ITALY’s state economists remain bullish in 2008 as it has maintained a GDP growth forecast of 1.0 percent. Italy’s economic growth is not due to the fact that the Italians have done nothing. As usual, tourism is one primary source of Italian economic growth. After all, Italy hosts the Vatican, the smallest nation in the world and the only nation in the world located within a city, Rome. The talk of the town right now is about an Italian honeymoon for French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his fiancée Carla Bruni. Of course, everybody knows that Carla is an Italian and Sarkozy has already made reservations to a country house near Verona. Although splendid, the country house is actually very Spartan and the environment there is an aura of natural serenity. There are even reports that Sarkozy and Carla were already married sometime last week and the witness of the marriage is none other than the prime minister of Spain.

Now let us understand the views of the people in Italy in 2008. In past years and even as recently as 2007, Italians have always been conservative and thoroughly following the tenets of Roman Catholicism where most of the country belongs to. (After all, Roman Catholicism has its headquarters in the Vatican.) But just this year, Italians have tended to become more liberal in their views of just about anything. For example, they have now embraced more favorably on the idea of stem cell research. In fact, aside from being the fashion capital on earth, Milan has now agreed to host one of the facilities of Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics, a leading DNA research company in the United States. In fact, Italian investors have agreed to pour in capital for the research facility in Milan.

But not all Italians are liberal by nature. They still pose heads which can turn sideways if needed. For example, the Italian government of Romano Prodi has tied up with the United Nations in providing humanitarian efforts in areas in southern Lebanon that were destroyed during the 2007 war against Israel. Along with the consent of the Lebanese, the Italians have also agreed to stay in the northern part of the country to help in peacekeeping efforts following the deadlock of their government.

In Rome, meet Graziano Cecchini – a stunt artist. Graziano was the artist who released half a million plastic colored balls from Piazza di Spagna to La Barcaccia fountain making the whole thing look as if multicolored paint was spilled over the plaza. The whole thing was caught on video by a helicopter chartered by Cecchini so if you want to buy, download or rent the video, proceeds will go to Cecchini of course who has tendered part of his money to buy for the 500,000 plastic balls. It can be recalled that Cecchini was also the one responsible for dyeing the water in Trevi Fountain also in Rome as red last October 2007.

For the more traditional art, you should head to the spectacular Venice which has some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. Despute being so extravagant in it’s surroudnings, a weekend exploring Venice need not be expensive. Hotels in Venice cater for every budget and as far as flights go, looking for budget airline offers can get you to this beautiful Italian city sooner than you think. Be sure to see the famous St Mark’s Square, go on a gondola and dine on the waterfront. However, don’t forget that Venice has much more than the known toursit activities - traditional food, nightlife and shows are always worth seeing an will give a unique touch to your holiday.

Italy is so unique, and the life here of such a good quality, it is no wonder tat after the holiday, visitors choose to come back - sometimes even to live (it is well known George Clooney has a holiday home here)! If you choose an area wit little industry (or perhaps with only business during the summer months), you must be creative with regards to earning money. Giving one to one English class is always an option - Italian people are famously open to new culture and ways of life and thus there are many potential students! Other options include domestic work and childcare. Of course, the better your Italian, the better your chances of integrating and finding work. It really is a beautiful language and given the country has so much to offer, one very much worth while learning!