Helvetia & Bristol Firenze, a Starhotels Collezione, joins Virtuoso's exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,200 selected members in more than 100 countries. 

Virtuoso's agencies generate some $25-30 billion annually

Starhotels Collezione’s inclusion in Virtuoso offers new opportunities in sales and marketing with the network's more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors and their high-end clientele says Federico Versari, general manager Helvetia & Bristol Firenze – Starhotels Collezione. With approximately $25-30 billion annual bookings generated by Virtuoso's agencies globally, the network is the most significant in the world of luxury travel.

“Our hotel has a sartorial approach to service”

"Virtuoso's selection and acceptance process is incredibly selective, which is why becoming a preferred partner is a real honour for us, - adds Versari.  - The reputation Virtuoso member agencies have for extraordinary dedication to their clients fits perfectly with our hotel’s sartorial approach to service. Now that we are part of this network, we look forward to offering Virtuoso's consultants and clients an even more special experience, and to exceeding their expectations."

Virtuoso partners specialize in outstanding services and experiences 

So Helvetia & Bristol joins Virtuoso, a collection of the best luxury hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and travel businesses around the world. These partners, specializing in outstanding services and experiences, offer unique and valuable travel opportunities. Helvetia & Bristol's inclusion in Virtuoso also enables direct connections with leading leisure travel agencies in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Norse Atlantic Airways will add daily direct flights from JFK to Rome Fiumicino airport from 19 June.

"Passengers on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy value, excellent in-flight service and comfort”

The JFK to Rome flights - which will make the Eternal City the fifth European capital on which the carrier operates direct services to JFK - will depart Rome at 19.30 and land at JFK at 23.00, while the return flight will depart JFK at 01.00 and land in Rome at 15.45.

"Passengers on both sides of the Norse Atlantic Airways will enjoy value, excellent in-flight service and comfort as they travel between these two cities. The addition of Rome to our network will provide another gateway to Europe and boost our presence in New York," said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways.

Dreamliners with economy and premium class

Norse Atlantic Airways operates exclusively with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and two cabin classes, Economy and Premium: the latter's cabin configuration features seats with a 43-inch pitch and a 12-inch recline. The choice is between Light, Classic and Plus fares. Light fares are Norse's value option, while Plus fares include a maximum baggage allowance, two meals, enhanced airport and in-flight experiences, and better ticket flexibility

“North American traffic is expected to exceed pre-Covid levels”

"This new direct flight to New York JFK will complete the overall offer between the two cities with an evening outbound service, - said Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer Aeroporti di Roma.  - By choosing Rome Fiumicino, Norse has recognized the operational excellence of our airport and the appeal of our market, as confirmed by North American traffic that is expected to exceed pre-Covid levels.”

The Norse fleet consists of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Norse was founded by CEO and main shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen in March 2021: the company operates a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners serving destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Oslo, London, Berlin, Rome and Paris. The company's first flight took off from Oslo to New York on 14 June 2022.

The Umiltà 36 which recently opened in downtown Rome is a 47-key hotel which has rooms and suites on four floors, and two floors of apartments. There is also an Argentine restaurant on the ground floor.

A gourmet Argentine restaurant on the ground floor

On the top floor the panoramic Flores terrace, overlooking the Quirinale and the Vittorio Emanuele monument, has an alfresco restaurant. Part of the ground floor hosts the Argentinian-inspired El Porteno, a 120-seat gourmet restaurant which opened in September 2022 and welcomes guests seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

The Shedir Collection manages four hotels in Rome

Umiltà 36 is part of the Shedir Collection, owned by Eduardo Safdie, a partner in the Florentine hotel group JK Place which currently manages four hotels, two owned (the Maalot in Rome and the Capri Tiberio Palace) and two rented (the Viln and the same Umiltà 36, both in Rome). Another Roman opening is planned for next April, when Palazzo Roma will open its doors. Claudio Ceccherelli, the company's CEO, told Pambianco Hotellerie that the Shedir Collection expects to close the year with a €28 million turnover.

Easyjet is boosting its capacity on the Italian market with the introduction of seven new routes for the 2023 summer season departing from Milan Malpensa, Venice, Palermo and Catania.

Lourdes and Paris Beauvais, as well as Birmingham flights

Starting on 31 March 2023 Milan will be connected with Lourdes twice weekly and, from 27 March Paris Beauvais will be connected to Italy for the first time with up to four weekly flights. From 26 June there will be new flights from Malpensa to Birmingham up to three days weekly.    

