ItalyUpdate

The town of Soncino, near Cremona (Lombardia), has prepared a magical Christmas especially for children (and their parents) where elves, gnomes,  pixies and other fairytale personages lead visitors round  the Enchanted Village set up in the 17 th century spinning mill La Filanda and the grounds of the castle.

Milans famous La Scala opera house opens the new 2011 season with Richard Wagner Die Walkure, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and with a glittering cast of top world Wagner singers.

55,000 visitors participated in the 2 nd edition of the event Musei in Musica (Music in Museums) held in Rome on the 20 th November 2010 between 8pm and 2am.

Prize for the best cocktail in the 61 st AIBES National Contest for Italian barmen was won this year by a barlady.

Romes zoo, now renamed the Biopark is to celebrate its centenary on the 5 th January 2011 with a new publication entitled The Jungle of Villa Borghese by Spartaco Gippoliti.

The season of natureâ most precious fungus is with us again and this year has recorded the find of gigantic truffles in various areas of Italy. ...

The biggest solar energy park in Europe will be officially inaugurated on the 23 rd November 2010 at Rovigo (Veneto).

The Venice cruise terminal welcomed a record 2 million passengers during 2010, confirming the position of the Serenissima as top port of call for cruise ships in the Mediterranean, along with Barcelona.

Lazio Region now has four Alberghi Diffusi
In the villages of Castro dei Volsci, Montelanico, Castel Proceno and Amatrice ....

Irish-American writer Mary Jane Cryan recently presented her book, Etruria travel, history and itineraries in Central Italy in the prestigious Sala Crociera of the historic Library of Archaeology and History of Art, Rome.