Best luxury business hotel in Italy

THE Kolbe Hotel in Rome is a firm favourite with visitors from all around the world. Its unique combination of ancient architecture, traditions and modern trends combine to make a truly luxurious location not just for tourists but also business meetings, which is why it's been named 'Best Luxury Business Hotel - Italy' in the 2018 Brand of the Year Awards.

Situated at the foot of the Palatine Hill and close to the River Tiber, the hotel boasts stunning views that overlook the Roman Forum. It's a place where visitors can enjoy some of the most breath-taking views in the world, along with exceptional food and outstanding accommodation. Steeped in history and religious significance, it's a tranquil place that takes its name from Father Maximillian Kolbe; a man of deep faith whose name has become synonymous with courageous dignity.

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A tour of the Vatican before sunrise

FOR the first time, travellers can experience the Vatican – the most-booked attraction on TripAdvisor – in quiet solitude, before sunrise, and before it opens to the public. The #Vatican is famously popular, with travellers waiting up to 4 hours during peak season. 

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest provider of bookable experiences, is giving travellers a look at its new ‘Waking up the Vatican’ tour. The tour is available now and allows a small number of travellers to join the ‘Clavigero’, the Vatican key holder, as he unlocks the doors to the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s rooms, the Galleries, and more, hours before these iconic sites open to the public.

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Elegance above the Spanish Steps

THIS year, the iconic five-star Hotel Hassler Roma, located above the Spanish Steps with incomparable views of the city, marks its 125th anniversary. 

Owned by President and General Manager Roberto E. Wirth, fifth generation of a famous Swiss hotelier dynasty, the Hassler has continued its legacy as Rome’s five-star lodging of choice for the world’s elite and discerning travelers since 1893, having played host to everyone from Charlie Chaplin to George Clooney. The hotel acted as Eisenhower’s HQ during the war, the place that Audrey Hepburn called home while filming Roman Holiday, and the honeymoon spot for Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier.

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Immerse yourself in the history of Rome

WELCOME To Rome is a new multimedia space where you can live a unique experience: to dive into 2700 years of history of the Eternal City. Through an exciting “time machine” you will be able to go through the fundamental stages that have brought #Rome to become the city we know today. Video projections on the walls, ceiling and floor accompanied by a narrative holograms, projections and interactive exhibits that tell the story of important monuments.

Narrated in eight different languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese), the enchanting projection, dedicated to the history of Rome, lasts 30 minutes.

www.vivaticket.it

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Baby Boomers Top 10 Destinations

WITH an increasing number of baby boomers opting to travel later in life, new data from Emirates has revealed the top 10 destinations visited by this group of travellers. The top #destinations highlight the baby boomers’ love for all things European. On average, baby boomer’s trips spanned 20 days and they travelled twice a year.

The top 10 Emirates destinations for baby boomers are: 

1.   London 

2.   Rome 

3.   Paris 

4.   Dublin 

5.   Athens 

6.   Barcelona 

7.   Manchester 

8.   Amsterdam 

9.   Milan 

10. Frankfurt

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Qatar Airways continues expansion in Europe and Russia

QATAR Airways has announced that it will increase daily frequencies to the Scandinavian capitals of Stockholm and Oslo, alongside the Italian cities of Milan and Rome. Due to an increase in demand to key European destinations, especially from the Asia Pacific region, flights to Rome, Milan and Stockholm will increase to 17 per week from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, while flights to Oslo are set to increase from seven to 10 frequencies per week.

The award-winning airline has also announced that double daily flights to the Russian capital Moscow will increase to three times daily from 14 December, just five days before Qatar Airways’ inaugural daily flight to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. 

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Up in the air . . .

ETIHAD Airways offers Early bird travel deals for 2018 , the offers are available for departures out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, meaning there is no better time to book a 2018 European holiday and to enjoy Etihad Airways’ acclaimed service and hospitality. With connections via Abu Dhabi, travellers have a host of European destinations to choose from, including London, Paris, Rome, Dublin and Athens. The promotion is available for bookings until 6 October, for travel from 1 February – 26 September 2018.

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Alternative accommodation for a city break

TRAVELLING to a European city does not have to mean staying right in the centre in an overpriced hotel. Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has alternative ideas that are easy on the wallet and offer a more fun and quirky alternative.

Gothenburg
The Swedish city is an increasingly popular destination thanks to its rich culinary scene, proximity to the coastline and fascinating sights. Kungälvs Camping is just outside Gothenburg in a quiet town. Golfing and fishing are some of the local activities available, while the site has an easy stroll into the nearest town along the beach.

