Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Rome will be celebrating its legendary birthday on the 21st of April. According to legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BCE. So, on this date, there is a holiday to celebrate, the Natale di Roma.Pesaro as The Italian Capital of Culture 2024 in the Marche region has been announced as the Italian capital of culture for 2024.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa commemorates its 850th anniversary, highlighting its architectural significance and ongoing celebrations showcasing its history through various mediums. The city has arranged a programme that will last until 9th August 2024, which includes an
exhibition featuring the paintings, engravings, photographs and films that have immortalised the work over the years – ‘The Many Lives of the Pisa Bell Tower’.

Looking ahead, the 2025 Vatican Jubilee anticipates a massive influx of visitors to Rome for a year-long celebration of grace, marked by significant rituals including the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.ADVERTISEMENT
In the realm of sports, Milano Cortina prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, with Cortina as the primary venue and Milan’s San Siro Stadium hosting the opening ceremony. This event marks a historic moment as the games return to Cortina after 70 years, promising an unforgettable spectacle for athletes and spectators alike.

FOOD & DRINK
Primavera del Prosecco in Treviso and Surrounding Areas – 16th March – 9th June
Embark on a journey through the Prosecco wine region, where you will discover the secrets behind Italy’s beloved sparkling wine. Indulge in special packages offering a blend of gastronomy and culture.
Vinitaly in Verona, Veneto – 14th– 17th April
Immerse yourself in the world of Italian wines at Vinitaly, the largest wine show globally. Explore exquisite wines, witness prestigious competitions and embrace the essence of Italian viticulture.
Fritto Misto All’Italiana in Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche – 22nd April – 1st May
Delight your taste buds with an array of fried delights at Fritto Misto, the event that celebrates the great Italian fried foods and has characterised the bridge between Liberation Day and Workers’ Day for the past 19 years. From Sicilian arancini to Neapolitan cannoli, savour the authentic flavours of Italy.
Sagra del Pesce in Liguria –12th May
Experience the vibrant tradition of the Sagra del Pesce in Camogli, Liguria, where the picturesque port square transforms into a culinary spectacle. Dating back to 1952 and intertwined with the ancient festival of San Fortunato, this celebration honours the patron saint of fishermen. Witness the spectacle of the world’s largest frying pan sizzling with freshly caught fish, while the community gathers for bonfires and artistic competitions between the districts of Porto and Pinetto.
Focaccia Festival of Recco in Genoa – 26th of May
Join the celebration of the iconic gastronomic symbol of Recco at the Focaccia Festival. Established in 1955 and organised by the Consorzio della Focaccia di Recco col Formaggio and the Municipality of Recco since 2006, this event pays homage to the beloved focaccia. Experience the culinary tradition with the free distribution of both classic and onion-flavoured focaccia.
SPORTING EVENTS
Rome Marathon – 17th March
‘Run Rome the Marathon’ is a journey in the eternal city that will make participants fall in love with running and the marathon, forever. Share the wonders of the route with hundreds of fellow runners: starting from Fori Imperiali, passing in front of the Vittoriano, in Piazza Venezia, you will gaze at Circo Massimo, feel the breeze of Lungotevere and run past places such as Castel Sant’Angelo, Viale Della Conciliazione and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) – 4th – 26th May
The Giro d’Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy, while also passing through, other countries. The Giro is one of professional cycling’s three-week-long Grand Tours, and after the Tour de France is the second most important stage race in the world.
CULTURE
Venice Biennale – 20th April – 24th November
A major international art exhibition featuring contemporary art, architecture and film in Venice. Explore cutting-edge artistic expressions from around the world amidst the timeless charm of Venice’s historic landmarks.

The First Edition of Exposed: Torino Photo Festival in Turin – 2nd May – 2nd June
From May until June, the spotlight will be on the new International Festival of Photography of the city of Turin. Under the Artistic Direction of Menno Liauw and Salvatore Vitale the exhibition will be entitled – New Landscapes – Nuovi Paesaggi. It will consist of 15 temporary exhibitions in 15 venues and a single programme of events dedicated to photography.
Festa Della Sensa in Venice – 12th May
A traditional event that celebrates the city’s relationship with the sea, including a boat parade and the “Wedding of the Sea” ceremony. Witness centuries-old maritime customs and festivities along the stunning canals of Venice.

