From air transport strikes to the end of Venice’s entry fee scheme trial and changes to BBC access, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.
Monday
Access to BBC content changes for people outside the UK
Changes affecting how people outside the UK can access BBC audio content are set to come into effect on Monday, July 21st.
Under the changes, the BBC Sounds app, currently used to access BBC radio programmes and podcasts, will become a UK-only service, meaning it won’t be available to people in other countries.
Listeners outside the UK will be required to use the new BBC app or the BBC.com website to access audio content.
However, not all of the broadcaster’s programmes will be available on the new app and site due to rights issues.
For full details about the upcoming changes, see our article.
Tuesday
Programme of 2025 Venice Film Festival unveiled
The programme of the 2025 Venice Film Festival will be unveiled on Tuesday, July 22nd, with the presentation set to be streamed live on the festival’s website and social media channels starting from 11am.
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Organisers announced in late April that award-winning US director Alexander Payne would be the president of this year’s jury.
The 2025 edition of the festival is set to run from August 27th to September 6th.
Friday
Giostra dell’Orso tournament in Pistoia
One of Italy’s most famous medieval jousting tournaments will take place on Friday, July 25th, in the Tuscan city of Pistoia.
The Giostra dell’Orso, or ‘Bear Joust’, sees knights from the city’s four districts (Porta al Borgo, Porta Carratica, Porta San Marco and Porta Lucchese) compete to strike a target in the shape of a wooden bear with their lance.
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The event is held on Pistoia’s patron saint’s day, the Festa di San Jacopo, and is preceded by a historical procession featuring flag throwers and buglers.
Saturday
Air transport strikes
People flying to, from or across Italy could face disruption on Saturday, July 26th, due to two separate air transport strikes.
Pilots and crew at Spanish airline Volotea plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday as part of an ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions.
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Baggage handlers and security staff at airports around the country are expected to walk out over the same window (from 1pm to 5pm), according to Italy’s transport ministry.
The planned strikes may cause flight delays or cancellations, as well as delays in ground operations including passenger check-in and baggage drop-off or collection services.
Uber launches helicopter taxis on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
American transport giant Uber is set to launch new helicopter services on Italy’s Amalfi Coast this week, providing well-heeled visitors with speedy connections between the seaside town of Sorrento and the island of Capri.
Uber Copter will operate every weekend from Saturday, July 26th, to Saturday, August 23rd, with round-trip journeys coming at €250 per passenger.
READ ALSO: LISTED: The big changes for travel to and from Italy in 2025
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Flights to Capri will depart at 9am every Saturday and Sunday, with return flights to Sorrento at 5pm, according to Uber.
The new service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance via the Uber App.
Sunday
2025 trial of Venice entry fee scheme ends
The 2025 trial of a contested ticketing system requiring day-trippers to pay an entry fee to access Venice’s city centre is set to end on Sunday, July 27th.
The entry fee scheme was reintroduced on April 18th after undergoing a 29-day trial in 2024.
The charge, which is part of broader plans to ease the strain of mass tourism on Venice’s fragile infrastructure, has long faced strong opposition from residents’ associations and grassroots groups, with critics arguing that it’s done little to reduce tourist numbers and has turned the city into a “theme park”.
Venice authorities haven’t yet clarified whether the scheme will be reintroduced in 2026, and if so, on which dates.