July 27, 2026
Want to get married in the Eternal City or in a medieval castle or on a golden beach? Authorities in Lazio are giving €2,000 to couples getting married in the region, as they seek to salvage the wedding sector from the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme, called In Lazio with love, is open to Italians and foreigners who have a religious or civil marriage in the region between 1 January and 31 December 2022.
The refund even includes the cost of the wedding rings
Couples can already make their requests for the funding. All they have to do is provide a maximum of five receipts. If accepted they will receive a €2,000 refund on money they have spent on Lazio-based wedding services. These include wedding planners, attire, venues, catering, flowers, car hire, photographers - and even the wedding rings.
Only 9,000 weddings in Lazio during the pandemic
The region has set aside a total €10m for the initiative, and applications for the refund can be made up until 31 January 2023 (or until the fund runs out). It is hoped this will boost weddings in the region which fell to 9,000 during the pandemic, compared to the over 15,000 held in the region in 2019.
“Lazio has many magical locations”
“The scheme is needed to support a sector that has suffered badly from the economic crisis,” said Nicola Zingaretti, the president of Lazio. “We have put the significant investment in place also with an eye on the tourism sector. We are aware and proud of being able to boast that in every part of our region there are many of the most magical and fascinating locations in the world thanks to our unparalleled artistic and cultural heritage. They are ideal places to celebrate a special day such as a wedding”
Wedding pictures at the Trevi Fountain or on the Appian Way
Indeed the Lazio region has no shortage of locations to choose from including a host of mediaeval hilltop towns and sand dune beaches like those that line the Circeo National Park. Then of course there is the capital city with show-stoppers for wedding pictures like the Trevi Fountan, the old Appian Way, the Coliseum and St. Peter’s Square.
“It’s time to relaunch the sector”
Valentina Corrado, Lazio’s tourism councillor added that it is time to “relaunch a sector that has been on hold for a long time. The wedding business has suffered economically during the last two years.”
Published in MICE & Events
The rebirth of Castelfalfi in Tuscany with a new 5-star hotel at the centre of the redevelopment
March 23, 2022A 5-star luxury hotel will be the protagonist of the rebirth of Castelfalfi in Tuscany, which also includes a series of fully restored villas and traditional farmhouses, available for rent and for sale. With the end of the Tui era, the 1,100-hectare estate nestled between Florence, San Gimignano and the Tyrrhenian coast, now owned by Sri Prakash Lohia, is preparing to embark on a new course.
A challenging 27-hole golf course
Far from wanting to transform the destination only into an exclusive residence for investors, the new property wants to encourage free access to Castelfalfi so that both travellers and locals can live an immersive experience in the medieval village which is over 1000 years old. Thanks also to a series of new activities including the 27-hole Castelfalfi Golf Club: the largest in the region and one of the most challenging courses in Italy.
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and woodlands
This little village in the Florentine countryside has an intriguing history. It would seem that its name is a contraction of Castrum Faolfi, a Lombard settlement mentioned for the first time in 754. In the 1960s it experienced a decline leading to a progressive depopulation until 2007, the year in which it was purchased by Tui AG. The German giant reinvigorated an area of 1,100 square metres to include vineyards, olive groves, woods and ponds, and a castle that was reopened after restoration works in 2014.
An enchanting region with great wines and EVOO
What makes Castelfalfi special in addition to the charm of the castle and the excellence of the buildings? The beautiful landscape that surrounds it! Like the protected area of the Carfalo stream and the hills bordered by olive trees, cypresses and rows of vines around the municipality of Montaione. This area produces excellent EVOO, Chianti DOCG wine, Poggionero IGT and Rosso Toscano IGT. And to add to all this, it is also a region of enchanting beauty!
Published in Hospitality
The new Maalot Roma Hotel, close to the Trevi Fountain, is inside the eccentric and trendy Don Pasquale Restaurant. Yes, inside. This unconventional concept of hospitality has all-day dining and is named after the opera by the great opera composer Donizetti who lived in the building for nine years.
A colourful and relaxing ambience
The Maalot Roma Hotel has thirty rooms and suites, each one different from the other, and guests find a "home sweet home" atmosphere, the bright reds, dark blues and yellows of the elaborate fabrics, also used as wallpaper, creating a refined and joyful ambience.
