ItaliAbsolutely’s four June Webinars which focused on Sicily’s GAL Etna area were a showcase for international buyers.

European and US buyers discovered Gal Etna

The four-part ItaliAbsolutely Webinar series, dedicated to the GAL Etna area, unfolded as an engaging digital exploration of this appealing part of Sicily with each session focused on a key theme: environment, nature and sports; food and wine excellence; art and culture; and traditional festivals and religious tourism. The participants were international buyers from across Europe and the United States, who tuned in for strategic territorial insights and perspectives from Andrea Brogna, director of GAL Etna, together with Valerio Torriero and Paolo Teoducci, respectively sales manager and COO of True Italian Experience.

An invitation to an exclusive fam trip in Southern Piedmont

At the end of each session, attendees received a comprehensive digital sales kit including videos, interviews, and high-resolution images, along with access to the full webinar recordings; tools designed to turn inspiration into innovative new travel packages. As a grand finale all participants were officially invited to join the exclusive fam trip “Discover the Outdoor Soul of Southern Piedmont,” scheduled from September 15 to 18, 2025, in the Langhe Monferrato Roero area. This promises to be a deep dive into the region’s landscapes, flavors, and heritage, offering a blend of workshops, tastings, nature-based excursions, and B2B encounters with local tourism operators.

Join the fam trip in Southern Piedmont

Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to propose a webinar about any Italian destinations that interest you.

The mountains around Brescia open their doors to a summer of history nature and sport.

A paradise for nature lovers

Summer is a harbinger of active holidays and wellness in stunning natural surroundings: the Valle Camonica, Valle Trompia and Valle Sabbia valleys which are a concentration of the best that Italy has to offer mountain lovers during the summer. They offer uncontaminated nature, enchanting villages, the possibility of practising every kind of Alpine sport (from trekking to mountain biking, from climbing to cycling), accommodation facilities of every type (from refined hotels to super-equipped campsites), a warm welcome, genuine products and the tasty typical cuisine. All this surrounded by exciting landscapes, nature parks and history, as seen in the enduring legacy of the First World War.

The Valle Camonica, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Known all over the world as the “Valley of the Signs” for the rock engravings declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 (the first Italian site to obtain this recognition), the Valle Camonica is synonymous with history, culture, medieval villages, but also nature and sport. Extremely rich in biodiversitỳ, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2018 and its protected areas make up more than 55% of the entire territory. If in the upper part, with the well-known resorts of Ponte di Legno and Tonale, one finds the quintessence of the most traditional and authentic Alpine holiday, the middle and lower parts reserve unexpected surprises, including thermal baths, UNESCO masterpieces, extraordinary pictorial cycles, memorable bike trails, scenic paths, vineyards, and fun experiences for families. With hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails and splendid nature parks like the Stelvio National Park and the Adamello Park, the Camonica Valley is a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities.

Ph Giacomo Podetti

Lots of new and exciting outdoor activities

The Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium for the summer of 2025 has many significant novelties such as the Bike Park which has got an upgraded practice field. At Passo Tonale the new Jump Line and a Mini Downhill, almost 2 kilometres long are perfect for those who want to approach this electrifying sport for the first time. At the Passo Tonale Family Village, the Kids Bike Park has three tracks of easy, medium and difficult levels, while a fixed Pump track is located a short distance away. And between Ponte di Legno and Temù a new route has been added which serves as a return track to Temù. 

The Water Festival is a big draw

Summer then turns the spotlight back on the Water Music Festival and the importance of water which will feature in in various points starting from Lake Valbiolo at Passo Tonale, which from 4 July to 31 August will allow visitors to experience a floating walkway almost in contact with water. A day out at Sozzine Park and the Marmot Village in Valbiolo is a must for families.

Hiking and the first Skymarathon

In the Upper Camonica Valley, Corteno – together with the nearby and inseparable Aprica - offers a perfect blend of nature, sport and adventure for those seeking a mountain to be experienced at 360°. The variety of routes is perfect both for families and experienced hikers.  The famous and challenging 4 July Trail, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first Skymarathon, will hosts the European Skyrunning Championships from 3 to 5 July and in summer, a number of lifts are open to take visitors up for hiking or to enjoy a meal one of the cosy refuges.  

Borno for exhilarating mountain experiences

In Borno summer is a time for trekking, cycling, yoga, and concerts in wonderful natural settings. There are also four downhill trails of different levels that descend from Mount Altissimo and provide pure adrenaline. Returning this year is the exciting Alba Altissima (23 August): a unique experience that allows you to experience the birth of a new day on Mount Altissimo before a rich breakfast with local products. Until 7 September, the lifts and hut will be open every weekend in June and July, and every day in August. 