Festa Di San Giovanni (Feast Of St. John) in Florence – 24th June

A celebration of St. John the Baptist’s feast day, featuring fireworks and historic pageants. Join in the revelry as Florence comes alive with colourful processions, music and fireworks to honour the city’s patron saint.
MUSIC

Verona Opera Festival in Verona – 8th June – 7th September
Held in the ancient Roman arena in Verona, this festival features open-air opera performances. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of classical music under the stars in one of Italy’s most iconic settings.

Umbria Jazz Festival in Umbria –  12th – 21st July
A world-renowned jazz festival held in Perugia, Umbria, with performances by international and local artists.

NEW FLIGHTS
Starting from 31st March, British Airways is increasing the frequency of its flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Palermo (PMO) to five flights per week, providing travellers with more options to explore the beautiful Sicilian city. This increased schedule will run until 26th October, allowing passengers ample opportunities to experience the rich culture and history of Palermo.
British Airways is also introducing a new route from London Gatwick (LGW) to Catania, offering two flights per day every Friday. Commencing on 31st March and concluding on 26th October, this expanded schedule will cater to the growing demand for travel to Catania. 

NEW HOTELS
MONTANA LODGE AND SPA (5*), La Thuile in Aosta Valley
In a harmonious balance of modern design and natural scenery, the rooms at the Montana Lodge & Spa are perfectly suited to the needs of every family, providing a sense of warmth and hospitality.
GRAND HOTEL COURMANYEUR MONT BLANC (5*)  ,Aosta Valley
Ideal for both the winter and summer seasons, Grand Hotel Courmanyeur offers its guests numerous services and exclusive spaces, for an unforgettable holiday.
CITIZEN M ISOLA TIBERINA (4*), Rome
Experience the perfect blend of art, comfort and Italian charm at Citizen M hotel in Rome’s historic Jewish Quarter, where dreamy beds, a lively living room and a rooftop bar overlooking ancient ruins await.
FONTANA 16 ROOMS, Milan
Located in the heart of Milan, Fontana 16 Rooms offers a unique stay experience, combining the peace of a historic street with the convenience of a central location.
LE CATTEDRALI (5*) , Monferrato (Piedmont) 
Discover the beauty and rich heritage of the Monferrato region at Le Cattedrali relais, nestled in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its fine truffles, wines, and hazelnuts, where ancient castles, Romanesque churches invite adventurers to explore the unique landscape.
PALAZZO DEI FIORI  BY ROOM MATE (4*), Venice
Experience the timeless charm of Venice at Palazzo Dei Fiori, a historic 19th-century gem designed by architect Teresa Sapey, perfectly situated in the heart of the city near St. Mark’s Square.
SINGER PALACE HOTEL (5*), Rome
Originally founded in 1850 by Mr. Singer, the inventor of the sewing machine, Singer Palace has been transformed into a chic boutique hotel by the Visocchi family in 2018. Centrally located in Rome, within walking distance of major historical sights and shopping areas, the hotel offers 30 beautifully appointed rooms, including suites and connecting solutions, blending historic charm with contemporary elegance.

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San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) took an important step forward in having giant pandas return to the San Diego Zoo by signing a cooperative agreement with China Wildlife Conservation Association and filing a permit application with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.SDZWA has a nearly 30-year conservation partnership with research collaborators in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas. These collaborative efforts have had a significant impact—including, increased scientific understanding of giant panda biology, care and wellness, and what pandas need to thrive in a changing climate—contributing directly to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List downgrading the giant panda from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2021. But there is still much more work to do to secure their safe future.
“We are humbled by the potential opportunity of continuing our collaborative conservation efforts to secure the future for giant pandas. As such, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is taking important steps to ensure we are prepared for a potential return. This includes sharing our detailed conservation plans with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure alignment for the greater benefit of giant pandas,” said Dr. Megan Owen, Vice President of Conservation Science.
Collaboration between SDZWA and Chinese research partners has contributed to critically important and far-reaching discoveries as well as scientific contributions that have played a meaningful role in China’s efforts to bring the iconic and beloved giant panda back from the brink of extinction. These include critical findings on giant panda reproductive behavior and physiology, nutritional requirements, habitat needs and genetic research among other areas of focus. The efforts include developing a giant panda milk formula and other neonatal conservation techniques that dramatically increased survival rates for nursery-reared cubs from 5% to 95%, the first successful artificial insemination of a giant panda outside of China and contributing valuable expertise to efforts led by Chinese scientists to track wild giant pandas at the Foping National Nature Reserve using GPS technology.
Although the conservation status of the giant panda is improving, there is still much work needed to ensure they remain on the path to recovery with healthy and flourishing populations.
Climate change, habitat fragmentation and population isolation are some of the pressures facing giant pandas. SDZWA’s proposed conservation strategy aims to improve giant panda population health and resilience in some of the smallest and most isolated populations vulnerable to extinction and loss of genetic diversity.ADVERTISEMENT“Pandas in our care and in the care of Chinese colleagues at conservation facilities play an important role as assurance against extinction and loss of genetic diversity in their native habitats, as well as a source population for reintroductions,” said Dr. Owen. “Our partnership over the decades has served as a powerful example of how—when we work together—we can achieve what was once thought to be impossible. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is uniquely positioned to collaborate toward a shared goal of creating a sustainable future for giant pandas.”

