But by the time the station opened in 1931, fascist dictator Benito Mussolini had been in power for nine years, and the symbols of fascism, bundles of sticks portraying ancient Roman authority, had been added to the hub’s design. When Nazi Germany occupied Italy in 1943, another, even more sinister adaptation was to follow.

Beneath the station lay an ingenious mail operation, out of the way of passenger services and hidden from public view, with two platforms at ground level where post would be loaded onto trains, which were then lifted onto the upper departure levels by elevator.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Memoriale della Shoah Milano (@memorialedellashoah)

For the Nazis, this hidden Binario 21 (Platform 21) became an underground human processing plant. For thousands of Italian Jews, dissidents, and opponents of fascism, the dark mail rooms and windowless post carriages would be their last glimpse of Italy before being transported to World War II death camps.

The cursed platform and its grim second function were rediscovered in 1994 by researchers from CDEC, the Fondazione Centro Di Documentazione Ebraica Contemporanea, a modern Jewish history foundation. Working with historical records and survivors’ testimony, they pieced together how deportees were taken by night in trucks and loaded onto shuttered carriages so crowded there was no room to sit, with no facilities for human dignity, for journeys of over 1,000 km—to the death camp at Auschwitz, Germany, or the slave labour camp at Mauthausen, Austria. Of 44,500 Jews living in Italy, at least 7,680 were exterminated, according to the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Memorial.

Milano Centrale’s Binario 21 is now a public memorial,  where the names of hundreds of deportees (those that are known) are projected, where artworks tell a tale of the indifference of their fellow humans—postal and rail workers, and daily commuters at the station, who continued their lives and their work while the holocaust was carried out. Visitors can see the two examples of the carriages into which the deportees would have been loaded—at least 20 human convoys left from the station.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andrea Cherchi (@andreacherchi_foto)

Visiting the Milano Centrale today, then, is a way to bear witness to two sides of Italy and of human nature. Martin Westlake, Italian history expert and author whose book The Many Deaths of Mussolini will be published by Biteback in 2027, told Travel Tomorrow: “Binario 21, in the bowels of grandiose Milano Centrale, is a metaphor for the bombastic exterior of Mussolini’s fascism and its increasingly sinister interior.”

Similarly, Saverio Colacicco, an outreach expert at the Binario 21 or, as it is now also known, the Fondazione Memoriale della Shoah di Milano, (Milan Holocaust Memorial), says the place is as important for Italians as for tourists, representing “the chance to think of our own past — that of the Italian people — that we have, after 80 years, partly forgotten and partly erased.” He adds: “Italians haven’t taken full responsibility. But the fact that this happened in the economic capital of our country is significant. This was done by Italians and the responsibility is ours. It’s important to know that in the belly of the station you use every day to go to work or go on vacation, this space exists.”

L’article The hidden platform beneath Milano Centrale that became a holocaust memorial est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

How does a London-based celebrity couple decide to get married in Palermo? As far as Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are concerned, the decision was most probably made during the summer of 2025, when the pair spent some quality time on Sicily. At the time, the two stayed at the Rocco Forte Hotel Villa Igiea while soaking up the Italian sun.

During their time in the city, Dua Lipa not only posed in a pink shirt of Palermo’s Serie B football team, the couple was also spotted across town while eating and drinking their way through the Sicilian cuisine.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DUA LIPA (@dualipa)

“She drank Campari soda, he drank an Old Fashioned, and they ate olives while playing cards. She was very sweet and they seemed like a normal couple. A few people asked her for a picture. We asked her if it bothered her and she said no, she was used to it — not a problem,” Patrick Lanzino, manager of the Colletti bar in Palermo, one of the couple’s culinary stops in the city, told The Times.

While enjoying their time off, the couple apparently fell in love with Sicily and decided to organise their wedding in Palermo.

“This marriage will be a message to Palermo that people love the city’s beauty, despite its problems in the past. Something stayed with this couple after their visit, which is why they are coming back,” Lanzino commented.

A potential wedding location

Rumours about the celebrity wedding took off when the Italian newspaper Giornale di Sicilia wrote  about a wedding planner being hard at work to organise a weekend of celebrations from 5 to 7 September 2026. Yet another Italians news outlet, La Repubblica, promptly named it “the wedding of the year” and despite a lack of comment by the couple, they even got a honeymoon invite from Luca Beraldo, the mayor of Celleno, a medieval village in Lazio.

