February 6th - February 12th

Naples, Feb. 10th - (Adnkronos) - Caserta’s Royal Palace celebrates St Valentine’s Day with a free entry ticket for all the couples visiting the Historical Apartments and Park on February 14th. Therefore, one of the two full-priced tickets will be free.

Catania, Feb. 10th - (Adnkronos) - The exhibition ''Costumi di Venezia ad Acireale'' [Venetian Costumes in Acireale] is set to start. Acireale Mayor Nino Garozzo will inaugurate it at 6pm tomorrow in the former premises of the ''Gulli e Pennisi'' Classical High School. It is a question of clothes made by Venetian designer Rossana Molinatti, known as the ''lady of the Venice Carnival'', which will be exhibited for the first time at the Acireale Carnival, sealing the collaboration relationship between the Venice and Acireale events.

Rome, Feb. 10th (Adnkronos) - A concert by duo Danilo Rossi (viola) and Stefano Bezziccheri (piano) will take place in the Paolina Chapel at 12am on Sunday February 12th, during the course of the public opening of Quirinal Palace. At 4pm in the afternoon, the traditional changing of the Guard of Honor will take place at Quirinal Palace, on conclusion of which the Air Force Band will perform a concert.

Verona, Feb. 10th (Adnkronos) - Hopeless romantics prepare yourselves: Verona gets ready to celebrate the days of love. The numerous initiatives dedicated to Verona in love are about to begin. At 6pm tonight the first turning on of the heart-shaped illuminations at the House of Juliet. The lights, realized in collaboration with AGSM, will give a warm and charming atmosphere to the streets of the center. Again at Juliet’s House, it will be possible to dress in the clothes of the two Veronese lovers and take a photo souvenir thanks to a cut-out created for the initiative called Skattakiss.

Viterbo, Feb. 10th - (Adnkronos) - Finishing touches for the procession of allegorical floats and masked groups that will take place from 3pm on Sunday February 12th in Grotte S. Stefano and which constitutes the opening event of the 2006 Viterbo Carnival. An initiative involving the whole town that spontaneously offers its contribution, working so that every year there is something new to enrich the event.

Milan, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - ''Construct a political framework to support tourism in the next parliament''. This was requested by Guido Venturini, Director General of the Italian Touring Club, at the sidelines of the presentation in Milan of the 2006 ''Annuario del Turismo e della Cultura'' [Tourism and Culture Yearbook] of the Italian Touring Club. ''Our sector -explained Venturini- represents 12% of the national GDP and offers almost two million jobs, with an enormous growth potential mostly for the South. For this reason I hope -he underlined- that the next Government seizes this chance and transforms it into an opportunity, unfortunately missed up until now''.

Milan, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - The balance of European tourism payments for the 2005 first quarter, is negative by more than €4 million. This is one of the figures that emerged today in Milan during the presentation of the 2006 ''Annuario del Turismo e della Cultura'' [Tourism and Culture Yearbook] of the Italian Touring Club. Italy, with respect to 2004, closed with a balance of €11.7 million. In our Country more than €28 million derives from tourism, while Italians spend more than €16.5 million in this sector.

Naples, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - The City Council of Naples has approved, on the proposal of Tourism Councilor Luca Esposito, the resolution that predicts the participation of the Administration in the main national and international tourism exchanges. The Milan BIT from February 18th to 21st; the Berlin ITB from March 8th to 12th; the Paris SMT from March 16th to 19th and, from March 22nd to 25th, Naples will for the first time be at the Moscow MITT, an extremely important market also considering that the first direct Naples-Moscow flight will be inaugurated in the next few months. Lastly, the city will be present with its offers from May 4th to 7th at the Barcelona SITC.

Milan, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - A drop of 6.4% in 2004, with respect to 2003, for international arrivals in Italy. From 39.1 million tourists in transit in 2003 to 37.1 million in 2004. Out of the top 10 countries in the world Italy is the only one to register a negative balance. This is one of the Italian Touring Club figures reported today in Milan on occasion of the presentation of the 2006 ''Annuario del Turismo e della Cultura'' [Tourism and Culture Yearbook].

Milan, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - 5.5 million fewer foreigners chose Italy as their tourist destination between 2001 and 2004. Foreign presences went from around 146 thousand in 2001 to 141 thousand in 2004. This is one of the figures that emerged today in Milan during the presentation of the 2006 ''Annuario del Turismo e della Cultura'' [Tourism and Culture Yearbook] of the Italian Touring Club. On the decline also is the average stay of foreign tourists that passed from 4.1 days to 3.8 days, with a loss of almost 4%.