Dubrovnik
Why stay in the centre of Dubrovnik when just 15km away, accommodation for a holiday could be in a funky treehouse! Surely more fun for the holiday photos and Facebook updates. Cadmos Village is situated in Komaji and within easy reach of both Dubrovnik centre and airport. There is so much to do here from archery, painting and ziplining to hiking, bike tours and wine tasting.

Ljubljana
The compact Slovenian city is a must-see for anyone who loves European city breaks. Pitchup.com has seen vast growth in outdoor holidays to Slovenia and when you have a site just a 20-minute cycle from the centre of Ljubljana, it’s not hard to see why.

Madrid
On the outskirts of Madrid lies Camping Park Arco Iris. Although most visitors will probably spend their days exploring the shops, museums and galleries of Madrid, there is also plenty to keep them on site including a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, restaurant and kids’ playground.
Paris

Rome
Who needs to stay in the centre of Rome when from as little as £17 per night, visitors can stay just 12km away and enjoy a shuttle bus transfer everyday into the city. Camping Village Tiber offers guests a swimming pool, pizzeria and free wifi with entertainment in peak season.



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Strawberry Festival

NEMI is quaint medieval town of the Castelli Romani, 20 Km south of #Rome perched on a hill overlooking the small volcanic lake of Nemi. It is famous for its wild strawberries, small, sweet and with a distinctive flavour.

Every year since 1922 Nemi hosts the Sagra della Fragola (#strawberryfestival) when women dressed in traditional costume sell and offer the visitors the precious fruit served in many imaginative ways, with fresh cream or ice-cream, in pancakes, in milk-shakes and liqueurs.

You can also buy a piece of jewelry in the form of a strawberry pendant handmade by the local goldsmiths.  This year's festival takes place on June 4.

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Tour the Domus Aurea

ROMA Experience announces the launch of a unique group tour of the Domus Aurea - the extravagant palace that once belonged to Emperor Nero. 

Until recently, public access to the Domus Aurea was restricted, making the Domus Aurea tour a unique new opportunity to visit one of the most important buildings of Ancient #Rome. 

The tour includes an augmented reality experience inside the Golden Vault Room, where guests wear 3D glasses to see the Domus Aurea as it was in Nero's day.

Roma Experience offers a group tour of the #Colosseum of max 12 people, even in the underground section. During this tour, visitors enjoy an in-depth exploration of the Colosseum, descending to the subterranean area known as the hypogeum to learn about the games and discovering how spectacles were staged using impressive engineering.

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Picture Credit: By sébastien amiet;l - Domus Aurea Roma, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52683293

Easter Celebrations . . .

TOURISTS and pilgrims will flood into the Vatican City on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, cramming inside St Peter's square for the open-air mass. The non-stop services of Holy Week peak in the pope's Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis) and mass at the Colosseum late on the evening of Good Friday.

On Pasquetta (Easter Monday), tradition coaxes Romans (outside the city gates) to feast upon lavish picnics of such specialities as torta pasqualina (cheesy bread, with salami and hard-boiled eggs) and fave e pecorino (broad beans and cheese).

Main tourist sites such as the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Galleria Borghese and other archeological sites and museums keep normal hours. The Coliseum and Forum are open on Easter Sunday and Monday, although the Coliseum will close early on Good Friday to prepare for the Pope's procession there.  Saint Peters' Basilica will be open throughout the Easter holiday, but the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is), will be closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

It's free to attend all the masses at the Vatican (Palm Sunday Mass, Chrismal Mass on Holy Thursday, Papal Mass on Good Friday, Holy Saturday Mass and Easter Sunday Mass) but tickets are required.

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Step up

FOLLOWING extensive cleaning and restoration work financed by the jeweller Bulgari, the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome re-opened to the public in September.

The masterpiece by the architect De Sanctis dating back to the 18th century, has been cleaned up and its travertine steps restored for the public to enjoy once more. 

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Picture Credit: By kevinmcgill from Den Bosch, Netherlands - KAM_0141, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31690086

Americans heading to Rome, London & Orlando

DEMAND for travel to Europe remains strong, with Rome and London at the top of many international travellers' itineraries this summer, says the American Automobile Association (AAA). Americans are also flocking to warm-weather destinations in the US, Mexico, and Caribbean, and increasingly travelling to Canada to take advantage of favourable exchange rates. 

The top international summer destinations, based on AAA bookings for travel from June 1 to August 15, are:

Rome, Italy
London, England
Cancun, Mexico
Vancouver, Canada
Paris, France
Dublin, Ireland
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Calgary, Canada
Amsterdam, Netherlands

‘Europe remains very popular with American travellers despite recent terrorism concerns,’ said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of travel and publishing. ‘A strong dollar, discounted pricing, and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year. The strong interest in Europe, and even Paris, shows that many Americans are undeterred by recent global events.’

