_Firenze:
The Crucifix by Michelangelo has now been restored and returned to the Barbadori Chapel in the Chiesa di Santo Spirito. Open hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Santo Spirito is closed Wednesday afternoon.

Galleria degli Uffizi Special Exhibit: In addition to the permanent collection at the Galleria degli Uffizi, there is a special exhibit on "Scientists at Court", a tribute to the Accademia del Cimento. There until June 18th.

_Rome:
Caravaggio exhibition: Rome is a great place to see paintings by one of Italy's greatest Seicento painters, Caravaggio. Through May 15 the Palazzo Giustiniani is exhibiting a collection of 70 masterworks by this and other major artists of the period such as Lorenzo Lotto, Poussin and Carracci. (Source: Bell' Italia)

Monument to Victor Emmanuel now open: The monument (sometimes "lovingly" referred to as "the Wedding Cake" because the white marble structure resembles nothing so much as a layered wedding cake) has only just reopened after a 30 year restoration. Located at the very center of Rome where the Corso meets Via dei Fori Imperiali at Piazza Venezia, the monument may be visited free daily except Monday from 10:00 to an hour before sunset. There are also free guided tours but only in Italian. Visitors may ascend 200 feet to enjoy magnificent views over the The Urbs. (Source: InfoRoma, Bell' Italia and The Seattle Times)

Moses Project Online: During the restoration of Michelangelo's Moses, which is located in the church of Saint Peter in Chains, one can actually watch the careful work of technicians in vivo via the Internet on www.progettomose.it. One of the master's most powerful works, the statue was originally destined for the overly ambitious tomb of Pope Julius II was never completed. (Source: Bell' Italia)

Tourists can purchase for L.30,000 a cumulative ticket for entrances to such heavyweights as the Coliseum, Palatine, Palazzi Altemps and Massimo, and the Baths of Caracalla (and Baths of Diocletian and the Crypta Balbi when they open later this year). The cumulative ticket is valid for 5 days. (Source: InfoRoma and RAI TV)

_Venice:
The Etruscans: The marvelous Palazzo Grassi in Venice is the venue for some of Italy's most ambitious exhibitions. The latest, running through, June is entitled The Etruscans and, in scope and design, is one of the more serious looks at Etruscan culture an civilization in the past decade. One recalls that the Etruscans dominated the region of what is now Tuscany from about the 8th to the 5th centuries B.C. until they were ultimately defeated and gradually absorbed by the Romans. For information phone: 199-139-139. (Source: Bell' Italia)

_Verona:
Verona Arena Opera Schedule: If you are in the marvelous city of Verona don't miss a chance to see lyric opera in the unforgettable setting of Verona's Roman amphitheater. The 79th anniversary schedule is all Verdi during the centenary if the composer's death: Verdi Requiem - June 29; Il Trovatore - June 30, July 7, 14, 25, August 3, 8, 15; La Traviata - August 5, 9, 18, 25, 29; Nabucco - July 6, 12, 15, 20, 26, 29, August 10, 16, 19, 21, 24, 28, 31; Rigoletto - July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 17, 22, September 1; Aida - July 1, 5, 8, 13, 22, 24, 27, August 7, 12, 14, 23, 26, 30, September 2. (Source: Bell' Italia)

_Miscellaneous:
Italian Train Station Renovations: Who, on their travels through Italy by train, has not passed through Rome's Termini train station? A legacy of the recent Millennium/Jubilee celebrations of last year has been the complete renovation of Termini station. Now, many other of Italy's major train stations, which, in many cases are architectural gems from the last century or earlier, will be renovated and services upgraded.

Mad Cow Disease Update: American tourists to Europe have probably remained blissfully unaware of the so-called Mad Cow disease which continues to create mild hysteria throughout European capitals. The disease, which has no cure, is transmitted through cattle infected by unhealthy fodder and has been primarily confined to Great Britain and France.

Italy has mostly escaped the problem up to now though a few infected animals have been discovered in N. Italy and this has led, primarily, to a heightened awareness of the importance of vigilant, already excellent in Italy, quality control of meat products. While some Italians have converted to a less meat-reliant diet, most tourists should feel no impact from the Mad Cow scare. (Source: InfoRoma)

(note: the much more damaging, economically, Hoof and Mouth epidemic in Great Britain has apparently not contaminated Italy's shores.)