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The world’s most valuable horse race will be staged this week with the Saudi Cup 2024 set to be bigger than ever.
The King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh will host two days of action from Friday, building up to the main Saudi Cup race on Saturday.The main race is the richest in the horse racing event in the world, with a purse of $20m (£15.86m) on offer.
“It is, without doubt, the most significant event in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates our resolve to develop this great sport,” HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid al-Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said after launching the event.
“And also our ambition to become a leading player on horse racing’s world stage.”Described as one of the Saudi capital’s social events of the season, the Saudi Cup weekend begins on Friday 23 February with an eight-race opening day.
Seven men and seven women will vie for the Invest Saudi International Jockey Challenge trophy across four races. Saudi Cup race night is even bigger, with some of the world’s top thoroughbreds set to race in the main event on Saturday at the close of a nine-race session.ADVERTISEMENTThe race is placed in the calendar directly between the Pegasus World Cup in Florida and Dubai World Cup, with the four-week interval between each race allowing horses to compete. It also comes in the thick of the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, one of the tentpole events in the British racing calendar.Upgraded to Group 1 status before the 2022 edition, last year’s Saudi Cup was won by Panthalassa, with the Japanese horse taking victory in its retirement season with jockey Yutaka Yoshida guiding him home.
Plenty of big names are expected to be watching on at King Abdulaziz Racetrack to see who succeeds the Yoshito Yahagi-trained horse, with a number top sporting stars now plying their trade in Saudi Arabia.
Investment in the country’s Saudi Pro League has brought in a number of top footballers, with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo often spotted taking in some of the other sporting pursuits on offer, and ex-Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema another famous face contracted to a Saudi club.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also invested in Newcastle United and established the LIV Golf Series, while the World Snooker Tour recently announced a new ranking event in the nation that will be open to all 128 players with tour cards.
Source: https://www.aol.com/

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Lights, camera, action! Get ready for Movies at the Marina, an unforgettable cinematic experience at Yas Marina, where movie lovers can immerse themselves in a world of entertainment under the night sky in this vibrant waterfront destinationTaking advantage of the sublime temperatures, the excitement kicks off on Friday 23rd February at 7:30pm and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sunday 17th March. Guests can relax in comfort on deckchairs and beanbags while indulging in a selection of blockbuster films, including favourites like “10 things I hate about you”, “Moana”, “Mamma Mia”, “Spiderman” and many more.
To complement the movie magic, an array of food options will be available for purchase including soft drinks, popcorn, burgers, ice-cream and more enhancing the viewing experience. What’s more? Guests can enjoy thrilling activities such as foosball and air hockey before and after each screening, making Movies at the Marina the most exciting weekend activity.Movies at the Marina is a free-to-attend event guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser; so arrive early to secure front-row seats and be part of the action.For more information please visit: www.yasmarina.ae