Domestically, the great American road trip is back, with almost 56 percent of Americans planning a drive vacation this summer, according to the AAA. The lowest summertime petrol prices in 11 years are prompting Americans to drive in record numbers. More than half of US adults say low pump prices are prompting them to hit the road this year.

AAA's top domestic summer travel destinations include:

Orlando
Seattle
Los Angeles/Anaheim
Honolulu, Hawaii
Las Vegas,
Anchorage, Alaska
New York, N.Y.
Maui, Hawaii
San Francisco
Denver

‘Orlando consistently holds the top spot on AAA's list of most-popular US travel destinations, while southern California has climbed in the rankings,’ said Mr Sutherland.

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Save time and money in Rome

ATTRACTION TICKETS DIRECT is now selling sightseeing tours and attraction tickets in #Rome. Holidaymakers planning a city break in the Italian capital can save time and money by pre-booking tickets to the most popular attractions, museums, and tours before leaving home.

Tickets include skip-the-line access to the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum

Options also include walking and food tasting tours, and sightseeing by bike, Segway, and classic Fiat 500 cars.

Expected to be among the most popular tickets is the Rome Pass, including a 48-hour hop-on/hop-off bus ticket. The pass is priced at £75 per adult and £58 per child aged six to 17.

Oliver Brendon, CEO of Attraction Tickets Direct, said: ‘Rome is a fantastic choice for a weekend away, but so much time can be spent queueing to get into the most popular museums and attractions. Doing a little research and planning before leaving home can save hours of time that can then be spent enjoying the city.

www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk

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Picture Credit: uPiazza San Pietro</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Spring into these top cities

SPRING guides to Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, London, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo are available now at www.seasonalcities.com.

The guides, written by resident travel journalists and updated every season, are an insider's edit of top fives (sights, events, shops, restaurants, bars and clubs, and hotels), and they provide three-day weather forecasts for each of the cities. 

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Picture Credit: Cherry Blossom in Paris</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Italy’s top Xmas markets

CITALIA’S travel experts have chosen their top pick of the Italian Christmas markets for an affordable pre-Christmas get-away

Italy’s #Christmas markets – ‘Mercatino di Natale’ – are smaller and more intimate than the famous German markets that make their way to the UK. Many feature elaborate nativity scenes made by local craftsmen, while hosting stalls offering regional seasonal food and drink, as well as locally made products and gift items.  

The markets often run during the advent period and some remain open right through to Epiphany, since Christmas in #Italy is traditionally celebrated from December 24 to January 6.

Milan – Piazza Castello
Milan is home to several Christmas Markets, but Oh Bej! Oh Bej! (How Beautiful! How Beautiful!) is one of the longest running, dating back to at least 1510. The market bustles with activity, as locals and tourists meander around the 350+ stalls selling handicrafts, antiques, clothing, toys, Christmas gifts, and festive foods. It runs for just one weekend at the beginning of December, this year December 4-7. December.

 Merano – River Passirio
Visit one of Citalia’s newest destinations, Merano in South Tyrol, between November 27 and January 6 to experience the town’s unique Christmas market located on the banks of the River Passirio.

Rome – Piazza Navona
Among the fountains in the Piazza Navona, the square turns into a multi-coloured Christmas Market, with stalls and booths filled with chocolates and traditional Christmas gifts. Between November 26 and January 6, there are street artists, acrobats, and Christmas music. 

Bolzano – Piazza Walther

Set against the backdrop of the Rosengarten Dolomites, Bolzano hosts Italy’s biggest Christmas Market. Wooden huts filled with traditional gifts and decorated with garlands, lamps, and candles line the streets in the medieval town. The runs from November 29 to January 6.

Florence – Piazza Santa Croce
Florence flourishes with Christmas cheer and a huge market inspired by the tradition of the German city of Heidelberg. More than 50 huts and stalls selling Italian and German delicacies, decorations, and handicrafts fill one of the most beautiful squares of the city, Santa Croce. December 2-20.

Citalia can arrange hotel packages in all of these locations – www.citalia.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31039095@N02/5262101186">Christmas in Florence | Natale Fiorentino 2010</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">, http://www.flickr.com/photos/87690240@N03/15481788014">Vatican city, Rome, Italy</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

European tourism - growth, but no grounds for complacency

LONG-HAUL travel to #Europe enjoyed an encouraging summer this year, and the upward trend in arrivals is expected to continue, according to a study by ForwardKeys, which monitors future travel patterns by analysing 14 million reservation transactions daily.

Total international long-haul arrivals from January to September were up 5.1% on the previous year, and forward bookings are up 4.8% for the rest of the year.

Sebastien Cron, global sales director at ForwardKeys, said: ‘While it’s widely recognized that Europe is losing its competitiveness, it’s good to see from our data that long-haul travel to Europe has been growing well recently, pushed up by a strong summer season, particularly in July.’

