Just west of Milan, beyond the last suburban edges, the Naviglio Grande is a stretch of canal that offers one of the most understated yet unusual weekend escapes near the Lombard capital. 

The focus is on the quiet rural landscape

And the discovery starts with the journey itself. From Milan visitors can follow the Naviglio Grande by bicycle or on foot, moving steadily away from Milan’s buzzing cafés and aperitivo bars into a tranquil rural landscape. The canal, once engineered under Leonardo da Vinci’s influence, becomes narrower and the rhythm slower, inviting visitors to explore Italy’s quieter side.

A 12th-century Abbey

In the little town of Morimondo the Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery set in flat farmland and reached not by road but on water and towpaths, rises unexpectedly from the fields. Brick-built, austere, and deliberately free of ornament, it is a textbook expression of Cistercian monastic life.

The tranquil village invites wandering

Inside the Abbey is calm with light filtering in, and an architecture that encourages stillness and reflection. Outside, the small village of Morimondo maintains a low profile with just a few shops, a handful of local restaurants in which to discover simple local foods, and long stretches of countryside that invite wandering and relaxation. 

Easy to reach from Milan

Trains from Milan reach nearby Abbiategrasso in under 40 minutes, followed by a short taxi ride or cycle along the canal. By car the journey is equally easy, making it suitable for a one- or two-night stay. And once in the area the best way to move around is by walking or cycling which are ideal ways to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle. For a weekend, Saturday can be devoted to the canal route and the Abbey visit, followed by a relaxed meal featuring local Lombard cooking. Sunday offers time for long walks along the water, a quiet observation of agricultural life, and an easy return to Milan by early afternoon. For information. www.italia.it/en/lombardy/milan/naviglio-grande?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Busitalia Busitalia bought the Italian team and Olympic flag to the Quirinale Palace in Rome. 

The return of the Olympic flag 

The Trenitalia subsidiary was a key player in transport services for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and it recently accompanied the Italian Olympic Team to the Quirinale Palace for the return of the Olympic flag, the athletes travelling to the flag-return ceremony at the on a Busitalia open-top bus. 

An open-top Busitalia bus

For the occasion, Busitalia provided a vehicle featuring the ‘Italia Team’ livery to highlight the celebratory nature of the event. Two other coach buses with a dedicated ‘Look of the Games’ livery were used to transport the staff. Busitalia also ensured the delegation’s transport to the official visit to the Vatican for the meeting with Pope Leo XIV the following day.  The open-top bus made available to the Italian medallists is part of the fleet of City Sightseeing Italia, a company acquired by Busitalia in January 2026, with the aim of promoting integration between rail, local transport and sightseeing services through intermodal solutions that extend the value chain of tourist transport and contribute to the enhancement of cities and the national cultural heritage.

Over two million passengers during the Games

Alongside the expansion of high-speed and regional train services, new bus routes such as Padua–Cortina and Milan–Livigno were introduced during the Games, also with a view to integrated train-plus-bus transport. During the Games, Busitalia managed the transport service for athletes, sports staff and the media, "providing more than 500 buses every day across three different regions,- explained Serafino Lo Piano, CEO and general manager Busitalia. - 12 routes were in operation, totalling 110,000 journeys, and over two million passengers were transported.”

Cathay Pacific has announced a passenger capacity change from mid-May to end-June, sparked by the ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East.

Adjusting fuel surcharges to mitigate rising jet fuel prices

The Middle East situation continues to negatively impact the price of jet fuel, which has increased significantly since the beginning of March and remains at highly elevated levels, placing huge cost pressure on airlines around the world.  A statement from Cathay Pacific details the measures currently being taken: "In the past month we have pursued every suitable means to keep our flights operating as normal. This includes adjusting the fuel surcharges in an attempt to mitigate the surge in jet fuel prices." 

Consolidating a small number of flights

"Despite our best efforts, the measures we have taken to mitigate the heightened fuel costs have not been enough,- continues the statement. -Cutting back on capacity has always been our last resort. Regrettably we have to consolidate a small number of Cathay Pacific passenger flights from 16 May 2026 to 30 June 2026, as well as a small number of HK Express passenger flights from 11 May 2026 to 30 June 2026, to mitigate part of the increased costs."  For Cathay Pacific some 2% of total frequencies during the period will be cancelled, involving mostly regional flights and a small number of Australia, South Asia and South Africa flights.  

Protection for passengers

All affected customers will be offered protection onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled flights. For HK Express, about 6% of total frequencies during the period will be cancelled, with nearly all affected customers offered protection onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled flights. All affected customers were notified of their updated flight details by Monday 13 April. A decision has also been made to continue suspending Cathay Pacific’s Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights until 30 June 2026 in view of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.  

"Maintaining network and frequencies as much as possible" 

With attention to the needs of passengers a priority for the Hong Kong-based carrier, the impact on customers has been minimized as much as possible. "These consolidation decisions are not taken lightly, and we apologize to customers for any inconvenience caused." Beyond June, Cathay Pacific and HK Express plan to operate all scheduled passenger flights, subject to developments of the Middle East situation and jet fuel price in the coming months. "During these unprecedented times, we shall remain agile in our response while striving to maintain our network and frequencies as much as possible for our customers, business partners and the Hong Kong international aviation hub."

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) that has been fully operational since 10 April is causing queues and disruptions in European airports. 

Over 24,000 people have been denied entry

Following a phased roll-out that began on 12 October in 29 European countries. passport stamps are being replaced by digital records of entries and exits, as well as entry refusals for non-EU travellers on short stays. The new system was introduced to modernize the EU’s border security and immigration management systems, as well as to reduce crime, fraud and identify security risks. According to the European Commission since the system’s introduction over 24,000 people have been denied entry for reasons such as expired or forged documents, or for failing to fully justify the purpose of their visit. 