Since those first reports, people have been busy speculating about the potential details of the wedding. Allegedly, the couple has hired wedding planner Alessandra Grillo to organise the event, while the famous Art Nouveau hotel Villa Igiea would act as the duo’s headquarters. The 19^th-century palazzo features lavish interiors, sea views, and a range of on-site eating options.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ITALY IS NOW (@italy_isnow)

“Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo. A long-loved seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries, trace their paths through tiered villa gardens that sweep down to the port and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea; on excursions to Palermo’s bustling markets, Baroque palaces and ancient sites, or yacht trips along its picturesque coast; and through Villa Igiea’s Italian restaurants, atmospheric bars and palatial Art Nouveau interior, revitalised as a Rocco Forte hotel,” Rocco Forte writes about the hotel.

As far as the actual ceremony goes, the wedding could well take place at Lo Spasimo. The open-air Gothic ruins in Palermo, once a church and convent, have recently been restored and are generally regarded as one of the most spectacular locations in the city.

If Dua Lipa and Callum Turner will actually be getting married in Palermo and if so, how precisely, only time will tell.

L’article Palermo tipped as wedding destination for Dua Lipa and Callum Turner est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Designed by Baccio Bandinelli and portraying mythological figures, the Fountain of Neptune (also known as “Biancone” or “great white,” thanks to its luminous marble) stands in Piazza della Signoria. It was commissioned by the last Duke of Florence, Cosimo I de’ Medici, in 1559 and was meant to celebrate his gift of clean water to the city. It also featured in the marriage of his son and heir to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria. Now, it has been a part of some wedding nuptials once again, much to the displeasure of authorities.

Only restored in 2019 at a cost of €1.5 million, the fountain was damaged again on 18 April 2026, allegedly by a woman who, police said, climbed over railings, stood on its edge, and made her way onto one of the horse’s legs. Officers removed her from the masterpiece immediately. She told them she had been trying to “touch the statue’s private parts as part of a sort of pre-wedding challenge.”

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Darren McCaffrey (@darrenmccaffrey)

Experts from the Palazzo Vecchio Workshop have assessed the harm to the monument as “minor but significant,” with impacts on the horses’ hooves and a frieze that the woman held on to in an attempt to avoid falling into the water. The fountain now faces repairs estimated at a cost of €5,000 euros, according to the police statement, while the woman is now due to face judicial authorities, accused of defacing the country’s artistic and architectural heritage.

Long an object of curiosity and public antics, the fountain has previously suffered a broken hand after another 2005 incident where a tourist scaled its heights. Again, in 2023, a 22-year-old German tourist damaged it as he posed for photographs with the Roman sea-god. In the 16^th century, city-dwellers used it to wash themselves in, spoiling its railings. And in 1848, during political unrest in Florence over Italy’s unification, it was struck by cannonballs. Balls of a different description appear to have been part of the most recent problem.

Italy, perhaps thanks to its dolce vita reputation, regularly features in reports about irresponsible tourism. In 2023, Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain was breached by a visitor wanting to fill a water bottle. It now costs €2 to even approach the monument. A gondola in Venice capsized in the same year, when its passengers refused to stop taking selfies. Even natural assets cannot escape: in 2024, in a self-defeating protest about the negative effects of overtourism, an ancient rock in the Dolomites was graffitied with an anti-tourism slogan: “Tourists Go Home.” It remains to be seen whether visitors will prove they can behave themselves in 2026.

L’article Bachelorette accused of damaging Florence fountain with attempt to touch Neptune’s privates est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

At the heart of the initiative lies a new campaign that promotes village life, a slower pace of living and lesser-known destinations. As part of the Tourism in the Villages memorandum of understanding, funding will be allocated to 15 Sardinian villages to help combat depopulation and attract new residents and tourists.

Signed by Franco Cuccureddu, Sardinia’s Regional Councillor for Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, alongside the mayors of the selected municipalities, the agreement aims to position the island within the growing market for village and experiential tourism. As Cuccureddu put it, the goal is for Sardinia to “fully enter and position itself in the village tourism market, which is a rapidly growing market in Europe and, I would say, globally”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Regione Autonoma Sardegna (@regioneautonomasardegna)

The 15 selected villages span the island, from the coastal charm of Bosa to the medieval streets of Castelsardo. The others are Aggius, Atzara, Carloforte, Galtellì, Gavoi, Laconi, La Maddalena, Lollove (Nuoro), Oliena, Posada, Sadali, Sardara and Tempio Pausania. Each will receive €2.5 million.

