Italy

Italians are flocking to see an exhibition in Rome celebrating the 400th anniversary of Caravaggio's death, held in the Scuderie del Quirinale -- the 18th century palace that once housed the papal stables. The exhibit is a stringent choice of just 24 rigidly authenticated works by Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, a master of light and dark (chiaroscuro) painting. Caravaggio

THE BEST WAY TO GIGLIO ISLAND, ITALY From LAX, Alitalia offers nonstop service to Rome; Lufthansa, American, British, Delta, U.S. Airways, Swiss, United, Iberia and KLM offer connecting service (change of plane). Restricted roundtrip fares begin at $1,174, including taxes and fees. Drive or take the train to Porto Santo Stefano, where you catch the ferry (www.toremar.it, http://www.maregiglio.it ) to Giglio. Fares from $10. TELEPHONES To call the numbers below from the U.S. dial 011 (the international dialing code)

On a recent trip to Italy, we discovered a gelato store called Grom. It is completely natural and oh, so delicious. There are 31 stores throughout Italy. All locations listed on the website. All we can say is yum. Grom, http://www.grom.it/eng/index.php Susan and John Fisher, Pacific Palisades

THE BEST WAY TO AREZZO From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) to Florence is available on Air France and Lufthansa. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $786. From Florence, take a taxi ($35) or bus ($6.50) to the Santa Maria Novella train station in Arezzo. Several trains run every hour from Florence to Arezzo. For schedules, go to trenitalia.com. TELEPHONES To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 39 (country code for Italy)

'Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy' Where: Lifetime When: 9 p.m. Monday Rating: TV-14-D-V (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14, with advisories for coarse language and violence)

The Red & White Wine Bar is across the street from beautiful Lake Como, with forever views, in Tremezzo, Italy. The chef and his wife are charming, friendly and speak English. The food is outstanding: It was the best pasta e fagioli I have ever had, and my husband had the lasagna three days in a row. Prices are reasonable. Red & White Wine Bar, 18 Via Portico Sampietro, Tremezzo; 011-39-0344-40095. Pizzas and pastas from about $10. Main dishes $20-22. Jade Kemble Rancho Bernardo

Lost among Herman Cain's protests and Rick Perry's stumbles Wednesday night were some provocative responses from the eight GOP presidential candidates on how they would deal with the economy on a global scale - with Italy and China as flashpoints. The unfolding debt crisis in Italy was, in fact, the first question that came from the CNBC panel moderating the Michigan debate, and while the candidates' answers were quickly overshadowed by questions about the sexual misconduct allegations against Cain and Perry's deer-in-headlights moment, they were uniform in their approach to the European situation.