ItalyUpdate

Five hundred and fifty years ago, in 1465, Italy's first printing press was set up at the Benedictine monastery of San Benedetto at Subiaco (Lazio). The event will be celebrated throughout the year at the sister religious house of Santa Scolastica where the library contains a fascinating collection of ancient books, illuminated manuscripts and parchments.

Between the 16th-19^th April 2015, the streets of Perugia (Umbria) will be filled with the magical atmosphere of Fantacity, the annual children's festival of creativity. The event offers a vast range of activities, featuring many entertainers, speakers and VIP guest stars.

The Green Island project of Alveari Urbani Â (Urban Bee-hives), to be held shortly before the opening of the Milan World Espositon 2015, EXPO Milan, attracted accolades as one of the most interesting proposals combining design and ecology that will feature in the EXPO IN THE CITY event. between the 13-15 April 2015.

Italy's leading gastronomic guide, Il Gambero Rosso 2015, has published its selection of this year's best Italian extra virgin olive oils. Presented at the Sol & Agrifood Fair dedicated to olive oil production, which runs concurrent with the Vinitaly Wine Fair of Verona, the guide lists 311 oil producers and 471 oils described and rated.

 HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OUR READERS 

Three Italian confectioners won first place in this year's La Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, competing against twenty-one other teams from all over the world. Emmanuele Forcone from Abruzzo, who was also the 2014 champion, Francesco Boccia from the province of Naples, the 2013 bronze medallist, and Fabrizio Donatone from Ciampino (Rome) swept the boards in the Salone Internazionale della Ristorazione in Lyons (France) with their delicious and imaginative creations.

The MSC Sinfonia, the newly refurbished cruise ship of the MSC navigation company took its maiden bow in Naples on the 25^th March 2015. The ship, one of the four Lirica Class liners of the fleet, has been extended and re-styled to contain an additional 200 cabins, more spacious communal areas, greater restaurant choice and a new club aimed at the younger passengers with an acquatic park and games.

Riva del Garda (Trentino) ushers in Easter with the Chocolate Festival Chocomusic, Musica per il Palato! between the 2^nd -6^th April 2015. The event is centred in the Piazza Cesare Battisti, where the master chocolate confectioners will exhibit their skills, surrounded by stalls full of goodies.

Finding reasonably priced accommodation in Milan can sometimes be a problem so budget travellers will be delighted to hear of the inauguration of the Cascina Cuccagna, the new hostel in a 17^th century farmhouse situated a short distance from the Porta Romana metro stop.

With major events like EXPO Milan and Holy Year in Rome, Italy is anticipating a bumper season for tourism in 2015-2016.