May 22, 2026
Three new 5-star hotel openings in Numana, Sirolo and Senigallia in the Marche.
The Vista Place Hotel is Numana’s first 5-star
Following announcements of 5-star openings in Genoa (with the Bristol Palace and two new 5-stars) now it’s the turn of the Marche. The Vista Place Hotel in Numana is the first five-star hotel in the town, and in the province of Ancona. Following the renovation of the former Hotel Sorriso, a 3-star hotel with 38 rooms, the new hotel has 33 rooms, a restaurant, rooftop swimming pool, bar, car park and private beach.
New 5-stars under construction and renovation
Managing the property is the Gest Group, already at the helm of 13 properties between Civitanova and Ancona in the Marche. The same company plans to operate a further 5-star currently under construction in Sirolo. This too is a conversion project, involving the former Conchiglia Verde Hotel, a 3-star with 25 rooms. It is scheduled to open next year, as are ten luxury suites with a private spa and personal trainer, scheduled to open in February in Monte Baldino, a small promontory overlooking the sea not far from Portonovo, and also managed by the Gest Group.
The Marche region gets new 5-star properties
On the Senigallia seafront the Hotel Eleonora, acquired in September 2022 by the Roman real estate developer Zanzuri, owner of the group of the same name, will reopen in 2024. The property was in a state of disrepair, having been foreclosed three years earlier, following the bankruptcy of the then developer-manager. The aim now is to transform it into a five-star boutique hotel. Prior to this the 5-star luxury sector in the Marche region could count on just three hotels: the 18-room Villa Lattanzi in Fermo, the 52-room Excelsior (Lindbergh Group) and the 27-room Grand Hotel Vittoria of the Vip Hotels Group in Pesaro.
Published in Hospitality
The day is fast approaching for the debut of the Gran Meliá brand on 1 November in Milan.
The Gran Meliá will have 84 rooms, including 26 suites
Designed by Alvaro and Adriana Sans' architecture studio Asah, the Gran Meliá will open in Palazzo Venezia, the former Generali headquarters in Milan, in collaboration with Generali Real Estate. The Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá will have 84 rooms, including 26 suites and an 88-square-metre presidential suite. It will also have the Gioia patisserie on the street level run by master baker Fabio Bertoni, Giancarlo Mancino's cocktail bar. The Japanese restaurant Sachi will be helmed by chef Moon Kyung Soo, and the Isola restaurant will be on the rooftop dedicated to the cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia and Capri as well as a spa and several meeting rooms.
The Meliá Group’s fourth hotel in Milan
The new Gran Meliá in Milan will be the Spanish group's fourth property in Milan, after the Meliá Milano, the Me Milano il Duca and the InnSide Milano Torre Galfa. The conversion has preserved the historic façade of Palazzo Venezia which was designed at the end of the 19th century for the insurance company's Milan headquarters and housed its offices until they were moved to the Generali Tower in CityLife.
Published in Hospitality
The ADLER Group properties have two autumn yoga retreats programmed in Sicily and Alto Adige.
Adler’s 360° approach to wellness
A five-star resort in the heart of the Dolomite mountains, and a contemporary coastal resort in the Sicilian countryside: these two retreats are designed to benefit the mind body and soul, with a well-thought-out, 360° approach to wellness. ADLER retreats include 5* accommodation, use of extensive spa facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness equipment, gourmet meals, and a full programme of professionally guided yoga sessions.
Beatrice Mazza ‘s Sacred Feminine Yoga Retreat
ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges have an inspiring and diverse programme of yoga retreats suitable for all levels of experience including the Sacred Feminine Yoga Retreat with Beatrice Mazza at the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA from 19 to 26 November. At the Siculiana ADLER property on the Agrigento Coast, Beatrice Mazza will guide guests on their own personal journey to re-discover their feminine energy and power as a woman. At ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA half board in a Junior Suite from 19 to 26 November for 7 nights is €1,419 per person.
