Naples’ Centrale station stands alone for Italy in the top ten of the European Railway Station Index. 

Naples Cenrrale station is in the top ten

This annual report, now in its fourth edition, ranks the 50 best large European railway stations.

This year stations in Switzerland and Austria dominate the top positions, with Zurich claiming the title of the best railway station in Europe for 2023, followed by Vienna, Berlin, and Bern. The significant revelation this year is Napoli Centrale's debut in the top ten, scoring 86 points. This places it ahead of Rome's Termini Station (78 points, ranked 16th), Bologna Centrale (71 points, ranked 26th), and Milano Centrale (68 points, ranked 29th).

Many factors are judged including late trains

The index, developed by the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC), an independent association dedicated to consumer advocacy across approximately one hundred countries, evaluates factors such as ticket offices, the range of services offered, accessibility options, transport links, free Wi-Fi availability, and the quality of coverage.  Among the variables considered, and prioritised by passengers, are the types of tickets, apps, waiting times, and the percentage of late trains. Napoli Centrale's inclusion in the top ten reflects its positive standing in these crucial aspects, making it a standout railway station in the European context.

The Bwh Group’s newest entry in the Lazio region is the Best Western Plus Saubadia.

This leisure and business hotel is open all year 

With 37 rooms and a restaurant, American bar, meeting room for 100, swimming pool with an outdoor whirlpool and a spa with a sauna and relaxation lounge, Best Western Plus Saubadia is the latest new entry for the Bwh Hotels Italia group. The property is open all year round in this traditionally leisure destination that, due to its strategic location, also attracts business guests. The hotel, which underwent a radical restyling in 2020, has a contemporary design and a further expansion of its wellness area is planned for next year.

“We are one of the very few hotels in Italy to be in energy class A4”

"We have an ecological and sustainable vocation, and are one of the very few hotels in Italy to be in energy class A4,- explains the hotel's owner, Marco Lamonica. -We have entrusted Bwh Hotels Italia with boosting our business and giving it visibility on the Italian and international markets.” 

The French group Leitmotiv opens in Italy with Casa Monti in Rome, following the opening of La Fantaisie in Paris. 

The new 5-star will be in Rome’s Monti district 

Scheduled to open in spring 2024 the hotel will pay a romantic tribute to the Monti district: a unique area packed with craft shops, historic wine bars and contemporary art galleries. It will be a five-star hotel with 36 rooms, including ten suites on six floors. 

A rooftop terrace and a restaurant

There will also be a restaurant, an aperitif bar, a rooftop terrace and a spa with panoramic views of the city. The property was acquired in 2018 by Panister srl, a company that can be traced back to the same Kampf family that owns Leitmotiv which currently operates two hotels in France.

From next year the Apulian Rosa Marina will become the Ostuni a Mare. 

The property will be managed by Egnazia

The rebranding operation follows the decision, last January, to entrust the management of the resort to the San Domenico Hotels Group (now Egnazia). The project, led by the Marseglia family, owners of the resort since 1984, also includes a series of investments aimed at expanding the complex's offerings.

Aiming for new markets and for private and corporate events

The renovations  of the Rosa Marina Resort include the creation of ten new junior suites and ten suites, the renovation of the public areas, the opening of tennis and padel courts, as well as the introduction of other sporting activities and the expansion of the food and beverage outlets. With these innovations Ostuni a Mare aims to reach new markets and attract more customers, welcoming guests in a historic but modernized and revitalized resort. The hotel boasts 222 rooms, making it a venue also for the private and corporate events market.  

“We hope to be an inspiration for tourism growth”

“Our focus remains on spontaneous and authentic hospitality, – says Leonardo Marseglia. - This new chapter allows us to welcome our guests in a renovated, modern environment in tune with the needs of the contemporary traveller. I thank the Egnazia Group for supporting our vision: Aldo Melpignano's management company is showing us the way to give new life to a place that we hope will once again be an inspiration for tourism growth in the area".  

The Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, starting from Domodossola, has a Winter for 2 promotion from 8 January to 3 March 2024.

