History, design and hospitality come together in the Singer Palace Hotel Roma, the capital's new boutique hotel.

The old Singer headquarters is now a boutique hotel

With its Art Deco architecture and contemporary interior the property, between Via del Corso and Via Alessandro Specchi, is the Palazzo Singer which was built in 1930 as the Italian headquarters of the famous sewing machine company. The transformation of the Palazzo into a hotel started in 2018 with the Italian Visocchi family, who still represent the directly managed property.

The two terraces have a bar and a restaurant 

The hotel has 30 rooms, plus two panoramic terraces, with F&B outlets. The rooftop Jim's Bar is helmed by bar manager Federica Geirola, while the Le Terrazze restaurant under Chef Alessandro Fiacco  is on the other terrace and serves traditional Roman dishes with a contemporary twist.

In the heart of Italy's southern region of Puglia, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, lies the historic, beautiful and culture-rich city of Bari. 

A tale of two cities

This vibrant and historic destination is a treasure trove of culture, history, and coastal beauty, making it a must-visit for travelers eager to explore the authentic charm of Italy. Bari is a city of contrasts and is divided into two distinct parts: the old town, known as Bari Vecchia, and the new town, Bari Nuova. The historic heart is a labyrinth of narrow streets, historic churches, and traditional houses. One of the most prominent landmarks is the Basilica of Saint Nicholas which holds the relics of the saint who inspired the modern figure of Santa Claus. Don’t miss the vibrant street markets, where locals and visitors shop for fresh seafood, local produce, and handmade crafts, and are the epitome of authentic Italian daily life.

Bari

The new Bari is a modern marvel

In stark contrast to the old town, Bari Nuova has wide boulevards, modern buildings, and a vibrant commercial district. It's here that you'll find chic boutiques and trendy cafes. It also has a vibrant dining scene where you can savor delectable local cuisine, from freshly caught seafood to exquisite pasta dishes. Don't miss the opportunity to indulge in a dish of orecchiette, the local ear-shaped pasta, often served with broccoli rabe, while another specialty is the savory pastry panzerotto filled with tomato, mozzarella, and prosciutto, which is deep-fried to crispy perfection.

The sea and charming coastal towns beckon

Bari's extensive coastline, with its clear waters and sandy beaches, is a major draw for sun-seekers.  The beach town of Polignano a Mare, just a short drive from Bari, has stunning cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea while the charming historic center is a delight to explore. Bari also serves as a gateway to the captivating region of Puglia. From here, you can explore the historic trulli houses of Alberobello, the baroque beauty of Lecce, and the stunning whitewashed villages of Ostuni and Martina Franca. 

Ostuni

Marco Giovidelli is the new group head of MICE sales for Italian Hospitality Collection. 

An expert of the MICE sector with 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and in-depth knowledge of the mice sector, Giovidelli held the position of associate director of sales at Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana and, before that, was cluster senior sales manager at Melià Hotels.

Promoting the business and incentive segments

In his role at Italian Hospitality Collection Giovidelli will be responsible for boosting the Italian and international meetings industry market and promoting the Group's properties to the business and incentive segments. "We are confident that Marco Giovidelli’s leadership and background will contribute significantly to boosting our presence in the MICE segment,” says Ksenia Muzykantova, Italian Hospitality Collection’s group director of sales and marketing. 

The Best Western Hotel Fiera Verona is the new Bwh Italia property in Verona. 

82 keys, meeting rooms and a fitness area

Located near the Verona Sud motorway exit and 15 minutes from the Valerio Catullo airport, the hotel has 82 keys and the Et Voilà restaurant, which is open for dinner for hotel guests and available for banqueting services for conferences and events. There are also four meeting rooms for events of up to 50 guests. Completing the range of services there is a fitness area with Technogym machines and free parking for cars and buses.

Hotel Fiera Verona, ©Ph. Marco Simonini

“We see potential both as a business and a leisure hotel” 

"For many years we have experienced the professionalism and concrete support of Bwh Hotels Italia for our hotel in Ferrara," says owner Carlo Fabbri. "For the Best Western Hotel Fiera Verona we see considerable potential both as a business hotel, and for leisure customers attracted by Verona and its surrounding area.”

