Italy is a big bet for Iberia with up to 44 weekly flights from Madrid to Rome this winter.

3 million seats on routes to Italy from Barajas Airport

This means almost a million seats between Madrid and Rome and a total of almost three million on routes to the ten Italian destinations served by the Barajas hub. With the winter schedule, Iberia is further strengthening its commitment to the Italian market: the airline will operate direct flights to Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Naples and Turin from Madrid.

44 weekly Madrid-Rome flights

For this the Jubilee 2025 year, Iberia will increase the direct winter frequencies departing from Madrid to the Italian capital, reaching a total of 44 weekly flights, two more than last year. This is a total of 380,000 seats during the winter season.

Also flying to Olbia, Catania and Palermo

For the current summer season, which began on 30 March, Iberia has added five additional weekly flights to Rome, for a total of six and seven daily flights, depending on the day of the week. Iberia will also start operating to the country's summer destinations: Olbia, Catania and Palermo, bringing to ten the number of destinations in Italy.

The summer timetable for Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport, the first complete timetable for the Campania airport after its opening on 11 July 2024, sees the airport doubling its flights.

Flights from 18 scheduled destinations

Summer 2025 got underway on 30 March with the new flights from Vienna, followed by the introduction of the route from Brussels Charleroi. During the summer the airport will handle a total of 18 scheduled destinations. Of these, 13 are international: Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels Charleroi, Bucharest, Geneva, Lyon, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Marseille, Nantes, Paris Orly, Tirana and Vienna. With 13 international routes compared to seven last summer, Salerno, less than a year after opening, has seen the international segment almost double with connections from seven European capitals (Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, London, Paris, Tirana, Vienna).

British Airways starts London Gatwick flights on 22 May

The number of airlines operating out of Salerno has also increased, thanks to the arrival of British Airways which, starting on 22 May will offer 3 weekly flights from London Gatwick, and Vueling, which will connect Salerno with Paris and Barcelona starting from 20 June and 3 July respectively. This brings to six the number of carriers offering direct connections: British Airways and the main European low-cost airlines easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.

“Marketing strategies and improved accessibility will increase passenger traffic”

“This is an extraordinary result for an airport that has been operating for less than a year,- said Roberto Barbieri, CEO of the managing company, Gesac. - Our credibility is a strategic advantage that allows us to act as a valuable link with the airlines, thanks to the integrated management of the Naples and Salerno airports. The considerable expansion of the network, combined with targeted local marketing strategies and improved accessibility to the airport, will lead to an increase in passenger traffic, giving a strong boost to the entire regional tourism sector and opening up new prospects for prestigious destinations that are still little known on international markets.”

ITAAirways is now flying in codeshare with LOT Polish Airlines.

An exchange of airline codes

Since 10 April the LO code of the Polish carrier has been added to ITA's domestic flights connecting Rome with ten Italian cities, including Bologna, Bari, Catania, Genoa, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Lamezia Terme and Turin. And ITAAirways is now applying its own AZ code to flights operated by the Polish company from Warsaw to Rome, offering new travel opportunities for passengers travelling between Italy and Poland.

“We are charting a privileged and convenient route between Poland and Italy”

“This partnership is a significant step in ITAAirways‘ growth strategy, increasing connectivity for our passengers, - said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and general manager of the Italian carrier. -With this agreement, as well as further strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries. It also enriches the travel experience of LOT passengers, offering them the opportunity to experience the excellence of Made in Italy, of which ITAAirways is a proud ambassador in the world.”

“Making travelling within Italy much easier”

“Signing the codeshare agreement with ITAAirways is a fundamental step in our strategy, which aims at expanding our offer and continuously improving our services, - said Robert Ludera, registered representative and director of LOT Polish Airlines Network Bureau. -Thanks to this collaboration LOT passengers will have access to a vast network of domestic connections in Italy, making travelling within Italy much easier.”

The excellence of Rome Fiumicino shines on a global level: the airport has in fact been awarded 5 Skytrax stars and is the 8th best airport in the world.

For the first time in the world’s top ten airports

So for the first time the Roman airport has entered the Top Ten of the world's best airports, directly in eighth place, up four places compared to the previous year and consolidating its role as a reference hub in the entire Mediterranean basin.The high standards and quality of airport services, operational efficiency and the comfort offered to travellers were the elements that, following an in-depth audit by Skytrax, allowed Fiumicino to confirm its place among the 12 hubs worldwide to boast 5 stars, alongside international airports such as Singapore, Doha, and Tokyo.

