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Beyond temples and frescoes, Rome reveals a second identity shaped by infrastructure, systems, and interesting mechanical and engineering sites. 

The skeletal Gasometro gas holder

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For visitors drawn to how cities work – which is to say how they move water, energy, and people - Rome offers a surprisingly coherent set of mechanical and technical sites that can be explored over a focused day. One example is a natural continuation of the Centrale Montemartini in the Ostiense district - a museum that combines classical archaeology with industrial machinery – the Gasometro which was once part of the city’s gas distribution system, is a vast steel structure that dominates the riverfront with its skeletal geometry. Though no longer operational, it remains one of Rome’s most powerful industrial forms, best appreciated from a distance along the Tiber river or at sunset, when its latticework stands out against the sky.

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Ancient aqueducts and modern EUR

Equally revealing, though far older, is Rome’s water infrastructure. At the Parco degli Acquedotti, multiple ancient aqueducts intersect across open fields, their arches marching across the landscape. Walking beneath these ancient structures makes Rome’s reputation as a city of builders feel literal rather than symbolic. For a more modern expression of engineered order, the EUR district offers a different perspective. Planned in the 20th century as a rational city, EUR is symmetrical, modular and structurally logic, its wide roads and planned vistas underlinig a vision of the city as a controlled, engineered system. 

Rome’s mechanical and engineering sites

These mechanical and engineering sites reveal a Rome built not only on symbolism and beauty, but on function and systems, and for anyone interested in mechanics, engineering, and urban infrastructure, they offer a parallel reading of the city, with Rome is seen as a machine as much as a monument.


Published in Experiences & Tips

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the launch Icelandair's new flight from Reykjavik to Venice.  


Icelandair's fourth destination in Italy 

Operating on Marco Polo Airport three times a week until 18 October, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and operated by a Boeing 737-Max8 aircraft, Venice thus becomes the Icelandic airline’s fourth destination in Italy, after Verona, Rome and Milan.


"Venice holds great appeal in our key markets" 

The launch of the Venice route “is a further step forward in strengthening Icelandair’s network between North America and Europe via our Keflavík hub,- said Icelandair’s COO, Tomas Ingason. -Venice is one of Europe’s most prestigious cultural destinations and holds great appeal in our key markets: Iceland, North America and Italy. - We are also proud that the launch coincides with our support for the Icelandic pavilion at the Venice Biennale, connecting Icelandic travellers to one of the world’s leading cultural events.”


Good for both inbound and outbound traffic

Camillo Bozzolo, Save Group director of aviation development, said that Iceland is a country particularly sought-after by Italians, “and the flight to Reykjavík is a great travel opportunity for our catchment area. Added to this is the network of connecting flights from the Icelandic hub to North America, thus stimulating both the American inbound market to Italy and the Italian outbound market.”



Published in Transportation

In northern Italy, the city of Modena sits at the heart of a unique destination known as “Motor Valley,” a small area where some of the world’s most legendary racing-car brands were born. For motorsport enthusiasts, the region offers a rare opportunity: several famous factories and museums are open to visitors, allowing travelers to step inside the history and craftsmanship behind Italy’s most iconic performance cars. (Automobile Museums)

Ferrari: the legend of Maranello

No visit to the area is complete without exploring the world of Ferrari. Just outside Modena in the town of Maranello stands the famous Museo Ferrari, where visitors can see historic Formula 1 cars, trophies and legendary road models. The nearby Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Modena celebrates the life of founder Enzo Ferrari and displays rotating exhibitions of racing and road cars. Many tours also include a panoramic bus ride around the Ferrari factory and the Fiorano test track, offering a glimpse of where the latest supercars are developed. (ferrari.com)

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Lamborghini, Maserati and the wider Motor Valley

Within a short drive you can also visit other icons of Italian performance engineering. At Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese, guided tours combine a museum visit with a look inside the production line where Lamborghini supercars are assembled. (Motor Valley)

