where the writers are

To write about Italy is to attempt to write the history of Western civilization,for Rome ruled the world for a millenium.By avoiding such a herculean task,I'll just give you a few vignettes.

Modern Italy is famous the world over for its wines.With about 20 major growing regions that include Lombardy,Tuscany and Piedmont,the visitor is always near a vineyard.But what really interests me about Italy is its history.There is the Roman Empire and Julius Caesar.After his 8 year foreign campaign a victorious Caesar crosses the Rubicon with his army and marches into Rome.Mark Antony manages to flee into Greece.This is the stuff movies are made of.

Then there is the Renaissance that spawned giants.Dante Alligieri took us on that long journey through hell,purgatory and heaven in the Divine Comedy.Michelangelo produced the frescos on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel that featured the creation story and Leonardo Da Vinci gave the world the mystery of the  Mona Lisa.

Well, I cannot leave out the Prince,a brilliant piece of writing on the machinations of the state by Machiavelli which would become a textbook on how to rule .

Then there is Julia Roberts' character finding her ephiphany in Italy ,of course-in no lesser place than the tomb of Augustus in Eat, Love and Pray.Yes, Italy is the land of varied history and wears many faces.