Many of the rooms and suites have fireplaces
Many rooms have fireplaces and bookcases, desks and bedside tables in precious woods embellished with gold leaf, and they all have practical walk-in closets and marble bathrooms. The basement gym has mirrors and ebonized wood panelling, giving it a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.
In the heart of the most authentic part of Rome
"The new Maalot Roma Hotel and its restaurant Don Pasquale are in the heart of the most authentic part of Rome, - says General Manager Edoardo Officioso - our aim to become a benchmark for a non-conformist clientele seeking out beauty and good food. Our guests find themselves in a vibrant atmosphere made of colours, art, taste and attentive, friendly but discreet service."
A hotel inside a cosmopolitan restaurant
The concept is quirky: a hotel inside a restaurant, as the Don Pasquale is the belly and the heart of the hotel. With seating for 60 and black bamboo armchairs, you can stop by for a coffee, enjoy breakfast or lunch or sip a cup of tea in the afternoon, relax with an cocktail before dinner and then linger with an after-dinner aperitif. The atmosphere is informal, chic and hip but affordable, and with that cosmopolitan and eccentric air typical of places that attract travellers from all over the world: the perfect place to meet and socialize, for Romans and non-Romans.
Two more SHEDIR Collection hotels will open in Rome
The SHEDIR Collection Hotel Maalot Roma is the third SHEDIR Collection property in a portfolio that includes the Capri Tiberio Palace and the Vilòn Roma, while two more openings are planned for the Eternal City: the Palazzo Umiltà Roma and the Palazzo Roma. "Our hotels allow customers to experience a blend of hospitality, intimacy and authenticity - says Claudio Ceccherelli CEO, Shedir Group – we offer highly professional, yet personalized, sincere and empathetic service."
Published in Food&Wine
The Compagnia dei Cammini’s immersive walks for the visually impaired, blind and hard of hearing
March 21, 2022Compagnia dei Cammini has opened its trips to disabled people thanks to a collaboration with NoisyVision, a non-profit organization that supports people with visual and/or hearing impairments. These immersive walking tours will allow those who are partially sighted, blind or hearing impaired to walk together with walkers without sensory difficulties.
The exchange of experiences and sensations is very enriching
“Walking with someone who can not see means savouring the wonder of the journey even more,” says Luca Gianotti, coordinator of Compagnia dei Cammini, “Accompanying people with sensory impairments does not mean having to constantly be at their disposal,” explains Dario Sorgato, founder of NoisyVision. “Although there are some basic precautions, accompanying the visually impaired is much simpler and more natural than you would imagine. And the exchange of experiences and sensations is very enriching for the group."
credits: Milena Garda
The first walk is in the southern Salento region
Compagnia dei Cammini’s first trip open to all will be in Salento from 23 to 30 March, a week of walking between olive groves, terraces, Mediterranean scrub and dry stone walls, with very modest gradients, partly near the sea and overlooking the magnificent cliffs from which you can see Greece and Albania.
The Brigands’ Walk between Lazio and Abruzzo
The second trip open to all will be the Brigands’ Walk between Lazio and Abruzzo from 26 May to 2 June, on the ancient border between the Papal State and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, passing through little towns, nature reserves and Apennine landscapes to discover an intense and authentic land.
For more information: www.cammini.eu
Published in Tours
B&B Hotels has some simple tips to make the most of springtime holidays in Italy, made even easier thanks to the 50 plus hotel in the Group, at unbeatable prices only on hotelbb.com.
A Lake Garda break at the B&B Hotel Affi Lago di Garda
Lake Garda, nestled between the hills, the Po Valley and the northern mountainous regions, is the perfect destination in which to discover enchanted landscapes. A region made for exploring its villages, immersing yourself in its traditions and savouring its Easter culinary delights. The B&B Hotel Affi Lago di Garda is located in a quiet and strategic position, perfect for resting after a day spent on the lake or in one of the nearby amusement parks such as Gardaland, Caneva Acquapark or Parco Natura Viva. And the romantic city of Verona is only a 20-minute drive away.
Discover Lake Maggiore from the B&B Hotel Malpensa Lago Maggiore
Leave the alarm clock at home, sleep in, change the rhythms of your day and indulge in a quiet trip out of town near Lake Maggiore. The B&B Hotel Malpensa Lago Maggiore allows you to visit some of the most fascinating tourist destinations in the area. Strategically located not far from the lake, the city of Varese and the Ticino Valley Natural Park, the Hotel Malpensa Lago Maggiore offers its guests maximum comfort in its Superior rooms, Suite rooms and Junior Suites.
