Castello di Meleto in Tuscany in summer offers endless flavours, nature, history, and memorable experiences.

Immersed in the authenticity of Tuscany

There is a side of Tuscany that continues to capture the imagination of travellers from all over the world.It is the Chianti Classico region, where the roads wind through vineyards, woodlands, medieval villages and castles that tell of centuries of history. A landscape that is not only beautiful to behold, but to be savoured at a leisurely pace, and in Gaiole in Chianti, Castello di Meleto is one of the most enchanting destinations for those wishing to immerse themselves in the authenticity of this stunning region.

Iconic wines, artisan shops and traditional restaurants

Chianti is a famous wine destination and a land where wine is an integral part of the local culture from which you can easily reach some of the region’s most iconic cities like Siena and Florence, as well as charming little villages like Radda, Castellina and Greve in Chianti. They are all ideal for a day spent exploring artisan shops, historic squares and restaurants where Tuscan cuisine still retains the flavours of traditional recipes.

Stargazing on Thursday evenings until October

Against this backdrop, Castello di Meleto offers an experience that goes beyond a mere stay. The historic residence, set in vineyards and olive groves, allows guests to connect with the very soul of the region. The rooms and apartments scattered across the estate invite you to experience the countryside without sacrificing comfort, and wine takes centre stage with guided tours in the cellars and places where the estate’s wines are born. Strolling through the vineyards in the early hours of the morning, relaxing by the pool with a view of the hills, or exploring the estate all invite you to slow down and savour the moment. Castello di Meleto offers a programme of events like the Night of San Lorenzo on 10 August when, in collaboration with Astronomitaly, the castle opens its doors to stargazers. Far from the city lights, the Chianti sky offers extraordinary clarity, transforming the night into a journey through stars, planets and constellations. These continue until October every Thursday evening with the castle gardens open for a sunset picnic or an aperitif accompanied by a selection of local artisan products and the estate’s wines.

Unostentatious luxury and lasting memories

For the international traveller, increasingly drawn to experiential tourism, Castello di Meleto is a privileged gateway to Chianti Classico where luxury is not about ostentation, but is steeped in history in a natural setting that transforms a holiday into memories that will last a lifetime.

For information:
https://www.castellomeleto.it/

Rome is a city that tells its story through its cuisine and Barceló Roma is the capital’s new destination for fine dining.

Close to Vatican City and well connected to Fiumicino Airport

The new Barceló Roma takes its inspiration as a place designed to welcome the contemporary traveller, but also to open up to the city, transforming the kitchen into a meeting point for culture, hospitality and conviviality. Strategically located a short distance from Vatican City and well connected to Fiumicino Airport, the new hotel from the Spanish Barceló group is one of the most exciting openings of the year. Following a major refurbishment, the hotel has 352 guestrooms and suites, spacious areas dedicated to events and conferences, a swimming pool, and contemporary and elegant interiors, but what truly sets it apart is the gastronomic concept, designed as an integral part of a stay.

Chef Alfonso González Martín helms the kitchen

At the helm of the culinary team is Alfonso González Martín, a chef and manager with over twenty years’ international experience. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading figures in haute cuisine, developing a philosophy centred on respect for ingredients and tradition, whilst maintaining a modern vision of hospitality. The result is a culinary offering that speaks Italian - or rather, Roman - yet with an outlook open to the world.

Culinary journeys across Italy from north to south

The stars of this culinary journey are the hotel’s two restaurants, La Dolce Vita and Vesuvio Buffet. The former is the à la carte restaurant, where regional Italian cuisine finds its highest expression through dishes prepared with carefully selected ingredients and meticulous preparation. The latter, meanwhile, offers a daily journey through traditional flavours and recipes, giving guests the chance to savour different specialities every day, in keeping with the seasons. The menu pays homage to the great classics of Italian cuisine. Pasta naturally remains the star of the show, prepared according to the chef’s inspiration, on a culinary journey that takes you across Italy from north to south. Meat dishes are complemented by seafood options, and the gastronomic journey concludes with some of the most iconic desserts of Italian pastry-making: all accompanied by a wine list that prioritises Italian excellence.

