Resort Castello Dal Pozzo in Piedmont has joined the international Preferred Hotels & Resorts network. 

“We intend to attract a global clientele”

“This affiliation is a fundamental step in our strategy of growth and consolidation in the luxury hospitality market,- says administrator, Aimone Dal Pozzo. - Thanks to this alliance we intend to increase the visibility of our brand and attract a global clientele.”

Just 2 kilometres from Lake Maggiore

Rebuilt in the 17th century and transformed into a unique example in Italy of neo-Gothic Victorian style by architect Richard Popwell Pullan, the relais, owned by the Dal Pozzo family for six generations, is located 25 minutes from Milan Malpensa airport and just two kilometres from Lake Maggiore. With 46 rooms, the gourmet Le Fief restaurant, an American bar, the Dan Garden lounge and a swimming pool with the Folia Life bistro, the property is set in 24 hectares of centuries-old English-style parkland.

Many areas and services have been updated

“The castle's history is rooted in a millennial past,-  says president Cassiano Dal Pozzo. -It has always represented an essential reference point for the Oleggio community. With passion, dedication and a clear vision we have embarked on a long and complex path of recovery, updating many areas and services to reply to contemporary needs.” 

ITA Airways’ France-Italy services were in the spotlight again this year at the IFTM Top Resa show in Paris last week.

France is ITA Airways’ second largest market after Italy

The Italian carrier was present at the show in Club Affaires, the area dedicated to business travel specialists, which was located in the airline pavilion. For ITA Airways France is the second European market after Italy and is currently served with 92 weekly frequencies, for a total of 184 flights during the summer season. The schedule includes 4 daily flights between Rome Fiumicino and Paris Charles De Gaulle, 3 daily flights between Rome and Nice and up to 7 daily flights between Milan Linate and Paris Charles De Gaulle/Orly.

IFTM Top Resa 2024 featured 1,400 brands

A landmark for travel and tourism professionals from all segments, the IFTM Top Resa event is a dynamic global platform that brings together the industry's key players to define the future of sustainable travel. The 2024 edition featured over 1,400 brands and welcomed more than 30,000 professionals from 170 destinations for the three-day programme.

The Volare loyalty programme has 2.4 million members

Confirming the importance of the French market, ITA Airways, through the Volare loyalty programme, offers exclusive services and the possibility of accumulating points from the first flight, as well as a wide range of partnerships. The Volare programme is growing rapidly and currently has 2.4 million members, more than 30 commercial partners and 10 alliances with other airlines' loyalty programmes. Volare is very popular in France, the fourth largest market by number of members.

ITA Airways flies to 57 destinations

2024 is a year of strong growth for ITA Airways, particularly on long-haul services. Currently ITA Airways operates to 57 destinations, including 16 domestic, 26 international and 15 intercontinental.  During the summer season the airline expanded its offer with new direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Chicago, Toronto, Riyadh, Accra, Dakar and Jeddah. All passengers arriving in Rome can easily connect to ITA Airways' extensive domestic and European network from its main hub in Rome Fiumicino.

The Langhe and Roero areas in Piedmont can boast an EcoMuseum, a truffle fair and much more. 

A network of paths for lovers of nature

Winding through the Rocche del Roero, in Piedmont, visitors find themselves on a network of paths that look like something out of a fantasy saga. It was here about 250,000 years ago that the Tanaro river diverted its course creating beautifully shaped spires and majestic and natural amphitheatres where nature lovers can venture on foot for a unique day of trekking.

A stunning natural EcoMuseum

The rock formations are so extravagant that they gave rise to an ancient Medieval legend that claims they were created by Beelzebub himself, armed with a spade and a colossal basket. To be sure the rocky gorges, high pinnacles and deep canyons are a unique spectacle, so much so that they are officially called an EcoMuseum. From Cisterna to Pocapaglia one enters a unique territory with villages perched on hilly ridges, with the flora composed of dry microclimates coexisting alongside extremely humid plants.  A little over half an hour's drive from La Morra, the Uve Rooms & Wine Bar is a boutique in a perfect starting point for exploring the fascinating Langhe, and also nearby Roero.
Autumn in the Langhe with the Alba Truffle Fair 

In October the first mists that veil the rows of vines transform the landscape into a muffled dream, making the Langhe landscape even more romantic. And it is this suspended humidity that develops one of the area’s most precious treasures: the white truffle. Gourmet connoisseurs cannot miss the Alba Truffle Fair, scheduled in the beautiful town of the Langhe from 12 October to 8 December 2024.

The Uve Rooms and Wine Bar has 8 rooms and suites

The fair, which represents one of the main showcases of haute gastronomy and Italian excellence, attracts visitors and enthusiasts from all over the world, and offers the opportunity - in addition to purchasing precious truffles - to immerse oneself in a world of show cooking, food and wine tastings, cooking classes, and fine dining.  La Morra is a hamlet suspended in the hills just 15 minutes from Alba, and the Uve Rooms & Wine Bar with just eight rooms and suites, offers comfort and relaxation in an atmosphere of refined luxury, and is strategically positioned for easy access to all the main Langhe towns.

