If Italy is your holiday destination of choice, you will be pleased to know that Malta Airport is now connected to Verona and Genoa. Operated by Volotea, the direct flights will further strengthen Malta International Airport's direct links to one of its top markets.

The inaugural flights from the two Italian cities landed within a day of each other in what can be described as an exciting week for locals seeking to quell their wanderlust by discovering somewhere new.

Cakes made in celebration of the launch of these two services captured the essence of the two cities, with one cake being dominated by shades of blue and colourful houses reminiscent of the Boccadasse fishing village and the other one skilfully recreating Romeo and Juliet's famous balcony scene.

Despite the fact that both cities are found in the northern part of the Italian peninsula and are only a three-hour train ride away from each other, their offering is quite different and is likely to capture the imagination of different holidaymakers.

While Verona is renowned for its artistic heritage and stunning architecture, which has earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, Genoa is a port city boasting rich maritime heritage that is more likely to attract sea-loving people.

Volotea will be operating a weekly service to each of the two cities during the summer months, with the flight to Verona being offered on Tuesdays and the flight to Genoa during mid-week.