positive effects.