Generation 35+, aka the Millennials, is quietly emerging as an increasingly influential and lucrative travel sector. Traveling with no children and often solo, they bring something every destination dreams of - independence, flexibility, and an open-ended travel budget.

With no school holidays shaping their schedules, they can book shoulder-season city breaks, midweek escapes, and long-haul adventures at the drop of a hat. They want quality, from boutique stays to curated cultural encounters and wellness retreats with a touch of gourmet flair - and they are willing to pay for it.

For the trade, the message is loud and clear. Marketing that once invested heavily on families and honeymooners now needs to speak to confident solo travellers and small groups of friends who see travel not as a reward but as a lifestyle. Having traded hostels for heritage hotels and cheap beer for craft cocktails and high-roller bubbles, Generation 35+ is calling on the industry to keep pace.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

For over 25 years Ferretti Hotels Group has grown with a family spirit.

Expanding locally and internationally 

Ferretti Hotels is a fixture of Italian hospitality, with strong roots on the Romagna Riviera. From the beginning, the vision was clear. “Our deveopment follows the path set 25 years ago, when from the very first property we saw growth both locally and nationally,” explains CEO Fabrizio Ferretti.

Looking at opening in a mountain area

The vision of bringing the Romagna’s style of hospital onto a national level has shaped a portfolio ranging from seaside resorts and lakeside destinations to art cities, business hubs, and inland tourism. “The only segment we’re missing is the mountains, but we’ll get there soon.” In a crowded market, the Ferretti formula is deliberately focused. “Our strength is being a small family group. Everything is under control, there are no unnecessary roles, and everyone works hard to achieve results.”

A raft of new openings in the pipeline

Sustainability is also important. “At the moment, we are starting with photovoltaic systems, but expectations are always higher, so to keep up you have to keep investing in properties, innovations and people.” The Group’s growth plans include developing a family hotel and a sports hotel with on-site facilities in Misano Adriatico. A new opening is also planned in central Milan, with further projects in Rome, Venice, Florence, Modena, and the mountains also in the pipeline.

“We will always be a family-run group”

As for the future Ferretti Hotels sees resilience in diversification. “During Covid, while art cities struggled, seaside hotels performed well. That balance sustained us.” And despite expansion Ferretti’s philosophy remains unchanged. “We will always be a family-run group, with our feet on the ground. Managing hotels isn’t easy, you need to think with your own head, invest wisely, and carry forward your own vision.”

In 2026, all eyes will turn to L’Aquila, the Abruzzo city that is the Italian Capital of Culture 2026.  

The theme is L’Aquila s a Multiverse City 

At 700 metres above sea level in the heart of the Apennine mountains, as it takes centre stage as Italian Capital of Culture. Celebrated under the theme Città Multiverso – Multiverse City, L’Aquila is set to become a hub where art, heritage, creativity, nature, and innovation converge. The programme promises to showcase the city’s resilient spirit through exhibitions, festivals, live performances, and immersive creative projects designed not just to display L’Aquila, but to inspire dialogue, new ideas, and lasting connections benchmarking L’Aquila’s extraordinary resilience – in 2009 it was hit by a devastating earthquake that destroyed much of its historic centre - into inspiration for the future.  

Museums and artisan workshops 

Strolling along the cobbled streets of the historic centre visitors can admire the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, a 13th-century masterpiece, and the Forte Spagnolo, a striking Renaissance fortress. Art lovers will delight in museum exhibits celebrating traditions and innovation, while local workshops allow them to engage directly with artisans who keep centuries-old crafts alive.

Hiking, mountain biking and skiing are nearby

Nature and adventure are close by as L’Aquila’s surroundings are a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, climbing Corno Grande, the highest mountain peak in the Apennines, or exploring hidden alpine lakes and trails all appeal to travellers. Winter brings skiing in nearby Roccaraso, while spring and summer offer horseback riding, paragliding, and mountain biking across lush valleys and forests.