The strategy rests on two pillars. The first is decentralisation, which involves easing the pressure on Sardinia’s coastal hotspots, where around 80% of tourists are concentrated, and redistributing visitors more evenly across the territory. The second pillar is seasonality, with a clear push to extend the tourist season beyond the summer months.

Specific measures include improving access to historic centres, upgrading mobility infrastructure, strengthening small-scale hospitality and developing hiking routes and walking networks. The plan also prioritises local food and wine initiatives and the promotion of regional products to encourage job creation and new residents to settle in these areas.

It also paves the way for closer collaboration between local authorities, cultural districts, and tourism operators, encouraging the development of more coherent itineraries that incorporate heritage, landscapes, and gastronomy.

The initiative’s backdrop is striking. Sardinia’s coastline stretches for around 2,000 kilometres, and the island has approximately one million properties, around a third of which are currently unoccupied.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

However, the situation varies significantly from one location to another, with some villages having 50–60% of abandoned or “occasional homes”. Urban centres such as Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero have higher occupancy rates, whereas more exclusive areas, including Arzachena, La Maddalena, Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura, have a greater proportion of empty properties.

Short-term rentals, in both popular destinations and rural villages, represent just 3.5% of the housing stock, which is below regional and national averages.

Visitors drawn to Sardinia’s more untouched landscapes should also be aware that preservation comes with limits. Visitors to the island’s famous pink beaches should be aware that entering protected areas such as Spiaggia Rosa can result in fines of up to €3,500.

Located within the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, the beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its distinctive colour comes from fragments of coral and microorganisms – a fragile ecosystem that the authorities are keen to protect, even as they encourage travellers to explore the wider island.

L’article Sardinia targets depopulation with €38 million village tourism push est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Venice is considered an architectural chef d’oeuvre, recognised by UNESCO since 1987 for its outstanding universal value as a unique artistic masterpiece and complete medieval ensemble. Structures such as the former seat of power at the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), a Byzantine gem boasting over 8,000m² of mosaics, are known and beloved all over the world.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

The city is constructed on wood pilings that are sinking into mudflats, a perilous situation that is made worse by the threat of climate change. The latest research, led by scientists at the University of Salento, predicts the sea level could almost double to 81 cm by 2100.

7. "Acqua alta" is the name of a phenomenon which generally takes place in Venice during winter.

On November 12, 2019, Venice suffered its worst flooding since 1966.

The tide rose to 187cm, submerging over 80% of the city. pic.twitter.com/OgVdkXyc0u

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) March 25, 2025

The paper puts forward suggestions for protecting the city from flooding, including some “unprecedented” approaches to safeguarding heritage and social fabric. Flood barriers are one option, encircling the lagoon with coastal dams is another, and a third involves dismantling key artefacts and taking them further inland to preserve them.

The city in fact already has a flood barrier in the shape of Mose, a system of 78 mobile floodgates installed around the lagoon at Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia. It can withstand up to three metres of floodwaters and works by temporarily isolating the city at high tide.

The MOSE system in Venice, Italy, consists of underwater barriers that are elevated during high water levels to protect the city from flooding. pic.twitter.com/DpvLh2wbaQ

— The Pixie (@i_illuminated) September 24, 2025

But even with further flood protection measures in place, the researchers highlight that while material items might be able to be saved, it could prove harder to preserve the area’s “lagoon-based culture, traditional lifestyles and most economic activities” in the long-term. And on the economics, they estimate that a preservation effort such as the one they describe could cost up to €100 billion.

Worse, the solutions put in place by spending that sum “will not work forever,” according to Piero Lionello, the paper’s lead author. Speaking to The Times he anticipated that generations to follow will probably have to visit the flooded vestiges of Venice by diving or by submarine, because “the future appears unavoidable.”

L’article Venice could become underwater attraction in next 200 years, research says est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Only 34 out of 156 passengers booked on the Airbus A319 made it onto the aircraft, according to data available through aeroLOPA and Flightradar24. News outlets including The Independent and the BBC have reported that the issue was the slow passenger flow through Milan Airport as the hub struggles to implement EES requirements.