But the European Tourism Association’s CEO Tom Jenkins urged the industry not to be lulled into a false state of security over figures showing growth. ‘Travel and #tourism in other parts of the world is increasing faster than in Europe. Although the statistics show we are continuing to grow at an average annual growth rate of 3.6% since 2007, the rest of world is growing at a rate of 5.7% over the same period.’

Within Europe, the picture is mixed. Germany and the Netherlands have been the stand-out performers since 2007, displaying total tourism growth of 37% and 33% respectively for the period, a 4.6% and 4.2% annual average, whereas the UK and France have grown just 13% and 10% for the period, an average of just 1.7% and 1.4% per annum.

Top European destinations for arrivals, between January and September, were London, Paris, Istanbul, and Rome, though growth in London and Paris was anaemic, with London 0.3% down and Paris just 1.6% up. For the rest of year, Barcelona and Milan, top the list for the fastest growing destinations, are up 20.3% and 25.6% respectively, owing to the Milan Expo and improved connectivity to Barcelona, particularly via Dubai.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/130796800@N02/16207624370">Sunrise - Good morning Paris</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Vueling to open three new Edinburgh routes

SPANISH low-cost carrier Vueling is to start three new routes from Edinburgh next year. Three flights a week have been scheduled to Rome Fiumicino, Paris Orly and Alicante.

Airport chief executive, Gordon Dewar, said: ‘It is tremendous that we have two new routes to Rome and Paris, and we have increased our service to Alicante. This offers our passengers even greater choice and is further confirmation of Edinburgh Airport's position as a key driver for Scotland's economy. This expansion in service is good news for business and leisure travellers, for Edinburgh, and for Scotland as a whole.’

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Vueling Airlines adds Alicante and Rome flights

VUELING AIRLINES plans to launch two new routes from Manchester Airport next summer. It will run direct flights to #Alicante and #Rome. 

Flights to Alicante will operate on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, with flights to Rome on Friday and Monday.

Gabriel Schmilovich at Vueling, says: ‘Passengers from Manchester will have the opportunity to fly to more than 140 destinations across Europe connecting via our hubs in Barcelona and Rome Fiumicino.’

Ken O’Toole, managing director for Manchester Airport, adds: ‘We’re delighted that Vueling Airlines has chosen to expand its route network from Manchester Airport. Alicante and Rome are popular destinations with many of our 22.9 million passengers.’

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From Italy with love … and 007

TO celebrate – or try to cash in on – the latest Bond movie, ‘Spectre’, #Citalia has compiled its list of holiday destinations featured in the #007 series over the decades since 1963. The travel company can recommend and arrange hotel accommodation in all of these locations.

Rome – Spectre (2015): The Eternal City plays a starring role in Bond’s new adventure. The cast and crew were spotted filming around the River Tiber, near the Colosseum, and around the streets of Vatican City.

Venice – From Russia with Love (1963); Moonraker (1979); and Casino Royale (2006): As with most who visit the floating city, Bond is not immune to its charms having spent time in Venice on three occasions. His first visit occurred in From Russia with Love back in 1963, where he wooed Tatiana Romanova on a gondola along the Grand Canal. He returned 16 years later in Moonraker, where he once again takes a gondola along the Grand Canal – although this time, he’s being chased by assassins in a speedboat. Bond’s last trip to Venice was in Casino Royale, when he and Vesper Lynd moor their yacht outside the Belmond Hotel Cipriani.

 Siena - Quantum of Solace (2008): #JamesBond travels to Siena at the start of Quantum of Solace, where he chases a member of the secretive Quantum organization over the rooftops and through the crowds at the Palio horse race in the Piazza del Campo. For a piece of the action, Citalia’s concierge team in Siena can arrange tickets to the Palio race.

Dolomites - For Your Eyes Only (1981): 007 heads to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites to track down a Belgian assassin. The action here features a chase scene involving a ski jump, a downhill ski slope, and a bobsleigh run. Bolzano is the perfect place to explore hiking and cycling trails and for soaking-up Alpine scenery. 

Lake Como - Casino Royale (2006): Lake Como makes two appearances in Casino Royale. The first is at the hospital where 007 recovers after being tortured, which was shot at Villa del Balbianello. The second time you’ll spot the lake is right at the end of the film, when Bond surprises the mysterious Mr White at his lakeside villa. This scene was shot at Villa la Gaeta, close to the resorts of San Siro and Menaggio on Lake Como’s western shore. For film location buffs, Citalia offers a pre-bookable tour of Villa del Balbianello, accessible via private boat, à la 007.

www.citalia.com

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Picture Credit: © David Kernek