Involving neighbouring towns and areas

Beyond L’Aquila the 2026 Capital of Culture programme extends to Rieti and other neighbouring towns, creating a network of experiences across central Italy. Towns and villages, rural areas and mountain resorts will host pop-up events, workshops, and festivals, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves fully in the traditions and contemporary creativity associated with this part of the Abruzzo region. Sustainability is central to the concept, with projects designed to leave a lasting cultural and environmental legacy well beyond the 2026 Italian Capital of Culture year.

ItaliAbsolutely takes part in some of the travel industry’s most important trade fairs, including TTG Travel Experience, which will take place from October 8 to 10 in Rimini (Emilia Romagna region). Italiabsolutely will be at Hall A2, Booth 221. These events are opportunities to establish new contacts with international travel specialists and forge agreements with leading players across the global tourism industry. They also offer the chance to strengthen relationships with partners and advertisers, while showcasing editorial initiatives that highlight the latest market trends and business opportunities. 

On October 8, ItaliAbsolutely will be presented to the international B2B travel market with a brand-new look: a compact, more user-friendly format, featuring fresh content, news, articles, columns, and stories. The first issue will also be distributed in digital format to 70,000 travel agents and international operators.

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The participation of Travel Open Day S.r.l., owner of the ItaliAbsolutely brand, at TTG Travel Experience was made possible through the contribution of €15,240 for each trade fair, granted by the Lazio Region under the “Voucher Internazionalizzazione PMI 2025,” an initiative of the Regional Programme ERDF Lazio 2021–2027. This programme supports the participation of regional SMEs at international trade fairs, enabling them to expand access to foreign markets and foster their internationalization processes. Through this participation, Travel Open Day S.r.l. establishes relations with the Italian tourism market to promote Italian tourism worldwide.

Grimaldi Lines. A positive summer and new proposals for winter travel.

Following a positive summer season Grimaldi Lines has new proposals for winter travel.

A network of 20 Mediterranean routes

This summer Grimaldi Lines connected all the shores of the Mediterranean, with a network of 20 maritime routes to and from Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece and Tunisia, Francesca Marino head of Grimaldi Lines’ passenger department, outlines the shipping line’s extensive range of services. 

“Routes with convenient timetables and regular frequencies”

“The Grimaldi Line routes, which have convenient timetables and regular frequencies, are the key to our success with very different target customers from families, couples, groups of friends and caravanners, to nature and adventure lovers, not forgetting the Over-60s who benefit from special concessions. This wide-ranging offer positions us as a benchmark for mobility and tourism in the Mediterranean, and it creates added value for our commercial partners, who can build tailor-made packages linked to events, festivals and shows around our routes, even in the low season.”

New itineraries and New Year’s Eve in Barcelona

Alongside the shipping line activities, the group’s Grimaldi Lines Tour Operator offers original holiday experiences such as themed trips -l ranging from literature to wellness, games and dancing - on the Civitavecchia-Barcelona and Palermo-Naples routes. New December itineraries include the Barcelona Christmas Markets (6–10 December) and these are also available from Palermo to Naples for Sicilian customers (6–9 December). Another highlight is Palermo, with a package combining a stay at the Hotel Mediterraneo and a crossing from Naples aboard the Cruise Ausonia (5–9 December). The winter calendar concludes with the eagerly awaited New Year’s Eve in Barcelona, the ideal occasion to celebrate 2026 in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.

“A clear and rewarding commercial policy for agents”

The Rimini fair will provide the stage to present Grimaldi Educa, the company’s project dedicated to youth training. On this initiative Marino underlines: “In this area Grimaldi Lines is a flexible partner offering from a single sea voyage to full experiences curated by Grimaldi Lines Tour Operator, combining stays, excursions and on-board programmes to create tailor-made packages for schools and groups.” The Tour Operator’s programme also extends to Mediterranean holidays with travel by sea and stays in hotels, residences and villages in Sardinia, Sicily, Spain and Greece. With regard to the trade, Marino stresses: “Travel agents are our fundamental partners, and we have a clear and rewarding commercial policy for them. In addition to a wide range of products tailored to end-customer needs, we allow overcommissions on the achievement of set objectives, something that goes to reinforce a partnership built on mutual trust and shared success.”

