Sunday Lunch returns on 15 February at Longitude 12 Bistrot & Jardin in Le Méridien Visconti Rome in collaboration with Riso Buono and Marchesi di Barolo.

Menus featuring Piedmont and Lombardy cuisine

The lunch leads guests on a journey of discovery through the flavours of Italian cuisine across its regions and traditional recipes. In the second half of 2025, with the launch of this gastronomic initiative by Le Méridien Visconti Rome, the journey began in Campania, the homeland of Executive Chef Giuseppe Gaglione.  Sunday lunch now resumes with a series of events running until March, dedicated to two regions of northern Italy, Piedmont and Lombardy.  The menu will be built around dishes that speak of memory and conviviality, that evoke the warmth of a family lunch while recounting a living and current tradition. 

Longitude 12 BistrotJardin

The first course is from a live cooking station

The inspiration comes from an anecdote common to Piedmontese and Lombard tables: Sunday lunch began the day before, on Saturday, due to the slow preparation of recipes reserved for special occasions. The dishes served were not only nourishment for the body, but something to be eagerly awaited, shared together and remembered over time. m The execution of the traditional recipes is entrusted to the expertise of the Executive Chef of Longitude 12 Bistrot e Jardin, who will prepare a first course from the menu live at a live cooking station during each event. For the seven Sundays dedicated to Piedmont and Lombardy, the collaboration will be with Riso Buono and the Marchesi di Barolo winery.

Longitude 12 Bistrot Jardin

A tribute to the cultural value and identity of Italian food

Every Sunday, the traditional first course, a risotto made with Riso Buono, will always be prepared in Live Cooking. Other dishes, from appetisers to additional first courses and main courses, will enrich the table, and dessert is, of course,  a must. This project also aims to be a tribute to the cultural value and identity of Italian food and its gastronomic traditions, as well as lunch as a shared social ritual. On 10 December 2025, Italian cuisine was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, recognising the cultural and social value of the practices, gestures and knowledge that have been handed down through the generations.  Dates: 15 and 22 February; 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 March, from 12:00–15:00 p.m. The price (including 1 glass of Franciacorta, water, soft drinks and coffee) is €35 per person for adults and €19 per person for children aged 4 to 12. 

For reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. T. +39 06.3684. Or directly via the Instagram profile: @longitudetwelverome

Venice, poor thing, has become a victim of its own allure. While still ravishing, navigating St Mark’s Square or the Rialto Bridge requires the patience of a saint, and even the ban on large cruise ships has only taken the edge off the crowds. For travellers who want Adriatic splendour without the tourist scrum, there is an elegant alternative just up the coast: Trieste.

Trieste is Italian, but for centuries it was the Habsburg Empire’s gateway to the sea. When the Austro-Hungarians departed they left behind a mood closer to Venice than Vienna, with grand squares, neoclassical façades and old-world cafés where newspapers still matter. Its most dramatic expression is the Castello di Miramare, built for Maximilian, later Emperor of Mexico, and romantically perched high over the sea. 

In the kitchen Trieste blends Italian finesse with Central European comfort, with seafood risottos sitting happily beside bean-and-sauerkraut soup, and Viennese-style pastries vying for attention with its crisp, confident Carso wines. Far from drawing the crowds, Trieste offers elegance without exhaustion, beauty without the crush, and the luxury of feeling you are in a city that still belongs to itself. 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Palermo Airport’s new multifunctional work areas are located in the departures area.

20 new individual workstations

On the third floor of the airport, past security checks, near gate A18 and before passport control, the two areas have 20 individual workstations, two of which are for people with disabilities, and are designed to ensure comfort, functionality and connectivity for passengers waiting to board. Each workstation is equipped with electrical and USB sockets, charging points for mobile devices, ergonomic seating, dedicated LED lighting and enhanced Wi-Fi connection.

“Approaching 10 million passengers next year”

“With the opening of the new work areas and further inaugurations planned in the coming months, we are continuing with determination on the path of evolution of the airport,- says Gianfranco Battisti, CEO of Gesap, the management company of the Falcone Borsellino airport. -Thanks to the measures put in place, we have exceeded the threshold of 9.2 million passengers and we expect to approach 10 million next year, consolidating our position as a strategic asset in the Mediterranean. Our goal is clear: to make the airport increasingly competitive, sustainable and integrated with the local area."