Back in Modena, the headquarters of Maserati offers factory tours and a showroom highlighting the brand’s racing heritage. Nearby attractions include collections dedicated to historic marques such as Pagani and Stanguellini, making the entire region a paradise for car lovers. (visitmodena.it)

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Food, wine and UNESCO treasures

Motor Valley is not only about engines—it is also one of Italy’s greatest food destinations. The countryside around Modena produces world-famous specialties such as Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena and the sparkling red wine Lambrusco, all of which can be tasted at dairies, vinegar cellars and wineries across the region. (Emilia Storytellers Tours)

The historic center of Modena also holds cultural treasures. The ensemble of Modena Cathedral, Piazza Grande and the Torre Ghirlandina is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding Romanesque architecture. (Italia.it)

Together, fast cars, extraordinary food and remarkable art make the Modena area a uniquely Italian travel experience—where the thrill of racing heritage meets centuries-old culinary traditions.

Published in Experiences & Tips

“NextBG – The New Way to Explore Bergamo” is launching at Milan Bergamo Airport, the first premium e-bike hire service to be introduced at an Italian airport.

Over 25 e-bikes to choose from

The project is a collaboration between DIF Spa and SACBO, the company  that manages Milan Bergamo Airport, with the support of technical partners Würth and Bergamont. There are over 25 latest-generation Bergamont e-bikes (Scott Sports group) to choose from, depending on your tastes and style; premium e-MTBs equipped with various comfort features and available in different variants to suit your needs.

Bespoke tours for families, couples and solo travellers

In addition to simple hire, you can enjoy a range of guided experiences: in the Upper Town, for example, with "Città Alta, where Bergamo tells its story," a 4-hour tour including a cycle guide, or the half-day option which includes a traditional Bergamo lunch. You can also opt for a guided ride through the Moscato di Scanzo vineyards or to Malpaga Castle, with guided tours, tastings and lunch available as options in both cases. All the current options are detailed on the Nextbg.it website, with more to be added in the coming weeks. For those seeking an even more personalized experience, NextBG designs bespoke tours tailored to families, couples or solo travellers.

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Europe's first bike-friendly airport

Milan Bergamo is the first airport in Europe to be recognized as bike-friendly, and the project is part of SACBO’s broader commitment to sustainability, evidenced by the attainment of "Cycle Friendly Employer" certification in 2021 and the gold level for sustainable mobility in 2024. In collaboration with SACBO, NextBG is therefore presenting not just a new service, but an innovative hub focused on the sustainable mobility of the future, in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. “Our airport has embraced the concept of multimodality, focusing its development plan on programme lines of sustainability in the broadest sense, accessibility and the most versatile approach to mobility for air transport services,” says Giovanni Sanga, president of SACBO. 

A cycle path network around the airport

The cycle path network surrounding the airport grounds provides access to an ever-expanding branch of the regional and inter-provincial cycle network. This creates opportunities of great interest to tourists, a focus that SACBO has always supported and which is now taking shape with the launch of an e-bike hire service that goes beyond simply providing the bikes and offers excursions that are sure to appeal to travellers who want to explore and discover the region’s most hidden gems.”

Published in Transportation

The new Eurowings Salzburg-Cagliari flights are operational every Saturday until 24 October.

Also flights from Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart

This brings the number of destinations served by the German airline, part of the Lufthansa Group, from Sardinia’s main airport to four: in addition to the new Salzburg route, the summer 2026 schedule confirms flights to and from Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart

Eurowings is part of the Lufthansa Group

Thanks to the new Eurowings flights, Cagliari and Sardinia will be able to attract further tourist traffic from an area with historic ties to the region, aided by the opportunity to travel via the extensive network of Eurowings and the Lufthansa Group.

Strong interest in southern Sardinia

“The new Salzburg flights are a further step forward in the consolidation of our airport’s international links and confirms the strength of our partnership with Eurowings and the Lufthansa Group,” explains a statement from SOGAER, the company managing Cagliari Airport. The launch of this route, the note continues, is a strategic opportunity both for inbound tourism to Sardinia, thanks to the strong interest in southern Sardinia from the Austro-German region, and for the outbound market, offering Sardinian passengers the chance to easily reach one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.

