JUST like their counterparts in virtually all parts of the world, elementary, high school and college students here in Italy also have their allocated one-week spring break here. For students coming in from the United States and Spain, you can spend one quality vacation here in Italy. Do witness the different native flowers here blossom in various colors throughout the season. Being a Mediterranean country, there are nice flowers, trees and plants thriving here in Italy. Among others, there are dwarf palms, myrtles, laurels, junipers, corks, holm oaks and evergreens existing here.

Spring in 2008 also coincides with the Lenten season for the Christians. And for the many people here in Italy who are predominantly Catholic (Rome is its headquarters); this is also a time for many pilgrims all over the world who will deluge on this country. And that translates to many euros flooding the Italian economy via air fare, hotel stays, food, shopping sales and other secondary earnings caused by the religious tourists.

As spring ushers in this year, one piece of good news that has developed is the recovery all over Europe of stolen Italian artifacts such as goblets and Pompeiian vases. These artifacts were found in Brussels, Geneva and Milan due to a painstaking investigation conducted by the Italian police. With the recovery of the artifacts, many archaeological buffs are expected to go to Italy to view these artifacts once more in their rightful display place – the museum. Another artifact – in the field of architectural sculpture – will rise in Florence thanks largely to Michigan native Jason Arkles who designs the statue of St. Mark in a church in that city.

The government of caretaker Prime Minister Romano Prodi has not collapsed despite his decision to resign pending someone to relieve him. His Cabinet has remained intact and the tourism ministry of Spain has worked hand in hand with its central bank to monitor the economy given the assumption of an impending recession in the United States. With close guidance from the European Union central bank, the central bank of Italy is giving the go-ahead for the merger of small banks in the country so that they can together forge a stronger banking system to counter possible repercussions of an impending recession across the Atlantic in the United States. Banks expected to merge are Sanpaolo and Intessa as well as Capitalia and UniCredit. Meanwhile, Milan’s very own Banca Popolare di Milano is scouting for partners.