Aimed at speeding up procedures

The biometric passport is not mandatory, but it allows travellers to use self-service kiosks and speed up procedures. Those without one must complete the initial registration at the counters, providing a photograph and fingerprints. The provision of data is mandatory: refusal will result in entry being denied. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, but not from the photograph. Biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints is also recorded, along with the personal data contained in the travel document. The information remains valid for three years (unless the passport is renewed) and allows for faster checks on subsequent journeys, including via automated gates.

The EES applies to a range of travellers 

The EES applies to non-EU/Schengen citizens travelling to Schengen or EU countries for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes UK nationals, as well as visa-exempt travellers, regardless of whether they are travelling for tourism or business. It also applies to people who own property in the EU but do not hold a residence permit. The system applies to citizens of EU Member States and the Schengen area, as well as to persons holding long-stay visas or residence permits issued by these countries, including non-EU citizens. Similarly, family members of EU citizens holding a residence card issued by one of these countries are exempt, along with local residents holding valid local border traffic permits. Crew members on international trains and aircraft are also exempt, as are armed forces personnel and their families on missions under the ‘Partnership for Peace’ programme or NATO. Ireland and Cyprus are also exempt from using the EES, meaning they will continue to carry out manual passport checks.

More disruptions and delays at airports?

As has already been the case since October 2025, processing times at airports could increase during the first few months of the EES’s full operation, despite the EU’s promise to allow some flexibility to cope with excessive queues, particularly during the summer peak travel periods. “Waiting times now regularly reach two hours at peak times, with some airports reporting even longer queues,” ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) stated in a joint declaration.

A new website and app for ITA Airways: both digital channels have been developed on the Lufthansa Group’s technology platform for flight and service management.

A harmonized experience across the Group’s airlines

The new digital ecosystem guarantees passengers “a harmonized experience across the Group’s various airlines, whilst preserving the elements of ITA Airways’ brand identity, the essential characteristics of the brand’s identity and its look and feel”. The new solutions range from flight search and booking to payment, as well as the management of additional services, travel information and refund requests. Passengers can also easily view existing ITA bookings and manage them directly via the app or website. Both channels allow ITA Airways flights to be combined with those of other Lufthansa Group airlines in a single booking.

"A key milestone in the airline’s integration within the group"

“The introduction of ITA Airways’ new digital services, developed on the Lufthansa Group’s technology platform, represents a key milestone in the airline’s integration within the group," said Lorenza Maggio, chief strategy, integration, IT & touchpoints ITA Airways. This development is part of the broader collaboration between ITA and the Lufthansa Group, which in 2025 has already led to the introduction of codeshare flights offering access to over 150 destinations, the integration of the Volare and Miles & More loyalty programmes, and reciprocal access to airport lounges. “The aim is to offer our customers an increasingly simple, intuitive and integrated digital experience, whilst ensuring a harmonized customer experience across the group’s airlines and enhancing the ITA brand identity.”

New services will gradually be introduced

In the coming months, the digital offering will be further expanded: in addition to access via Travel ID, which is already available, new services will gradually be introduced on the app and website, including the integration of Miles & More, automatic notifications via email and push notifications, and a harmonized check-in system for all Lufthansa Group airlines.

Pamala McCourt Francescone

The countdown is on for the launch of Air Canada’s new route from Catania to Montréal on 5 June.

The only direct link between Sicily and Canada

The seasonal service, running until 23 October 2026, will operate three times a week using a Boeing 787 and will be the only direct link between Sicily and Canada. The Dreamliner’s configuration features three cabins: Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy. In Signature Class, passengers can enjoy a premium long-haul experience with fully reclining seats, fine dining and personalized service. The new route boosts inbound traffic to Sicily during the summer season, offering North American travellers an additional gateway to the island, in addition to existing connections via Rome, Milan and Venice. With the United States among the main inbound markets for Italy, the service has been planned to ensure seamless connections via Montréal from key cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Boston.

"A milestone for Air Canada in Italy"

“The launch of the new Catania-Montréal route represents a milestone for Air Canada in Italy, further strengthening our role as the leading airline between Italy and Canada,” said Stefano Casaregola, commercial director, Air Canada Italia, during the presentation held last week in Catania. “Sicily is a strategic market with deep cultural and family ties to Canada, and this new route not only brings communities closer together but also offers travellers from southern Italy direct and seamless access to Air Canada’s entire North American network. At the same time, it opens a new gateway for North American travellers to discover the richness and diversity of Sicily.” Elissa Golberg, Canada’s Ambassador to Italy, said: “Direct air links such as the new Catania-Montréal flight tangibly strengthen Canada’s ties with Italy and the entire Mediterranean region. These flights support economic exchanges, promote innovation and facilitate the movement of people, confirming the joint commitment of Canada and Italy to building a dynamic and forward-looking partnership.”

Catania Airport is a key gateway to Southern Italy

“The new direct link between Catania and Montréal is an achievement of great strategic importance for our region and a significant step in the development and internationalization of our airport system,- said Anna Quattrone and Nico Torrisi, respectively chair and chief executive SAC, the airport’s management company. -This route strengthens the role of Catania Airport as a key gateway to Southern Italy, significantly expanding connection opportunities to North America. At the same time, it consolidates the historical and cultural ties between Italy and Canada, supporting tourist flows and economic exchanges. It is the result of a collaborative effort with Air Canada and testifies to Sicily’s growing appeal on international markets, making the island increasingly connected and competitive on a global scale.”