Air Corsica is once again investing in the Italian market with the introduction of a new annual connection between Nice and Florence.   

Demand for direct connections between the French Riviera and Italy

The new destination from Nice Côte d'Azur airport - flights will take off on 27 June 2025, with two frequencies a week, on Mondays and Fridays, operated by ATR72-600s - responds to the growing demand for direct connections between the French Riviera and Italy. It is part of a global strategy to boost connections between Nice, Corsica and Tuscany, three emblematic Mediterranean regions.

Air Corsica already has direct flights to Rome, Milan and Olbia

This new route provides connections to the four Corsican airports: Ajaccio, Bastia, Figari and Calvi. Schedules have been adapted to allow easy connections in Nice, making it easier for Italian travellers to reach Corsica and for islanders to reach Florence. Since it entered the Italian market in 2022 with direct flights to Rome, Milan and Olbia, Air Corsica has demonstrated its ability to seize the potential of a fast-growing cross-border market. With this new annual route, the airline continues to build on its momentum by optimizing its Nice-based fleet.

Rome’s Non-Catholic Cemetery, also known as the Protestant Graveyard, offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.  

Not far from the Colosseum

In the shadow of Rome's ancient pyramid, the Piramide Cestia, in the Eternal City’s Testaccio district (popular in the evening for its many restaurants and night clubs), this serene sanctuary makes visitors feel worlds away from the city's lively streets, offering a peaceful retreat seemingly far removed from Rome’s ever-thronged tourist sites. Although, in point of fact, one of the city’s most visited attractions, the majestic Colosseum, is not much more than half an hour’s walk away. The cemetery is the final resting place of the two great English romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose verses continue to inspire literary pilgrims from across the globe. Their graves, steeped in timeless beauty and poignant epitaphs, are among the most visited sites in the cemetery.  

The resting place of many famous artists

But this historic resting place is far more than a shrine to Romanticism, with its legacy bridging centuries, It also holds the grave of Antonio Gramsci, the revolutionary thinker and founder of the Italian Communist Party, whose ideas on culture and politics resonate through Italian history, making his grave a must-visit for political enthusiasts.  And also lying at rest here are modern luminaries such as the beloved Italian author Andrea Camilleri, the Sicilian author of the popular Inspector Montalbano series. 

A quiet corner and place of pilgrimage

Beyond its historical and cultural significance, the Non-Catholic Cemetery is a feast for the senses. Its tranquil pathways, framed by cypress trees and, in the warmer months, vibrant flowering shrubs, invite visitors to pause, reflect, and breathe in its romantic atmosphere. It's no wonder many consider it one of Rome’s most enchanting and intimate corners. Whether drawn by its literary heritage, captivated by its historical gravitas, or simply seeking a moment of calm amid the city’s buzz, this cemetery offers a rare glimpse into Rome's layered cultural tapestry, making it a site of pilgrimage for literature and history enthusiasts from all over the world. 

A day spent in Rome’s Villa Borghese park where art meets nature, is the perfect escape from the city’s crowded attractions.

Over 200 acres of lush greenery and culture

Amid the hustle and bustle of Rome’s historic streets lies a serene sanctuary just waiting to be explored. The Villa Borghese urban park, which is on over 200 acres, offers a delightful contrast to the city’s frantic energy, drawing visitors into a peaceful world of lush greenery, cultural treasures, and unique attractions. So both for art enthusiasts and those simply in need of a relaxing break, Villa Borghese promises something for everyone.

One of the world’s great art galleries 

This tranquil retreat is a simple stroll away from the Spanish Steps, the park’s towering trees and open spaces beckoning adventurous visitors to step away from the urban chaos and immerse themselves in nature and art,   At the heart of Villa Borghese stands one of Rome’s finest cultural landmarks, the beautiful Galleria Borghese art gallery which is home to an incredible collection that spans the Renaissance and Baroque periods. With great masterpieces by the likes of Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Correggio, alongside magnificent sculptures by Bernini and Canova, the gallery’s intimate, elegant setting invites visitors to experience these iconic works up close, offering an art experience unlike any other.

Rome’s zoological gardens and a Globe Theatre

The Villa Borghese park is also a lively space for relaxation and recreation. Families will find plenty of excitement at the Bioparco di Roma, the city’s zoo, where children can learn about animals from all over the world in an educational and entertaining environment. In the summer months in the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, live performances transport audiences into the world of Elizabethan drama in a captivating open-air setting, while film buffs can indulge in art-house movie in the world’s smallest functioning cinema, the Cinema dei Piccoli. Young and old alike will delight in bike rides through the sprawling grounds or renting a rowing boat and gliding across the park's picturesque lake: two simple ways to enjoy a tranquil moment while reflecting on the beautiful nature of the Villa Borghese.

Volotea has opened sales on the Paris- Orly-Turin route for next spring, when flights will be operated twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, from 30 March with a total of 22,536 seats on sale.