New parking areas

Following the recent opening of the new P4 car park adjacent to the terminal, with 62 additional parking spaces, the airport's development plan includes the delivery of a new cargo area on approximately 1,000 sqm and operational since April near the old terminal. Then there will be the opening, at the end of June, of the 400sqm Prima Vista Lounge (Aviapartner) and the Planeta Amore restaurant (Autogrill, 380sqm) airside, while the the expansion of the P2 car park, with 232 new parking spaces, will be completed by August.

KM Malta Airlines has announced it is introducing new Malta-Catania flights to provide additional capacity during the peak summer season. 

Seven weekly flights through the summer season

The new summer 2026 flight schedule for the Malta–Catania route will offer passengers seven weekly flights throughout the summer season. Connections between Malta International Airport and Catania–Fontanarossa Airport will operate from Thursday 30 April 2026 to Saturday 24 October 2026. 

Morning and evening departures

Flights will operate seven times weekly, with a combination of morning and evening departures designed to meet the needs of both leisure travellers and short stays. Morning flights will be available on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while evening departures are scheduled for Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. These are ideal solutions for weekend getaways, day trips for shopping or short breaks, allowing passengers to make the most of their time in Catania.

Extra flights also at Easter 

In addition to the summer schedule, KM Malta Airlines has added extra flights for the Easter period, operating from Thursday 2 April 2026 to Monday 6 April 2026, offering passengers additional travel options during this highly sought-after holiday window.

This summer there is a risk of queues and disruption for the introduction of the new European ETIAS and EES border processing regulations.  

Significant delays and passenger frustration

We have already reviewed the two new systems that will change border processing for visa-exempt travellers entering Europe: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES). But recently problems have arisen at a number of European airports, leading to significant delays, growing passenger frustration and even missed flights.

Severe disruption in quiet winter periods

The EES officially kicked off on 12 October 2025, while the ETIAS is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of this year, but recent system failures have already caused severe disruption in airports during traditionally quiet winter periods. 

Lisbon Airport had to suspend operations

In December, Lisbon Airport was forced to suspend EES operations for three months after “serious deficiencies” led to passenger queues of up to seven hours. With summer traffic into Europe expected to be significantly heavier and dominated by leisure travellers using the system for the first time, these early failures raise serious concerns about the readiness of EES for the peak season.

ETIAS is a security check

ETIAS is an online pre-travel authorization, expected to come into force in late 2026. It is not a visa, but a security check that travellers must complete before travelling to 30 European countries. The fee will be €7, and once approved, ETIAS will normally be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

The entry/Exit System uses biometric data

ETIAS does not involve fingerprinting or photographs. Instead, biometric data will be collected under a separate system called the Entry/Exit System (EES). This system will register fingerprints and a facial image the first time a non-EU traveller enters the Schengen Area, replacing the current system of manual passport stamping. The biometric registration will be valid for three years, and subsequent entries should be quicker as travellers will be able to use automated e-gates where available.

The EES will replace passport stamping

Once EES is fully implemented, passport stamping will end, but there is no confirmed date for this yet, and the rollout will be gradual rather than immediate. Trials and early testing of EES have already caused long delays at some airports, even during quieter travel periods. These issues are now raising concerns about peak summer travel, when many holidaymakers may be using the system for the first time.

Countries can decide to delay or suspend the EES 

To manage these challenges, the EU has adopted a flexible, phased approach, allowing individual countries to delay, limit, or temporarily suspend EES operations if necessary. As a result, manual passport checks and stamping may continue at busy times or in certain locations during the transition period.  As the run-in to the peak-season starts and demand starts ramping up, airport management companies are keeping their fingers crossed that they can keep operations running smoothly throughout the summer period. 

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has begun marketing its first hotel in Venice, which will officially open next summer as Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice. 

The Danieli is undergoing renovations 

The hotel, one of the city's landmarks, will welcome guests on 26 August 2026, following an ambitious renovation and repositioning in the luxury segment. Located opposite the lagoon on the Riva degli Schiavoni, and just a few metres from St. Mark's Square, the former Hotel Danieli is being integrated into the group's Italian portfolio.