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UN Tourism Secretary-General, His Excellency Zurab Zurab Pololikashvili addresses the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, emphasising the need for increased focus to be placed on boosting job creation and sustainable investments aimed at building tourism resilience, especially for small countries.
UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili has outlined plans to boost job creation and investment in the Caribbean’s tourism industry. Mr. Pololikashvili was a keynote speaker during the just concluded 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.Underscoring the importance of building the resilience of tourism in the Caribbean, he stated: “We need presence; we need to support families whose income is only from tourism and agriculture, and fishing.” That’s why, he said, with the support of ministers present, “I promise all Jamaicans and all Caribbeans that we’ll be here talking about how to develop the tourist industry and how to create new jobs.”
The Secretary-General underscored that jobs were crucial, as well as education, stressing that UN Tourism would be focussing more on job creation and investments. He added that: “We need more money here, more foreign direct investments in the region.” While promising that more would come, he warned that “it’s not easy, it takes time.”
The conference was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO), and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which is being rebranded as the Global Tourism Resilience Centre (GTRC),  under the theme, “Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience.”
Also speaking at the event, which ran from February 16-17, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said “understanding the impact and the role that tourism is going to play in how the world changes and morphs into the future is important for us as we try to bring the next generation into an understanding of this great economic activity called tourism.”
Underscoring the importance of the industry, Mr. Bartlett said it was now regarded as one of the fastest ways of transferring wealth, arguably from the rich to the poor.ADVERTISEMENT“So, tourism, in that space, has now become the main driver of this process of building capital across the world, and the value of tourism is that it is not really extracted. It can be but it is not; it adds value every step of the way and it encourages creativity and innovation,” he said.
Minister Bartlett also posited that tourism responded to the demands of people in a holistic way “so that anyone and almost everyone, can benefit from tourism activity.”

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NexusTours, the leading Destination Management Company in the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, operating in 19 countries and 52 destinations, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of creating unforgettable memories for guests and travel partners.This significant milestone will be commemorated with a grand celebration at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The event promises to be an evening of reflection, recognition, and anticipation for the exciting news that NexusTours is eager to share.
In a statement from NexusTours’ President, Rubén Gutiérrez, he reflected on the company’s journey, saying, “Celebrating 25 years is a testament to the dedication and resilience of the entire NexusTours family. We are immensely grateful for the trust and support we’ve received from our partners, guests, and the community. This celebration is not just about our past achievements but also an exciting preview of the innovative initiatives we have in store for the future.”
The event will be a unique opportunity for attendees to reminisce about shared successes, witness the unveiling of exciting news, and join NexusTours in shaping the next chapter of its journey. The Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun will serve as a fitting venue for this grand celebration, reflecting the company’s commitment to excellence and creating memorable experiences.

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Barbados is poised to welcome a thrilling addition to its golfing calendar with the inaugural ‘Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam’ this year.Scheduled to unfold from May 3rd to 5th, this prestigious tournament promises to draw esteemed golfers and their families to the picturesque Apes Hill Barbados, under the stewardship of golf legend, Ian Woosnam, the 1991 Masters Champion.During Tuesday’s launch event, which took place at Apes Hill Barbados, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) announced that they were principal sponsors for the event.
Craig Hinds, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BTMI, said the organisation was proud to align itself with this esteemed tournament.
“It is fitting that the Legends Tour will unfold against the stunning backdrop of Apes Hill, one of Barbados’ top golf courses. The Legends Tour, an integral part of the esteemed European Tour Group, has chosen Barbados as the stage for this inaugural event in May. This is not merely a golf tournament; it is an opportunity for Barbados to showcase its allure to affluent individuals, hailing from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa,” he said.
Jody Addison, Director of Golf at Apes Hill, confirmed that the venue was fully equipped to welcome top-tier golfers from around the world, such as Michael Campbell, the distinguished 2005 US Open Champion celebrated for his remarkable two-stroke triumph over Tiger Woods.
Executive Chairman of Apes Hill Barbados, Sunil Chatrani, revealed that the team at Apes Hill set out to create a course that both world-class players and amateurs would want to experience time and time again.ADVERTISEMENT“That is why hosting an event on the Legends Tour is a hugely exciting step for us, and we look forward to welcoming iconic players of Ian’s calibre to play our golf course this spring,” said Chatrani.
Barbados Legends – an inaugural eventWith golf icon and Apes Hill Ambassador, Ian Woosnam at the forefront, the tournament will see an array of golfing greats tackle one of the sport’s most acclaimed new courses – a picturesque par-72 layout that reopened in 2022 following a major redesign by legendary course architect Ron Kirby.
Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour, said, “The Caribbean has been high on our list since rebranding as the Legends Tour in 2020, and we are delighted to have agreed to host a tournament on this stunning new golf course.”
The event is one of the first stops on a record-breaking schedule for the Legends Tour in 2024 – much of which is still to be fully unveiled. Aside from the competitive action, there will be a unique ‘Legends Experience’, which gives passionate golf fans the opportunity to tee off alongside their heroes in tournament play in front of the TV cameras and crowds, as well as two pro-am tournaments on May 1st and 2nd.
“It is an honour to welcome the Legends Tour to Barbados and an even greater honour to host an event at Apes Hill Barbados as an ambassador for the resort. It will be great to welcome the guys back to Barbados after 15 years. The course is simply breath-taking, serving up a series of stunning holes with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Knowing many of the players on the Tour, I can say first-hand how much they will love the course and it promises to be one of the most anticipated tournaments on the Legends Tour schedule for 2024,” said golf legend, Ian Woosnam.
Positioning Barbados as a Golf DestinationThe BTMI continues to work to showcase the diverse aspects that destination Barbados has to offer. The strategic timing of this tournament aligns with the organisation’s vision to attract high-net-worth individuals from the United Kingdom and the United States, two key markets where Barbados has enjoyed robust visitation.
In addition to this event, the BTMI has partnered with PGA TOUR as the Official Tourism Sponsor of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions.
“The Legends Tour, coupled with our partnership with the PGA TOUR, serves as a beacon, illuminating Barbados as an investable destination. It showcases not just the excellence of our golf courses but also the warmth of our hospitality and the richness of our culture,” said Acting CEO, BTMI, Craig Hinds.
Hinds emphasized that the international attention garnered by events of this magnitude will undoubtedly attract investors and further elevate Barbados’ reputation as a top-tier destination.

