ITA Airways will return to London Heathrow in the summer of 2026.

Two daily flights from London to Rome

The new flights from London Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino will operate twice a day and, as per tradition, during the high summer season, direct flights will be offered from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate to the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, Spain and the Italian islands.

Meeting the changing needs of travellers around the world

In a note Lufthansa states that “ITA Airways” detailed summer schedule will be published at a later date (...). Throughout the summer season ITA Airways will continue to work hard to expand connections to and from the Rome Fiumicino hub, while offering Italian hospitality, style, innovation and connectivity to meet the changing needs of travellers around the world.”

Lufthansa Group's summer 2026

The Lufthansa Group's Summer 2026 flights are already available for booking, with new intercontinental and European destinations and numerous frequency increases for Lufthansa Airlines, Discover Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss and ITA Airways. Next year, more than 14,000 weekly flights will be operated to and from 330 destinations in some 100 countries via hubs in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Italy.

Free water for travellers before boarding their flight: by the end of 2025, this will be possible in 22 airports in Italy.  

Water dispensers past security checks

The airports are associated with Assaeroporti, and departing passengers will be able to refill their water bottles and flasks free of charge once they have passed the security barriers. In addition to the airports of Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa and Linate, Naples, Venice, Bologna, Verona, Cagliari, Turin, Olbia, Alghero and Treviso - where the special dispensers are already active – “numerous others have been added to the list of airports that have implemented or are perfecting the installation of the dispensers,” says a note from the association.

Benefitting the environment and the community

“Refill points have been activated in the airports of Bergamo, Palermo and Cuneo, while by the end of the year they will also be present in Catania, Pisa, Florence, Trieste, Trapani, Pescara, Rimini, Comiso and Salerno, further extending national coverage. With different modalities but always at no cost to travellers, the airports of Genoa and Grosseto will also guarantee access to drinking water airside.”  The initiative, Assaeroporti concludes, aims to improve the travel experience for passengers and contribute to the reduction of single-use plastic; a concrete action with benefits for the environment and the community, for increasingly sustainable and traveller-friendly airports.

Standing on a golden tufa ridge, Pitigliano is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful hill towns and is known as the “Little Jerusalem.”

The town blends Etruscan roots with Medieval charm

From a distance Pitigliano seems to rise directly from the rock, its skyline lingering in the memory long after a visit. Known as the “Little Jerusalem” for its historic Jewish community, Pitigliano blends Etruscan roots, medieval charm, and a vibrant cultural heritage into one unforgettable destination. Ib the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, close to the Lazio border, it is just 80 kilometres from Grossetto, 120 from Siena and 150 kilometres from Rome, making it an ideal stop on itineraries linking central Italy with the Tyrrhenian coast. Driving there allows travellers to enjoy the rolling countryside and dramatic landscapes that unfold enroute, while anyone arriving by train can connect via Orvieto, Grosseto, or Albinia, with bus services linking to Pitigliano.

 A historic Jewish quarter and ancient Etruscan roads

The best way to experience Pitigliano is simply to wander around. Its Jewish Quarter is a highlight, with a beautifully restored 16th-century synagogue, ritual baths, and a kosher bakery that tell the story of centuries of coexistence. The Orsini Fortress which dominates the old town is now home to a fascinating museum of art and archaeology, while the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on the main square has Renaissance frescoes. Beyond the historic centre, the mysterious vie cave, which are deep roads carved into the tufa rock by the Etruscans, offer an extraordinary walking experience where history and nature intertwine in a setting found nowhere else in the world.

What’s worth visiting in the environs

Pitigliano also serves as the perfect hub for discovering some of Tuscany’s lesser known gems. Just a short drive away are Sovana and Sorano, two Medieval towns surrounded by ancient Etruscan necropolises. For relaxation, the famous Saturnia hot springs with their steaming natural pools are less than half an hour away, and to the north Lake Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe, while Orvieto, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral, makes an excellent day trip.

Staying, dining, and tasting the best of Pitigliano

Staying in Pitigliano means choosing between boutique hotels, restored noble palaces and farm accommodation set in vineyards and olive groves. Dining here means feasting on hearty Tuscan cuisine, with Jewish culinary traditions, from wild boar stews and rustic bean soups to sfratti, a delicious pastry filled with honey and walnuts. Then there is the local pride, the Bianco di Pitigliano DOC, a fresh, crisp white wine that pairs beautifully with antipasti, pecorino cheeses, and light pasta dishes. 

Cogne, in the heart of the Valle d’Aosta region in the northwest corner of Italy, is a picture-perfect mountain village with Alpine charm all year round. 

Cogne is on the edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park 

Embodying the spirit of the Italian Alps Cogne is a place of clean air, quiet beauty, and authentic mountain life without any of the flashy après-ski vibes or luxury boutiques typical of so many Alpine resort towns. On the edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park, which is Italy’s oldest national park and one of its most spectacular, Cogne unlike many high-profile ski resorts has all the laid-back charm of an authentic mountain village.

A tale of two seasons: winter and summer in Cogne

Every winter Cogne transforms into a snowy paradise. Visitors will find over 80 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails, which are among the best in Europe. Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls and snowshoeing are also popular activities. When the snow melts summer reveals a different kind of magic. Cogne becomes a gateway for hiking, biking, and mountaineering, with trails starting right from the village and lead into the Gran Paradiso range, where ibex and chamois roam freely. The Valnontey valley, just a short walk away, delights with its Instagrammable views and a botanical alpine garden with over 1,000 mountain species.