The B&B Hotel Arezzo in the heart of Tuscany
The Easter weekend could be the right time to visit a Tuscan pearl like Arezzo. The B&B Hotel Arezzo is perfect for discovering the historic centre of the city and some of the most fascinating towns in the region such as Cortona. The hotel has 79 spacious and comfortable rooms, free parking and a gym open 24/7. In addition, the Lo Zafferano restaurant has a menu from which you can choose fantastic traditional dishes.
Five Florence B&B Hotels for Easter
To celebrate Easter in a different way, Florence is certainly one of the most original destinations: Easter Sunday is celebrated with the Scoppio del Carro tradition when an 18th-century gilded chariot is placed in front of the churchyard of the Cathedral and is “exploded” by fireworks. It is a spectacular custom that is preceded every year by a colourful parade-procession of musicians and flag wavers. And you can choose from one of the five different B&B Hotels in the city: B&B Hotel Florence Laurus al Duomo, B&B Hotel Florence Pitti Palace at Ponte Vecchio, and B&B Hotel Florence City Centre.
Published in Experiences & Tips
Coming soon: the new Quellenhof See Lodge, a resort with tropical character at 600 meters asl
March 18, 2022An experiential vacation in a tropical atmosphere, at 600 meters asl. April will see the opening of the 5-star Quellenhof See Lodge in San Martino, in Passiria in the Val Pusteria valley about 50 kilometres from Bolzano. This new project comes from the Dorfer family, owners of the Quellenhof Luxury Resorts (Passeier and Lazise).
Luxury villas in an artificial lake
The new complex will be dedicated to couples, groups of friends and families with children over 14. With a range of different solutions, one programme is BalanceLiving which promises quality living comfort in a unique design context. There are four extra luxury villas in the middle of the artificial lake each with a terrace, private pool with Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, relaxation beds and a hammock suspended over the water.
An underwater restaurant and a spa
Five of the twenty-six suites have direct access to the lake, and there are two restaurants, one of which, the Underwater Restaurant, is in the water, and there is also a Bistro. To complete the offer there are 800 square metres of spa and 4,500 square metres of swimming lake reserved for guests only.
A tropical island in the Alps
"We wanted to create a place that could inspire people looking for a vacation with character, people who love the mountains, but are also curious to try new adventures,” says Heinrich Dorfer. So we got the idea of creating a tropical island in an Alpine context with a comfortable and pleasant microclimate.
Beauty, luxury and exclusivity
“The added value of the project is to have recreated a unique environment, with palm trees and lush vegetation. It is a true mountain vacation with a seaside air. The architectural choice is a personal plus, because over the years I have traveled a lot ,and I have collected all the curiosities I came across, creating something that belongs to me and that I can share with those who love beauty and luxury, as well as exclusivity.”
Published in Experiences & Tips
Cristoforo Trapani is the new executive chef at Belmond Caruso in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast
March 18, 2022Cristoforo Trapani is the new executive chef at the Caruso in Ravello, a Belmond hotel on the Amalfi coast. The reopening for the 2022 season is scheduled for April 1st.
Originally from the Sorrento peninsula, Trapani has worked in some of the most important starred restaurants in the world. Among others, he has worked with Heinz Beck, Mauro Colagreco, Yannick Alléno, Antonino Cannavacciuolo, Moreno Cedroni and Davide Scabin. Eclectic, and in tune with his surroundings, Trapani has already received recognition from the Michelin guide.His cuisine blends local produce with simplicity
Trapani’s signature style of cuisine is a blend of local produce and simplicity, resulting in mouth-watering dishes such as the Violet Artichoke of Schito, Glazed Rock octopus, Gragnano Spaghetti with Yellow Tomatoes, and Red Praws Rigatoni, as well as, Vesuvius Annurche Apple Pie with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
Inspired by the beauty of the coastline
“I’m happy to return home and to be able to start this new journey in the land where I was born and where my great passion for cooking blossomed,” declares the new executive chef. “At the Caruso my creativity will find new forms of inspiration; the beauty suspended between sky, sea and nature will be translated into flavours and an expression of soulful emotions.”
