Lachea, a tiny island off the coast of Sicily is for travellers who like to collect unusual experiences.

Whether for their own enjoyment, or to post on Instagram that they have been somewhere others have not, this tiny speck of land in the Archipelago of the Cyclops off the coast of Sicily fits the bill.
 

Eight volcanic stacks make up the archipelago

The Cyclops Archipelago owes its name to the legend according to which the Faraglioni are the rocks that Homer in his Odyssey says were thrown by the one-eyed giant Polyphemus at Ulysses and his companions as they fled on board their boat. Lachea, which is only 250 metres long by 150 wide is the largest of the eight volcanic rocky stacks that make up the archipelago. 

A nature reserve with a small museum

They lie just off the coast of Aci Trezza, the coastline of which is known as the Riviera of the Cyclops, some 30 kilometres from Catania. At the end of the 19th century the family that owned them gave the right to use the stacks to the University of Catania. The Nature Reserve the university created has allowed the preservation of the ancient rocks, flora and fauna of the area, making the island a true natural paradise.

The landing area is rocky

At the port of Aci Trezza visitors will find no shortage of little boats for hire to take them across to the island. The crossing only takes a few minutes and visitors are left on Lachea’s rocky shoreline. This cannot really be called a beach as there is no sand, just rather uncomfortable rocks and slippery boulders, and anyone looking for a convenient spot to sunbathe is advised to go early in the morning as the area around the landing fills up.  

Bring lots of water! 

The water is transparent and the sea is rich in fish, so it is a great choice for snorkelers. The few building that can be seen belong to the study station of the Museum of the Sea which houses archaeological finds discovered in the area. There are no facilities, and no shade, so visitors should bring provisions and lots of water.  

Do a tour of the archipelago

Better alternatives are to hire a boat to do a tour of the little archipelago, or to rent a pedalo pedal boat or a canoe at the bathing establishment on Aci Trezza’s beach which is in front of the island. It is certainly the best way to spend time enjoying the beautiful views and seas in this very beautiful area.

For information: https://pti.regione.sicilia.it.

Enit, the Italian national tourist board, says that wellness travel is growing as travellers are hunting for more experiences that make them feel good, and that in the wake of the pandemic, the wellness sector is becoming increasingly important. 

Spas lead the demand this winter 

“In the 2021-2022 winter season 46% of travellers are combining sport with other activities in contact with nature. And some 22% practice an activity related to wellness, with spas in the lead (34%) followed by massages and spa and beauty treatments," says Enit’s managing director Roberta Garibaldi. "Half of Italian operators see this segment, together with nature, slow and sports tourism, as of growing importance.” 

Contact with nature is important

New scenarios and opportunities are thus opening up under the banner of sustainability. Natural resources are among the main reasons for travellers' satisfaction, with contact with nature (37%) indicated by tourists as the aspect that is most influencing their psychophysical wellbeing during their holidays this winter. 

Italy has the highest number of spas in Europe

For the accommodation industry nature tourism (46.6%) comes right after family tourism (49.2%) and some 47% of players see nature tourism as their best bet for the future. Italy can take advantage of this growing trend, as it is the European country with the highest number of spas, mainly due to its particular geological conformation and many volcanic areas. 

Not all disabilities are obvious. Health problems like autism, speech and sight impairments, diabetes and chronic pain can all be invisible. Many people with difficulties like these wear a green lanyard with a sunflower symbol which is the globally recognized sign for invisible disabilities and a simple and elegant way to make travel easier for them.  

So when you see a bright yellow sunflower, remember it means the person traveling alone may need your support and understanding. Like giving them a helping hand or more time when they are shopping, drinking a cup of coffee, or getting on or off a plane or a bus.

While wheelchair-users do not fall into the above category, they face problems getting wheelchairs on and off planes and other vehicles.  Now a company called Revolve Air has developed a wheelchair that folds away so neatly it can be placed in a plane’s overhead bin, taking up no more space than a backpack. With the first models expected to launch next year for around $2,500, they will be a godsend for travellers with mobility issues.

 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

The new Rosewood Milano, set to open in 2025, will be a short walk from the fashion district and have 70 rooms, including twenty suites.

The Statuto Group, the property's owner, has chosen the Hong Kong-based company to manage the property in the former headquarters of the Italian Commercial Bank. This will be the 4th Rosewood in Italy, following the openings of Rome and the Bauer Hotel in Venice, as well as the already operational Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany.

A Spa and a Fitness Centre

Rosewood Milanol will also have a bar and restaurant with a courtyard and garden, as well as the Asaya Spa, which will have three treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and a Fitness Centre. The project will be managed by Ko Studio, which plans to create an eclectic, colourful, and timeless environment with classic details and modern touches.  