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LEGOLAND® New York Resort is giving guests a fun way to groove while they move when visiting the Park this summer with the addition of its newest attraction: The Minifigure Skyflyer. Opening this summer, the new gondola-style ride – a first for LEGOLAND® Resorts – offers an interactive new way to travel between themed lands of the Park.
In anticipation of the new ride, LEGOLAND New York Resort has partnered with Belleayre Mountain to give families an early taste of what’s to come and bring the same party-in-the-sky experience to life via two specially-themed ski gondolas. Starting today through April (weather permitting), skiers can catch a lift on two special gondola pods on The Catskill Thunder Gondola wrapped in the image of the LEGOLAND New York Minifigure Skyflyer Pirate Party Pod as an immersive and fun-filled way to ride to the top of the ski mountain.
Belleayre skiers who catch a ride on the LEGOLAND New York Minifigure Skyflyer gondola pods can scan a QR code and receive exclusive access to “Kids Go Free” tickets, with the purchase of an adult ticket, so families can return to LEGOLAND New York this summer and be one of the first to ride the real Minifigure Skyflyer.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane! It’s the Minifigure Skyflyer!
LEGOLAND New York guests can expect a fully immersive, interactive experience on the Minifigure Skyflyer from queuing to disembarking. Prior to boarding, guests can help “charge” the cable car batteries through hand-powered cranks then follow the rainbow road before reaching the boarding platform’s disco-themed dance floor. Complete with LEGO® brick disco ball lights, the dance floor invites families to show off their most imaginative dance moves to help the Minifigure Skyflyer truly fly!ADVERTISEMENTBefore boarding, guests are greeted by the Resort’s famous minifigures who tell the story of how they designed and built the new Minifigure Skyflyer – but they need guests’ help to make it fly. Once in flight, families can use their imaginations to help “power” the ride through movement as they dance while traveling across the Park with the best views over MINILAND and more – all from the sky!
Once aboard one of seven individually themed Party Pods, ranging from pirates to space to disco, it’s time to partake in the in-flight interactivity features. Guests will learn how to speak like a pirate, talk in a space alien language or participate in a sing-along all while flying through the sky. All pods are ADA accessible and seat up to ten people.
“There’s a lot to enjoy at LEGOLAND New York, but it’s a big Resort and our fans asked us for more ways to move easily from the upper and lower levels of the Park,” said Divisional Director of LEGOLAND New York Stephanie Johnson. “We take our guests feedback seriously and the Minifigure Skyflyer gives them a way to do exactly that while igniting creativity, sparking imagination, and inspiring movement through disco and dance.”
Family flyers who enjoy the Belleayre gondola party pods are encouraged to snap, post and share their experience tagging @LEGOLAND.NewYork as you party through the sky. To learn more and buy tickets for the upcoming season, visit https://www.legoland.com/new-york/.

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