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The North-west
of
Piemonte. A
land where meetings take place
Lombardia,
the crossroad of Europe
In
The North-east: from the magic of
Venezia to the economic miracle
The magic of Venezia and the
In
The heart of
The old fashioned spirit of
Emilia Romagna
The
Between Roma and Napoli:
colors in the history of Italy
Abruzzo, among parks, sea
and towns
The faces of Napoli and
Campania
The South, the terrace overlooking the
Mediterranean
Sardegna and Sicilia: the large
islands with their mysteries
ITALY’S CONFERENCE- CENTERS CAN OFFER YOU A LOT MORE
Your top-cla
Piemonte. A land where meetings take
place
Lombardia, the crossroad of Europe
In Liguria, an arch over the sea
The magic of Venezia and the
Veneto region
Venezia
is the perfect example of how in Italy, the need to be practical and
efficient in a conference-event can be combined with delights that are
unique. A combination of history, art and tradition set in an
unparalleled framework; just the memory of it evokes a sense of longing.
Many people have asked what the secret of Venezia is, and have given
thousands of possible answers. But maybe there is no secret. Or rather,
the answer is so obvious that you’d never suspect it. The secret of
Venezia is the water, the element from which it draws its raison d’ètre,
its greatness and the character of this city which is the only one of
its kind in the
Because of the very fact of the water, Venezia offers a logistic
solution to be found nowhere else and which is thus different from any
offered by other conference resorts at an international level. The
water, the element around which Venezia has grown up and developed ever
since it was founded, enables transport connection to be planned more
easily and more precisely, with great advantages for the logistic
planning of any event, unlike what happens in other European cities
congested by motor-traffic. Venezia’s special urban structure,
easy to get around on foot, means that events can be organised efficiently, and
offers the wonderful opportunity of combining its historic and artistic
heritage with the specific requirements of the meeting planners and
their clients. With its history laden palaces and hotels, or in highly
modern buildings, particularly at the Lido (which each year becomes the
centre for the Film Festival), Venezia is today one of the jewels in the
crown of conference-tourism in Italy. But the Veneto region is not just
Venezia. In the international language of art, for example, the word
“Veneto” means color - a whole culture of art based on colour.
This gift for painting developed over the course of the centuries,
through the influence of many civilizations rich in history and culture:
from pre-Roman and Roman societies to the Middle Ages and the
magnificence of the Renaissance, from the inventive seventeenth century
to the “Settecento” and Venezia’s golden decline, from the atmospheres
of Mitteleuropa in the nineteenth century to modern, contemporary
cultural expressions. It is a tale of extraordinary artistic richness,
spread both in the large cities of the region and in the small towns, in
the countryside and even in the most delightful and remote places that
have not been forgotten, however, by the genius and sensitivity of
illustrious artists and industrious artisans. There is a huge treasure
to be admired and appreciated in each tiny detail, where enormously
valuable artistic surprises are revealed, giving great satisfaction to
the mind and to the soul. Apart from Venezia, the incomparable capital
of the region, there are many centres that have excellent credentials to
offer conference facilities for international customers, who are often
attracted by the intense trade-fair business carried on there. It might
be said that in Veneto region, a trade-fair sprouts in every
town-square: there are some large exhibitions linked to the food and
agriculture industry in Verona (the Agricultural Fair and Vinitaly, for
instance); Vicenza has become the European capital for exhibitions of
gold-work and jewelery; Flormart, the great exhibition of flower
nurseries, is held in Padua in spring and there are equally important
events in the smaller places, too, such as the International Ice-cream
Shop-window in Longarone, near Belluno. The buildings, historic seats
(many eighteenth century villas and noble palaces have been transformed
into conference centres) or recently built facilities, offer efficient
servìces and excellent skills for welcoming visitors.