“Milan is a perfect Rosewood urban location” 

"We are excited about this opening as it confirms our growth strategy in Europe, particularly in Italy," says Rosewood’s CEO Sonia Cheng. “Our company is expanding into strategic locations. Milan, with its own culture and dynamism, meets all the requirements of a Rosewood urban location and complements our collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the international fashion capitals where we are present, including our New York properties."

Big little weekend breaks in hotels of charm around Italy are the perfect way of stretching a weekend into a three-day staycation, as is becoming more and more popular thanks to smart working and the new work-life balances. 

These three properties, from the splendors of Venice, to beautiful green Umbria, to sunny Sorrento are just the thing for relaxing getaways in hotels of exceptional charm, character and cachet.

Ca’ di Dio, Venice

The new five-star Ca’ di Dio hotel, overlooking the iconic lagoon, is just a short distance from Piazza San Marco and one of Venice’s most exciting recent additions. Set in a building with a fascinating history, the rooms, with polished stone floors, exposed beams, upholstered paneling and Murano-glass lamps, are a contemporary take on a traditional Venetian home, and the two Altana Suites have stairs up to private roof terraces. Next to Venice’s Contemporary Art District the setting for the iconic Biennale, access to the hotel is by direct docking for arrivals in style! The Alchemia Bar and Essentia Restaurant are in the two internal courtyards and in the indoor-outdoor Vero Restaurant looking onto the lagoon, the cuisine is inspired by typical Venetian dishes, revisited with a modern touch. Ca’ di Dio offers rooms from €460 per night on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing. 

Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve

Restored and renovated since its completion in 1907, the 30-room boutique hotel overlooks the beautiful medieval town of Città della Pieve. Etruscans and Romans settled here along with Renaissance artist Pietro Vannucci, better known as Il Perugino, whose most famous paintings are hung throughout the town. Just 45 minutes from Perugia, Hotel Vannucci is equidistant from Rome and Florence and an easy drive from some of the region’s gems. In the Zafferano Restaurant, called for the saffron which is harvested by hand from the crocus blossoms, Umbria’s famous truffles, porcini mushrooms, handmade pastas, and cured meats feature on the menu.  Hotel Vannucci offers rooms from €126 per night, based on two adults sharing on a B&B basis. 

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento

This 188-year-old hotel is just an hour’s drive from Naples and sits on the clifftops of the Amalfi coastline. Popular with VIPs – Richard Wagner and Oscar Wilde both stayed here - the hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant with breath-taking views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, a gorgeous boutique spa and a fascinating history.  The rooms and public areas have frescoed ceilings and antiques.  Sorrento’s central Corso Italia is lined with caffes, restaurants and shops, but the entire historic centre has sights and eateries tucked away on little side streets. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria offers rooms starting from €637 per night on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing a garden view room.

Archaeologists last week unearthed 24 perfectly preserved bronze statues along with over six thousand coins and many votive offerings dating back some 2,300 years in a small thermal town near Siena.

“The largest deposit of Etruscan and Roman statues in Italy” 

The discovery in San Casciano dei Bagni, a small hilltop town near Siena in Tuscany known for its thermal baths, is “the largest deposit of bronze statues of the Etruscan and Roman age ever discovered in Italy and one of the most significant in the whole Mediterranean.” 

A popular spa town with a Leading Hotel of the World

San Casciano, a popular wellness resort for its thermal springs which is an hour and a half by car from Florence’s international airport, is now gearing for an onslaught of international interest in the statues with predicted soaring numbers of requests for tours and stays in the town and in its surrounding area.  It has many attractive hotels and alternative forms of accommodation including the 5-star Fonteverde Lifestyle & Thermal Resort which is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World 

A new museum in the historic centre of San Casciano 

The statues, some of which are life-size and others a metre high, were found in muddy thermal waters and date back to the time of the area’s transition from Etruscan to Roman rule.  The exceptional finds will be the centerpiece in a new museum which will open in a 16th century palace in the historic centre of San Casciano "This is the conclusion of a dream we have had for over 15 years," says Agnese Carletti, mayor of the little Tuscan town.  

Valdichiana Living is already offering guided tours

First off the mark is Valdichiana Living, a local tour operator specialized in Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Flavours of the Valdichiana Senese tours, which is already offering guided tours to the ancient sanctuary where the statues were found and to some of the artefacts that are already on display in San Casciano’s Town Hall.

Villa Saletta, an estate offering luxury hospitality in three villas in the heart of rural Tuscany, is one of the region’s most historic country estates. Set among rolling hills, wooded valleys and acres of vineyards and olive groves, Villa Saletta is an impressive property steeped in history and local culture.

An estate with a boutique winery

The current owners are the Hands family and they have brought the old agricultural complex with its vines, land, and buildings joyously back to life. Today, at the core of the estate there is a boutique winery producing award-winning red, rosé and sparkling wines. 