Two tickets for the price of one

The Vigezzina-Centovalli railway operates 365 days a year, and two passengers travelling together will pay for only one ticket departing from the Italian terminus in Domodossola and making an intermediate stop. The price of €37 includes the seat reservation and any supplement for travelling on the panoramic blue and white trains.

Domodossola has many attractions

The two terminuses, Domodossola, and Locarno in the Ticino region, are well worth a visit, even on short winter days. Domodossola is completing the renovation of its historic centre and expanding the area closed to vehicular traffic. Just a few steps from the Domodossola railway station takes you to the Piazza Mercato square, and then to the renovated, pedestrian Via Rosmini, and from there to the UNESCO site of Sacro Monte Calvario. Not to be missed is a visit to the Civic Museums of Palazzo San Francesco (open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm).

A trail to explore on snowshoes

A stop in the Vigezzo Valley is a unique chance for winter sports buffs thanks to the Piana di Vigezzo Resort. For those who prefer slow outdoor activities, the Vigezzo Valley has a trail of some 15 kilometres that runs through a spruce pine forest and can also be enjoyed on snowshoes.

Hotel Byron in Forte dei Marmi closes the 2023 season with a 40% rise in occupancy.

New suites and a regained Michelin star

This success is despite the postponement of the reopening to May after CEO Salvatore Madonna put boutique hotel through a process of renovation and expansion.   "The 18 new suites and the architectural refinement,- explains Madonna, -have attracted guests not only from Italy, but also from Europe and the United States, where we have always focusing on a sophisticated and demanding target.” The renovation also included the restaurants, led by chef Marco Bernardo, with Onda, the poolside Mediterranean bistrot offering a menu inspired by the sea and local flavours, and La Magnolia, which regained a Michelin star this year, offering fine dining.

“One of our next goals is to purchase a beach”

The Byron Hotel has always been a privileged venue for contemporary international art exhibitions, and this summer it hosted Pop UP: an exhibition of emerging artists curated by the Sav Gallery of Los Angeles. "We are extremely satisfied with the 2023 results. They encourage us to continue investing in our staff, in our restaurants and in art. One of our next goals is to purchase a beach, to offer an even more complete experience to our guests."

The recent opening of the winter season at the Valtur Cristallo Ski Resort in Cervinia brought with it a new GM: Giampaolo Padula. 

A career with stellar brands 

Padula, who has achieved Michelin stars in several hotels and partnerships with stellar brands such as the famous Maison Krug was formerly general manager of the Caesar Augustus Hotel in Capri, the Hotel d'Inghilterra in Rome, the Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples, and the Hotel Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort &Spa in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

“The target now is to further diversify”

"Having been gm and advisor to prestigious international groups, I immediately realized the potential of an unprecedented project such as the Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort” says Padula.  “With the brand's management I shared a new idea of hospitality that combines the excellence of an upscale product with some of the dynamics of tour operating as it will be in the future. The challenge now is to take this property beyond this excellent start, by further diversifying its innovative resources, prestigious partners, and target customers. I look forward to getting down to business and making the most of the assets of this new Alpine treasure.” 

Autentico Villas was launched by Geco Vacation Rentals, an established brand in the villas and holiday homes sector, and Autentico Hospitality, the hotel network that symbolizes high-end Italian hospitality.

Two partners with long years of experience

The idea was to combine the many years of experience of both partners and create a collection of prestigious villas and flats in exclusive settings in the most characteristic and authentic Italian destinations. The spirit of Italian authenticity and excellence in hospitality is the same that that characterizes the Autentico Hotels brand.

Over 100 prestigious villas and estates in Italy

Autentico Villas today counts over 100 prestigious villas and estates throughout Italy, these can be chosen on the portal with a convenient search by region, budget, type and characteristics. Autentico Villas avails itself of a Channel Manager that connects more than 50 worldwide portals specialized both on the product and on specific markets. In turn it collaborates with over 100 Agencies specialized in villas and holiday homes by connecting to the platform and finalizing instant bookings.