Published in Transportation

Rome has many spectacular fountains, beyond the iconic Trevi.

Fountains with fewer crowds

The Eternal City’s many fountains are statements of power, engineering, and theatrical statement. While the Trevi Fountain draws the crowds (too many crowds, Romans complain) some of the city’s most spectacular water displays lie elsewhere. And, experiences without the crush of Trevi’s - now paying – visitors, they are equally thrilling emotional experiences. 

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Fountain of the Four Rivers on Piazza Navona

Bernini’s fountain on Piazza Navona is spectacle in motion. Four colossal river gods - representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Río de la Plata rivers, one for each continent - twist and strain around a rock formation, above which rises an ancient Egyptian obelisk. What makes this fountain extraordinary is its sense of instability, with the stone appearing to cave in, the figures reacting to unseen forces, and the water animating the entire structure. This fountain is a controlled explosion of movement, and is best appreciated by walking slowly around it.

Fountain of the Acqua Paola on the Janiculum Hill

Known to Romans simply as il Fontanone (the big fountain) this monumental fountain is less sculptural but more overwhelming in scale. Built to mark place where the Acqua Paola aqueduct arrives in the city, it functions as both water terminal and urban façade. Its wide arches pour water continuously into a vast basin, producing a constant roar that dominates the entire Janiculum hilltop. And below it Rome spreads out  in one of the city’s broadest and most spectacular panoramas. 

Rome fountain 1

Fountain of the Triton on Piazza Barberini

Compact but intensely dynamic, Bernini’s Triton Fountain is a masterclass in vertical energy. The muscular sea god kneels on four intertwined dolphins, blowing water upward through a shell. Unlike grand basin fountains this work concentrates the force of water into a single jet, making water itself the main protagonist, the fountain becoming a living, pulsing mechanism at the centre of the square.

Why these fountains matter

These three stunning fountains show in how many different ways Rome uses water. No one of them relys on sheer size alone, instead they reveal Rome’s ability to turn engineering into emotions and to make water speak as loudly as the stone from which they are carved.

Published in Cities & Regions

Vueling is stepping up its presence in Italy with over 250,000 additional seats for the coming winter season and is adding four new flights from Bilbao to Italy. 

A total of 89,000 seats to the four Italian cities

Tickets for the flights from Bilbao to Rome, Venice, Naples and Turin are already on sale, increasing the number of seats available on existing routes for the 2026 winter season, with over 100,000 additional seats. The winter schedule, which will therefore offer around 89,000 seats from Bilbao to these four destinations, is structured as follows: the Bilbao-Rome route, previously available until 13 September, will remain operational throughout the winter season and, from 25 October, will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

"We added over 250,000 seats from Barcelona and Bilbao this year"

The route to Venice will operate three times a week (on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) from 25 October; the route to Naples will commence on 4 December, also with three weekly flights on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays; finally, the route to Turin will be available from 25 October with two weekly flights, on Thursdays and Sundays. “At Vueling, we are committed to strengthening connections between Italy and two of our main hubs in Spain, Barcelona and Bilbao, where we have added over 250,000 seats this year, consolidating our leadership at both airports,” said Jordi Pla, Vueling’s chief network & strategy officer.

More routes also from Barcelona

As a result, over the course of the year, the airline will offer up to 31 routes from Bilbao Airport, 17 of which are international. Vueling will also scale up its service between Bilbao and Milan, increasing it to seven weekly flights, which is one daily flight, and over 55,000 available seats. The carrier will also expand its service from Barcelona to three destinations: Naples, which will increase from 14 to 21 weekly flights; Turin, which will add six flights to reach 11 per week; and Palermo, which will have eight weekly flights, three more than last winter.