There is also a food truck and a handy market

The B-Lounge welcomes guests with a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a coffee or an aperitif, and in the warmer months the Breeze Pool Bar is for snacks and moments of relaxation by the pool, while a food truck for casual al fresco dining and the B-Market are always on hand to satisfy any culinary cravings.

From 20 to 22 November 2026, Bergamo will host the eleventh edition of TERRAE by Agritravel Expo, the international event dedicated to sustainable tourism.

Authentic forms of travel

The event focuses on slow travel, inclusion, local identities and collaboration between operators, institutions and communities, offering new perspectives for a sector increasingly geared towards the quality of the experience and the promotion of lesser-known regions. Now in its eleventh edition and against a backdrop of growing interest in authentic and environmentally friendly forms of travel, TERRAE serves as a prime showcase for destinations that choose to highlight their cultural, scenic and food-and-wine heritage without compromising on sustainability.The aim is to showcase a form of tourism that goes beyond clichés and well-trodden paths, favouring experiences that place the relationship with the local area and its inhabitants at the heart of the journey.

Routes and activities for disabled travellers

The event brings together a wide range of key players from the tourism sector: regions, local promotion agencies, historic villages, specialist operators, nature trails, walking routes, river itineraries and organizations linked to craftsmanship and local produce. The opening day is dedicated to meetings between industry professionals, with the aim of fostering dialogue between supply and demand and creating new opportunities for collaboration. The "In cammino ConHacca" initiative, a collaboration with the Spazio Autismo Association in Bergamo, highlights routes and activities designed to welcome people with disabilities, transforming travel into a tool for social inclusion and shared growth.

Working with the CittaSlow network

A significant contribution also comes from Cittaslow, an international network committed to promoting models of sustainable development and safeguarding local identities. Through meetings, in-depth discussions and opportunities for dialogue, the network will present projects and strategies dedicated to promoting local excellence, highlighting the role of small towns as hubs of innovation and quality of life. With its programme of events, projects and collaborations, TERRAE 2026, a prime observatory of new
trends in tourism, is an event that does not merely promote destinations, but helps to build a culture of travel founded on sustainability, inclusion and respect for local identities. For information:
www.expoterrae.it

The Caracalla Festival will run in Rome's Circus Maximus from 29 June to 31 July.

An iconic ancient Roman site

The choice of the Circus Maximus – made necessary by the restoration work currently underway at the Baths of Caracalla – adds a further layer of charm to the annual Caracalla Opera Festival. This iconic ancient Roman site, once used for chariot races and large public gatherings, now becomes a contemporary cultural space, where the grandeur of the past meets the creativity of modern artistic productions.

A lecture on Saint Francis of Assisi

The programme opens on 29 June with "St Francis: An Unconventional Saint," a lecture-performance by historian Alessandro Barbero. Through his unmistakable narrative skill, Barbero offers the audience an original and in-depth interpretation of the figure of St Francis of Assisi; a debut that combines culture and reflection, immediately establishing the festival’s commitment to artistic and intellectual quality.

An evening dedicated to gladiators

On 3 and 4 July, the Circus Maximus will be transformed into an open-air cinema with "Gladiator in Concert." an event combining a screening of Ridley Scott’s famous film with a live performance of the soundtrack by the Orchestra and Choir of the Rome Opera House: an immersive experience that will blend cinema and symphonic music into a single, powerful emotional narrative.