Jutta Mele–Maurer’s Jivamukti Yoga Retreat
The ADLER Lodge RITTEN in Renon, Trentino Alto Adige will host a Jivamukti Yoga Retreat with Jutta Mele–Maurer from 26 November to 3 December. This is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings and is focused around Five Elements that express the core philosophy and foundation of Jivamukti Yoga. During this weeklong retreat guests will explore different classes including the unique Chakra Balancing Class together with Jutta Mele-Maurer. At ADLER Lodge RITTEN all-inclusive for 3 nights in a junior suite is from €759,00 per person, or 7 nights from €1,827 per person.
Published in Hospitality
American Airlines adds Naples to its Italian network with new Phiadelphia flights.
Philadelphia flights from 6 June up to October 2024
The Neapolitan airport once again confirms its appeal to the US market, conquering the route from Philadelphia, which will be active from 6 June 2024 with a daily frequency for the entire summer up to October. Flights will be operated by Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with Business Class and Premium Economy, state-of-the-art interiors, live TV streaming, high-speed wi-fi and hundreds of on-demand movies and TV shows available from each seat.
American Airlines chooses Southern Italy
Philadelphia International Airport, American Airlines' main transatlantic hub on the East Coast, will allow passengers from North America to reach Naples and all destinations in Southern Italy. "We are thrilled to announce American Airlines' first-ever connection between Southern Italy and the United States of America," commented Kyle Mabry, Vice President - Operations and Commercial, EMEA and APAC for the US carrier.
Naples airport offers 113 mainly international destinations
The introduction of the new direct flight from Naples to Philadelphia, American's main hub on the East-Coast, is an integral part of the airline's European network expansion plan for the 2024 summer season, developed to meet passenger demand, which also includes the introduction of new routes to the US from Copenhagen and Nice. Roberto Barbieri, managing director of GESAC, the Capodichino airport management company, emphasised that the debut of American, "one of the leading US airlines, is the result of work aimed at increasing the connectivity of the Neapolitan airport, which currently offers 113 mainly international destinations. “For an airport like Naples the intercontinental traffic generated by carriers offering connections to main hubs, brings Campania closer to the rest of the world.”
Published in Transportation
ItaliAbsolutely unlocks the magic of Italy with exclusive fam trips for travel professionals
September 07, 2023ItaliAbsolutely is ready to unveil its new exclusive fam trips which have been meticulously crafted for discerning travel professionals and tourism experts seeking the epitome of Italy's offerings for their clients.
Messina in Sicily is the first destination
Our inaugural destination is the vibrant coastal city of Messina, the gateway to Sicily across the Strait that separates this island gem from mainland Italy. From October 18 to 21, 2023 a carefully selected cadre of international Italy specialists, who have displayed genuine enthusiasm for this destination and completed our contact form, will join us on this Sicilian adventure. Their hosts for these four days of B2B meetings, exciting excursions, and immersive experiences, will be the FEISCT, the Strait Port System, the Messina Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Blue Route, the Marco Polo Project, the Medfort Study Centre and the La Città del Sole Social Cooperative in collaboration with ItaliAbsolutely.
Discover more about the Fam Trip "Meet Tourism Messina"
Sharing insider insights into fundamental Italy
With three decades of insider knowledge in tourism and publishing, and a track record of organizing over 600 remarkable trade events, the Travel Quotidiano Group, has an edge in crafting unique, value-packed experiences for travel experts. And here at ItaliAbsolutely, the Group’s English-language portal, we eagerly anticipate sharing our insider insights into this enchanting corner of Sicily with our international guests 
A full-immersion in the coastal gem of Messina
The meticulously curated programme encompasses daily B2B sessions with local DMCs, DMOs, and travel suppliers, alongside a myriad of visits and excursions. From the awe-inspiring Messina Cathedral, hailed as one of Sicily's architectural treasures, to the intricacies of the astronomical clock, a true masterpiece of art and engineering, and participants will also have the opportunity to revel in the city's eclectic and eccentric Art Nouveau architecture. Our itinerary further includes visits to a Feluca shipyard and the quaint seaside village of Ganzirri which is steeped in ancient maritime traditions. Added to which there will be a sailing expedition on a catamaran and a thrilling jeep excursion into the mountains around Messina.