Turin and Palermo also get more flights

Furthermore, in the second half of the summer, Vueling has also increased frequencies from Barcelona to Turin (from 5 to 11 weekly flights) and Palermo (from 7 to 11 weekly flights), between 15 September and 24 October. The airline is thus adding over 150,000 extra seats on these routes, bringing the total to over 330,000 seats.

Published in Transportation

Art and hospitality blend into one in the DUPARC Contemporary Suites in Turin. 


A dynamic new district

Turin is a city that evolves while preserving its elegant, Savoyard soul and embracing contemporary culture, architecture and design. And nowhere is that balance more visible than in the district surrounding DUPARC Contemporary Suites which is poised to become a dynamic cultural destination following the restoration of the Medieval Quarter and Valentino Park, the redevelopment of the Po River cruise service and the arrival of the futuristic new National Library. 

"A genuine urban and cultural renaissance"

For Ana Paula Bracarense, general manager of DUPARC Contemporary Suites, these changes are a natural continuation of the hotel’s identity. “The extraordinary transformation currently taking place in our area serves to amplify the DUPARC’s inherent character. We find ourselves at the heart of a genuine urban and cultural renaissance, a dynamism that perfectly reflects our own identity.”

mini Superior Junior Suite 2DUPARC Superior Junior Suite

"A new type of design-conscious traveller"

Designed as a modernist architectural landmark with a permanent contemporary art collection, DUPARC Contemporary Suites has always occupied a unique position in Turin’s hospitality landscape. And today, as the city attracts a new generation of international travellers drawn to culture, design and creativity, the property’s original vision feels more relevant than ever. “This urban buzz naturally attracts a new type of design-conscious traveller who is seeking an extension of the cultural experience the city has to offer,” says Bracarense.

miniLobby-2
miniOriental-Spa-2
miniLuxury-Terrace-Junior-Suite-3
miniDUPARC-Bar--Bistrot-2
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miniOriental-Spa-2
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miniDUPARC-Bar--Bistrot-2

A fluid and vibrant cultural hub

The DUPARC supports emerging designers and local creative businesses, positioning itself not simply as accommodation, but as an active participant in Turin’s artistic ecosystem. Looking ahead, Bracarense envisions the hotel evolving into “a fluid and vibrant cultural hub, integrated into the urban fabric. Rather than simply staying within a work of art, the experience we offer our guests is that of inhabiting art itself,” she says. “We want to move beyond the static and purely contemplative experience typical of a museum visit.”  

The art is woven into the guest experience 

Throughout the property works by leading figures of Arte Povera and Italian contemporary art coexist naturally with daily life with the art woven into the rhythm of the guest experience, from enjoying a signature cocktail in the bistro to relaxing in the spa. “The artworks are not merely decorative elements, but an integral part of daily life. The spacious proportions of the original building remain, with the addition of expansive glass walls that flood the interiors with natural light. The Classic Suites are minimalist with the period furnishings of the original structure, while newer Superior Junior Suites reinterpret those generous spaces in a more contemporary hospitality spirit, while the refined Junior Suites and larger Luxury Suites are undergoing a complete redesign.

And elegant city and a hub of art and culture 

This sanctuary in the centre of Turin is a place where architecture, art and hospitality coexist with rare harmony. And Bracarense sees DUPARC continuing to evolve remaining faithful to Turin’s distinctive identity while embracing its increasingly international cultural future. "Turin is a splendid city that has always adapted to the changes imposed by the times. The Turin of the future cannot be different from its essence: it will always be the Savoyard city, elegant and reserved, yet unafraid to open its doors as an international hub of art and culture.”

Published in Hospitality

Intercontinental flights may be able to land at Milan Linate in the near future. 

Linate is Milan's city airport

Perhaps. And according to speculation by the Italian daily Il Corriere.it, which has had access to the draft document on the new National Airport Plan, the strategic document outlining the development of Italian civil aviation up to 2035. According to this document the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is reportedly considering opening Milan’s city airport to intercontinental flights, particularly flights from and to New York, provided they are operated by single-aisle aircraft configured exclusively in business class and managed by traditional airlines.