“Our focus is on innovation and sustainability”

“The confirmation of the five Skytrax stars and the new recognition at Fiumicino airport show once again our constant commitment to guaranteeing quality and excellent services for our passengers, while focusing on innovation and sustainability,- said Marco Troncone, CEO Aeroporti di Roma. -Our goal now is to further develop Leonardo Da Vinci, boosting Rome's role in the global air transport landscape, as well as protecting and consolidating Italy's international competitiveness.”

Universal recognition for Rome Fiumicino

During the award ceremony at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025 in Fiumicino, in addition to the eighth position in the World's Top 10 Airports of 2025, the following awards were given: Best Airports 2025: 40 to 50 million passengers; Best Airport Southern Europe; Best Airports in Europe 2025 - Second place; World's Best Airport Security Screening 2025 – second place; Best Airport Staff in Europe 2025 – third place; World's Best Airport Dining Experience 2025 – third place; World's Best Airport Immigration Service 2025 – seventh position; World's Best Airport Shopping 2025 – eighth position; World's Best PRM and Accessible Facilities 2025 – ninth position; World's Best Airport Staff 2025 – tenth position; World's Most Family Friendly Airport 2025 – tenth position.

The new agreement between Fiavet Confcommercio and Ryanair has introduced the Travel Agent Direct platform, designed for Italian travel agents.

Travel agents can create a free Ryanair account

This is a world first for the Irish airline, which has for the first time signed a formal agreement with a trade association in the distribution sector. The agreement, recently announced in the Confcommercio’s Roman headquarters, in the absence of company representatives, allows travel agents to create a free Ryanair account through which they can book flights for their customers.

"The agreement between Fiavet Confcommercio and Ryanair marks a historic milestone for our Federation and for travel agencies, which will now have direct access to the airline's ticketing system," said Laura Audi, President of Fiavet Piemonte. "The resolution of a years-long dispute represents a turning point and will significantly ease the work of travel agents, who can finally rely on a privileged channel with Ryanair".

“This agreement is in the interests of the consumer”

Giuseppe Ciminnisi, president of Fiavet Confcommercio, highlighted the importance of the agreement: “This agreement reaffirms the professional centrality of travel agencies in the management of airline reservations and in the interests of the consumer. It is an important message that comes after a long process of discussion and construction.”

Authorized travel agents can purchase flights and services

The new Travel Agent Direct channel, operational by 30 July 2025, will allow authorized travel agencies to access the Ryanair portal directly and purchase flights and ancillary services. Reservations can only be made through registered accounts, which must provide real and complete passenger data. A simplified procedure will provide for refunds and re-routing, and the possibility of operational communications directly from the airline to the customer.

Mediterranean flavours blend with Asian and spicy notes, from Chef Francesco Apreda's experiences and travels on the Spice Route. 

“Menus for a public that loves to experiment”

Spring has arrived and Idylio by Apreda, part of The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel - Autograph Collection, launches new menus, changing the course of the Speziale, in the new location, a few steps from the Pantheon. “At Idylio tradition and innovation blend, just like ancient Rome which was ancient, but always capable of renewing itself. With the new menus, we are opening our doors to a public that loves to experiment, to travel through taste and recognizes the value of local excellence revisited with creativity,- says Emidio Pacini, CEO of the Pacini Group. -With these new menus we want to open our doors to an even wider public, while maintaining the highest quality and our identity.”  

Spiced rhubarb, macaroons and chocolate pancakes

A menu with spices and accents from Lazio and Campania 

Idylio by Apreda, the Pacini Group's 1-star Michelin restaurant, is in Piazza dei Caprettari. It has has large windows, and a contemporary interior in warm shades of orange, and is open both for lunch and dinner with a menu that turns to spices interpreted by Chef Apreda with regional accents from Lazio and Campania. Among the dishes are skate scallop with black anise and caviar; cod with coconut and friggitelli peppers; baby snails in squid ink pasta with lavender and black olives, and spiced rhubarb with amaretti biscuits and chocolate fritters.

Dishes dear to Romans with unique accents 

For guests who want to fly from one menu to another, just like a butterfly, there is a guided tour by the Chef with a choice of four dishes from the Speziale menu and the Iconic Signature menu. There is also a selection of iconic dishes from Idylio by Apreda, including vignarola pasta with scampi; artichokes with almonds and saffron; parmesan cheese cappellotti and tuna broth - dishes dear to Romans, but with a touch that goes beyond the borders of the Eternal City.