A guide to the most interesting routes and events for cyclists on holiday in five Italian regions in a new guide from hu openair.

Veneto’s Mincio cycle path

The hu openair brand of the Human Company group has ten open-air facilities in Italy and Europe. The Veneto region with its evocative Prosecco hills, Lake Garda and historic art cities such as Verona and Vicenza, is also an ideal destination for cycling holiday lovers. One trail not to be missed by enthusiasts is the scenic Mincio cycle path which connects villages such as Valeggio and Borghetto on over 45 kilometres between Mantua and Peschiera del Garda. The hu Altomincio village, located along the banks of the river, is an excellent base for convenient access to the cycle path.

Discovering the Trentino Alto Adige’s nature

Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its imposing Dolomites and peaceful Alpine lakes and is among the top destinations for cycling tourism in Italy. The Valsugana cycle path is a stand- out route that passes through evocative landscapes and picturesque villages. Linking Trentino and Veneto it is ideal for a day of sport, discovery and contact with nature. The track stretches for about 80 kilometres from Pergine Valsugana, near Lake Caldonazzo, to Bassano del Grappa in Veneto, following the course of the Brenta river for a cycling experience to satisfy all skill levels.

Historic cycle events in Tuscany

Tuscany with its rolling hills, vineyards and centuries-old olive groves, is the perfect choice for lovers of nature, open spaces and cycling. The Setteponti road is a cycle route past typical villages, ancient religious buildings, terraced vineyards and olive groves. To comfortably explore the beauty of Tuscany stay in the village of Norcenni Girasole which is a few kilometres from Florence and framed by the Chianti hills. For cycling enthusiasts Gaiole del Chianti will host the 27th edition of the Eroica event on 5 and 6 October. This important and historical event will see the participation of cyclists wearing vintage or historically inspired clothing and racing on vintage bicycles. Then on 7 and 8 September the area will welcome the participants of the Marzocchina di San Giovanni Valdarno, a cycling tourism event that combines a passion for cycling with art and food and wine. Then on 21 and 22 September the Fiorino Mud gravel cycling event will be held, starting from Norcenni Girasole.

Lazio’s UNESCO-listed Appian Way

In addition to the capital, the Lazio region offers a variety of enchanting landscapes, from the Roman Hills to the volcanic lakes of Bracciano and Bolsena, and nature reserves such as the Circeo National Park. The ancient Appian Way – recently listed by UNESCO - is ideal for cycling with its Roman villas and catacombs in a green area removed from the bustling city centre. For a moment of relaxation and refreshment after cycling, the Fabulous Village is the ideal place to stay in a strategic location, halfway between the capital and the coast, from which numerous places of interest are easily accessible.

Umbria offers routes of all levels

Known as the green heart of Italy, the Umbria region is famous for its hills, forests and valleys. It offers countless opportunities for nature lovers such as the Sibillini Mountains National Park, Lake Trasimeno and the Marmore Waterfalls. Among the various cycling routes one suitable for all levels is the Tiber cycle route connecting Città di Castello to Perugia and running along the banks of the river. This almost completely flat itinerary runs through the landscapes of the Umbrian Valtiberina and alternates dirt stretches with others on paved roads with little traffic. Rich in medieval villages and ancient paths, this region is the perfect retreat for those seeking tranquillity and contact with nature. Five regions: five hu openair suggestions for cycling through Italy.

The rules for travelling to Europe will change starting in 2025 for visitors from the US and another 60 countries who wish to enter an EU Schengen country.

A new visa-waiver system

Europe is the most visited region in the world, and the new obligatory ETIAS visa-waiver system, due to take effect next year, is aimed at protecting and strengthening Europe's borders amid mounting terror threats. The ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System - will apply to travellers from some 60 countries who are entering any member country of the Europe Schengen zone. This currently includes 23 countries, as well as to six non-EU countries plus three European microstates for a total of 32 countries - which means registering for such holiday favourites as Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and even the Vatican City.

Applicable to visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and more

American citizens as well as travellers from some sixty other countries will require an ETIAS visa waiver to travel for short stays to any of the 32 countries listed, with the eligible countries also including Canada, Mexico and Australia.  

A simple online application process

The application process can be done online and it should only take about ten minutes to fill out the form. It is necessary to have a valid passport, an e-mail address and a debit or credit card to pay the €7 application fee.  Travellers younger than 18 or older than 70 years old will be exempted from the fee although they still need to obtain the ETIAS approval. 