Turin, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - A volume of addresses, in-depth examinations and curiosities dedicated to women on holiday in Piedmont. ''Benvenute'' [Welcome Ladies] is the title of the first tourist guide for women. The initiative, presented this morning in Turin in the presence of Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo, is of the Piedmont Region’s Equal Opportunities Department. According to the last ISTAT census (2001), the Piedmont tourism sector boasts a female presence superior to 56% compared to a national average of 50%.

Florence, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - The Tuscany region and the Regional Directorate for Cultural and Artistic Assets yesterday announced that culture will meet the demands of citizens, reducing entry costs to monuments: free entrance for teachers thanks to the Edumusei card, promoted by the region, in more than 70 museums distributed throughout the regional territory and the abolition of tickets to visit the Medicean Villas found in Florence, Poggio and Caiano.

Milan, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - Start of the year on the increase for the movement of passengers at the Orio al Serio Airport. Passengers numbered 323,229 in the month of January 2006, against the 267,296 registered a year ago, equal to an increase of 21 percent. With respect to January 2005, passengers on scheduled flights went from 213 thousand to 273 thousand (+28%), while those on charter flights increased by 3 percent.

Rome, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - ''The declarations made by Minister Alemanno, in relation to Roman tourism, are truly disappointing''. This was stated in a press release by Maria Pia Garavaglia, Rome Deputy Mayor with proxy to tourism. ''Just two days ago -she underlined- about a thousand insiders celebrated, together with the Public Administrations, an extraordinary 2005 for Roman tourism, on the basis of easily consultable figures certified by independent bodies like the Bilateral Tourism Agency (EBT). A happy occasion for Minister Alemanno to confirm his overflowing 'love for Rome'''.

Rome, Feb. 9th - (Adnkronos) - ''Due to Mayor Veltroni’s disastrous management of the entire tourism sector, Rome, despite its immense artistic and cultural potential, does not succeed in keeping pace with the other great European capitals''. This is what was declared by Rome mayoral candidate and Minister for Agricultural and Forestry Policies, Gianni Alemanno, denouncing the state of depression of the Capitoline tourism sector.

Venice, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - A rich and articulate offer characterizes the series of activities proposed on Sunday February 12th for the exhibition ''Famiglie al Museo'' [Families at the Museum], initiative now in its seventh edition and also realized thanks to the support of the Venice Foundation. First on the list is the Correr Museum, which will propose, from 11am to 3:30pm, the staging of ''Rappresentiamo un mito: Dedalo e Icaro/Orfeo e Euridice'' [Let’s represent a myth: Daedalus and Icarus/Orpheus and Eurydice]: after the narration and animation of the mythological episode, young participants will have media, colors and pencils available in order to compose a drawing, from life, of Antonio Canova’s sculptural work.

Rome, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - The first ''Salone del libro di viaggio'' [Travel Book Expo], which will take place at Catania’s “Le Ciminiere” from February 24th to 26th, was presented this morning in Rome. Undersecretary Nicola Bono illustrated, in the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage Ministry, ''this exceptional event - he declared - that fits perfectly into the ministerial action strategy to valorize and defend the immense national heritage through the union of culture, territory and tourism. The choice to valorize travel books is based on the spirit of stimulating the traveler to expand, through reading, their knowledge of a territory; in this case one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, Sicily''.

Rome, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - The new Skal Rome Board of Directors has been appointed: Alberto Zampi will be in office for the next two years. The 2006 objectives include a workshop with the Regions and presence of the Skal Clubs, extended not only to tourist destinations but also to local food and wine products; twinning with Barcelona or Vienna; the National Congress in Pisa from March 2nd to 5th. It is Skal’s intention to promote professional Forums of general interest for tourism operators in collaboration with the Association of Hotel Directors (ADA) and the “Cavalieri del Turismo” Association.

Rome, Feb. 9th (Adnkronos) - Gianni Macchi is the new General Manager of the Le Marmotte group, the Italian tourism franchise. Fifty-three years old and married with two children, Macchi has gained great experience in the banking world, starting his career at Cariplo and ending up in the head office of the BCC of Busto Garolfo and Buguggiate. Here, in seven years, he achieved economic results, consolidating assets. "Thanks to his proven managerial talents and knowledge of the market, Macchi is the ideal person to lead Le Marmotte to reach important new goals'' stated Bruno Marazzini, President of the Le Marmotte group. ''His will be a precious contribution to the development of our brand''.

Rome, Feb. 8th (Adnkronos) - Satisfaction has been expressed by the Italian Farmers' Confederation (CIA) and Turismo Verde (agricultural tourism association of the CIA) over the definitive approval of the new law disciplining agricultural tourism. An almost unexpected result as only a few days ago Turismo Verde President Carla Donnini, according to a press release issued by the Confederation, 'worried that the end of term might thwart years of patient work, urged the Budget Committee of the Senate to fast track proceedings towards definitive approval''.