A holiday full of ideas awaits in the Media and Bassa Valle Camonica overlooking Lake Iseo. Darfo Boario Terme  has thermal baths immersed in a large thermal park with Wellness & Beauty Centre, an oasis of wellbeing and relaxation, two indoor pools with thermal water and an outdoor pool. In Darfo  fun is guaranteed at Aquaplanet, the large water park with nine slides of various heights and pools for all ages, and there are many excursions to be enjoyed in the surrounding area. For those who prefer a slow walk, the Via Valeriana and the Cammino di Carlo Magno are two scenic, historical and cultural routes that can be travelled over several days or in sections, from the Valle Camonica to Lake Iseo on the Via Raetia, while for cycling enthusiasts the Camuno section of the Ciclovia del Fiume Oglio is a must. 

In Valle d'Aosta, until September, river tourism consists of water sports and Alpine nature.

Adrenaline-fuelled river activities

Visitors can follow the flow aboard rubber dinghies, canoes and kayaks, down the torrents of the Dora Baltea, in the Alps, with numerous adrenaline-fuelled river activities that are available along the inland waterways of this mountainous region.

From canyoning to hydrospeeding

Canyoning combines elements of mountaineering and water sports as you traverse mountain streams between rocky walls, overcoming natural obstacles such as waterfalls, erosion-smoothed slides and jumps. The activity does not require any special skills and is done with the assistance of a mountain guide. Hydrospeed, which is similar to canyoning needs the aid of a sort of board with which you tackle the waters of rivers and streams with your body alone.

Kayaking and rafting are also popular

River kayaking is another discipline that involves travelling along waterways. Kayaks are manoeuvred from a seated position in the cockpit and are designed to tackle rapids, currents and natural obstacles. Canadian canoes are suitable for transporting several people and differ from kayaks in that they use a single-bladed paddle and offer greater comfort as they are more stable, and so more suitable for those who are not too expert when it comes to water sports. Rafting consists of descending a river in rubber dinghies with specialized guides along routes that vary in difficulty and duration and are also suitable for children and teenagers.

Outdoor water experiences in all seasons

The Aosta Valley, framed by some of the highest peaks in Europe and crossed by numerous waterways, is an ideal destination for active and sporting tourism. The presence of the Dora Baltea and its tributaries offers a wide range of river activities, with equipped routes and stunning natural scenery, making the region an attractive destination for outdoor experiences in all seasons. For information: https://www.lovevda.it/it/sport/rafting-canoa-e-kayak

Blu Hotels has acquired the Sport Hotel Cristal in Maso Corto, Val Senales, for €6 million to create the Blu Senales Family & Sport Resort.

Piedmont’s finest bubbles were on stage in Rome recently at Palazzo Brancaccio for the second edition of "Alta Langa Roma." 

Putting the Alta Langa into the tourist spotlight

The event was a dynamic showcase of Piedmont’s premium traditional-method sparkling wine and highlighted the region’s vocation for authentic tourism. Organized by the Consorzio Alta Langa, the event welcomed a strong showing of accredited trade guests and 34 producers who presented 75 cuvées.

“Connecting the trade with the quality, and market potential of Alta Langa”

The goal was to create a strategic appointment in the capital for industry professionals to engage directly with Alta Langa DOCG—a vintage-only, classic-method sparkling wine grown in the high hills of southern Piedmont. “This is more than a wine tasting, it is a platform to connect the trade with the quality, and market potential of Alta Langa,” said Paolo Bongioanni, regional councillor for commerce, agriculture, and tourism, Regione Piemonte. The sold-out masterclasses led by Marco Reitano, head sommelier at Rome’s 3-Michelin La Pergola, were a sell-out.

An alternative off-the-beaten-track region

Founded in 2001, the Consorzio Alta Langa today unites 90 producers and 90 growers, with a shared goal to build a sparkling wine category that reflects the identity and value of the territory, complementing the Langhe and Roero while offering a less saturated more discoverable alternative for visitors seeking to explore Italy off-the-beaten track.  

“We offer emotions, not just experiences”

Giovanni Minetti, at the helm of the Consorzio Alta Langa for just four weeks, described Alta Langa not only as a product, but as a destination brand. “When we talk about wine, we talk about culture. And when we talk about culture, we’re talking about tourism, The Alta Langa is different, it offers experiential tourism with authenticity. With pristine landscapes and many biking and hiking trails, it is far from mass tourism, a new frontier for high-value wine tourism. While the Langhe area is now grappling with overtourism, the Alta Langa offers space and the chance to discover something untouched. But more than that, we want to deliver emotions. Because emotions are what stay with people, and what they talk about when they go home.” 