@easyJet our flight from Milan Linate took off without us due to Border Control being FAR too busy and the automated system not working. We are now stuck in Milan, missing work, spending money that we don’t have and have to transfer from Gatwick to Manchester! pic.twitter.com/XfPshK5GZK

— Miss Benn (@Emily_Benn20) April 12, 2026

Under the system, which is intended to streamline border security across the Schengen zone, visitors from third countries passing through EU border checkpoints must now first register biometric information, including a facial image, fingerprints, as well as their passport details and trip dates. This all takes time but once it is registered it is stored digitally, making subsequent border checks faster.

Air industry representatives and road associations have repeatedly expressed concerns over the impact of the EES rollout on travel as the high summer season commences. Some airports and ports, such as Dover on the UK’s south coast, Brussels Airport, and Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, have seen huge queues develop during the trial period, and been forced to put separate lanes in place for non-EES-registered traffic, or to bring in national guards to maintain the peace as passengers face long wait times and disruption to journeys. Milan, it seems, has joined the chaos. Passengers described arriving three-and-a-half hours early yet still missing the flight, resulting in the purchase of expensive alternative tickets.

Commenting on the mass numbers of passengers abandoned on Sunday, an easyJet spokesperson said: “We are aware that some passengers departing from Milan Linate today experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control and we advised customers due to fly to allow additional time to make their way through the airport.”

The airline apologised for the inconvenience its departure caused to passengers left behind, but said the situation was “outside of our control.” It said it was “doing all possible to minimise the impact of the airport queues, holding flights to allow customers extra time and providing free flight transfers for any customers who may have missed their flight including EJU5420 to Manchester.”

The carrier also called on border authorities to take advantage of EES mitigations, such as temporary suspensions, which continue to be permitted by European authorities until September, to help deal with pinch points in operations.

L’article EasyJet flight leaves 122 passengers behind amid Entry Exit System chaos est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As its name suggests, the hotel is the second property opened by the legendary luxury travel brand, made all the more famous by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Located in Cannaregio, slightly away from the heaviest tourist flows, it occupies the 15^th-century Palazzo Donà Giovannelli.

The palazzo, which sits on the Rio de Noale canal, is identifiable by its pink and white stone façade and neo-Gothic lancet windows, which are attributed to Filippo Calendario, an architect also associated with the Doge’s Palace. Over the centuries, the building has passed through the hands of various illustrious families, including the Dona and Giovannelli, before becoming a pinacoteca and now beginning a new chapter as a hotel.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Orient Express Venezia (@orientexpress.venezia)

The latest transformation was led by Paris-based architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman. The property now comprises 47 rooms, suites and residences, including six Signature Suites, each conceived as a world of its own. Vaulted ceilings, frescoes, ornate stuccoes, watered silks, and rich velvets lend the interiors a theatrical opulence.

The interior is a deft blend of contemporary design, Baroque opulence and neo-Gothic elements. Asmar d’Amman has described her approach as one rooted in “carrying heritage forward” while establishing a dialogue between past and future. This ambition is evident throughout, from the careful preservation of mosaics, frescoes and sculptures to the efforts made to make guests feel at home in what remains unmistakably somebody else’s noble residence.

The result is striking, justifying the eight years that the restoration required. “To me,” she adds, “artistry and craftsmanship are the ultimate luxury.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Orient Express Venezia (@orientexpress.venezia)

Key historical features were preserved, including the octagonal staircase attributed to Giovanni Battista Meduna, frescoes by the 19^th-century Venetian artist Francesco Hayez, and a gilded ballroom dating back to 1548. The project also involved stabilising the palazzo’s underwater foundations – a delicate undertaking in a city like Venice.

“Here, Venice comes into focus as it has always been,” she says, “a cosmopolitan crossroads where East and West, scholarship and spectacle, share the same address”.

The hotel houses a fine-dining restaurant led by the three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. It is situated in the courtyard and is accessible via the hotel’s private boat entrance. The cuisine brings together haute gastronomy and Venetian influences.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Orient Express Venezia (@orientexpress.venezia)

The result is lavish, yet intelligent. Murano glass and crystal chandeliers, silk wall coverings, brocade upholstery, blue-veined Marmorino plaster and Carrara marble come together to create interiors that feel both considered and intimate. Carved wooden frames and Venetian sliding panels add another local touch, while a rotating selection of contemporary artworks brings the space to life.