From Riccardo Cocciante to Aida

On 6 July it is the turn of great Italian singer-songwriter Riccardo Cocciante, the star of an evening dedicated to his most famous songs, which have spanned generations whilst retaining their expressive power. At the heart of the opera programme Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” will be staged on 12, 15, 18, 22, 26 and 28 July. This masterpiece, with its blend of drama, love and orchestral power, finds a perfect setting in the Circo Massimo - the grandeur of the venue amplifying the opera’s epic scale snd offering the audience a theatrical experience of rare intensity.

Three evenings of ballet

Among the most eagerly awaited events is the return of “Roberto Bolle and Friends,” scheduled for 14 July. The Italian étoile brings to the stage some of the most prestigious stars of international dance, creating a gala that combines technique, elegance and spectacle. On 24 and 25 July, dance takes centre stage once more with John Cranko’s “Romeo and Juliet”, performed by the Corps de Ballet of the Rome Opera House. The festival will draw to a close on 31 July with Carl Orff’s monumental “Carmina Burana.” This famous symphonic-choral oratorio, with its rhythmic power and primal energy, promises a spectacular finale, sure to leave an indelible impression on the audience.

Concerts and multidisciplinary productions

Alongside major opera and dance productions, the festival also features symphonic concerts and multidisciplinary productions. The Caracalla Festival 2026 thus stands not only as an artistic showcase, but as a true journey into beauty, telling the story of Rome through the universal power of art and culture.

For information: https://www.operaroma.it/news/il-teatro-dellopera-al-circo-massimo/

Stadt Hotel Città and Palais Hörtenberg in the South Tyrol city of Bolzano offer access to the Dolomites.

Quality of life, culture, nature and innovation

Bolzano, one of the most fascinating destinations in Italy's South Tyrol, is a city that combines Central European elegance with Mediterranean warmth, offering a perfect balance of quality of life, culture, nature and innovation. Situated in the heart of South Tyrol, it is a strategic base for exploring the surrounding area and enjoying authentic experiences in every season.

A prime gateway to the Dolomites

The historic centre has characteristic arcades, lively squares and numerous bars and restaurants, and one of the most visited attractions is the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to the famous Ötzi the Iceman. The city also serves as a prime gateway to the Dolomites, Lake Caldaro and the South Tyrolean Wine Route, as well as hosting major cultural, conference and trade fair events that reinforce its role as a strategic hub for tourism and business. For the summer, PH Hotel offers a range of experiences for those wishing to discover Bolzano staying in comfort thanks to the offers available until 30 September at Stadt Hotel Città and Palais Hörtenberg.

Special summer packages

Overlooking the central Piazza Walther square Stadt Hotel Città is a refined four-star that has been a landmark of Bolzano’s hospitality for over a century. Its elegant rooms and welcoming atmosphere are complemented by the lively atmosphere of the Café and Bistrot Al Città, a popular meeting place for both guests and locals. For the summer season, the hotel offers packages designed to explore the local area and cuisine, ideal for those wishing to experience the city first-hand.

Palais Hörtenberg ph credits: Luca Guadagnini

Ideal for extended stays

Just a short walk from the historic centre lies Palais Hörtenberg, a modern urban residence that reinterprets the concept of serviced apartments with a contemporary and flexible approach. With 34 apartments, including studios and one-bedroom flats with a kitchen or kitchenette, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and underground parking, they are designed for couples, families, groups of friends and professionals on extended stays. Palais Hörtenberg has a reception with personalized assistance, self-check-in, a self-
service laundry, a gym and two private wellness areas available on request. Guests can also enjoy wellness experiences and exclusive treatments at the PH Hotel group’s partner establishments.

A choice of restaurants and pet-friendly

The Café and Bistrot Al Città serves contemporary cuisine showcasing local ingredients, with options ranging from brunch to quick lunches and evening aperitifs. For those seeking a more refined experience, the Le Segrete restaurant in the ancient cellars of Castel Hörtenberg, offers a gourmet menu and there is also Le Meridiane, a restaurant serving light, seasonal dishes. Pet-friendly and committed to sustainability, Palais Hörtenberg embodies the PH Hotel Group’s philosophy of modern, responsible and
personalised hospitality.

