ItalyUpdate

L'Accademia di Arte Sanitaria (Academy of Sanitary Art) in Rome has announced the first results of the Pliny Project, coordinated by a group of experts from the universities of Rome, Florence, Macerata and the Rome Institute of Geological Environment and Geo-engineering (Igag-Cnr).

Il Fuggiasco (The Fugitive), Le 7 Mandate (7 Turns of the Lock), Quarto di Luna (a Touch of Madness) may seem rather odd names for wines until you learn that they are produced by the Casa Circondariale (the Prison) of Velletri, in the Castelli Romani near Rome.

Another major anniversary this year! Federico Fellini, author of the landmark film La Dolce Vita was born in Rimini on the 20th January 1920.

The Borsa Internazionale di Tourismo (BitMilano 2020) holds its 40th edition in the Milan Fair from the 9th - 11th February.

The exclusive Carnevale degli Este (Carnival of the D'Este dukes) takes off between the 20th - 23rd February 2020 with a magnificent historic re-enactment procession centred round the medieval fortress that dominates the town centre.

Rome's Villa Borghese Museum hopes to raise funds to purchase a bust of Pope Urban VIII by Gian Lorenzo Bernini to add to its collection.

Italian museums saw a rise in visitor figures in 2019, with the exception of some outdoor sites, which suffered from the frequent spells of bad weather.

Brescia (Lombardia) is not very well known as an international tourist destination. The organization Visit Brescia is seeking to remedy this lack by publishing a series of initiatives and excursions highlighting the many attractions of the area.

The city of Parma (Emilia Romagna) is the place to visit this year, with a packed programme of events to celebrate its nomination as Italian Capital of Culture 2020. 

Italian tea grown in Verbania (Piedmont) scooped the Gold Award for international black tea at the International Black Tea Tasting Competition (December 2019).