The lobby is designed to feel like a grand living room and connects to the garden via a passageway called Calle Meraviglia. There are also subtle references to the train’s history, most notably in the Art Deco-style Wagon Bar, which is inspired by the historic lounge cars of the original Orient Express. The property also features a garden with fountains and seating areas, set behind antique gates.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Orient Express Venezia (@orientexpress.venezia)

For those seeking an even deeper sense of restoration, a spa drawing inspiration from Roman thermal traditions, Venice’s maritime past, and the rituals of Ottoman hammams is also on the way.

Asmar d’Amman said she wanted visitors to feel “drunk on beauty”.

Gilda Perez-Alvarado, the chief executive of Orient Express, hopes that Orient Express Venezia will “open a new chapter in the legacy of our brand”, celebrating Venice as a cultural, beautiful and imaginative capital, where the art of travel meets the soul of the city.

L’article Orient Express Venezia opens in Venice just in time for the Biennale est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued over the weekend, airports in Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice, all of which are linked to supplier Air BP Italia, “may be subject to restrictions”. The advisory states that, due to limited fuel availability, refuelling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia will be affected.

It's starting in Europe

Italy just rationed jet fuel at four airports.

This is an operational crisis.

The managed demand destruction I've been writing about for weeks just landed on European soil.

Think about what this means:

Flights getting turned away without fuel

… pic.twitter.com/XGYhh6JOZ0

— Jack Prandelli (@jackprandelli) April 5, 2026

Air BP, a subsidiary of the British oil giant BP, has indicated that priority will be given to essential services, including medical and state flights, as well as flights exceeding three hours. For shorter routes, aircraft may be capped at 2,000 litres of fuel. The measures are expected to remain in place until at least 9 April.

Italian airport operator Save SpA, which manages the airports in Venice, Treviso and Verona, told Corriere della Sera that the limitations relate to a single supplier and are not considered significant, as other providers remain active.

Air BP Italia released a communication to airlines on Saturday, regarding limitations on refueling at four airports (Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice ), has nevertheless raised the alarm in an increasingly complex scenario where the war in the Middle East continues to… pic.twitter.com/JLgmySkhKH

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 5, 2026

While the immediate impact appears limited, Pierluigi Di Palma, head of Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC, said the situation remains “under control”, while acknowledging that risks could emerge after April should supply pressures persist.

The effects are already being felt as constraints in the Strait are limiting the flow of crude oil, gas, and refined products, including jet fuel, through one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.

Europe is particularly vulnerable, as it is a major importer of jet fuel from the Persian Gulf. In recent years, this has accounted for roughly 30–45% of imports into the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Against this backdrop, Giorgia Meloni visited Gulf countries at the end of last week to discuss energy security and ensure continued access to critical supplies, signalling growing concern at the highest political level.

While Italian airports are among the first in Europe to experience operational pressure, the situation could escalate. Heathrow Airport and other UK hubs are particularly vulnerable, with early signs of fuel-related disruption already reported, as around 25% of their jet fuel supply comes from Kuwait. France and Portugal could also face knock-on effects.

Airlines are preparing for a prolonged crisis. Lufthansa has drawn up contingency plans, including the potential grounding of aircraft if fuel availability worsens. The group has hedged around 80% of its fuel requirements for 2026, which provides some protection against price fluctuations, but leaves it exposed to supply disruptions.

In the United States, some carriers have already announced cancellations as Brent crude prices surged past the $100 mark following the outbreak of hostilities.

Warning signs are also emerging in the fuel market. Last week, the International Air Transport Association reported that the average price of jet fuel was $195 per barrel, which is more than double last year’s average. Meanwhile, imports into Europe dropped sharply from 602,000 to 253,000 metric tonnes in March 2026.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said that current reserves should be sufficient for the coming weeks, but added that the situation could change rapidly if disruptions to flows from the Middle East persist.

L’article Fuel limits hit Italian airports as Middle East conflict strains supply est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Visitors who plan ahead can pay €5 if they book their entry at least four days in advance. Those who leave it until the last moment will pay €10. Once paid, tourists receive a QR code that is checked at seven key access points around Venice, including Santa Lucia railway station. Anyone who fails to pay or is not registered for an exemption faces fines ranging from €50 to €300.