In Friuli, the scent of Mitteleuropa 
If there is one city in Italy that could be
called international, it is Trieste, the capital of the Friuli-Venezia
Giulia area, it is thus an ideal venue for
any conference
event that desires to speak the
language of the world. Discovering Trieste means
going back into
history and the
lives of great
characters of
culture: Winckelmann, Freud, Rilke,
Joyce, and Slataper,
Svevo and Saba, natives of
Trieste, and many
others. Looking at life through
the eyes of these
great men helps one to understand life to
the full. Trieste is a city of contrasts, of Mitteleuropa and
cosmopolitanism, a mix of
different ethnic
groups and cultures, and a city where
freedom of thought and a readiness to
meet others
half-way are the basis of society. This
is a perfect place,
therefore, to organize meetings and
conferences. As well as being rich in history and traditions, Trieste has lots of leisure opportunities and, thanks to its unusual geographical position, lots of beautiful natural scenery. These features make Trieste a European city, a meeting point of cultures and a “test-bed” for ideas that cannot fail to offer further opportunities for development. Trieste has immediately taken advantage of this opportunity; it has deployed all its energies and succeded in becoming an important centre of conference-tourism for an elite who look for resorts that can combine efficiency and modernity, but which also offer the change to plunge into cultural and natural surroundings rich in charm.There is the Duino castle, for example, on the rocky headland near the estuary of the Timavo, a karstic river which flows out to the surface after a long passage underground, or the miramare castle sorrounded by a large park facing the sea in which an important marine reserve has been established. The whole region, in fact, demonstrates an ability to combine its natural beauties harmoniously with the works of men. A good example can be found at Cividale del Friuli, a delightful historic town with remarkable medieval monuments on the edge of a hilly area which is one of the most famous in Italy for its wines, or in Udine, a beautiful city with splendid works of Venetian art. The harsh scenery of the Julian and Carnic Alps are just a short distance away, as are the natural treasures of the Adriatic lagoons of Marano and Grado.
The old fashioned spirit of Emilia
Romagna
Toscana: a trip through time
The Marche, the terrace overlooking the
Adriatic sea
Umbria, the green heart of the italian
peninsula
The fusion of modernity and tradition, the development of efficient
services and an atmosphere
unique in the world: a conference
Umbria is also the setting of great historical, cultural
and show-business events: the most important jazz festival in Europe,
the commemoration
of the
Calendimaggio at Assisi and the Festival
dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) at
Spoleto. Umbria has
ninety-two municipal boroughs
and medieval towns set deep in an evocative
rural landscape. It is an area primarily of hills and uplands, with
unifying characteristics despite the variety and complexity of its
morphology. The
highest points
rarely go above 1,500 meters and
belong to the main
chain of the Central Apennines. The
important features of the area are, therefore,
the natural beauties of the landscape, its great
artistic and
cultural traditions and the modernity of
its economic and road structures, where tourism, including that linked
to meetings and
conventions,
Lazio and the eternal city
One of the aspects where Roma’s inclination to be a great international
capital manifests itself is the growth in
And the same is true for the whole of the Latium region. We have already
noted the Castelli, a real oasis of peace, good cuisine, and excellent
wines on the outskirts of the city. We should not forget the natural
beauties of the Bolsena, Vico and Bracciano lakes - volcanic basins set
deep in woods in the area around Viterbo, a city which was a papal seat
in the Middle Ages and which still has valuable artistic reminders of
those times. The real jewel of nature here, however, is the Circeo
National Park, south of Roma on a stretch of coastline that is
deservedly one of the most famous on the Tyrrhenian sea.
Abruzzo, among parks, sea and towns
Ev |
ss conference-centre is here, in
Italy. You’ll find 
Torino’s
history and past are indissolubly linked to the Savoy dynasty and to the
dazzling splendor of its palaces, royal residences and hunting estates.
. And when the day’s work
at the conference or trade-fair is over, the city and its surrounding
area offer splendid cultural and environmental opportunities, with many
facilities to choose from, for leisure and services. You can reach the
conference facilities in just a few minutes from Porta Nuova railway
station, where the airport terminal is also located. And you can also
get from there to all the most interesting places in the old centre of
the city. Thus it is easy to discover the elegant atmosphere of Piazza
San Carlo and Piazza Castello, in the shadow of the Mole Antonelliana
(the imposing spire that dominates the city and which is today the home
of the Cinema Museum) and to visit the exceptional collections in the
Egyptian Museum, the Sabauda Art Gallery and the Royal Armoury. Also
close by are the ancient churches and palaces with their art treasures,
the cathedral with the Guarini chapel where the Shroud i
s kept (the
sheet in which, as tradition has it, Christ’s body was wrapped), Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama. You can visit the Valentino Park and the banks
of the River Po, which runs through the city, flowing along at the foot
of the green hills. Torino has convenient transport links for trips up
to the Alps in Valle d’Aosta, an excellent tourist area in all seasons
of the year, and also out towards all of Piemonte, which is equally
fascinating with its natural beauties and historical and artistic
attractions. A day out among the vineyards of the Langhe or Monferrato
areas, for example, is an unforgettable experience, especially if it is
finished off with an opportunity to taste the good food and sample the
exceptional wines from these hills. And don’t forget to have a look at
the wonderful historic town-centers, such as those of Saluzzo and Chieri,
and the artistic monuments such as the abbey at Staffarda. Other
fascinating sites to visit are the Monviso valleys and the Lanzo and
Susa valleys around Torino and, of course, the Pre-alpine lakes - Lake
Orta and Lake Maggiore - in the Novara area. One area that is, perhaps,
unique in the world because of the harmony of the nature and the
artistic splendours to be found there, is Valsesia, leading from the
plain up to Monte Rosa.
The traditional definitson of Milano, the regional capital of Lombardia,
as the economic capital of Italy really does not say the half of it. Of
course, there are large factories here, the tertiary sector is here at
its most advanced, and the current of technological development is in
full flow. But there’s more: Milano is not just a large business centre
but a way of life. It is not only a repository of rich art-treasures,
both those on display and those hidden away, but it is also a place to
discover nature, in the big parks in the city and in the region around
it.
It is almost impossible to present Milano in a fresh light, since just
about everything has already been said about this city. But for those
who would like to consider Milano as a place to hold a big meeting, a
conference, a company or a cultural convention, the city can boast the
availability of large facilities, excellent services, easy transport
connections, and the fact that it is the site of an intense activity in
trade-fairs (from the International Furniture Fair to the International
Tourism Exchange). All this is combined with some hitherto
“undiscovered” aspects: the “quiet corners” of the city and walks
through natural surroundings, in the parks that lie just outside the
city and in farm-holiday centres where you can sample the tasty, bright,
traditional Lombard speciallties.Enough has been said about the thousand churches, from Santa Maria delle
Grazie with Leonardo’s Last Supper to St.Ambrose’s Basilica, and to the
majesty of the gothic cathedral. A very relaxing tour, however, is the
one which takes you through the winding roads on the south side of the
city, in the area of the Canals, one of the most beautiful in the Milano
area. The aristocracy of the eighteenth century built splendid houses
for summer holidays there, taking advantage of the connections by water
to the city centre, in a countryside that today offers innumerable,
unexpected possibilities for walks in areas of natural beauty and parks
of elegant loveliness. Furthermore, Milano is only the centre of a
region with a thousand faces. Lombardia has a large range not only of
facilities for welcoming visitors but also of tourist attractions, from
the lakes (Maggiore, Como, Garda, Iseo and many others) to the
mountains, and to the cities with their history and art. Take Bergamo,
for example, with its charming historic town-centre situated on a
hilltop: the Carrara Academy here is one of the best art galleries in
Italy; or Mantova, the capital of the Gonzaga dynasty, with its
extraordinary buildings created by the great artists of the Renaissance.
Then there are Cremona and Vigevano, both of which grew up around town
squares that are absolute masterpieces of medieval and renaissance
architecture. And just a few kilometers from Milano, you will find an
oasis of tranquility, soothed by excellent wines: this is the area of
the rolling Pavese hills which flank the southern shore of the Po river.
Genova
is the city where Northern Europe and the Mediterranean embrace each
other, and it is the ideal place to organize a conference. It has a
charming atmosphere, a historic flavour and the air is suffused with the
taste of the sea. Genova is an old city, but now its big, generous heart
appears more beautiful than ever. There are alleyways and little streets,
unexpected squares that suddenly open up in the narrow spaces of the old
town centre protected by the severe appearance of its ancient palaces. A
city of art with many souls, Genova can show you unexpected artistic
treasures and facilities that are extremely modern, well developed and
complex. In the new millennium the city has confirmed its role as a
popular resort for conference-tourism, helped by the favorable features
of its climate and surroundings, its convenient road and airport links
and by its system for welcoming visitors that has grown rapidly in
quality and quantity. The real hub of Genova for the tourist is the area
of the Old Port, rebuilt in 1992 by Renzo Piano. It is unique in Italy
because of its location right in the city, with cultural, scientific and
play/recreational areas, as well as commercial areas such as
restaurants, bars and other services. The Aquarium and the Città dei
Ragazzi are based here and the conference and exhibition facilities like
the Magazzini del Cotone. It is here that the large trade-fair events
take place, the best-known of which is the International Nautical
Exhibition (in October) and, every four years, Euroflora. Set between
the mountains and the sea, Genova has a number of qualities that are
highly soughtafter. These are undeniable strong points that make it
unique and attractive as a headquarters for conferences. It has an
international airport only 15 minutes away from the city centre, a very
efficient train service and motorway connections which link it to the
main Italian and European cities. Just a short distance away from the
city, the whole region of Liguria offers large, attractive and unique
facilities for visitors in areas such as the Golfo Paradiso and the
Golfo del Tigullio, in famous resorts like Camogli, Portofino, Santa
Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante and San Remo (famous for its wonderful
flowers), whilst the hinterland, full of tradition and culture, has
important natural resources and outstanding landscapes. To give just a
few examples: to the west (the Ponente side) you can reach the Nervia
valley, behind the coast road leading from Bordighera to the French
border, and Dolceacqua, one of the most picturesque villages in an area
renowned for its great wines. Albenga has Roman remains and some
remarkable medieval buildings, with a Baptistery which is the most
important Early Christian construction in the region and dates from the
5th century. To the east (the Levante side), you can drive up from the
characteristic historic centre of Chiavari with its long arcades, and
in a few minutes vou arrive at the 13th century Basilica of San
Salvatore dei Fieschi, one of the most valuable architectural works in
Liguria.
