Modern aircraft are more efficient and fly faster than they did 20 years ago, right?  Well yes, but also no. Because to fly from London to New York now takes eight hours when it took only seven in 1997, and from Dublin to London takes 90 minutes against the 60 of 25 years ago.  

So what’s going on?  Well to start, airports are a lot larger and getting to the end of the runway can take up to fifteen minutes more than it once did. Then planes are flying more slowly at cruising speed to save on fuel costs, adding on yet more minutes. 

Airlines are also publishing longer flight times to avoid delays being registered. A practice known as “schedule padding,” as under EU law a delay of three hours or more entitles passengers to a compensation of anything from €250 to €600.

Then, and here we must give airlines their due, today’s skies are so crowded that planes are regularly forced into time-consuming holding patterns before landing, adding more precious minutes.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Having completed the acquisition of Castel Monastero, the Marcegaglia group is now working on major structural interventions and a new wellness concept for the Tuscan resort. 

Restyling the interiors, the pool and the spa 

The restyling planned for the Leading Hotels of the World property will include the suites, the rooms and some of the public areas. The outdoor pool will be completely redesigned, and will get a new snack bar with a panoramic terrace. The spa will also be renovated, focusing on a holistic approach to provide guests with personalised regenerative treatments. The catering, under executive chef Davide Canella, will be traditional with a creative slant, and based on  ancient recipes from the culinary heritage of Tuscany and beyond.

“We will make the resort one of the most exclusive in Italy”

The company has also confirmed Graziella Arba as general manager.

"I am honoured by the choice made by the owners, - she said - and I am certain that, together with Emma Marcegaglia, we will make the resort one of the most exclusive in Italy. The resort is an 11th-century medieval hamlet that pays homage to the elegance and harmony of ancient Tuscan residences and offers guests unique experiences in a place of rare beauty.”

If you love walking, what about a trek around the beautiful island of Elba for New Year's Eve?

Exploring evocative roadways and trails

Make 2023 a special year by starting it in the best possible way, with a gentle journey immersed in nature. Join the Grande Traversata Elbana from 27 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, a journey on foot that takes you along the most evocative roadways and trails on the beautiful Mediterranean island. A route for mountain enthusiasts and lovers of breathtaking views, the GTE is something not to be missed.

Discover Elba at the most peaceful time of year

The trek runs along what is described as the westernmost front of the Apennines, across mountains of iron and granite through pretty villages suspended between the sky and the sea. The Grande Traversata Elbana is a unique experience that allows the traveler to discover the island, its nature and its history at a walking pace. In winter Elba is a calm island, where you can take life slowly and relax. This is what you’ll find when you come to ring in the New Year in Elba Island. 

For information and bookings: www.viaggidelgenio.it

Until the beginning of January there are numerous Christmas markets in ancient villages scattered throughout the Garda Trentino area where, together with the whole family, you can breathe in the magic of the festive season, discover delicacies of all kinds as well as local handicrafts.

Markets in two of Italy’s most beautiful towns 

Unique of their kind are the markets of Canale di Tenno and Rango, which are among Italy’s most beautiful towns and worth visiting at any time of the year, but truly suggestive during the Christmas period.  In the picturesque setting of Canale di Tenno visitors are welcomed by an atmosphere suspended in time. This medieval village - perched on the slopes overlooking Lake Garda, at an altitude of 600 metres - hosts a market every weekend during Advent with stalls packed with tasty and genuine local products and handicrafts.  Then, on 26 December, there is the traditional living nativity scene with a re-enactment of ancient crafts in the town’s old houses.

APT Garda Dolomiti SPA - Riva del Garda

Local foodstuffs and ancient rituals

The market in Rango recounts the past in an authentic and exciting way, with agricultural tools, wooden toys and peasant specialties that delight young and old alike. Here, every weekend up to 30 December, craftsmen, farmers and local associations show off their products in local huts that once sheltered cows and goats. The portechs are covered passageways that offered shelter to wayfarers, the vòlt, cellars in which cured meats and other products were stored, and the salesà alleys are  rustic backdrops of irregular stones. 

Christmas in Rovereto Garda Trentino - Ph Credits: Michele Purin

Performances, classical music concerts, cribs and creative workshops

Until 8 January the rocky walls of Arco are also the backdrop to a splendid Christmas market with typical stalls and small wooden houses in the church and the two squares. Visitors will delight in the many traditional Garda Trentino foods and wines, from polenta with goulash to strauben accompanied by cranberry jam with a dusting of icing sugar. There are also street shows, classical music concerts, cribs and creative workshops.
APT Garda Dolomiti SPA - Riva del Garda

Santa Masseza’s three weekends of fun for all ages

Finally a visit to the village of Santa Massenza is a must, to discover the true spirit of Christmas. The Vite di Luce market features crafts, culture and genuine local gastronomic delights while all kinds of events are planned from games to entertainment, music and shows.