On World Bicycle Day, 3 June, Bressanone in South Tyrol celebrates cycling culture with 550 km of routes along Alpine trails and through local flavours.

Bressanone is a symbol of South Tyrolean cycling culture

In South Tyrol, the bicycle is not simply a means of transport. It is a common language, a form of everyday freedom and an authentic way of experiencing the region. Here, two wheels accompany residents and travellers along routes that wind through vineyards, historic villages and alpine landscapes, transforming every journey into a slow and immersive experience. Against this backdrop the town of Bressanone stands as one of the strongest symbols of South Tyrolean cycling culture. With its elegant medieval centre, arcades and intimate squares it is famous not only for the quality of the routes that surround it, but because cycling here comes naturally: public transport readily accommodates bikes, and many accommodation providers are equipped for those travelling on two wheels, offering secure storage, repair shops and dedicated services.

Scenic routes and trails for all levels

South Tyrol boasts around 550 kilometres of cycle paths connecting valleys and villages via scenic routes often carved out of disused railway lines, alongside rivers, through apple orchards and vineyards, with routes suitable for families and those seeking slow tourism, featuring stops, tastings and panoramic views. And for mountain bike enthusiasts the Plose offers more dynamic and spectacular scenery, while the Brixen Bikepark offers trails for every level, from smooth, accessible routes to technical descents for the most experienced riders.

The Südtirol Bike Festival:17 to 20 September

Bressanone will also be the centre of one of the most anticipated events of 2026: from 17 to 20 September, it will host the first edition of the Südtirol Bike Festival, an experience designed to bring together sport, culture, gastronomy and social gatherings. The Festival was conceived and planned to promote an open and accessible approach to cycling, without barriers of age or gender. From urban e-bike tours to high-altitude excursions to mountain huts and alpine pastures, every route invites you to slow down and observe the landscape with fresh eyes. And September, with the golden light enveloping the vineyards and the crisp mountain air, is probably the ideal time to explore this exciting region.

For information: www.brixen.org

Summer in Umbria means reveling in the beauty of spirituality, festivals and nature and it also combines contemporary culture and slow tourism.

The 800 anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi

From major events dedicated to the 800th anniversary of St Francis to festivals set in woods, along cycle paths, walking trails and historic villages, Umbria is The Green Heart of Italy and confirms its transformation into an experiential, well-organized and accessible destination. Today visiting Umbria no longer means simply letting yourself be guided by intuition or the beauty of the landscapes. In recent years, the region has built an integrated tourism system, where lightweight infrastructure, digital tools and local networks allow for the planning of detailed and personalized itineraries.


This is the case with Bike in Umbria, a project that has redefined cycle tourism through detailed routes, downloadable GPX tracks and itineraries with precise information on elevation gains, journey times and rest stops. The same approach underpins “Cammini in Umbria”, a network linking spiritual, nature and cultural trails throughout the region. One of the most successful examples of this new approach is the Lake Trasimeno area. Here a 58-kilometre circular cycle route connects Castiglione del Lago, Passignano, Tuoro and Magione, passing through lakeside landscapes and nature reserves. Branching off from the main route are paths leading to the hilltop villages of Panicale, Paciano and Città della Pieve, The Trasimeno museum circuit is accessible with a single ticket.

The summer Festival of Two Worlds

Alongside slow tourism Umbria continues to invest in culture and major events. The summer season opens with the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto and Umbria Jazz in Perugia, historic events that attract international audiences. But the calendar extends well beyond the major urban centres. Suoni Controvento brings concerts to meadows and mountains, whilst Moon in June transforms Lake Trasimeno into a natural stage.


ph credits: Umbria Region

Exhibitions honouring Saint Francis

This year the symbolic heart of Umbria remains Assisi, with the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis transforming the city into an international cultural hub. Exhibitions, spiritual journeys and contemporary events accompany visitors throughout the year. Among the most eagerly awaited events is Michelangelo Pistoletto. Franciscus. Brother in Art, an exhibition at the Rocca Maggiore, which brings cntemporary art and Franciscan thought into dialogue. In Perugia the exhibition Giotto and St Francis. A Revolution in 14th-Century Umbria explores the deep connection between the saint and the region’s artistic history.