Only narrow-body aircraft

This would inevitably require an amendment to current legislation. At present Linate is subject to strict restrictions set out in the so-called ‘Giovannini Decree’ of 2022, which permits only point-to-point flights; the use of narrow-body aircraft; routes within 1,500 km; and connections only to airports in the European Union or countries with which agreements are in place (such as the United Kingdom).

Linate lungo raggio 1

Linate Airport is already very congested

The Ministry’s aim would be to offer airlines greater commercial flexibility and attract premium customers directly to the centre of Milan, taking advantage of Linate’s strategic city airport location. However there is a significant constraint on the table: the airport can handle a maximum of 18 movements - take-offs and landings - per hour. But the airport is already very congested, so the introduction of long-haul flights would likely result in a reduction in some domestic or European flights.

Milan Malpensa could lose profitable traffic

If the project were to go ahead it would impact negatively on Milan Malpensa Airport as the latter could lose some of its most profitable traffic to Linate. It is no coincidence that the restrictions on the city airport were introduced precisely to encourage the growth of Malpensa as an international hub, especially following the crisis that led to Alitalia’s withdrawal from the airport. Among the airlines potentially most affected is ITA Airways, which, together with the Lufthansa Group, already holds a dominant position at Linate (around 52% of scheduled flights for the whole of 2026, according to Cirium data).

Published in Transportation

Three more Wizz Air aircraft in Milan Malpensa, Catania and Naples from 14 September. 

50 routes to 23 countries from Milan Malpensa

The number of aircraft based by the low-cost carrier will rise from 10 to 11, enabling the launch of four new international routes to Santander, Zaragoza, Porto and Agadir-Al Massira, all commencing in mid-September. With the arrival of this additional Airbus A321neo, Wizz Air’s offering at Malpensa will therefore comprise a total of 50 routes to 23 countries.

Two new aircraft in just two months 

In Milan the announcement of the 11th aircraft based there comes just under two months after that of the 10th Airbus A321neo stationed at Malpensa and the launch of seven new routes from Milan within the airline’s network: two domestic routes to Palermo and Naples (both with twice-daily frequencies) and five international routes to Dortmund (daily), Bilbao (five weekly flights), Cluj (four weekly flights – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), Iasi (three weekly flights – Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and Palma de Mallorca (daily flights).

Wizz Air

3.4 million seats on sale this summer

This year, the airline will offer over 5.5 million seats to and from Milan Malpensa, an increase of 16.3% over 2025. During the summer 3.4 million seats will be on sale, with operational capacity up by 19.8% compared to last summer. “Milan is our second-largest base in Italy and has always been one of the most dynamic and strategic markets for our growth in Italy. The strengthening of our presence at Malpensa, with the arrival of our 11th based aircraft, confirms the confidence we have in this region and its potential. This investment is not only about the company’s operational expansion, but also a concrete contribution to the region’s development: together with our partner SEA – Milan Airports, we are proud to support the growth of Milan’s connectivity, creating new opportunities for tourism, business and the local economy,” commented Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer at Wizz Air.

Milan Malpensa's strategic centrality within European aviation 

“Wizz Air’s further expansion at Milan Malpensa Airport confirms the airport’s strategic centrality within the European aviation landscape. We welcome the decision to further increase the number of aircraft based at Malpensa and the launch of new international routes such as Agadir, Santander and Zaragoza (the latter two are brand-new destinations for Malpensa) which expand its network and strengthen its role in connecting the region, enhancing accessibility to Milan and Lombardy,” commented Luigi Battuello, chief commercial cfficer SEA Milan Airports.

An on-time performance rate of 99.6%

In 2025, Wizz Air carried over 21 million passengers in Italy, recording an 8% increase over the previous year and maintaining an exceptional on-time performance rate of 99.6%. With a fleet of 44 aircraft based in Italy this year and a market share of 12%, Wizz Air is now the second-largest carrier in Italy, aiming to offer more than 32 million seats in 2026 and to upscale its presence across the country.

Published in Transportation
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