Bringing Turin and Paris even closer

The decision confirms the interest in Paris Orly as a destination, after the flight went on sale as early as Christmas 2024 for both tourist and business traffic. This Volotea service brings Turin and Paris even closer, boosting the potential for interconnection between these two cities, where style, tradition and innovation coexist in perfect harmony. From next spring passengers departing from Paris will be able to discover the city with the famous Mole Antonelliana as well as the wonders of the Piedmont region, including wine and food itineraries, regal residences and a wide range of mountain landscapes.

“We believe in the potential of this route”

“We very much believe in the potential of this route and that is why we will be re-establishing it as of next spring,- commented Valeria Rebasti, Volotea's international market director. -The  airline confirms its convenient and direct connections to three suggestive tourist destinations: Alghero, Olbia and Naples, which represent an ideal opportunity to plan a relaxing break on some of Italy's most desirable beaches, and to discover the historical and natural beauty of these splendid regions. “Thanks to Volotea's flights to Paris Orly, our airport will be able to offer passengers a wider range of services to France and its capital city- said Andrea Andorno, managing director of Turin Airport . -The Thursday and Sunday scheduling makes the flight very interesting not only for tourists, but also for the business travel segment, which we are sure will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Confirmed the two eagerly awaited new Italian openings by The Social Hub (formerly The Student Hotel).

550 rooms and an Olympic pool on the roof

Florence Belfiore is due to be inaugurated on 1 February with bookings already available. Located near the historic centre in the San Jacopino district, the property will feature 550 rooms, coworking spaces for over 600 as well as restaurants, bars, meeting and event spaces, an Olympic-size swimming pool on the roof, a shopping boulevard, and a neighbourhood garden. The centrepiece of the building is the 7,000 sqm roof garden terrace, much of which is accessible to the public via an external staircase.

Co-working spaces and areas for events  

The Social Hub Roma in the San Lorenzo district is scheduled to open in spring, with bookings available from January. The 392-room property is on an area of 24,000 sqm with a 10,000 sqm public park, which will be the hub of the complex. The property is designed to be a district within the city embodying the spirit of the former Customs House. The three main facilities include a new building in contemporary style and with renovated areas that already house the Accademia Italiana Institute (a campus dedicated to fashion and design) and an outdoor events area. In addition there is a rooftop bar and swimming pool overlooking the Eternal City, restaurants, a coworking space for 160 and additional meeting and event areas.

Italy is The Social Hub’s second biggest market

With these new openings The Social Hub doubles its portfolio in Italy, which already includes another property in Florence and one in Bologna, for a total initial investment of €560 million. Italy thus becomes the company's second most important market, and in the first half of the year, a 310-room complex in Porto is due to debut, bringing the hybrid hospitality brand to 21 properties in 19 European cities.

Volotea will connect Comiso to Lille in Northern France from 8 April 2025 with over 10,400 seats already on sale for the route, operating once a week on Tuesdays.

Making it easier to holiday in the south of Sicily

“From 8 April 2025, we are ready to hit the ground running with something new for Comiso airport: a new international connection by Volotea. Passengers departing from the north will be able to take advantage of the new flights to organize holidays in the south of Sicily, an area with an incredible variety of places to discover, including history, culture and gastronomy. And then there is the wonderful sea which they will find in this part of the island,” csaid Valeria Rebasti, Volotea's international market director.

“New growth opportunities for the entire region”

The new international route will create further growth opportunities for the entire region. In particular French visitors will be able to visit south-eastern Sicily to discover the beauty of a unique part of the island: a veritable treasure chest of historical and natural treasures, including the sea, nature reserves, baroque cities and ancient villages.

“Comiso Airport is a driver of economic and cultural growth”

“This new flight is a significant step in the boosting of our airport's network of connections with Europe,-  said Nico Torrisi, CEO of Sac, the company that manages Catania and Comiso airports. - The new route not only expands mobility opportunities for passengers, but also improves the strategic role of Comiso Airport as a driver of economic and cultural growth for south-eastern Sicily. The connection with Lille will be an important boost for incoming tourism, allowing more and more visitors to discover an area unique for its extraordinary historical, artistic and natural heritage.” 

Business is growing for the trulli and luxury villas management company Puglia Paradise.

Income from extra services rose by 72%

The trulli and villas have private pools and premium services and among the the driving factors of Puglia Paradise’s growth this year was the expansion of the portfolio, with eight new villas, totalling 31 trulli and luxury accommodations. Another significant step was the increase in the sale of extra services by 72%, including excursions, wellness and food and wine experiences, which now account for 10% of the total value of bookings.

Growing demand from large families

Guests at Puglia Paradise came mainly from the US (30%), UK (21%) and Northern Europe (21%), with significant increases also coming from Australia and New Zealand (5%). Italian customers accounted for 10% of the total. The average price per stay also increased by 9%. For 2025, the company is aiming for a further 25% rise in turnover, thanks in part to the addition of three new villas. Two of these are on over 500 sqm and have six to seven bedrooms, meeting the growing demand for stays for large families and multi-generational groups.

“We guarantee guests an exclusive and fully customized experience”

“For the coming year our goal is to continue to grow our luxury hospitality model for villas in Puglia, consolidating our role as a partner of excellence for owners and guaranteeing guests an exclusive and fully customized experience,” says Puglia Paradise’s founder Massimo Valentini.