Ravello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ravello is one of the prettiest towns on the Amalfi Coast. Perched high up on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Salerno it has truly breathtaking views, and its air of laid-back glamour and sophistication makes is a popular tourist destination. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Published in Food&Wine
The Fiocco di Neve Relais and Spa in Limone in Piedmont joins the Autentico Hotels group
March 18, 2022Fiocco di Neve Relais and Spa in Limone in Piedmont joins the Autentico Hotels group and sister properties Castel Fragsburg in Merano, Faloria Mountain Spa Resort in Cortina and Mont Blanc Relais & Spa a few steps from Courmayeur.
This is the first 5-star luxury hotel in Limone, Piedmont and the only 5-star in the entire province of Cuneo. A Piedmontese family with roots in this valley took the hotel over in 2017, and a recent restyling has involved the expansion of the Relais, adding two new suites and bringing the total number of rooms to 14, all furnished in a romantic style.
Shuttles to the lifts and chairlifts
"The renovation project began about five years ago – explains hotel manager, Luigi Aprea - and particular attention was paid to the spa. This recreates authentic mountain scenery with natural colours and materials, and our services include the shuttle to the lifts and chairlifts, and gourmet cuisine with breakfasts prepared with quality local ingredients. Among the most recent additions is the White Lounge Bar adjacent to the hotel, now a glam location included in the Michelin guide, that hosts themed evenings and live music.”
“We have a passion for the true essence of luxury”
Limone is a glamorous winter resort town in the Maritime Alps in Italy’s Piedmont region, and is just an hour and a half from the city of Turin, and easily reachable from the Ligurian Riviera, the Principality of Monaco and the French Côte d’Azur.“We are pleased to welcome Fiocco di Neve Relais & Spa to our exclusive club - adds Beatriz Gimeno, Sales Development and Co-founder of Autentico Hospitality - it fully embraces our passion for family-run properties and our attitude towards the art of hospitality: the true essence of luxury.”
Published in Hospitality
The Deutsche Hospitality Group debuts in Italy with a hotel at Rome’s Tiburtina station
March 18, 2022The Deutsche Hospitality group is making its debut in Rome. The German company, formerly known as Steigenberger and now owned by the Chinese Huazhu, will open a hotel, branded as an IntercityHotel, at Rome’s Tiburtina station. The property will have 310 keys, a restaurant, a bar and six conference rooms.
Developed on an area purchased from the Fs Italiane Group
This operation is possible thanks to an agreement signed last week by Fs Sistemi Urbani (Fs Italiane Group), on behalf of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, Roma Capitale, and Progetto Tiburtina, of the Mtk group. The latter had purchased the plot for development, called C1 in July 2020, from Fs Sistemi Urbani for about €13 million. The Austrian Mtk Group already has properties in Italy having developed four accommodation facilities in via Ca' Marcello in Mestre, close to Venice.
Rome’s Tiburtina Station is linked to the underground and to Fiumicino Airport
The Tiburtina railway station is the second most important in Rome, and many Trenitalia high-speed and Intercity trains use it, as does Italy’s second rail operator Italo. The station is not as central as the main Termini Station, but it is on the metropolitan Line B, and also on the line for the urban trains that go to Fiumicino International Airport.
Published in Hospitality
Oscar Wilde famously said “Let me be surrounded by luxury, I can do without the necessities.” But what kind of luxury will high-net-worth individual travellers be looking for post-Covid? And which, if any, necessities will they be willing to do without?
With the industry champing at the bit, and luxury travel predicted to be a frontrunner in 2022, one US agent says ultraluxe holiday weeks are running into the $100,000s. “Ultraluxe is most easily defined as exclusive use. Think private jets and private islands, and a lot of navel-gazing.”
A recent Marriott survey revealed that 75% of upmarket travellers say that "luxury has a different meaning today than it did to my parents' generation.” Which means they want to spend for experiences that let them learn something new, implying a shift from “what I can buy or do" to "who I can be.”
So high-end travellers are looking beyond mere comfort and pampering for holidays that allow them to “be themselves”. And with many of them changing their bucket lists into do-now lists, the luxury hospitality brands need to rethink their mindsets. Those that do so fast, offering guests opportunities to live up to their aspirations of self-actualization and mindful travel, will find themselves with a whopping competitive advantage in the fast-changing world of luxury and ultraluxe travel.
Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor
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