Castelluccio is famous for its colourful blossoms

The Valnerina also takes centre stage once more thanks to the reopening of Norcia’s historic centre and the Basilica of St Benedict. Here, the blossoming of Castelluccio continues to be one of Italy’s most iconic natural spectacles. Between late May and mid-July, the high plateau called Piano Grande is covered with huge patches of colorful flowers: poppies, cornflowers, daisies, violets, narcissus, and especially the tiny lentil flowers for which Castelluccio is famous. Nearby Cascia and the sites associated with St Rita reinforce the area’s spiritual appeal, and not far away, the Marmore Falls completes the picture with outdoor experiences immersed in nature.

Sardinia’s Ogliastra is a region for exploring ghost towns, and discovering art and ancient traditions.

The truest and most unspoiled side of Sardinia

In Ogliastra, the sea is not just a seaside destination, but a profound experience: a continuous dialogue between water and rock, between silence and wind. A place where every swim, every excursion and every glance towards the horizon reveals the truest and most unspoiled side of Sardinia.

Villages that preserve the deepest soul of Sardinia

Far from the most famous beaches, Ogliastra reveals an intimate and surprising soul with villages suspended in time. With stone streets, murals, ancient churches and stories of resilience these villages reveal the most authentic Sardinia. In the heart of Ogliastra, among imposing mountains and silent valleys, there are villages that preserve the deepest soul of Sardinia intact. Here, time seems to slow down, leaving room for ancient stories, centuries-old traditions and a strong sense of belonging that is reflected in the daily gestures and hospitality of the inhabitants.

A ghost village abandoned after floods

Gairo Vecchio is perhaps one of the most evocative places in the area. A ghost village abandoned after the floods of the 1950s, today it is an open-air museum. The stone houses, deserted streets and silent shops tell a story of loss but also of resilience. Walking among its ruins means coming into contact with the collective memory of a community that has been able to rebuild itself elsewhere, without forgetting its roots.

A meaningful culinary legacy

Tortolì, on the other hand, is a harmonious balance between urban life and tradition. A lively Ogliastra town, it retains a deep connection with local culture in its markets, artisan shops and typical cuisine. Here, carasau bread, cheeses and local produce tell the story of a simple but meaningful culinary legacy which is a direct expression of the local area.

Birthplace of Maria Lai

Ulassai is unique in Sardinia: a village that has transformed art into a language of identity. Surrounded by spectacular rock formations that dominate the landscape, the village is known for being the birthplace of Maria Lai. Her most famous work, Legarsi alla montagna (Tying Yourself to the Mountain), marked a fundamental moment in the history of Italian contemporary art, involving the entire community in a symbolic gesture of union and memory. Today, Ulassai is an open-air museum, where artistic installations constantly interact with nature. The village’s Su Marmuri Cave, one of the most impressive in Europe, fascinates with its majestic surroundings and millennial formations, while the Lequarci waterfalls, in the rainiest periods, offer a natural spectacle of rare intensity. 

Authentic Sardinia staying at the Arbatax Park Resort & Spa

Baunei, in addition to its famous coastline, retains a strong mountain village identity. Pastoral traditions, popular festivals and a deep connection with the land tell the story of an authentic Sardinia, made up of handed-down customs and an unbreakable bond with nature. Strategically located in relation to these towns the Arbatax Park Resort & Spa allows visitors to explore the villages of Ogliastra with ease, a starting point to discover the villages of Ogliastra, on an intimate journey, made up of encounters, silence and shared stories.