Rome, Feb. 8th - (Adnkronos) - ''A law for the quality and growth of agricultural tourism''. The President of Confagricoltura’s Agriturist, Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, commented in this way on the approval of the new agricultural tourism framework law. ''It has been a long and complex path'', declared the president. ''We welcome the news of the achieved goal with great satisfaction, and it will now be possible to mobilize an overall update of the regional regulatory framework, for a long time awaiting a point of reference sensitive to the recent notable developments of the sector''.

Palermo, Feb. 8th - (Adnkronos) - ''The appointment of Giuseppe Cassara' to the presidency of Fiavet National shows the professionalism and preparation of Sicilian tour operators''. This was stated by Palermo Province President Francesco Musotto, commenting on the new appointments made by the Fiavet Bologna national assembly. ''The presence of a highly experienced entrepreneur at the top of the federation of travel agents - added Musotto - is a guarantee for all the individuals operating in the tourism sector and for those who, like the Province of Palermo, consider this a strategic sector in the economic development of our region''.

Rome, Feb. 8th (Adnkronos) - 2006 opens positively for Meridiana, which registered a 13.1% increase in passengers transported. In fact, 261,862 passengers flew with the airline in the month of January, against 231,631 in the same month of 2005. The use of Internet sales channels continued to increase in January, consolidating not only a constant double-figure increase, but also an extremely positive trend in terms of absolute values, which exceed the quota of 100,000 purchases a month.

Venice, Feb. 8th - (Adnkronos) - ''2005 was a happy year for Veneto tourism: we confirmed ourselves as the top tourist region in Italy and we are still growing, beyond expectations, with an overall increase with respect to the previous year of 4 percent in presences, almost 61 percent of those foreign, and 3.4 percent in arrivals, in which guests originating from other countries reached 57 percent of the total''. This was underlined by Veneto Regional Council Vice President Luca Zaia.

Rome, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - ''We are approaching the end of this Administration’s term of office. I have carried out the work assigned to me by Mayor Veltroni with great passion and enthusiasm, promoting the city and its image all over the world and pursing this amazing Proxy to Tourism entrusted to me and I would be willing to continue''. With these emotional words, Rome Deputy Mayor Mariapia Garavaglia concluded her speech at the opening of the works of the 2nd Tourism Conference organized today at the Auditorium by the Rome City Council.

Rome, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - ''We have been working for a while now with the Vatican to find a solution to the long unsheltered queues to enter the Vatican Museums''. This was announced today by Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, speaking at the 2nd Tourism Conference organized at the Auditorium by the Rome City Council. Then we will no longer see the long queues of tourists outside the Vatican Museums.

Rome, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - The protest of some tour operators over the new plan regulating the access and presence of tourist buses in the capital, introduced in January by the Rome City Council, was staged today at the Auditorium in Rome. The occasion for the protest was the 2nd Tourism Conference organized by the Rome City Council. Mayor Walter Veltroni and Deputy Mayor with proxy to Tourism, Mariapia Garavaglia, were present along with many sector operators.

Rome, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - ''The city of Rome has had great competitive capabilities in the tourism sector with respect to the rest of the country, but there is still a lot to do''. This was stated by the President of the Rome Industrialists’ Union (UIR), Luigi Abete, who this morning took part in the 2nd Tourism Conference organized at the Auditorium by the Rome City Council. In fact, according to Abete, the good results obtained by Rome in the last few years are undoubtedly positive, but more must be done because ''we are facing a still largely unexplored market''.

Rome, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - Rome is every bit as good as the great metropolises of the world and can equal them when it comes to tourism. Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni spoke with this conviction today at the 2nd Tourism Conference of the Rome City Council. 'Quanto sei bella Roma' [How Beautiful you are Rome] at the Auditorium was the occasion, in front of an audience of sector experts, to take stock of what has been done and the objectives to pursue, at this point just a few months from the end of term.

Fiesole (FI), Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - Sacred art lovers can once again be enchanted by the Bandini Museum, known as the ''Glory of Fiesole'', which reopens after important restoration works. An entire day, February 9th, will be dedicated to the inauguration of the historical building owned by the Chapter of the Cathedral, where in 1919 the museum was created to host the collection of works of the 18th-century canon Angelo Maria Bandini, librarian, collector, antiquarian, intellectual and philanthropist.

Fano (Pu), Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - 'The culture and valorization of ancient food and wine traditions' is the subject of the upcoming analysis proposed by the Altamarca Tourism Consortium of Pergola (Pu), in the ambit of the extensive exhibition dedicated to 'Nino', or pigs. Prospects and developments for tourism promotion and information will be discussed with experts in Teatro della Fortuna’s Sala Verdi, on February 11th in Fano. Diverse journalists will in fact be called to report on the territory’s gastronomy/tourism combination.