The local culture

Despite its small size, Cogne has a proud cultural identity. Stone-roofed houses and wooden balconies decked with colourful geraniums give the village its storybook look, and the local Lace Museum offers insight into the centuries-old bobbin lace tradition, which is still kept alive by local artisans. It is worth visiting the Maison de Cogne Gérard-Dayné ethno-museum housed in a beautifully restored 17th–18th C farmhouse in Sonveulla, the historic upper district which is a short walk uphill.  This is an immersive experience that brings to life local traditions, like food production and lace making.  

Authentic flavours

Cogne’s food is hearty and rooted in tradition. From Polenta Concia (creamy cornmeal with fontina cheese) to Carbonade (a wine-braised beef stew), and the popular Tegole biscuits which are crunchy, sweet, and packed with almonds, while cheese lovers will not want to miss the Fontina DOP. There are many local trattorias and mountain huts serving these Alpine delights and they are invariably accompanied by wines from the nearby Aosta Valley vineyards.

What to see nearby

Beyond its natural wonders, Cogne is a perfect base for exploring. A short drive takes you to Lillaz Waterfalls, which is a pleasant hike in summer and a dramatic frozen cascade in winter. The Gran Paradiso National Park visitor center offers interactive exhibits for all ages, and Aosta, the nearest city, blends Roman history with Alpine charm Discovering its Roman theatre and the Arch of Augustus, and exploring its cobbled streets make for a rewarding day trip. For information: www.visitcogne.it

The Green Community project by Buy Tuscany was recently presented in Livorno.

A showcase of new ecotourism products

Sustainable tourism was the star theme at the opening of Buy Tuscany 2025, with the conference “Sustainable tourism and networked territory, a presentation of the tourist products of the Green Community project. Organized at the Garden Toscana Resort in San Vincenzo, Livorno, the meeting, moderated by tourism journalist Claudiana Di Cesare for ItaliAbsolutely and Travel Quotidiano  was the official conclusion of the “Green Community - Travel to the Rhythm of Nature” project, a showcase of new ecotourism products and how the regional offer has evolved.

Sustainability as a strategic lever for hospitality

The morning opened with the institutional greetings of Antonella Cucinotta, councillor of the Municipality of San Vincenzo, and Cristiano Pullini, tourism councillor of the Municipality of Castagneto Carducci, lead partner of the Area Community. Both stressed the value of territorial cohesion and sustainability as strategic levers for hospitality. Francesco Tapinassi, director of Toscana Promozione Turistica, recalled how the role of destinations is not only to attract tourist  flows, but to guarantee “an innovative, widespread model that can combine economic growth and the protection of local communities.” At the event the results of the “Green Community Costa degli Etruschi” project, coordinated by Cooperativa Itinera, were presented. Laura Giuliano, vice-president of Itinera, illustrated the stages of the journey: "From the mapping of experiences to the sharing of the Charter of Values, from the network of over 50 operators to the co-design of 15 ecotourism products. A project that directly involved the territory and today delivers concrete tools for promotion'.

Bicycle tourism is a strategic asset for the region

Bicycle tourism was the focus for Marco Pavoletti, consultant of the Costa degli Etruschi Area Community, who presented the “Gran Tour Costa Etrusca itinerary”. "A380-kilometre gravel route that will connect 200 local tracks, integrating sustainable mobility bike+train and enhancing villages, archaeological sites, and nature areas. It will be a strategic asset to diversify the offer beyond the seaside.” Valentina La Salvia of Itinera spoke of the involvement and coordination of the supply chain in all phases of the project, including in the visual narration, conveyed in a video that "gave life to a story made of images to convey the emotions and values of the project, restoring the true soul of the experience.”

15 ecotourism products for structured tourist packages

With the catalogue, the video spot and the dedicated digital platform, the 15 ecotourism Costa degli Etruschi Green Community” products are now ready for buyers and travellers, consolidating the destination's positioning as a model of widespread, sustainable and innovative tourism, as Luca Carnesecchi, managing director of Italia Highlights, also explained: "More than 40 experiences by 30 companies have been crafted into structured tourist packages - from green weekends to team building proposals - with trends ranging from forest bathing to barefooting, and from food foraging to cooking classes. It is an offer designed for independent travellers, groups and the corporate segment.”

The role of sustainable, integrated and multimodal mobility

Maria Paola De Rosa, head of trade sales at Trenitalia, gave her contribution on sustainable, integrated and multimodal mobility: "The Etruscan Coast is now served by high-speed, Intercity and regional trains, integrated with intermodal services such as Etruschi Line, Elba Link and Argentario Link. The train is a concrete choice to reduce emissions and make the territory more accessible.” International partnerships were touched on by Guy Saunders (Luxury Raid Travel), Francesca Pozzan (Itinarrando - La tua avventura a portata di zaino) and Gianluigi Puiè (Team Building Natura), who underlined the openness of the Costa degli Etruschi to experiences for domestic and foreign markets, confirming how sustainability is now an essential element of tourism strategies, leading to collaborative networks, innovation, and the enhancement of the territory.


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