Catania to get its first flights to Edinburgh

From next 1 April Venice will see the addition of Larnaca, with up to two flights a week, while from 1 July it will be the turn of Dubrovnik, with Saturday flights to Venice. Flights from Palermo to Nice will start on 6 April operating three days a week, and for the first time on 2 June Catania's Fontanarossa airport will have two weekly flights to Edinburgh.The new summer routes are already on sale through all the airline's distribution channels.

Ita Airways is revving up its engines on the new route from Rome Fiumicino to Rio de Janeiro, with the official opening of ticket sales. 

A growing intercontinental network 

The Brazilian metropolis expands the airline's long-haul network, which already includes New York - operated from both Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa - Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, New Delhi and Malè, as well as Washington and San Francisco, which will take off during the summer of 2023. 

Rome-Rio flights with Airbus A330s

An Airbus A330 will operate on the new route from next 29 October with daily flights departing from Rome airport at 21:50 and arriving in Rio de Janeiro at 6:05, local time. The Rio de Janeiro flights will depart from 30 October 2023 at 15:45, landing at Fiumicino at 6:45, local time. ITS thus consolidates its presence in South America, where it already operates to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo: the Latin American market together with that of the United States representing a focal point for both business and cargo traffic with Italy.

“We already added Washington and San Francisco” 

"The opening of Rio de Janeiro route is part of the development and growth strategy of our airline on intercontinental routes - said Emiliana Limosani, CCO ITA Airways and CEO of Volare. – In line with this expansion this year we already added to our United States services with new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Washington, operating from June, and to San Francisco, operating from July and now on sale on our website, at the call centre and in airport ticket offices and travel agencies”.

Wellness from Qc Terme takes on a new dimension as the Renaissance residence opens in Calvagese della Riviera, overlooking Lake Garda. 

“Our mission has always been in the direction of well-being”

The former Palazzo Arzaga was built in the 15th century and consists of three residences nestled among the hills, each with 78 rooms with direct access to a sensory journey and the green meadows of the Arzaga Golf.

“Our mission has always been in the direction of well-being,” says CEO Andrea Quadrio Curzio, CEO of the group, announcing the new opening. “This Lake Garda property is a significant step for our company, and a positive sign that shows how Italian entrepreneurship continues to innovate and forge ahead.”   

The wellness programme celebrates nature

At Qc Termegarda, modernity blends with tradition. In the welcoming and bright rooms comfort blends with frescoes and exposed beams. Marble stairwells lead to a wellness programme that celebrates nature, inviting guests to discover ancient farm practises, from the steam bath in the hay loft on the hill to the Barrel Room and biosauna in the vineyard. The Riva programme celebrates the magic of water and is inspired by local legends.

Italy swept the boards in a recent Bounce survey of Europe’s ten most cultural cities, taking three of the top five places. First past the post was Venice, topping the ten European cities with an overall cultural score of 8.77/10. Florence took fourth place and Milan fifth, with Rome coming in at number ten.  

Venice’s numbers are truly eye-popping. It has Europe’s highest number of museums (37.94), libraries (12.77) and concert halls (10.45) per 100,000 inhabitants.  While Rome, considered by many to be the ne plus ultra of the world’s great art cities, has a woeful 0.26 concert halls (the lowest of all the top ten rankings) and a meagre 3.41 libraries per 100.000.

Placing overall second and third of the cultural cities were Edinburgh and Amsterdam. And the Dutch capital topped the list for the highest number of cultural searches, scoring 887,350 per year, with most of the clicks going to the sites of its great museums.  

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Rome's S. Pietro in Vincoli church houses precious relics and a Renaissance masterpiece which is one of the greatest expressions of Italian art of all time.

The chain that bound St. Peter in Jerusalem

The church is the 16th-century St. Peter in Chains in Rome's busy Monti district, not far from the Coliseum, and it was founded in the 5th century by the Empress Eudoxia. The aim being to guard a very precious relic: the chain with which St Peter, a prisoner in Jerusalem, had been bound. Today the chain is kept in a reliquary under the main altar of the church and is displayed to the faithful on 1 August each year. 

Michelangelo’s marble Moses is eight feet tall

The great masterpiece to be found in the right transept of the church is the colossal, and arresting statue of Moses. It was sculpted in 1515 by Michelangelo Buonarotti for the funeral monument that had been commissioned by Pope Julius II. At eight feet tall, it was intended to be part of a grand two-story tomb for the pontiff. But due to disagreements between the pontiff and the great sculptor (no doubt part of the ongoing altercations that flared up constantly between them during the five years Michelangelo spent painting the Sistine Chapel) the statue of Moses intended for St. Peter's ended up in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli. 

