Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
At QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, our priority has always been to enhance our guests’ experience, offering comfort and top-notch services. This year, with the goal of discovering new ways to improve our accommodations, we attended the Hotel trade fair in Bolzano, held from October 21st to 24th, 2024. The South Tyrol region is renowned for the quality of its hospitality sector, and we saw this event as an opportunity to gather innovative ideas.
Discovering Bolzano: A Central Gem in the Alps
Nestled in the Alps, Bolzano serves as a cultural bridge between Italian and German-speaking worlds. This historic city has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries, blending both Austrian and Italian influences. A walk through the city’s medieval streets reveals beautiful Gothic architecture, picturesque piazzas, and charming boutiques. Bolzano’s central location in the Alps made it an important hub for travelers and traders alike, and today it remains a perfect destination for both nature lovers and culture seekers.
A surprising fact for many is that the distance from Rome to Bolzano has significantly decreased with the introduction of the Frecciarossa high-speed train, reducing travel time to just over four hours. This makes Bolzano a perfect destination for Romans looking for a quick escape to the mountains.
South Tyrolean Cuisine at Its Best: A Culinary Experience
During our time in Bolzano, we indulged in some of the region’s finest traditional dishes. One highlight was our dinner at the historic Vögele Restaurant. We sampled some Alto-Adige specialties, including rosticciata (a traditional beef and potato hash) and the beloved canederli (bread dumplings), which are a staple of Tyrolean cuisine. We also enjoyed rich ravioli with butter from the alpine pastures.
The Hotel Trade Fair: A Hub of Innovation for Hoteliers
The core of our trip was attending the Hotel trade fair at the Fiera di Bolzano. This event brought together hoteliers and industry experts from across Europe to showcase the latest innovations in well-being, bedding, furnishings, and cutting-edge kitchen solutions. One of the culinary highlights was tasting the potato ravioli filled with beetroot, served at one of the exhibition stands—an unexpected and delicious discovery!
Returning in the afternoon to our hotel, Hotel Greif (a beautiful hotel right in the heart of Bolzano—Hotel Greif), we took some time to explore the vibrant shopping streets, filled with elegant boutiques offering everything from high-end fashion to local artisanal products.
A Toast to Tradition: Forst Brewery
Our second evening in Bolzano ended with a visit to the famous Forst Brewery, one of the most renowned breweries in South Tyrol, with a history dating back to 1857. Here, we enjoyed a hearty meal paired with local brews. The brewery’s atmosphere and history added a special touch to our South Tyrolean adventure, reflecting the strong traditions of this region.
Our Commitment to Guest Experience
Our journey to Bolzano was not just about discovering the beautiful Alps and savoring local cuisine, but it was also an opportunity to improve the services we offer at QuodLibet B&B. Every stand we visited at the fair gave us new ideas to enhance guest comfort, from better bedding options to innovative wellness features. We’re excited to implement these improvements to make your stay with us even more enjoyable.