Specialized staff is on hand 24/7  

Owners who want to put their villa on the market can rely on the specialists of Autentico Villas, who are working to expand the portfolio to all Italian regions. A specialized staff is available 7 days a week to guide potential customers in their choice of over 100 high-end accommodation solutions - which become 600 with the Geco Vacation Rentals brand. For information: www.autenticovillas.com.

An agreement with AA+G Hospitality

AA+G Hospitality Management  recently announced a partnership with Autentico Hospitality.Gianluca Giglio CEO of AA+G Hospitality expressed his enthusiasm, saying: "This partnership marks a pivotal moment for AA+G Hospitality as we join forces with Autentico Hospitality to boost sales of our prestigious collection of hotels.” Mario Cardone CEO of Autentico Hospitality said: "We are excited to partner with AA+G Hospitality and contribute to the success of the hotels in their portfolio. Autentico Hospitality is committed to providing all its experience and network of contacts to drive sales and spread the AA+G Hospitality brand around the world".

4L Collection, the company led by Antonio Lazzarini and his children has separated from Omnia group.

The two companies decided to split

Until recently both belonged to Sive (€69 consolidated turnover in 2022). The latter, reports Pambianco Hotellerie, has just completed the civil procedure to split the two companies. Almost simultaneously 4L Collection received a loan of €12 million from Crédit Agricole Italia, for the purchase of the Traiano Hotel in Rome. The loan is linked to incentive mechanisms for sustainable practices, and the level of investment is subject to the achievement of certain progressive ESG objectives.

Promoting Italy through partnerships

Traiano Hotel is a four-storey property with 42 rooms close to Trajan's Forum. With this new acquisition, 4L Collection portfolio increases to eight hotels and a total of 860 rooms, all in Rome. For the next few years 4L Collection aims not only to grow in terms of finances and presence on the market, but also to promote ad hoc projects through partnerships and activities to support Italian design, fashion, craftsmanship and manufacturing.

Ravenna is home to eight UNESCO monuments and some of the world’s most famous mosaics.  

Italy’s City of Mosaics

All these monuments are in the city centre, and in fact so close together that it is possible to walk from one to the other. But what is more important is that they contain the best mosaics in the western world.  Located in the Emilia-Romagna region, in the northeast of Italy, and not far from the Adriatic seaboard, it takes about an hour by road from Bologna to Italy’s City of Mosaics, while from both Florence and Venice it is just over two hours. More than 1,500 years ago this ancient city was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire, and the first seat of the Barbarian Kingdom of Italy.

Guided tours are recommended

Ravenna’s mosaics cover so many centuries and civilizations, from Western Rome to Byzantine, that a guided tour of all the sites is highly recommended.  Two must-sees are the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. To visit them all and enjoy the experience, two days are ideal, also because there are other interesting things to see and do in Ravenna.  While the Basilica and the Mausoleum look quite plain outside with brick exteriors, the interiors are such a riot of coloured mosaics they take your breath away.  In San Vitale the entire apse is covered with the city’s most famous mosaic showing the Emperor Justinian in his court, the Empress Theodora with her ladies-in-waiting, and a sitting Christ. 

A starry sky that seemingly inspired Cole Porter

Galla Placidia is a lot smaller but no less stunning and has the oldest mosaics in Ravenna dating back to the 5th century A.D. With 570  gold stars and a large gold cross on a dark blue background on the ceiling it is said that Cole Porter was inspired by this for his famous song Night and Day.  Ravenna is also home to the tomb of Italy’s greatest poet Dante Alighieri who was born in Florence but first exiled and then buried here. 

The piadina is the delicious local flatbread

On the pedestrian shopping streets that fan out from the central Piazza del Popolo Square the restaurants and cafes, boutiques and food stores display the many excellent local products and foodstuffs like the local piadina.  This simple and delicious toasted flatbread is made with lard and filled with cheese, cured ham, vegetables and even preserved fruit. A simple and simply mouthwatering traditional street food.