  

The contemporary art exhibition Nullpunkt will run at the eCampus University in Rome up to 24 October 2025.

Promoting art in danger of disappearing 

The exhibition, conceived and directed by Count Daniele Radini Tedeschi, well-known art critic, curator of eight editions of the Venice Biennale Art for Latin American countries, with the valuable contribution of Anselm Jappe, professor of aesthetics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome.  Promoted thanks to the support of eCampus, the exhibition’s title is the German term for the zero point, which is to say the limit from which a new phenomenon can originate, the ideal starting point for a change, for a renewed cycle and a new phase. The initiative says Anselm Jappe underlines art's mission to safeguard “ways of feeling and doing that are in danger of disappearing under current conditions.”. narcissism.

Peter Nussbaum, As Above, So Below

“Recovering the semiotic intensity of images”

The exhibition, says Radini Tedeschi, "Embraces artists living in the current historical period, The art of  Nullpunkt seeks to recover the semiotic intensity of images and the works on display anticipate or follow the crisis point, bringing art - and therefore culture - back to a place of secrecy, initiation and seduction".

Nicola Pica, MU. Soulless, high relief in resin and iron oxide on canvas

The entrance is free Monday to Saturday

Three authoritative masters of modernism - Peter Nussbaum, Nino Perrone and Nicola Pica- confront the new group of young artists from various academies who include Shohreh Bayatipour, Francesca Biancalana, Flavio D'Agate, Elisa Fabbri, Maria Ginzburg, Elena Griscioli, Michela Lambraia, Stefan Loata, Aurora Macella, Giulio Martellotti, Annalinda Maso, Beatrice Pellegrini, Ilaria Racca and Alice Sortino.  Visiting hours: Monday to Friday 8.30-20.00; Saturday 8.30-13.00.

The Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant at Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento took part in the ninth Ischia Safari.

Over 200 chefs took part

The food and wine event conceived by star chefs Nino di Costanzo and Pasquale Palamaro brought together over 200 chefs, pizza makers and master pastry chefs recently in the extraordinary setting of the Negombo Thermal Park. 

Local Campania specialities

For the occasion Nicola Celentano, Chef de Cuisine of the Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant, presented a revisiting of an iconic Campania dish: Spaghetti alla Scarpariello. This is a classic from Campania’s frugal yet flavorful culinary heritage and is based on cherry tomatoes sautéed with herbs, parmesan cheese and basil.  The participation of the Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant, confirmed the Hotel Mediterraneo’s commitment to enhancing Campania cuisine through innovation, creativity and respect for tradition.

A restaurant with spectacular bay and Vesuvius views 

The Hotel Mediterraneo’s has different catering concepts with a style of cuisine that is classic Mediterranean with strong links to the Campania region. Executive Chef Giuseppe Saccone's research, is aimed at enhancing the excellence of Campania with traditional recipes interpreted in a contemporary key and using PDO products. The Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant is elegant, refined and romantic with incredible views of the Gulf of Naples, the islands and, of course, Mount Vesuvius. Here’s a polished travel trade style version of your text:

The refined luxury of a “grand home” 

This property is the perfect choice for all those who appreciate refined luxury and the warm hospitality of a "grand home.” With 61 rooms and junior suites - many have balconies with sea, garden and pool views - there is also a spa, and an elevator with direct access to the sea and the deck area reserved for hotel guests.  

An Italian Bistrot and rooftop Sky Bar

The Terrazza Mediterraneo Italian Bistrot is the latest gem to enhance the hotel’s already renowned culinary offering. Located just opposite the front door on the scenic Piazzetta Marinella, the new venue, which opened before the summer season, lives up to its name with a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, showcasing the very best of Italian gastronomy. The Aqua Pool Lounge is a grill and pizza bar open for lunch, while the Hotel Mediterraneo’s rooftop Vista Sky Bar attracts both locals and travelers with its spectacular views, unforgettable sunsets, and evenings of live music on the Sorrento Peninsula. www.mediterraneosorrento.com

Ryanair's announced transition to 100% digital boarding passes is confirmed for Wednesday, 12 November.

