Aperture

📢 BWH Hotels Italia & Malta announces the affiliation of Sure Hotel by BW Hotel Milano in Padova, their fourth in the city. The hotel, owned by Giorgio Boaretto, is a 4-star eco-friendly and pet-friendly establishment with 80 rooms, a 24/7 gym, and two 20-seat meeting rooms. It is located within walking distance of Palazzo della Ragione and 3 km from Musei Civici Eremitani and Cappella degli Scrovegni. The hotel emphasizes sustainability with magnetic key cards to save electricity and towel reuse to conserve water, and welcomes dogs of all sizes.

🎂 Mignon, a renowned Neapolitan pastry brand, opened a new space in Milan on Corso di Porta Romana 48, its first outside of train stations and airports, marking a significant evolution from a traveler-focused brand to a city-living reality. Founded on May 29, 2016, with the first store at Milan's Central Station, Mignon brings authentic Neapolitan flavors and high-quality ingredients to local residents, offering a variety of sweet and savory treats, gluten-free and vegan options, from breakfast to aperitivo. Maria Acquaviva, founder and CEO, aims to create a welcoming environment reminiscent of Naples.

🍕 Pizzeria Ristoro Est! Est! Est!, a new dining venue celebrating traditional Roman cuisine, has opened its doors in Rome at Via Genova 32, between Monti and Esquilino neighborhoods. The venture is run by Francesco Morrone, Domenico Falcone, and Marco Ceccarelli, who previously established Ristoro degli Angeli in Garbatella. They are reviving the historic Antica Bottigliera Est! Est! Est! (founded in 1888), which became a pizzeria in 1900. The restaurant occupies 120 sqm with two indoor rooms and an outdoor dehors, totaling approximately 120 seats. The menu features classic Roman dishes, a range of pizzas with a 48-hour fermentation, and select ingredients like Agerola mozzarella, Inserbo tomatoes, and Sabino olive oil. Open Monday to Friday from 18:30 to 22:30, and Saturday to Sunday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 22:30. For more information, visit www.pizzeriaristoroestestest.com.

🏖️ The Elysium Hotel in Paphos undergoes a €10 million renovation, introducing 48 new suites designed by Cypriot architect Eraklis Papachristou, harmonious spaces, and Mediterranean materials. Facilities include Garden Villa Suites with private gardens and plunge pools, and adult-only Studio Suites with queen-size beds and private terraces. Renovation completion is set for spring-summer 2025, enhancing the resort with native plant gardens and balancing tradition with innovation.

🏖 Ota Viaggi enhances Italy's coastal offerings with five summer club additions in Sardinia, Sicily, and Basilicata. Baja Blanca in San Teodoro reopens after an 8-year hiatus since 2016, now boasting a refurbishment and doubled beach concessions from 70 to 140 umbrellas. Baja Aranzos returns after three years, while Tonnare di Stintino, added mid-2024 season, is now exclusive to Ota. Cefalù Resort with 130 seaside rooms in Sicily and ClubEsse Aquilia in Calabria join as exclusive offerings. "Io prenoto" promos run until March 31, offering registration fee waivers, free cancellation within 30 days, money-back, and vacation booking with just 10% down, balance due one month before travel.

🏖️ Ten new Travelbuy travel agencies will open in early 2025 across various Italian cities including Rimini, Catania, Imperia, Napoli, Rome, and Salerno. These agencies are notable for predominantly featuring young entrepreneurs, indicating the tourism sector's appeal to the under-30 demographic. Alfredo Vassalluzzo, founder of Travelbuy since 2008, credits their long-term success to a consistent and proven business model. The network supports new travel agents by providing essential value-added services to ensure market competitiveness.

🏠 The Social Hub opened its first hybrid hospitality hub in Porto, Portugal, marking the company's entrance into the Portuguese market. Spearheaded by COO Marion Koopman, the €60 million investment created over 30 jobs and spans 11,200 square meters. The Porto site, located in Bonjardim, features 310 rooms including 271 hotel rooms and 39 apartments, alongside 580+ square meters of coworking space, 450 square meters of meeting/event space, and an auditorium with 250+ capacity.

🏨 BZAR hotels expanded its portfolio by acquiring 6 new properties in three months, from January to the present. The Signature brand welcomes Hotel Adoro, Palazzo delle Coppelle, Hotel Fori Imperiali in Rome, and Palazzo Buenos Aires in Milan. The Gateway brand adds Castello di Leonina in Tuscany and Borgo La Ferriera in Tuscia. BZAR now boasts over 50 hotels in Italy, totaling 1,700 rooms and suites. Filippo Ribacchi, BZAR's president, aims for significant growth with a revenue forecast exceeding €65 million by 2025.

🎉 The Grand Hotel Minerva's Rooftop in Florence reopened on April 7 during Florence Cocktail Week. Barman Dariosh Kohnehkar introduced two new cocktails blending tradition and innovation. Chef Edoardo Papiani curated a special Easter menu featuring authentic Tuscan flavors. The hotel is part of the Em Collection, led by the Maestrelli family, offering guests a unique sensory experience immersed in the city's history and culture.

🌊 Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the Norwegian Aqua from Fincantieri, marking its 20th fleet ship and the inaugural ship of the new Prima Plus class. The Norwegian Luna's exterior completion was celebrated as it touched water for the first time, with interior outfitting set for a Spring 2026 debut. Norwegian Aqua, 10% larger than its predecessors, accommodates 3,571 passengers, features the Aqua Slidecoaster, and sails to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Great Stirrup Cay. After European inaugural cruises, it will cross from Southampton to the U.S. on March 28, 2025, arriving on April 4, for inaugural events in Boston and New York City, before regular departures from Miami, Port Canaveral, and NYC.