Three restored villas with private pools

Alongside the impressive winemaking activities, Villa Saletta offers luxury hospitality set within a collection of impeccably restored historic villas, each featuring its own secluded gardens, private pools and beautifully designed interiors and landscapes. 

Bedrooms for up to fourteen guests

Fagnana is an 19th century farmhouse with an annex set atop a hilltop with far reaching views across the valleys below. With eight bedrooms it can sleep 14. Valle is an elegant country house featuring a historic tower and is set within a tranquil secluded valley. It also includes the old hayloft which offers separate accommodations. It has seven bedrooms and can sleep 13. The secluded and peaceful Swiss-chalet-style Casolore is a hunting lodge set on a wooded hillside above the valley. With three bedrooms it can sleep six. 

Winemaking, truffle hunting and pasta-making

At Villa Saletta experiences celebrate authentic Tuscan traditions, from winemaking to truffle hunting and pasta-making as well as olive picking and sunset picnics. 

The Sopranes Lakes are in the Texel Group Nature Park, the largest of the seven nature parks in South Tyrol. One of the trails leading to the lakes starts by taking the Alta Muta cable car, with the station near the town centre. Once at the top station, then simply take path No. 22.

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A 3-hour walk to the first lake

From this point on a 13-kilometer circular route starts with an uphill climb of 1,140 meters and incomparable views from various perspectives. The first lake you reach, after about three hours, is Lago di Latte (actually there are two of them, one smaller and one larger) at 2.540 metres asl, followed by the Long Lake at 2.589 metres, the longest of the lakes at one kilometre. You then come to the Verde, Nero, Lavagna, Catino, Cesare, Vizze and Zanzare lakes.

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Residual snow or ice on the lake shores even in summer 

These gems in the centre of the Texel Group are the most beautiful and famous alpine lakes in South Tyrol. Each one us different from the next both in shape and colour, and this very beautiful area has fascinating flora and fauna. The ideal time to visit is from June to September, and it is not uncommon even then  to find residual snow or ice from the previous winter along the lake shores. For more information: dorf-tirol.it

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Piedmont is waiting to be discovered with magnificent itineraries suitable for cycling or walking thanks to the Journey in the Authentic Lands of Piedmont project. This territorial enhancement plan involves eighteen municipalities and puts the spotlight on the beautiful southern part of the Piedmont region.

Biodiversity and environmental stewardship

The Langa Cebana, Mongia, and Cevetta valleys, along with the Sorgenti del Belbo, extend beyond the better-known part of Piedmont. Following the project's launch the first tour in Langa Cebana, presented in July on the portal www.terreautentiche.it, charts two new itineraries through the Valle Mongia and Cevetta valleys and the Sorgenti del Belbo. The routes, which are open almost all year round, are a compendium of cultivated farmlands, historic villages, country churches, Langa stone Ciabot and votive altars, authentic flavours, and friendly people.

The Valle Mongia Tour and Napoleonic ruins

The Mongia Valley offers thrilling encounters with history in Napoleon's footsteps, as well as breathtaking natural beauty. The tour begins in Lesegno and continues through dense forests of oak, chestnut, beech, birch, and pine. Along the way, you'll pass through a network of well-marked paths that are ideal for mountain biking, running, or trekking, eventually arriving at Masentine, which impresses with its natural bridge over the Mongia stream, framed by lush vegetation.

In the footsteps of Bonaparte

A thrilling descent flanked by hay bale shapes leads to the town of Mombasiglio. The town has an imposing tower which is part of the castle that once served as a fortress for Napoleon’s armies. The Bonaparte Museum, which houses the largest collection of original prints and etchings by the artist Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti on Napoleon's first campaign in Italy, can be visited in the castle but it is necessary to make reservations. This first leg of the tour, following in Napoleon's footsteps, concludes with a return to Lesegno, enjoying belvedere and unparalleled views of the valleys and plains.

The treasures of the mountain route

This route passes through the municipalities of Lisio, Battifollo, and Viola, climbing up the ridges on the sides of the Mongia stream, so e-bikes are advised. Passing through Scagnello you enter a magical dimension where nature rules the landscape and, at an elevation of 900 metres asl you can enjoy an exceptional view of the entire valley and the delightful little town of Battifollo. Hikers will enjoy crossing the valley with its centuries-old chestnut and hazelnut groves, fields of ancient cereals, and buckwheat.

The ruins of a 13th-century Napoleonic castle

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve is not far from Viola Castello, on a panoramic summit that embraces the valley and with views as far as the sea. Descending towards the valley you will come across the Rocca dei Cervi rock. Back in Lisio, before finishing the tour of the Mongia Valley, you can visit numerous country chapels, and then bring home memories of this very beautiful landscape, which is as delicate as a water colour.

For information: www.terreautentiche.it