For a faster, smarter and more sustainable travel experience 

“To ensure a hassle-free transition to 100% digital boarding passes for our customers, we will be making the switch from Wednesday 12 November, traditionally a slightly quieter travel period after the early November holidays,- explains Dara Brady Ryaniar’s CMO.  -Ryanair's transition to 100% digital boarding passes will offer passengers a faster, smarter and more sustainable travel experience, made even easier thanks to the myRyanair app.”

Downloading the myRyanair digital app will be mandatory

So as of 12 November passengers will no longer be able to download and print a paper boarding pass, but will instead have to use the digital one generated in the “myRyanair” app during check-in to board their flight. This is the latest step in the digital transformation of Ryanair, which has already introduced numerous features and initiatives within its app to improve the travel experience for passengers. 

From preordering food and drinks to boarding updates  

The digital transformations already introduced include, for example, Ordertoseat  which allows passengers to order food and drinks directly from their phone and receive them first,  Live Flight Information which are real-time updates on boarding, gates and delays, and Direct Disruption Updates which are live notifications from the Ryanair Operations Centre in the event of disruptions. Today, almost 80% of the Irish low-cost airline's 206 million passengers already use the digital boarding pass.

Ortisei is a picture-perfect Alpine town beneath the peaks of the Dolomite Mountains with an abundance of local culture and seasonal outdoor activities. 

History and heritage

Located in the Val Gardena, Ortisei’s pastel-hued houses, hand-painted frescoes, intricate timber wood carvings, and balconies with cascading flowers, make it any photographer’s dream destination. As the largest town in the Val Gardena—a string of valleys situated in the province of Bolzano – in Ortisei the locals take great pride in their history and heritage, often wearing traditional costumes during seasonal festivals and parades. In the town centre a pedestrian street is lined with boutiques selling handmade products such as carved wood sculptures, traditional textiles, and local delicacies like speck, which is smoked cured pork. And in the various bars, restaurants, and cafés visitors can find offering tempting treats, including dumplings, goulash, and the iconic apple strudel.



Two historic churches

Ortisei is home to two beautifully decorated churches that are well worth a visit: the parish church of Ortisei, dedicated to Saint Ulrich and dating back to 1793, with a Baroque spire, precious statues, ornately carved wooden altarpieces, and original frescoes. Then there is the smaller Chapel of Sant'Antonio, located in the main square, which was built in 1673 in Renaissance style and showcases beautiful stained glass windows, unique carvings, and frescoes.



Hand-carvings as souvenirs

The woodcarvers of Ortisei have been making intricate nativity scenes, life-size figures and traditional toys for centuries. Visitors can admire their ornate, hand-carved works of art, meet the renowned sculptor families of Ortisei, and take-home unique examples of their exquisite wood carvings. While the town itself offers a blend of traditional folklore and handsome architecture it is the surrounding landscape that truly captivates visitors.

Learn from a local

The best way to explore the mountains and forests surrounding Ortisei is with a knowledgeable local guide who will take you to areas of beauty off the beaten path and share valuable local insights, making any experience even more special and memorable. They can also recommend one of the Alpine mountain hut eateries to enjoy home-cooked food with locals in a charming setting overlooking the majestic Dolomite Mountains.



Where to Stay in Ortisei

The ADLER Spa resort Dolomiti offers five-star comfort in an exceptional location in the heart of Ortisei’s historic centre. This modern resort offers complimentary guided tours daily and free use of electric bikes for those who prefer biking to hiking. The perfect base for exploring the area, this award-winning resort has a restaurant serving seasonal cuisine inspired by its natural surroundings. Guests will also find complimentary indoor and outdoor activities as well as access to the AGUANA Water World and Fitness World, along with daily guided hiking and biking excursions, which are also complimentary. For information: www-adler-resorts.com