ItalyUpdate

Pet-friendly holiday destinations are enjoying a boom. According to statistics, 7 million pets go on holiday with their owners every year and 48% of the owners declare that their choice of destination depends on the assurance that their canine or feline friend will be welcome.

 

 

The historic 1907 art nouveau Ausonia & Hungaria Hotel at the Venice Lido, after a vast two-year restoration and upgrading operation, is now set to be one of the sights of Venice. Already striking, with its facade decorated with polychrome ceramic tiles of typical Liberty-style

The couple of peregrine falcons nesting on top of the Palazzo Pirelli in Milan has arrived for the second year and successfully hatched and raised two new chicks.

 What better debut for a newborn rose than

the spectacular setting of one of the world's most celebrated gardens? The "Grandi Giardini d'Italia" a new, crimson tea rose, created by the Barni Rose nursery for Judith Wade, founder of the Grandi Giardini Italiani (Great Italian Gardens) organization and nominated the "Queen of Gardens" by "Vanity Fair", had its official baptism in the Villa d'Este gardens (Tivoli), attended by Ms. Wade and Andrea Bruciati, curator of the three Tivoli jewels, Villa d'Este, Villa Adriana and the newly restored Temple of Hercules the Victor.

The splendid 17th century Corsini Gardens in Florence provide the backdrop for the "ArtigianatoePalazzo" (Crafts and Palace) event running from the 16-19 May 2019. This year's edition concentrates on the city's long ties with the local Russian community, and is subtitled "Memories of Russia in Florence".

On the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the popular Reggio Emilio seaside resort of Rimini offers free painting laboratories for children every Friday throughout May 2019, as well as an "Avventure nell'Orto" (Adventures in the Garden) event every Sunday in the precincts of "Italy in Miniature".

 The Associazione Rotta di Enea (On the Track of Aeneas) is stirring up renewed interest in Virgil's Eneide with a trans-Mediterranean trek that traces the mythical journey of the Trojan hero, alleged forefather of the Romans.

Italian wine producers have instituted Rosautoctono, the Institute for Italian Autocthonous Rosè wines, to protect the image of Made in Italy rosè. With "pinks" becoming increasingly important in world export markets,

The Vatican Museums are opening their doors for evening visits again this year. Between the 26 April -25 October 2019 visitors can view the treasures of the unique Vatican collections every Friday between 19.00-23 (last entrance at 21.30).

What better start to the spring than an alfresco meal under the olive trees? An after-Easter event which has acquired ever more popularity over the last twelve years is the picnic in the Fascia Olivata olive plantations at Trevi, major producer of extra virgin olive oil.