The FS Treni Turistici Italiani proposal is expanding, and from next autumn it will add new destinations departing from Rome to Umbria, Tuscany and Piedmont.

Slow travel on renovated trains

These are itineraries designed for travellers wishing to enjoy a slow, sustainable and comfortable travel experience on board completely renovated trains. The itineraries lead through nature to destinations that are rich in culture and traditions and with excellent food and wine. The autumn offer is already on sale, allowing travellers, groups and tour operators to plan their trip in advance.

Daily round-trips through Tuscany

Starting in September it will be possible to travel from Rome to Siena aboard the Val d'Orcia Espresso, running every Saturday and Sunday from 6 September to 1 December. The train will depart from Roma Termini at 7:42 a.m. stopping at some of the most charming locations on the Maremma coast and in the Tuscan hinterland, such as Tarquinia, Capalbio, Orbetello, Grosseto, Montepescali, Monte Antico, Monte Amiata, Torrenieri Montalcino and Asciano, with an expected arrival in Siena at 1:20 p.m. The journeys include round trips on the same day, offering the opportunity to explore the Val d'Orcia and historical Tuscan villages.

Weekends in the Langhe and day trips to Umbria

The Langhe-Monferrato Express will depart Roma Termin from 19 October to 28 November, taking passengers to Alba for the International White Truffle Fair. The train will leave every Friday evening at 19:57, with stops in Acqui Terme, Nizza Monferrato and Asti, and arrive in Alba on Saturday morning at 10:35. The return journey is scheduled for Sunday, leaving Alba at 18:20, offering an entire weekend immersed in the autumn atmosphere of the Langhe. The Assisi Express will run every Sunday from 5 October to 7 December between Umbria and Tuscany taking passengers to some of the most fascinating and spiritual locations in central Italy, before arriving in Arezzo.

UNA Italian Hospitality makes its debut in Calabria with the affiliation of Tenuta Contessa Farm & SPA Cosenza, a member of the UNA Hotels Collection.

Breathtaking views from the Pollino Massif to the Sila plateau

The property, in the heart of Calabria’s Valle del Crati, with UNA Hotels , has has breathtaking views from the Pollino Massif to the Sila plateau, and is an old 19th century farmhouse. It is close to some of the most important urban centres in the area, as well as to characteristic local villages.

Ideal for families and business travellers

Thanks to its wide range of services and its strategic location, the elegant 4-star hotel is the ideal base for couples and families wishing to visit the Calabrian hinterland and enjoy a few days of relaxation to discover the region's cultural and gastronomic appeal. It is also suitable for business travellers who choose to stay in the tranquillity of the countryside, where comfort and good food are combined with the convenience of being close to the main communications routes to the surrounding urban centres.

23 suites surrounded by vineyards and olive groves

Easily reachable from the A2 motorway junction of Montalto Uffugo, Tenuta Contessa Farm & SPA Cosenza allows guests to travel comfortably around the area for conferences and business meetings between Cosenza, Rende and other nearby locations. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, UNA Hotels Tenuta Contessa Farm & SPA Cosenza has 23 suites overlooking the surrounding landscape, for immersive and regenerating stays. All rooms have modern furnishings, rustic colours, and details inspired by Calabrian rural tradition as well as large desks designed to comfortably use tablets and PCs. The charming location and the availability of workstations directly in the room allow business travellers to work comfortably even in the hotel.

A Bio and Wine Bar and the Lucia Madre Restaurant

The hotel's offer is enriched by the Escape Bio & Wine Spa: an exclusive wellness centre, and a fitness room. The beating heart of the estate is the Lucia Madre Restaurant, inspired by a philosophy of agricultural cuisine with a Mediterranean flavour, aimed at enhancing the work of small local producers and the produce coming directly from the estate's organic vegetable garden. In parallel with the restaurant's usual gastronomic offer, guests have the opportunity to enjoy personalized experiences around the local area, designed to allow them to discover its traditions and peculiarities: sensory paths, cooking lessons, and extra virgin olive oil and wine tastings.

UNA Italian Hospitality now has 56 properties

With this new UNA Hotels Tenuta Contessa Farm & SPA UNA Italian Hospitality has 56 properties, consolidating its presence in Southern Italy, reinforcing its vocation to promoting levels of hospitality that know how to tell a story of territorial excellence while offering personalized experiences of Italian style.

Following its debut in June last year, Neos' seasonal Palermo-New York route is back in operation, with two weekly frequencies on Fridays and Sundays until 24 October 2025.