“A new chapter for the legendary Hotel Danieli”

The hotel occupies three interconnected historic buildings (the 15th-century Palazzo Dandolo, the 19th-century Palazzo Casa Nuova and the 20th-century Palazzo Danieli Excelsior) and has undergone extensive renovation led by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. “Venice is a city we have long wanted to welcome into our growing portfolio of luxury experiences, and with deep respect for its place in history and immense enthusiasm for what the future holds, we are opening a new chapter for the legendary Hotel Danieli,” said Adrian Messerli, president of hotel operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

A rooftop restaurant and two cocktail bars

The hotel will have 120 rooms and suites, many with direct views of the lagoon, and will be able to accommodate families with connecting rooms. It will be managed by Christian Zandonella, who has previous experience in destinations such as Rome and Capri. The culinary offering centres on the Terrazza Danieli restaurant, located on the hotel's rooftop, under the direction of executive chef Adriano Rausa. The cuisine is based on local products, including ingredients from the island of Sant'Erasmo. The hotel will also feature two cocktail bars and a space dedicated to corporate events and private parties, with approximately 850 sqm of meeting rooms.

Another 56 rooms and suites in 2027

In a second stage, scheduled for completion in late 2026, the Danieli Spa will open, featuring a wellness area, sauna and hammam. In 2027, the hotel will add 56 new rooms and suites, bringing the total accommodation capacity to 176 units. With this opening, Four Seasons consolidates its expansion in Italy, where it is already present in Milan, Florence and Taormina (Sicily), and has new projects in the pipeline, including a resort in Puglia.

Bari's Karol Wojtyla Airport enters the top 15 European airports with the highest passenger traffic growth.

One of the most dynamic airports in Europe

This ranking confirms Bari's Karol Wojtyla Airport’s position as one of the most dynamic airports in Europe, according to a recent analysis by Council International, relating to the first half of 2025.

Reaffirming the strong appeal of Puglia

As reported in a statement by Aeroporti di Puglia, the company that manages Bari airport: “This is an important milestone that confirms Bari airport as one of the airports with the highest growth trend in Europe and reaffirms the strong appeal of Puglia, an increasingly popular destination for foreigners both for leisure and work. The result is a concrete recognition of the region's ability to meet international demand and enhance its economic, cultural and tourist potential.”

Bari airport is 14th in the ranking

Bari airport comes 14th in the ranking. The top three airports are London Heathrow (United Kingdom), the leader in terms of passenger volume, followed by Istanbul (Turkey) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (France). Trieste closes the ranking.

From 2 February 2026 visitors are faced with paid access to some iconic Roman sites, including the Trevi Fountain.

Visitors pay a €2 entrance fee

Roma Capitale, the body that manages the city, introduced the new tariff for its Civic Museums and heritage sites, introducing paid access for visitors and non-residents to selected landmarks that were previously free. The most high-profile change concerns the Trevi Fountain, where tourists are now required to purchase a €2 entry ticket. 

Also applicable to five civic museums

The same tariff applies to five civic museums that have long been open without charge.  These are the Giovanni Barracco Ancient Sculpture Museum, the Carlo Bilotti - Aranciera di Villa Borghese Museum, the Pietro Canonica Museum, the Napoleonic Museum and Villa di Massenzio.  For non-residents, these measures represent a move toward a “user contribution” model, which means modest entry fees designed to generate revenue for monument maintenance and the overall safeguarding of Rome’s cultural assets. In a city facing record visitor numbers and rising preservation costs, the policy aims to align tourism demand with long-term sustainability.

MIC Card holders do not pay

The new system also strengthens the role of the Roma MIC Card, a €5 annual pass that allows holders, including non-resident individuals living in Rome and university students, to access the civic museum network free for 12 months, avoiding ticket queues where possible, and benefitting from reduced prices on exhibitions and cultural events.

Contributing to preserving iconic sites

With this reform, Rome joins a growing number of global heritage cities that are asking visitors to contribute directly to the preservation of the sites they come to see. For information:  www.museiincomuneroma.it.

Italy is set to welcome some hundred new 5-star hotels in 2026, many through rebrandings, and new trends show how luxury hospitality is no longer being defined by scale alone, but by how it is imagined, executed, and experienced

Some key themes stand out. First, quiet luxury replaces overt opulence with the grand hotel giving way to smaller room counts, discreet service, and calm over spectacle. Sustainability becomes a marker of status with the use of low-impact materials, local sourcing and waste reduction. 

Place becomes the ultimate luxury, with new five-stars embedding craftsmanship, traditional cuisine, and local storytelling into every detail. Guests no longer want a globally familiar product; they want to feel they are there.

Relaxation now extends far beyond the spa, with sleep quality, acoustics, air, and mental balance underpinning wellness in place of fleeting indulgence.  Sophisticated systems discreetly anticipate guest needs as high-tech moves behind the scenes and high-touch is introduced to the experience. 

As 5-stars move towards less panache, more meaning, and a clearer sense of place, Italy is ideally positioned to usher in a new era of luxury hospitality.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor