Business Traveller (Middle East)
ROME, ITALY
The Eternal City continues to attract international visitors thanks to its vestiges of the ancient republic and artistic masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo and Caravaggio. Tourists can also head to the epicentre of Christianity, St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, or embrace la dolce vita at cafés in the Italian capital’s piazzas. What’s new? Last summer, the city opened the tunnels and chambers at the 2,000-year-old Colosseum, allowing tourists to discover the corridors where gladiators and wild animals waited before entering the ampitheatre. This is part of a multimillion euro restoration project set to complete by 2024.
Stay: Located between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, the 5-star Hotel de Russie, A Rocco Forte Hotel, has been a popular haunt for artists and writers over the years – so much so that it was nicknamed ‘paradise on earth’ by poet Jean Cocteau in 1917. The property was designed in the early 19th century by architect Giuseppe Valadier, and its main USP is its 2,800 sqm tiered secret garden with palm trees and white climbing roses. It also houses a spa, Le Jardin de Russie restaurant and the Stravinskij Bar.
Several Gulf carriers operate direct flights to Rome including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, will launch a twice-weekly service from Manama to Rome on June 1, operated by an A321neo. The airline will also fly to Milan from June.
This Greek port city is the country’s largest after Athens, and offers ancient and contemporary highlights, with 15 monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors can learn about the region’s major discoveries at the Archaeological Museum, experience views of the city from the top of the 15th century 34-metre
White Tower, or stroll along the 3.5km New Waterfront area, designed by Nikiforidis-Cuomo Architects.
What’s new? Last November UNESCO named Thessaloniki a City of Gastronomy, the first
Greek city to earn such an accolade. Stay: The Excelsior Hotel located in downtown Thessaloniki dates back to 1924, and the 5-star property is just steps away from Aristotelous Square. The neoclassical building houses 34 rooms, along with fine dining restaurant Clochard and the jazzy Charlie D Brasserie.
There are currently no direct flights operating from the Gulf to Thessaloniki, but travellers can hop on a direct flight to Athens and then take a connecting flight to the city. Train and ferry services also operate from the capital.
Located on the northeast coast of the island of Malta, the so-called Fortress City might be Europe’s smallest capital but it’s not short on attractions – from its historic bastions, forts and cathedral to Baroque architecture and the picturesque Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west. Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, the city is also (unsurprisingly) a UNESCO World Heritage City.
What’s new? If you think you have seen it all, perhaps it’s time to go a little deeper. Tourist site Underground Valletta – Heritage Malta launched at the end of last year, and operates tours of the city’s historic tunnels.
Stay: Set in a 17th century mansion in the heart of Valletta lies the 5-star Hotel Rosselli, a property formerly owned by a member of the Knights of Malta. The hotel includes 25 rooms and suites in six different designer categories, a restored fountain dating back more than 400 years in the central courtyard, an outdoor pool, and the Michelin-starred Under Grain restaurant. flydubai launched direct flights from Dubai International Airport to Malta in May 2021. Emirates also flies to the island, but via Larnaca in Cyprus. Both airlines offer holiday packages to the Mediterranean destination.