The ETIAS will be valid for 3 years

The authorization is valid for three years or until a passport expires, and travellers holding the ETIAS can re-enter Europe multiple times within the three-year period. The scheme will go into effect presumably during the first half of 2025 and there will be a six-month transitional period, during which the ETIAS requirement will not apply except for travellers entering Europe for the first time. For information: https://etias.com/articles/visa-waiver-for-visiting-the-european-union

  

The historic trains of the Fondazione Fs Italiane are returning to Sicily, with 33 events scheduled from 14 September to 8 December 2024.

The trains have been operating since 2018

This is a long-awaited return given that since 2018 over 20,000 tourists choose the historical trains to visit villages, small towns, archaeological parks and places of art in Sicily, of which 7,400 in 2023 alone.

Touring many of Sicily’s iconic gems

This year's destinations, departing from Palermo, Messina and Catania, include Agrigento and the archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples, Santo Stefano di Camastra and Caltagirone with tours to discover the local ceramics, Syracuse and the historic centre of ancient Ortigia, Castelvetrano and the majestic archaeological park of Selinunte, and the baroque town of Modica for the annual chocolate festival. As in past editions, there will also be collaboration with the Circumetnea railway to reach the centre of Bronte from Giarre.

“Taking in even lesser-known locations”

“Our commitment to contributing to deseasonalizing tourist flows in Sicily continues this year,- comments Luigi Cantamessa, general director of the FS Foundation and managing director of FS Treni turistici italiani. – The 2024 programme of historical trains will take in the most beautiful locations on the island, even the lesser-known ones.”

Racks for up to 50 bicycles
 
“We have brought to Sicily the legendary terrazzini carriages built in the 1930s, with which we are now re-proposing authentic journeys back in time. From the iconic terraces and windows of these ancient cars, the travel experience will be even more authentic, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the smells and colours of this beautiful land. For bike lovers, there will be a luggage car with special racks that allow the transport of as many as 50 bicycles.”

Starting on 29 October Wizz Air will connect Budapest with Genoa three times weekly. 

Three weekly flights 

The flights from Hungary to Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo (where the low cost airline already operates flights to Tirana) will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Serving both inbound and outbound passengers

The schedule foresees the departure from Genoa on Tuesday at 08.25 with the arrival at 10.10; on Thursday at 15.45 with the arrival at 17.30 and on Saturday at 16.20 with the arrival at 18.05.
The return from Budapest is scheduled on Tuesday at 06.00 with the arrival in Genoa at 07.50; on Thursday at 13.20 with the arrival in Genoa at 15.10 and on Saturday at 13.55 with the arrival in Genoa at 15.45. These new flights seem to meet the needs of both inbound and outbound tourists by allowing more long weekend solutions. They will also be able to guarantee rapid travel for the many cruise passengers arriving from Eastern Europe and heading for embarkation in the port of Genoa.

“Wizz Air becomes the largest airline in Hungary” 

“Wizz Air becomes the largest airline in Hungary in terms of the number of available seats. With the introduction of Genoa, Girona, Marrakech and Memmingen, our goal has remained the same: to offer our passengers as many exciting destinations as possible, at an affordable price,’ said Valeria Bragarenc, the low-cost airline's communications manager.

New Milan Malpensa to Chengdu flights for Air China.

50 long-haul destinations from Milan Malpensa

 “We are proud to collaborate with Air China, a strategic partner for Milan Malpensa and SEA. These new flights with Chengdu allow us to offer new travel opportunities to our passengers, improving Milan's international connectivity, with 180 destinations, 50 of which are long-haul,” said Armando Brunini, CEO of Sea Aeroporti Milano.

Milan Malpensa-China traffic has more than doubled

The three Chinese airlines that operated flights between Italy and China have grown to the current six thanks to the China-Italy bilateral agreements of 2020. Milan Malpensa is the airport with the highest growth in connections to Asia in all of Western Europe and, compared to 2023, traffic from Milan Malpensa to China has more than doubled. 

“This direct flight facilitates trade and tourism”

“Chengdu is the capital of the south-western province of Sichuan, China. The city also boasts one of the most important ports for trade between China and Europe. The twinning between Chengdu and Milan, thanks to this direct flight, represents an important step forward in relations between our two countries, facilitating trade and tourism,” said the consul of the People's Republic of China in Milan, Liu Kan.

Operated by Airbus A350-900 wide-bodies

The new direct weekly flights are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, marking a significant expansion of air routes and they promise to have a positive impact on the economic and cultural development of the two regions. Operated with a new Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, they will offer a luxurious and comfortable flight experience. 

31 Air China frequencies between China and Italy 

"The Italy-China 2020-2025 bilateral agreements provide for an intensification of cooperation and exchange between the two countries on the tourism, economic and commercial front. This is the fourth direct flight operated by Air China from China to Lombardy and brings the weekly connections with Italy, including those to Rome Fiumicino, to 31 frequencies. We are enthusiastic about inaugurating this new route, which will strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Europe and China,” commented Ma Guodong, Air China's regional manager Europe.