Ed: Lucky you, travelling in Italy for a couple of weeks! Take a small walkman radio. All the major cities have a classical radio station you can tune in to and, if you can, slip a couple of cassettes of you favorite Italian composer into your bag. Vivaldi, for example, takes on a whole new dimension when listened to in Venice. Attend some concerts in the towns you visit. Many will have various classical concerts. As for a book, I'm partial to Ulysses but there are English language bookshops in all the major cities so you can pick something up while you are traveling. But isn't travel one great way to get out of your routine for a couple of weeks and enjoy something different? Enjoy your trip! "Chuck Rittenhouse" <[log in to unmask]>