Valmontone, Feb. 7th - (Adnkronos) - A 20 x 30m outdoor rink has just been completed in a square in the center of Valmontone, in the province of Rome. The structure, installed in Piazza Brodolini, in the La Valle district, will be open to young people and enthusiasts for four weeks.

Ferrara, Feb. 7th (Adnkronos) - On occasion of the recurrence of the death, on April 2nd, 1956, of Filippo De Pisis, Ferrara, birth city of the artist, remembers the painter with an exhibition by Maria Luisa Pacelli, which will be set up in “Palazzo dei Diamanti” from March 12th to June 4th. With the exception of ''I grandi fiori di casa Massimo'' [The big flowers of Casa Massimo], recently purchased by the “Cassa di Risparmio” Foundation of Ferrara, the works exhibited all originate from the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art: it is a question of the artist’s most important collection of works, made up of 49 oils and 205 works on paper.

Pompeii (Na), Feb. 7th (Adnkronos) - The “Terme Suburbane” [Suburban thermal baths], imposing Augustan-age facility located outside the entrance walls of Porta Marina, and the “Casa del Menandro” [House of Menander], residence that takes its name from the Greek playwright depicted in one of the niches of the peristyle, were restored and reopened to the public in 2002. Starting from Saturday February 11th, it will be possible to book exclusively online at the site www.arethusa.net to visit the Suburban Thermal Baths and House of Menander.

Rome, Feb. 6th (Adnkronos) - ''Nothing was a foregone conclusion during the course of the First conference in February 2004. The Roman tourism revival, following the crisis provoked by September 11th, 2001, was just at the beginning and nothing guaranteed us that the city would have succeeded in restoring this fundamental sector of its economy. Today, after twenty-four months of uninterrupted growth, with record figures with regards to arrivals and tourist presences in Rome, I think we can state that the City Council respected the commitments undertaken two years ago at the Auditorium in front of operators''. With these words Mariapia Garavaglia, Deputy Mayor of Rome with proxy to tourism, announced the conference that will take place at 9:30am tomorrow in the “Sala Sinopoli” of the Music Park Auditorium and in which the Capitoline tourism sector balance will be discussed.

Acqualagna (Pu), Feb. 6th - (Adnkronos) - Acqualagna, one of the truffle capitals in the province of Pesaro Urbino, says no to the usual Carnival in which candies, flowers, oranges and sweets are thrown and proposes the first Carnival where fresh truffles will be launched from the decorated floats. The event will take place from 3pm on February 26th, in Piazza Mattei.

Florence, Feb. 6th - (Adnkronos) - Free entrance from tomorrow in around one hundred Tuscan museums for teachers requesting the new Edumusei card, valid for two years and promoted by Edumusei, the regional circuit of museums with educational activities. The card and its advantages will be presented at 12am on Wednesday February 8th, in the press-room of Florence’s Palazzo Bastogi (18 Via Cavour). Those participating will include Regional Culture Councilor Mariella Zoppi, Education Councilor Gianfranco Simonicini, and Filippo Guarini, from Edumusei.

Florence, Feb. 6th - (Adnkronos) - At 3pm tomorrow, Tuesday February 7th, in the “Sala Rossa” of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence Province President Matteo Renzi, Provincial Tourism Councilor Giovanna Folonari, and APT director Antonio Nicola Preiti, will present the press with the new website of the Tourism Agency, which will allow, in the ''Where to sleep'' section, the possibility to book all the accommodation structures of the Province with complete freedom and with identical conditions for every structure.

Siena, Feb. 6th - (Adnkronos) - ''Siena e Roma. Raffaello, Caravaggio e i protagonisti di un legame antico'' [Siena and Roma. Raffaello, Caravaggio and the protagonists of an ancient bond] is the fifth exhibition of the week in Italy for the number of visitors (2,842 people chose the Palazzo Squarcialupi event between January 30th and February 5th). This is already the second time that the Sienese exhibition has been part of the very select classification of the ''La Repubblica'' newspaper that every Monday, in Goffredo Silvestri’s column, signals the five most frequented Italian appointments.

Florence, Feb. 6th - (Adnkronos) - A book on holidays in Tuscany. ''Vacanze toscane. Un viaggio nei luoghi di villeggiatura attraverso le cartoline d'epoca'' [Tuscan holidays. A journey into holiday resorts through epoch postcards] is the name of the book published by the Florentine publisher Polistampa. The volume, work of the Florentine brothers Andrea and Fabrizio Petrioli, relates, through 500 postcards, the history of Tuscany between the end of the 19th and start of the 20th centuries, when the fashion of holidays began to spread and, hand in hand with the progress of photography, also the custom of sending a souvenir of the holiday: a picture postcard.