Ph credits: Tommaso Prugnola

The UNA Group’s first Personal Room Fitness Experience has opened in Milan, in partnership with YPT Academy. The experience in the Milanese flagship Milano Verticale Hotel Una Esperienze is open to external guests and offers special tailor-made training sessions directly in the room.

Personalized lessons in villas, luxury hotels and yachts

The YPT Yacht Personal Trainer Academy, founded by Mr. Universo Fitness Massimo Alparone, introduces a new concept of fitness based on personalized lessons in exclusive contexts such as yachts, villas, and luxury hotels. Thus benefitting from the comforts of elegant hotel rooms or other reserved areas in total privacy, as well as the service of highly qualified professionals.

An innovative fitness project

"We are proud to unveil this innovative fitness project in collaboration with a partner of the highest profile and in line with the vocation for excellence of our UNA Esperienze Collection," says Fabrizio Gaggio, general manager of the UNA Group.” 

The Milano Verticale Una Esperienze, located in the Porta Nuova - Garibaldi - Corso Como district is offering internal and external guests special Personal Room Fitness packages for training sessions with fully dedicated YPT Academy trainers in a tranquil, private, and comfortable environment. 

An elegant fitness & wellness area

The Personal Gym & Spa Experience allows guests to reserve the hotel's elegant Fitness & Wellness area exclusively for an hour of private gym with a dedicated training session and an hour of private spa. Or they can choose the Luxury Fitness Experience, which includes an hour of training with a dedicated personal trainer and a full day of relaxation in one of the hotel's Penthouse Suites, for an exclusive and luxurious fitness service with elegant rooms, one-of-a-kind services, and a panoramic rooftop Jacuzzi, showers, and completely private relaxation areas on the thirteenth floor.

Garda Trentino, embraced by the northern shores of Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomite mountain range, is the ideal place to spend a special winter. Visitors will delight in its outdoor markets, events featuring typical flavours and the many happenings organised for the whole family. 

Climbing, trekking, biking, and relaxing spas

Thanks to its year-round Mediterranean climate, this area is a favourite with those who love outdoor sports, even during the cold season. There are many rockfaces and mountain climbs as well as kilometres of paths tobe enjoyed on two wheels or wearing trekking boots. While lovers of relaxation can regenerate the body and the mind at thermal baths, for example in the little spa town of Comano Terme, which is just 25 minutes by car from the regional capital Trento.  

Themed trekking trails of all levels

Trekking enthusiasts have numerous alternatives at their disposal. For those who want to delve into nature in a slow way there are themed trails in the Comano area, such as the Walnut Trail and the Potato Trail, or the walk along the Coste di Baone, where olive trees, agaves and prickly pears merge with the sparkling waters of Lake Garda. For the well-trained and daring, the Low Loop and Medium Loop of the Garda Trek are a must. These captivating trails in stages take you... one step closer to heaven and can be enjoyed all year! 

Biking trails and climbing…also for kids 

There is no shortage of options for those who wish to explore the area by bike. During the cold season, the itinerary at the foot of Monte Brione is particularly recommended. It is short and not steep, suitable for all types of wheels and perfect for a fun outing  There isno shortage of sunny crags in the area that lend themselves to being tackled during the cold season. Among them are Piazzole and Belvedere di Nago in the Garda Trentino, and Cosina in the Cavedine area. For those looking for a child-friendly crag, Famiglia San Martino, with easy and convenient access to the routes, is a firm favourite with young climbers. 

Sport, cuisine, history….and Christmas markets

The Garda Trentino Experience runs all winter with a varied programme that allow visitors to explore the area in all its facets, from sport to cuisine and from historical and cultural discoveries to wellness experiences. And Garda Trentino boasts two of the Most Beautiful Towns in Italy: Canale di Tenno and Rango, which have delightful Christmas markets throughout the festive period, while Riva del Garda organizes two Christmas events for the little ones: The House of Father Christmas and the Elf Academy. 

From 3 December to New Year's Eve with more than 150 events in one month, Rimini’s New Year's Eve will be spread across ten locations in the historic center.

The Castle on Fire will enthral young and old

The end-of-year festivities will embrace the heart of Piazza Malatesta, where the extraordinary spectacle of the Castle on Fire will be staged amidst cascades of fire and color. This is the most anticipated moment of the world's longest New Year's Eve programme, illuminated by scenic effects designed to make the Renaissance Castle of Sigismondo Malatesta sparkle in all its splendour.