The Swadeshi Hotels Group has entered a partnership with Secret World, the British operator specialized in the creation of a global digital travel guide. 

A network of leading transport and hospitality companies

This partnership will allow the Italian company to be included in Secret World's Greatest Business Operations programme. This network includes companies such as Avis-Maggiore-Budget, Vistara Airline and Singapore Airlines, and with the Russotti Group's Marriott Hotels branded hotels in Rome, Milan and Venice.

“We have a commitment to meeting travellers' needs”

UK-based Secret World provides in-depth information on more than 120 countries, with content available in over 70 languages. The guide takes travellers to culturally-rich, lesser-known places, covering aspects ranging from history to gastronomy and folklore to art. "Joining Secret World's Great Operators Business Programme is a recognition of our quality and commitment to meeting travellers' needs,- says Swadeshi's commercial director, Denisa Doru. -We are excited about this partnership with the Swadeshi Hotels Group which will further enhance our guests' travel experience and mark another step in our development.” 

The Liguria region and the Cinque Terre are taking steps to streamline tourist flows with talks that encompassed benefits for seasonal workers not residing in Liguria, evaluating night-time slots, and considering specific qualified tourist categories. They also delved into the social impact of the fare adjustment shared with Trenitalia which includes providing free monthly and annual passes and also discounts to students.

A better distribution of tourists throughout the year

Giovanni Toti, president of the Liguria region, commented on the Cinque Terre Express fare change, stating, “We have outlined in detail the reasons and objectives of the fare change. With an almost 11% increase, La Spezia is the Ligurian province that experienced the highest growth in tourism in 2023. The measure aims to enhance this positive trend, increase tertiary services, and consolidate the GDP. There will be tangible benefits for both tourists and citizens due to the better distribution of tourist flows throughout the year.”

Boosting tourism by managing and rationalising flows

“The goal of this initiative is to boost tourism by managing and rationalising flows during days of overtourism. The new rates are set to be adopted on an experimental basis, and trade associations will participate in the monitoring table with local authorities to assess the effects,” Toti added.

We have time to fine-tune the service

 “This is a measure to protect tourism and the territory. However, there is room to review some aspects of the new fares,- said Augusto Sartori, regional councillor for tourism.  -I understand the concerns of traders, especially regarding tourists staying for a few days in the Cinque Terre, or the need to encourage nighttime train usage. We have time to assess requests and fine-tune the service thanks to the monitoring table provided by the Region.”

Benevento, situated more than sixty kilometers away from Naples in the heart of the Campania region, has thrived for many millennia. 

The best access is to Benevento with high-speed trains

Interestingly, in contemporary times, Benevento is more easily accessible from various Italian regions by taking high-speed trains rather than planes or motorways. Exploring the intricate tapestry of material complexity that encompasses its alleyways, courtyards, stairways, arches, tombstones, Roman memorial stones, and Baroque buildings, one could begin the journey by visiting the Sannio Museum. This museum chronicles the historical events of the region, but we suggest it is more illuminating to immerse oneself first in the city and then explore its museum.

The Caffè Strega is the city’s most famous bar

Corso Garibaldi is a sizable and well-frequented urban thoroughfare. Known for its shops, the Church of Santa Sofia  is positioned in the middle, the Rocca dei Rettori fortress at one end, and the Arco of Traiano arch on a short side street. Also worth stopping for is the Caffè Strega bar. This establishment, adorned with designer posters featuring scantily clad ladies (perhaps witches?), is the ideal setting for chilling or even studying, given Benevento's significance as a university town. The café is also notable for its selection of bottles of Strega, which is the city's symbolic liqueur.

A visit that will leave lasting memories

But there is still more to explore, such as the Duomo itself and the city is steeped in legend, including one that attributes its founding to Diomedes, a wandering Greek veteran of the Trojan War. A city well worth a visit and sure to leave lasting memories.