I t a l y : People & Culture

» In this century it has seen the transformation of Italy from a greatly conventional, agricultural society to a progressive, developed state. There are many differences in people's daily lives in different places of Italy -- Rome , Milan , Venice , Sicily , and others. All of them joint make a exclusive portrait of the Italian existence. The capital of Italy --the city of Rome --today is a bustling place, full of traffic and crowds. It is amazing how sites of ancient culture and modern urban life coexist together in the modern country. People live alongside the temples, marketplaces and public buildings of the past.

» The Italians were no slouches when it came to music; they invented both the piano and our system of musical notation, as well as producing Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Verdi, Puccini, Bellini and Rossini.

» Numerous religious, cultural, and historical events happen in Italy throughout the year: pre-Easter Carnival in Venice , Holy Week Easter processions at Taranto , Chieti and Sicily , and Florence fireworks on Easter Sunday. Festivals honoring patron saints are very colorful events.