ItalyUpdate

Sixteen towns in the Leogra valleys in western Alto Vicentino (Veneto) have put together an interesting programme of wine and taste tours around their territory. Launched with the brand name: Le Valle del Vino e del Racconto (Valleys of Wine and Legends) the initiative launches a series of itineraries of discovery and culture.

The seaside resort of Ladispoli (near Rome) is famous for its artichokes which thrive in the favourable conditions of the area and since they are so important for the local economy, they are suitably honoured with an annual spring festival. This year's version of the Sagra del Carciofo encompasses three events, spread over the next two weeks.

ROME LAUNCHES CAR POOLING

The city of Rome has launched a new car pooling service linked to users smartphones and tablets. Those wishing to share expenses on a car trip within the city territory can insert details of hours and itineraries on the relative website to find a suitable match.

The initiative is part of a project to try to cut down on traffic and pollution and can be found in the section viaggi condivisi (shared trips) on the website.

Info: www.muovi.roma.it

Romes Botanical Garden will finish restoring five of its historic hothouses in time for the summer season. The garden extends over 12 hectares and dates in its present form to 1883, though it was founded much earlier as a medicinal herbal garden by Pope Nicola III at the end of the 13^th century.  

Carrara (Tuscany) is to hold the second edition of the Unified World Championship of Martail Arts and Combat Sports between the 29^th October and the 2^nd November 2014. 

The celebrated Rome wine bar Splendor Parthenopes hosted a presentation of wines from twelve Molise cellars, promoted by the Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement), a non-profit association dedicated to developing tourism wine routes and vineyard visits all over Italy.

The Ravello Festival renews its commitment to offer the best with its 2014 programme featuring top symphony orchestras and legendary jazz performers. Perched on a terrace high above the Amalfi coast, the Festival offers a unique scenic and musical experience under the stars from the 21^st June to the 13^th September 2014.

Rome tour operators have lost no time in organizing Great Beauty tours, based on the places that feature in the Oscar-winning Italian film La Grande Bellezza. Apparently, there is already demand to visit little-known beauty spots in the Eternal city,  such as the Acqua Paolo Fountain on the Janiculum hill,  the Garden of the Oranges and the Villa del Priorato on the Aventine hill, the Park of the Aqueducts, the EUR monuments and Bramante Tempietto di San Pietro in Montonio.

This year, for the first time, the Pontifical Gardens of Castelgandolfo will be opened regularly to the public. The gardens, which surround the traditional papal summer residence in the Alban Hills some 20 miles from Rome, are renowned for their beauty, although few visitors have had the privilege of seeing them in the past.