Staff at the NZ Embassy in Rome have been told to be on the look out for suspicious packages after mail bombs exploded in the hands of employees at the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome on Thursday.

Amanda Knox's appeal against her 26-year sentence for the murder of Meredith Kercher received a massive boost yesterday.

With her infectious cackle and outrageous dress sense, Anna Dello Russo - influential blogger, editor-at-large, street-style icon - is putting the fun back into dressing up, and gathering a huge following in the process.

In winter, Venice's crowds melt away as the December mists confer the canals with an exquisite extra dimension.

A crucial parliamentary confidence vote is coming up in Italy.

Champion skier Claudia Riegler enthuses about the shops, cafes and clubs that make the European ski experience so special.

John Hawkesby has fallen head-over-heels for crazy, complex, culture-drenched Italy.

Elegant and seductive Turin, which has much to offer visitors, makes nearby Milan look dull in comparison, writes Peter Bills.

The Wallabies have flown into the magnificent Renaissance city of Florence to prepare for this weekend's Test against Italy.

The Grand Hotel in Rimini, beloved of film maker Federico Fellini, is to close for the European winter as the economic crisis continues to bite.

Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's promiscuous behaviour isn't really frowned upon by his countrymen, writes Gwynne Dyer.

Readers of Conde Nast Traveler have rated their top 10 European islands.

Seasoned Wwoofer Venetia Sherson gets more than she bargained for on an olive picking job in the hills of southern Tuscany.

Wwoof stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms or Willing Workers on Organic Farms. It is an international network linking people who want to work on organic farms with people looking for volunteer help.

For further information see wwoof.org.

Mary MacKillop, who died more than 100 years ago, had strong ties to New Zealand.

How chick-flick Eat, Pray, Love sold out to the forces of materialism. By Guy Adams.