ItalyUpdate

Turin has for a long time been the Cinderella of the famous Italian art cities. Since the days of the Grand Tour,  Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples have monopolized the image of Italian cultural destinations. 

China is fast becoming the main importer of the Italian luxury market.  The big names of Italian fashion, such as Zegna, Ferragamo, Gucci, Bulgari, Armani and Max Mara all report big increases in sales among Chinese buyers.  

AARP, the popular American magazine for the Young Old generation, has indicated the Marche region of Italy as one of the top five most desirable destinations in the world to retire to. 

The enormous bamboo maze constructed by Franco Maria Ricci, well-known editor of the worlds most beautiful art books and the glossy art magazine FMR, has created a new form of art in his family residence near Parma, where he retired in 1994 after selling his publishing house.

The aristocratic Castle of Racconigi, a former summer residence of Italys royal family, has been nominated the Most Beautiful Garden in Italy in this years edition of the Briggs & Stratton competition.

MSC CAKE ON CRUISE

The MSC cruise line has launched a novel attraction for cruise passengers sailing between the 13-20 November 2010 on its newest liner, the MSC Magnifica.

The sale of the precious Vasari archive has been strongly contested by the Rome Court of Justice, which suspects some underhand dealings, and the town of Arezzo,  where Vasari was born in 1511.

Michaelangelos colossal statue of David is probably the best-known symbol of Florence and a major attraction in the Galleria dell'Accademia, where visitor takings amount to the desirable sum of 8 million a year.

For the first time in many years, two of Romes most famous monuments are to be open to the public at night.  

VENICE: FIRST WOMAN GONDOLIER

24-year old Giorgia Boscolo has become the first official female gondolier to transport visitors on the Venice canals. Giorgia passed her theory and punting exams after a years apprenticeship to become a fully-fledged  gondolier, breaking a tabu lasting nine centuries that barred women from the profession.

An attractive blonde, married with two children, she is sure to attract a lot of custom!