ItalyUpdate

A world back-to-front is the theme of  Mantova (Lombardy th Festival of the Golden Harlequin which runs between the 19 th to 28 th June 2009.

Tests being carried out on some of Caravaggios most famous paintings have revealed unexpected secrets regarding the artists materials and techniques. masterpieces 

The news that Venice is finally to have a female gondolier got a mixed reception when it was announced that 23 year old Giorgia Boscolo had been admitted to the special training course to become one of the citys famous boatmen (oops! boatwomen!).

The alpine mountain resort Ortisei, near Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige region), is offering the ultimate in romantic candle-lit meals this summer inside the cable cars that go up the side of the Alpe di Suisi mountain range.

The famous annual arts Festival of Spoleto, created by the late Gian Carlo Menotti in the perfectly preserved medieval town of Spoleto in Umbria, inaugurates this years edition on the 26 th June with a commemorative concert dedicated to the founder, performed by the Milan Verdi Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by James Conlan.

The Toprural Research group, specialized in analysing the Italian farm holiday market (agriturismo) has published the results of its recent research on prices in the various Italian regions. ...

Throughout May, June and July 2009, the 16 th century Quistini manor house at Rovato, near Brescia, Lombardy, throws open its magnificent gardens to visitors.

Piedmont Region and the city of Turin are seeing the fruits of a dynamic campaign to promote tourism to the area. ....

The Park of the Delta of the river Po, well-known for its rich variety of animal and bird life, is organizing a series of initiatives up to the end of May for nature-lovers.

A touring exhibition on Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci in on show at Romes Palazzo Venezia museum until August 30 th after a highly successful world tour, which began in 2006.