Unlocking the magic of Italy
Participants will enjoy quality hosted accommodations in city hotels. They will also savor the gastronomic delights of Messina in local restaurants, as they forge connections with their new professional partners. At their journey's end they will leave enriched with profound knowledge of this fascinating Sicilian destination, ready to impart their newfound expertise to their valued clientele.
ItaliAbsolutely’s second 2023 fam trip is to Palermo for the BTE Non-hotel Tourism Exchange on 7-12 November
The BTE Non-Hotel Tourism Exchange to be hekd in Palermo from 7 to 12 November 2023 promises to be a remarkable B2B event featuring the today and the tomorrow of non-hotel tourism innovation and growth.
The BTE focuses on the non-hotel sector
Focusing on the non-hotel sector, the BTE Exchange encompasses a wide range of accommodations beyond traditional hotels, including vacation rentals, B&Bs, guesthouses, and more. Starting with three days to familiarize with Palermo and its surrounding area, the international participants will then engage in three insightful B2B workshops.
Local companies will interact with international buyers
Serving as a bridge between tourism professionals, these working sessions will allow local players to showcase their products and their expertise, forging partnerships with global partners who will be able to explore this captivating destination and the dynamic industry opportunities it offers.
Discover more about The BTE Non-Hotel Tourism Exchange in Palermo
Travel specialists are invited to join future fams
For each event we handpick attendees who've shown genuine interest and completed our contact form.
ItaliAbsolutely’s fam trips, a new and surefire way to unlock the magic of Italy like never before.
For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +39 06.89.01.75.77
Published in Fam Trip
The Relais Borgo Campello is a Medieval village anf an idyllic retreat for reconnecting with nature while indulging in the luxury of simplicity.
Sleeping in a monk’s cell or an old castle
Accommodation options at the Relais Borgo Campello, which is just ten kilometres from Spoleto (Umbria), offer a choice between rooms fashioned from ancient monks' cells, or apartments with period furnishings in the castle. Serving as a gateway to the marvels of the surrounding region, the Relais is within easy distance to Assisi, Spello, Norcia, and Cascia which are perfect destinations for one-day explorations.
Borgo Campello Suite
Barefoot forest walks and yoga courses
Within the enchanting setting of Relais Borgo Campello the wellness centre beckons with an array of beauty treatments, sauna sessions, chromotherapy, and massages, and among the highlights is a hydromassage pool specially designed for couples. For those seeking a more tranquil and profound experience during their village sojourn, the Relais offers yoga courses, meditation sessions, and forest walks, including paths designed for barefoot exploration. 
Foraging and truffle hunting
Guests are invited to partake in the rhythms of daily life, reminiscent of an ancient convent, engaging in harvesting, foraging for asparagus and herbs, or embarking on a truffle-hunting adventure. The bounty of these efforts ultimately finds its way to the the Sapori nel Borgo restaurant which crafts dishes celebrating these culinary treasures. Prices for a memorable stay at Relais Borgo Campello start from €90 per day per room, inclusive of breakfast. For information: www.borgocampello.com
Published in Hospitality
The Lago Nabi lake compex in the Campania region is a natural oasis with an eco-sustainable tourist complex.
Illegal sand quarries turned into a natural oasis
The environmental redevelopment project that freed the Campania region’s Domizio coast from illegal sand quarries, reclaimed an important area by freeing it from waste, as well as replanting trees and carrying out monumental environmental redevelopment works.
All kinds of water sports and a wellness centre
This is a special place where nature reigns supreme: Laghi Nabi, the first natural oasis in Campania. The lakes are once again sparkling and are now at the heart of the Campania region’s eco-sustainable tourist complex, with tents and removable lodges available for glamping on the water, an accommodation facility, a wellness centre, and the Res Restaurant. In this park birds and fishes are back, and locals and tourists live in harmony with water enjoying canoeing, kitesurfing, cycling, hiking, birdwatching and yoga.