world. This is why being Venetian has always meant
knowing about this “wateriness”, knowing about its positive aspects and
facing its problems without dramatizing them.
Discovering the sites in the Veneto region signifies wandering through
shades of color, in the harmony of the light and in the balance of the
forms, molded by a sensitivity determined by the atmospheric conditions
themselves, by the variety of tones and the diversity of this land.
One
of the reasons for choosing Italy as the place for a conference is the
fact that the country 
by 
Bologna,
the regional capital of Emilia Romagna, is an inimitable city. The old
town with the unmistakable brick-red color of the buildings, is one of
the best preserved in Europe and the largest in Italy after Venezia. The
city has an ancient, welcoming centre, with a succession of arcades (40
kilometers long) where people meet, shop or simply stroll; here, you can
discover medieval streets, squares, beautiful monuments (for example,
St. Petronio, St. Domenico, Santa Maria dei Servi), towers (Garisenda
and Asinelli) and districts with evocative names. Bologna, of course,
also has a modern, European spirit, found in the thousands of companies,
service industries and highly-modern
facilities, the result of a
work-ethic typical of the Po Plain. What makes Bologna really unique is
its special skill in welcoming visitors, which it exerts with great
pleasure at all hours of the day. It has 400,000 inhabitants, is
situated on the main rail and road networks and has an international
airport; it has grown up around a highly intense trade-fair and
conference industry (with events such as Motorshow, Futurshow and the
International Children’s Book Fair). Serving this industry are hotel
facilities of sizeable proportions and plenty of service structures.
There are good facilities, in fact, in the whole region and in its
cities of art: Byzantine Ravenna first of all, and Parma, which well
deserves the great reputation it enjoys because of its artistic riches
and the opulence of its gastronomie tradition (Parma ham and Parmesan
cheese); then there’s Modena, with its extraordinary works of
Romanesque-Gothic art and Ferrara, the city of the Este family, and the
so-called little capitals: towns such as Carpi, Mirandola and
Correggio, which were the seat of great lords, whose deep cultural
heritage they have preserved. And, of course, there’s Rimini and the
Romagna region, names associated with the image of fun and leisure.
Here, they dance, spend time on the beach, go to night-clubs and discos,
make friends, hardly ever sleep and devote themselves to the good life.
The Romagna coastline is not just beaches, parties and discos, however.
People work in Rimini, as they do in Riccione and Cesenatico. They come
here for business, meetings, work-appointments, conferences and
trade-fairs. The welcome is superb and the accommodation limitless. And
why is Rimini perfect for all this? Because it has ideal spaces for
working and wide horizons for relaxing. In Rimini, groups of people,
both large and small, can exchange ideas, have serious debates and
conventions and this has made it famous throughout the world, not just
the fact that it is a seaside town with a great night-life. There are
centers for conferences (like the Palacongressi, one of the largest in
Italy), meetings, trade-fairs (a lot of activity goes on with meetings
linked especially to the entertainment industry, like the Sib, the
International Show of Technology for Discotheques), and exhibitions all
along the coastline. Then there are the hotels, the well equipped
conference centers and the organizations that serve conference-tourism.
Meeting in Romagna is always a pleasure: even when it’s for work.
A
magic charm to conjure up a journey through 
open-air museum. The old 
oots, and where the
order
to narrate the history of Italy you just have to say Roma: the 
its
facilities, coinciding with events of worldwide importance, and its
development of new services especially in the tourist and conference
sectors. In this way, Roma proves to be highly modern and
multi-functional. By combining elegance and quality of services, it has
become the ideal venue for conferences, meetings,
conventions,
seminars,
concerts, theatrical events, exhibitions and shows. In 2000 Latium, and
Roma in particular, was host to the highest percentage of conference and
meetings taking place on Italian soil. All this is set in a marvelous
city that has no equal in the world, with classical, medieval, baroque
and modern architecture. Michelangelo, Bernini, and Borromini. Squares,
fountains, gardens, bridges, museums and churches.
eryone finds something interesting to see and