A colourful musical programme   

To accompany the fire show at the castle, the entire city will be united by a musical programme that will range between all genres and touch all city points. More than 1,000 coloured light effects and synchronised effects are also planned, all in time with the music.

The end-of-year festivities kick off on 3 December

After two years in a minor version due to the pandemic, the city of Rimini will once again throw itself into the end-of-year festivities, focusing on a varied programme of music, DJ sets, lights and culture, and featuring the best artists for a musical New Year's Eve. The World's Longest New Year's Eve lasts for more than a month and begins on Saturday 3 December when the Christmas lights are turned on. Traditional lights, warm white, gold, and red, and a ceiling of stars will illuminate Piazza Cavour, with a large Christmas tree in Piazza Tre Martiri as well as three-dimensional Angels at the Arch of Augustus.

Over 150 traditional and contemporary events

The month-long programme officially begins with the lighting of the Christmas lights and includes more than 150 traditional and contemporary events, with choirs, Christmas concerts, circus shows, dancing, and a city with 400 open hotels and with restaurants, and public establishments in full operation.

For more information www.riminiturismo.it.

Italy is the first country division of the B&B Hotels group to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Certification from a long-standing multinational 

The certification aims at continuously and constantly improving the company's quality management systems in order to optimise the entire organisational structure. The award was given following an audit process conducted by Rina, a certification multinational active in more than 70 countries for over a hundred years.

Verifying all phases of the realization of a service or product

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is given to businesses that guarantee quality management systems such as meeting customer expectations, completing pre-established objectives on time and using appropriate methods, and ensuring the resources required for continuous process improvement. As a result, the end customer can have complete confidence that the services and products introduced to the market exactly correspond to certain specifications and that all phases of their realisation can be traced and verified.

“Italy is, in many ways, the pilot country for this important global project”

“Italy is, in many ways, the pilot country for this important global project,” explains Valerio Duchini, president and CEO of B&B Hotels Italy. “Obtaining, and maintaining this certificate in the future, is an important commitment for us towards our customers, partners, investors and collaborators. They can recognise in us those guarantees of safety, quality, standardisation and reliability that we have been committed to demonstrating every day for years. We are convinced that the quality of hospitality services strongly depends on internal resources, professionalism, training and process optimization. All this, combined with continuous investments in new services, innovation and sustainability.”

Confirming this trend is Civitatis, a Spanish company that recently brought a roadshow to Rome to meet travel agencies and promote b2b affiliations.

“We work with a single supplier, and avoid duplicating our offerings”

Italy is positioned as Civitatis’ second largest market and is the focus of investments for 2023, with the goal of expanding even further.

"We concentrate on the product in the local language, work with a single supplier, and avoid duplicating our offerings. We offer true-and-tried products like tours of the Vatican and art cities, but also unique experiences like hot air balloon rides, tours of small villages and luxury proposals, "explained Veronica De Iscar, Civitatis B2B Sales Director. “We have observed that the post-pandemic traveller has retained his desire for travel and experiences.”

 

A fast growing network with over 5,000 points of sale

The Civitatis agencies in Italy have grown by 27% since 2021, with over 5,000 points of sale through independent travel agencies, networks, and affiliates

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“This is allowing us to effectively expand our presence in Italy and B2B represents an important part of the turnover,” said account manager Angelica Benedetti.

Verbania is a nature paradise with a millenary culture, breathtaking views and trails that can be walked even in late autumn making it a perfect destination for lovers of open-air excursions.  On the western shores of Lake Maggiore, nestled in a romantic hilly landscape, tVerbania is an ideal choice for travellers who enjoy the outdoors, whether at a leisurely pace or taking on more challenging routes.

The Fondo Toce Nature Reserve

The Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore in the municipality of Verbania is home to the Fondo Toce Special Nature Reserve, which was established in 1990. The exceptional biodiversity of the area is evidenced by the numerous species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and insects that reside here. The ecosystem also hosts lake fish and birds as well as more than 240 species of flora, and the path through the reserve can be walked in about an hour.

The Verbania Memorial and Peace Park

The Memorial and Peace Park is of great historical interest. Standing on the site where in 1944 the Nazis shot 43 partisans, it includes a monumental area with a tall cross and a long wall engraved with the names of 1,200 partisans. An olive tree symbolizing peace, planted in 2000 by the then Israeli Ambassador, stands near the monumental wall.

Home to the author of Heidi

For those who wish to venture out on hilly trails Verbano has paths leading to Monterosso, making it possible to combine walking with places of historical and environmental interest. One of the routes to the hamlet of Cavandone starts from Suna, a picturesque village on the lake shore with lively murals.  The famous Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, author of Heidi, who set two of her novels here, used to stay in Suna, and in these two novels she celebrated the beauty and uniqueness of Verbano’s landscapes.