There are also vegetarian tailor-made choices

There are also new simple and fast dishes at lunch for those who love haute cuisine but have little time, or for a younger clientele that prefers a more informal and dynamic approach. The first courses is a choice between: quail ravioli with carbonara sauce; puttanesca and wild lemon lemon; pasta and potatoes, lobster and curry; capellini with garlic, oil, chilli and eel and tagliolini with butter and bottarga. Lunch continues with a choice of fried cod in coriander seed batter or grilled beef bavette with asparagus and green anise. And, to end on a sweet note, there is the iconic buffalo mozzarella dessert. Idylio by Apreda also offers vegetarian cuisine with a selection of tailor-made dishes. The talent, inspiration and technique of Chef Francesco Apreda are thanks to his experiences in Rome, London and Tokyo, before returning to Rome and joining the elite group of starred chefs in 2009.

The Pacini Group has Prestige and Concept hotels

The Pacini Group portfolio has with three lines: Prestige, with two five-star luxury properties: The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel and The Goethe Hotel in Rome, and, soon to be opened, Palazzo Rota in Venice. The Concept Hotels, with The Venice Times and The Smooth Rome; Unica Suites&Apartments, luxury apartments and suites in the centre of Rome; and, finally, the catering division with two Food Hubs, the Michelin-starred Idylio by Apreda and Divinity Restaurant and Lounge Bar at The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel. Research, passion, creativity, experience, and constant and dynamic development are the four pillars of the company led by Emidio Pacini.

 

This Easter delight in culinary and seaside magic at the Calamosca Restaurant in Cagliari.

Fine dining and natural beauty

Easter is the perfect time to celebrate the arrival of spring, and the Calamosca Restaurant in Cagliari, located on the little Calamosca half-moon sandy beach, is a perfect way to experience a special day of fine dining and natural beauty. With its terrace overlooking the sea, and with unique views of the promontory crowned by the lighthouse of Sant'Elia, guests at Calamosca find that tradition and innovation meet here in gastronomic and aesthetic experiences that involve all the senses. 

An exciting Easter Sunday 2025 menu

For Easter Sunday 2025 chef Michele Ferrara has created an exclusive menu that celebrates the excellence of Sardinia with dishes that blend authentic flavours and contemporary techniques. Starting with Petza crua, tuvara, ou e casu, a beef tartare enhanced with truffle, Béarnaise sauce and aged Parmesan, the next course is Angioni e arrescottu, a homemade egg pasta with a lamb ragù, fresh asparagus and mustard cream.  The main course is Sirboni et birdura,  a dish of hearty roast wild boar ribs accompanied by baked endive, spring onions, balsamic vinegar and carrots, and the Su Drucci dessert combines crispy meringue, fresh mango, chocolate and pecan, accompanied by chocolate and orange ice cream. A harmony of ingredients and flavors, perfectly paired with a selection of excellent local wines.

A blend of nature, history and gastronomy

The Calamosca Restaurant is much more than just a culinary destination - it is a magical place where the beauty of the landscape blends with gastronomic excellence. And Easter lunch at Calamosca becomes an experience that brings together nature, history and gastronomy, while enjoying the first warm rays of spring sunshine on the terrace overlooking the sea,  and delighting in authentic flavours from chef Michele Ferrara.

Rome is the Eternal City of crumbling ruins, carb-heavy cuisine, and ancient alleyways clogged with Vespas. But 2024 brings surprising news: Rome is cheap… well, relatively.

In a world where living costs are ballooning, Rome stands out in 8th position in the ranking of 42 global capitals compiled by comparethemarket.com. This placing on the “most affordable” list, sandwiched between Melbourne and Mexico City, is chiefly thanks to housing prices, which have crept up a mere 9.1% since 2015.

For digital nomads, this is bellissimo news. The slower rise in living costs, paired with the seductive blend of history, chaos, and caffè, is shaping Rome into one of Europe’s coolest lifestyle cities. While enjoying Trastevere’s ivy-draped terraces or Testaccio’s unpretentious trattorias, you can still sip an espresso for €1.20, and have enough left for an aperitivo. Added to which utilities are manageable, public transport is cheap (but beware, it is unreliable), pasta is plentiful and delicious, and a bottle of wine can often cost less than a bottle of water.  

Co-working spaces in once-pricey districts like Prati or Monti are now offering competitive monthly rates that are attracting creatives and remote workers. So, while Rome might not yet rival Lisbon or Budapest in the digital nomad hall of fame, it’s getting close with its affordability - and who wouldn’t want to Zoom from a rooftop with a Colosseum view?

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor