The route will be served four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Both Rome and Milan services

The new Rome service joins the flights to Milan Malpensa, and it will take off from Muscat at 15.00 and arrive in Fiumicino at 19.30, while the return flight will depart Rome at 20.30 and arrive in Oman at 05.45.

“Rome is a perfect addition to our network”

“Our new direct flights to Rome represent an exciting step in our transformation,” commented Oman Air's CEO, Con Korfiatis. “As our second destination in Italy, this key route not only enhances our European offering, but also marks the beginning of our strategy to maximise the utilisation of our narrow body fleet. Rome, one of the most visited cities in the world, is a perfect addition to our network.” 

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on long-haul

The Omani airline is also pushing ahead with fleet renewal: on long-haul routes by early next year, the carrier will operate exclusively with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners while for medium-haul routes, it will switch to a fleet of B737 Max 8s by mid-2026, after retiring the 737-800s.

Ninfa, a beautiful and romantic garden, just over an hour south-east of Rome, has been called the most beautiful and romantic garden in the world by the New York Times.

In the province of Latina not far from Rome

The name Ninfa (nymph) comes from an ancient Roman temple that was dedicated to the nymphs that were the goddesses of water.  This oasis was created by the Caetani family on the ruins of the medieval city of the same name and it is in a beautiful position, at the foot of the Lepini Mountains in the province of Latina in the Lazio region.

The garden is a WWF Oasis and a natural monument

Every year from March to November, but only on certain days of the year (check on the website at the bottom of this article) so as to preserve the delicate environmental balance, guided tours are organized around the gardens.  On 20 acres it has over 1,300 plant species as well as the ruins of a castle and many streams that form a small lake.   In 1976 a WWF Oasis was established to support the flora and fauna, while in 2000 the whole area of Ninfa was declared a natural monument and is visited by over 70,000 tourists a year. We suggest visiting in April and May when the garden is at its most colourful.  

A romantic English-style garden

Down the centuries the ancient town of Ninfa was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1298 it was purchased by the Caetani family, and for a hundred years disputed between them and the Borgias. It was only towards the end of the 19th century that the Caetanis finally returned to their possession, reclaiming the marsh lands, planting trees and roses in large numbers, and creating an English style romantic garden. For information; https://www.italia.it/en/lazio/things-to-do/the-garden-of-ninfa

Nestled off the northern coast of Sicily, Salina is a stunning secret hideaway in the Aeolian Archipelago.

There are seven Aeolian islands 

There are seven Aeolian islands and, while its sister islands—Lipari, Stromboli, and Panarea—often steal the spotlight, Salina – which counts less than 3,000 inhabitants, remains a well-kept secret, offering a serene escape from the usual tourist trails. For authentic island experiences with unparalleled culinary delights, Salina is the perfect base for any Aeolian adventure and can be reached by ferry from many Italian ports including Palermo, Messina, Reggio Calabria and Naples. 

Salina’s main port is Santa Marina

Salina’s landscape is dominated by the striking twin peaks of ancient volcanic cones, which have blessed the island with fertile, mineral-rich soil. The island's main port, Santa Marina, welcomes visitors with the quintessential charm of a classic Sicilian town bristling with narrow streets lined with quaint houses, inviting seafood trattorias, and chic aperitif bars. There is also no shortage of charming boutiques, where hand-painted ceramics and artisanal food products reflect the island's rich culture and traditions.

Tranquil villages and black sand beaches 

For those who crave a deeper connection with the island's soul, the tranquil villages of Malfa and Leni offer a peaceful retreat, far removed from the tourist bustle. Here there are hidden black sand beaches awaiting exploration, while the cool interiors of stunning churches provide a welcome respite from the Mediterranean sun. Scenic trails wind through olive groves, leading to breathtaking lookout points that showcase the island's natural beauty. 

Pollara, the quintessence of authentic Sicilian charm

Pollara, a tiny, whitewashed village on the north coast has dramatic cliffs, unspoiled vistas and a small shingle beach, and is a place where time slows down and the simple pleasures of life—stunning views, delicious food, and genuine hospitality—abound. Look no further than Salina: an island paradise that combines natural beauty with authentic Sicilian charm.  

The legendary Alitalia brand has just made a comeback.

After years of nostalgia for a name that accompanied generations of travellers worldwide, ITA Airways has reintroduced the Alitalia logo. It is a soft reintroduction, “Inspired by Alitalia” that, by the end of 2024, ITA Airways says will be part of its brand “at select strategic touchpoints.”  

It feels as good as bumping into an old friend you haven’t seen in quite a while, and while it’s probably nothing more than wishful thinking, one day might we see the name Alitalia soaring high again above the clouds, carried by the winds on a new-generation Boeing or Airbus?

Nothing and no one can stop us dreaming. For now, well done ITA Airways.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

The Val d’Orcia valley is the Tuscany of everyone’s dreams, with medieval castles, rolling landscapes, ancient hill towns and vineyards.

Less than two hours from Florence

Crossed by the river Orcia, from which the valley takes its name, this beautiful region in the south of Tuscany runs through the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, and is less than two hours by car from Florence. The entire area is now protected, having been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. What makes the Val d'Orcia so special is its uncontaminated and beautiful nature, but this is also the land that produces some of Italy’s most famous and excellent wines, like Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso Orcia among other DOCG denominations.