Vasari said the statue was perfection

The work, for which Michelangelo drew inspiration from Raphael and Donatello, shows a majestic, seated Moses with the Tablets of the Law under his right arm.  With this same hand he is caressing his long beard, which according to Vasari was sculpted with such perfection that Michelangelo’s "iron chisel must have become a brush." The sculptor has depicted Moses who had just given the Commandments on Mount Sinai, when he sees the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. The statue expresses all Moses’ anger, which the artist expressed in the swollen veins and tense muscles that stand out on the smooth marble, and the sensation that Moses is about to rise to his feet.   Apparently this was one of Michelangelo's favourites, and the one he considered the most lifelike of all his works. So much so, as chronicles of the time recount, that having finished the work the artist struck it with his hammer and ordered it to speak.

For information: https://www.turismoroma.it

Not many people know that the middle finger of the great Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei is on view in the Galilei Museum in Florence.

A fascinating science museum

The Galilei Museum is one of Italy’s most interesting science museums with, of course, a section dedicated to the great astronomer and scientist who was born in Pisa in 1564. Here you can admire many scientific collections linked to the Medici and other ancient noble dynasties and works, objects and memorabilia linked to Galileo. And then there is an object you would not normally expect to find in a museum: a middle finger. 

Galileo was under house arrest for life

When Galileo died in 1642, the Grand Duke of Tuscany wanted to bury him in the Church of Santa Croce in Florence but, as the scientist was considered a heretic – and this is why the finger should not be called a relic – and an enemy of the Church that had placed him under house arrest for life, he was buried next to the novices' chapel. Almost a century had to pass before the Church, in 1737, allowed the remains to be moved to the Church of Santa Croce. And at some stage, either during the exhumation of the skeleton and its transfer to the crypt, or at another time, the thumb, index and middle fingers of the great scientist’s right hand, together with a vertebra and a tooth were removed. 

The three fingers have since been reunited

The vertebra ended up in the University of Padua, where it can still be seen today. The middle finger remained in Florence, while the thumb, index finger and tooth disappeared. It was only in 2009 that Galileo’s fingers turned up at an auction, and they are now in the Galilei Museum together with the middle finger which sits in a small glass egg, while the index finger, thumb, and tooth are preserved there in a jar.  

What would Galileo think? 

Who can tell how Galileo would have felt about the final resting place of his finger? Would be see it pointing upwards to the sky in triumph, as he was the one who discovered that the earth revolves around the sun? Or is the pointing finger a gesture of defiance to the Church that condemned him? We will leave this for the visitor to decide.

For information: https://www.museogalileo.it

Up to the end of February the panoramic Vigezzina-Centovalli railway is offering half-price travel between Italy and Switzerland.

Discovering Domodossola and the Vigezzo Valley

This special half-price offer is designed to introduce travellers to enchanting landscapes along a mid-mountain route with views of the peaks of the Vigezzo Valley and the historic villages nestling between Italy and Switzerland. In the year of its centenary, the Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli railway is offering two tickets for the Domodossola-Locarno or Locarno-Domodossola route (valid for one or two days, with the possibility of an intermediate stop) at half price, which is to say two for the price of one.

A new pedestrian area in the old centre of Domodossola

Domodossola has just renovated part of its historic centre, extending the area closed to vehicular traffic from Piazza Mercato, the beating heart of the town with its historic buildings and characteristic alleyways. The pedestrianised Via Rosmini brings you to the UNESCO site of Sacro Monte Calvario, and visitors should not miss the Civic Museums of Palazzo San Francesco and the Collegio Rosmini.

A paradise for winter sports enthusiasts

The Vigezzo valley is the home of winter sports, thanks to the Piana di Vigezzo resort, at an altitude of 1700 metres. Thanks to a recent agreement, travellers on the Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli (Vigezzina-Centovalli railway) can enjoy particularly advantageous discounts for venturing onto the Vigezzo slopes and skiers can take advantage of promotions for boarding the little trains. 

The Feminis-Farina museum of perfume is well worth a visit

The main town in the valley, Santa Maria Maggiore, welcomes the visitor with a truly unique museum, the Feminis-Farina Perfume House, which is open on weekends and tells the all-Italian story of one of the oldest and most famous perfumes in the world, Eau de Cologne which was created here. For lovers of slow outdoor activities, the Vigezzo Valley has a 15-kilometre trail through a pine forest of spruce trees, which can also be enjoyed on snowshoes.  

For information: www.vigezzinacentovalli.com