@cristinaa.laura #expectationvsreality #crowd #crowds #travel #traveling ##vacation #vlog #traveltiktok #foryou #fyp #italy #venice ♬ original sound – Matthew Rincon

Several groups are exempt from the fee. Residents, Venetian-born visitors, students, workers, and overnight tourists do not need to pay, as their hotel stays already include a tourist tax. People with disabilities or those visiting for medical or care reasons are also exempt. These measures aim to make the system fair while still discouraging short, “hit-and-run” visits that contribute to congestion.

Venice introduced the day-tripper fee in 2024 after UNESCO warned that overtourism threatened the city’s historic heritage. Activists highlighted that tourist beds now outnumber residents, whose population has dwindled to around 50,000. Crowded streets, busy water buses, and blocked alleyways have long made daily life difficult for locals. While last year’s figures show a slight decrease in visitors, from an average of 16,676 per day in 2024 to 13,046 in 2025, some critics argue that the levy has a limited effect. Councillor Michele Zuin said: “The charge is an experimental measure. It helps manage crowds and ensures a better balance between tourists and residents.” He added that it has also raised millions for the city, covering the initial costs and generating extra revenue.

@a.i.tinerary @Lucian Danciu shares a closer look at what overtourism in Venice looks like. With its iconic canals and historic charm, this beautiful city is facing major challenges as more tourists flock to its narrow streets each year. Take our quick quiz to unlock your dream destination today! Did you know that Venice has been sinking for centuries? It’s not just the tourism—rising sea levels are a big factor too! Venice, Italy : @luciandanciu
Credits to respective owners. DM for removal #travel #VeniceVibes #Overtourism #VeniceItaly #ExploreTheWorld ♬ original sound – A.I.tineraries | Ethoventures

For travellers, there are ways to plan around the fee. Entering Venice before 8.30 am or after 4 pm, or staying overnight, avoids the levy entirely. Booking in advance on the Venezia Unica platform is the cheapest option, and overnight guests already pay a tourist tax included in their hotel bill. Practical tips like these help tourists enjoy Venice while respecting both the city and its residents.

Venice is also part of a wider trend in Europe, where destinations are experimenting with visitor taxes or restrictions. Cities like Barcelona have increased their nightly tourist tax, while islands such as Capri are introducing limits on visitor numbers. Venice remains unique as the first city to charge day-trippers specifically, making it a global test case for managing tourism sustainably.

L’article Venice’s day-tripper fee returns this week, here’s what you need to know est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The transition to Star Alliance restores ITA Airways to a major global network. For several months, the airline operated in a sort of “no-man’s-land” between alliances. Airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines have made similar moves in Europe, switching alliances after investments by other airline groups. Joining Star Alliance strengthens ITA’s connections across Europe and worldwide, giving travellers access to more destinations and seamless connections.

ITA’s frequent flyer program, Volare, will officially end on March 30, 2026. From April 1, ITA Airways will adopt Lufthansa’s Miles&More as its primary loyalty program. This change allows members of Star Alliance airlines to earn and redeem miles on ITA flights immediately. Existing partnerships with United Airlines, Air Canada, and Air China will also provide reciprocal mileage earning and elite benefits. Passengers can now enjoy upgrades, award tickets, and status privileges on ITA flights, making travel smoother for frequent flyers.

Joining Star Alliance also strengthens ITA Airways’ network. Italy’s hubs in Rome and Milan will connect with Lufthansa’s major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. This expands travel options for European and international passengers. With the alliance, ITA adds hundreds of daily flights to the Star Alliance network, increasing options for seamless connections across Europe and beyond. The airline’s integration also reflects Italy’s growing importance as a strategic international market for the Lufthansa Group.

The move highlights broader trends in Europe’s airline industry. ITA Airways’ switch mirrors the consolidation happening in the region, as carriers adjust alliances to align with larger airline groups. Future alliance changes are possible for other airlines, such as TAP Portugal, depending on new investments or partnerships. For travellers, joining Star Alliance means better access to more destinations, simpler booking options, and improved loyalty benefits. ITA Airways also brings the “Made in Italy” touch to the alliance, adding a unique cultural identity to the global network.

With ITA Airways joining Star Alliance on 1 April 2026, the airline completes its shift from SkyTeam and fully integrates into one of the largest airline alliances in the world. Frequent flyers, especially Miles&More and other Star Alliance members, can immediately start enjoying the benefits. This move strengthens ITA’s global reach and improves travel options for millions of passengers, while positioning Italy’s national carrier firmly within the European and global aviation landscape.

L’article Italy’s ITA Airways becomes full Star Alliance member from 1 April 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.