Pienza is the ideal Renaisance city

The beautiful Val d'Orcia is dotted with small hill towns, castles, abbeys, and hamlets, each with its own incredible history. Towns like Pienza, a real gem and known as the Ideal City, it is a Renaissance monument designed by Pius II, the great humanist pope. Then there are Castiglion d'Orcia with its fortress, Abbadia San Salvatore and its ancient Benedictine abbey, hilltop Radicofani which has an imposing watchtower, and Montalcino which is dominated by its 14th-century fortress, After a day visiting museums, ancient castles and abbeys, visitor will want to take time to relax in one of the many thermal towns like Bagno Vignoni or Bagni di San Filippo which are the Val d’Orcia’s natural spas.

Tuscan truffles

A destination for gourmets 

The Val d’Orcia produces some of Italy’s best-loved products such as the fabulous pecorino cheese of Pienza, flavoursome olive oil and excellent wines. But the ancient traditions do not end here, because gourmets can delight in specialties like saffron, mushrooms, truffles, wild game and more, also to be enjoyed by taking the Strada del Vino e Sapori wine and food trail. 

ITA Airways took fourth place in the Best Inflight Food category of the Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, chosen annually by the readers of USA Today. 

“Our menus are curated by starred Italian chefs”

In the ranking that rewards the ten best-rated carriers for their on-board gastronomic offer, ITA tops the European airlines to occupy the highest position.

“This recognition is further confirmation that we are going in the right direction in offering our passengers a unique and memorable Italian experience every time they fly with us. We work hard to make our passengers feel immersed in Italian culture from the moment they step on board and the in-flight menus are an essential part of this goal” said Andrea Benassi, general manager of ITA Airways. “Our menus are curated by starred Italian chefs, allowing ITA to bring the flavours of Italian cuisine to high altitudes and guarantee customers an authentic experience on all intercontinental flights.”

New Dubai and Bangkok flights in October and November 

2024 is a year of significant growth for ITA Airways: during the summer the company operated flights to 57 destinations, of which 16 domestic, 26 international and 15 intercontinental, while it inaugurated new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Chicago and Toronto in North America, Accra and Dakar, Riyadh and Jeddah. In the coming winter season, ITA will further expand its network with new connections to Asia, introducing new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Dubai from 27 October and to Bangkok from 16 November. 

Rome’s Quartiere Coppedè is a bizarre residential area featuring an alluring mix of different styles, art and eras. 

Popular with visitors for its unusual architecture

The Quartiere Coppedè district is nestled in Rome’s Trieste district, in the northern part of the Eternal City, not far from the city centre, and it has become popular with visitors for its fantastic mix of Ancient Greek, Roman Baroque, Mannerist, Medieval, and Art Nouveau styles. This weird mishmash of architecture was created in 1919 by the Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, from whom the quarter gets its name, and he worked on the district right up to his death in 1927.

The Coppedè district has over 40 unusual buildings

The Quartiere Coppedè has many Art Nouveau palaces with floral, mythological and medieval details. The 31,000 sqm of the quarter - in all some 40 or so buildings – include Florentine-style towers and Venetian palazzi decorated with interesting external mosaics and frescoes.  There are also typical Roman Baroque buildings with real and imitation papal crests, a sundial, and one building which has musical decorations, and ironwork with carvings that replica musical notation. Given its unusual and intriguing beauty, the Quartiere Coppedè is regularly used as a movie set, and for visitors who want a break from the majesty of imperial Rome, a visit her is a welcome distraction. 

A short tram-ride from downtown Rome

An easy way to get to the Quartiere Coppedè is to take the 3 or 19 trams and get off at Piazza Buenos Aires. From here it is a short walk to Piazza Mincio and its Fountain of the Frogs, into which the Beatles famously jumped after one of their concerts in Rome. The handsome archway over the Via Tagliamento marks the entrance to the quarter and has a whimsical outdoor chandelier, hanging right over the street. A visit to Rome’s Coppedè district is also a chance to get some great photographs and fun selfies. 

“Tourism is much more than just hotels and hospitality, tourists are our treasure,” says Eugenio Massetti who helms Visit Brescia.

Brescia welcomed over ten million visitors last year

The success of Brescia as a tourist paradise, with over ten million visitors last year, is now facing the problem of overtourism, particularly on Lake Garda and Lake Iseo. “Overtourism is the result of good promotional work,- admits Massetti  who is also vice-president of the Brescia Chamber of Commerce and president of the Confartigianato small business and trade association, - but enough is enough. The challenge now is to diversify and promote other lesser-known areas. Like the Val Camonica, a paradise for winter sports, and the countryside of the Lower Bresciana, which represents half the province and has castles, rivers and landscapes that deserve to be discovered.”  

“The year of culture was a point of departure”

In 2023 Brescia was Italy’s Capital of Culture, together with Bergamo. “The year of culture was not a point of arrival, but of departure. It allowed us to deploy significant economic resources, generating excellent results,” says Massetti whose aim is to promote more sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality travel opportunities that showcase the unique cultural and natural richness of the province of Brescia. 

 An increase in American visitors

The leading markets are Northern Europe, with Germans loyal to Lake Garda and the Dutch to Lake Iseo. “We are seeing an increase in American visitors, and are working hard on new markets like the Middle East and Canada, without forgetting the importance of the domestic market. There are still many Italians who do not know our territory.” 

Wellness, wine and skiing are all popular

Visit Brescia has its sights on a high-level tourist interested in wellness, as well as on those arriving on low-cost flights at nearby airports. And if Lake Garda and the city of Brescia remain pillars of provincial tourism, the offer is much broader, from ski and winter holiday resorts to wine-growing Franciacorta, “an area that until twenty years ago was practically unknown, but now attracts visitors from all over the world.”  

The goal is to get visitors to stay longer

“Tourism is not just measured in numbers,- concludes Massetti. -We do more tourists than Sicily, but our goal is to increase visits. We want travellers to stay an extra day or two., and we pamper them so that they come back again and again.”

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