For information: www.laghinabi.it
Published in Leisure
Palace Merano in Alto Adige is reshaping fitness with its detox Revital Method.
Improving the quality of life
Glamorous five-star Palace Merano is a spa hotel set in a large private park in Merano which is in Italy’s Alto Adige region north of Milan The Revital Method is the result of 20 years of experience and improves the quality of life as well as one’s physical and psychological wellbeing. 
A six-day programme with a range of treatments
Guests can enjoy their bespoke Detox Revital and Sport Programme, which incorporates their traditional Revital Method alongside a daily exercise programme with a personal trainer. The programme promotes the improvement of both physical and mental health, leading to weight loss and improved sleep. The six-day programme includes: three lessons with a Personal Trainer, outdoor walking sessions, six phyto-mud therapy sessions and six hydro-aromatherapy sessions, six energy massages and six hydro-jet massages, dietary examination and post-treatment stage diet plan with an assessment of toxicity levels. 
Accommodation is available for single occupancy
The Detox Revital and Sport Programme for six days at Palace Merano is available from €4,850 per person, plus €302 to cover three medical examinations. Accommodation for seven nights in a single occupancy Comfort room starts from €2,520. For information: www.palace.it
Published in Hospitality
American Airlines’ transatlantic flights between Venice’s Marco Polo Airport and Chicago will resume.
Venice-Philadelphia flights to start in April
American Airlines has announced the resumption of its direct Venice-Chicago flight, which had been absent since 2019. Chicago serves as a hub for American Airlines, providing connections to more than 100 destinations across North America. Additionally, the airline will be advancing the start of its Venice-Philadelphia flight to April. Tickets for this route are already available for purchase.
A strong summer 2023 recovery
This double announcement follows a strong recovery in travel between Venice and North America during the earlier part of the year, surpassing the pre-Covid levels recorded in 2019. From January to July, the total number of passengers traveling between the United States, Canada, and Venice reached 555,000—an increase of 4% compared to the same period in 2019.
“We are continuing to explore new opportunities for direct flights”
“We are very satisfied with the great teamwork carried out with the North American airlines, which has led to the excellent results this season and thanks to which we are expanding the offer for 2024,” explains Camillo Bozzolo, aviation development director of the Save Group. “With the reactivation of flights to Chicago from next summer we are completing the reconstruction of the offer to North America, while continuing to explore new opportunities for direct flights in response to the strong potential expressed by this market segment.”
Published in Transportation
Gruppo FS, the Italian state railways, has signed a contract for the supply of 70 new Trenitalia Intercity Notte carriages for Sicily lines worth approximately €140 million.
Soundproofed sleeping carriages
The contract is part of a broader agreement to purchase up to 70 new carriages worth around €730 million, and the 70 carriages, intended for Intercity Night services to and from Sicily, will be put into service by 30 June 2026. They will offer full accessibility to persons with reduced mobility, have high levels of soundproofing, making sleeping comfortable both in cabins and couchettes, or travelling in carriages with the latest generation of seats. There is also a live video surveillance system.
Couchettes, beds and seats
There will be three types of sleeping cars: 44 couchettes, 22 with beds and four with seats. The couchettes will consist of seven cabins with four beds each. The sleeping cars will be configured with comfortable bedrooms, two with double beds and six with two single beds, all with private toilets and showers. Each carriage has aircon with temperature control per room and electronic access control.
Hybrid electric, diesel and battery trains
In addition to the purchase of the 70 carriages to be allocated to Intercity night services to and from Sicily, the funds will also be used to purchase seven hybrid trains with triple power supply (electric, diesel and battery) to be allocated to the Reggio Calabria - Taranto Intercity lines (two pairs of trains), for an estimated value of around €60 million.
Published in Transportation
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