Manor Farm is reminiscent of those days we all cherish. If you grew up in the country or would be sent to visit grandparents during the summer, you remember those days with a smile. The days of milking cows, hauling water from the creek, riding horses when the sun went down; those were the good ole days. Manor Farm Country Park in Southampton, UK, is one of those little known jewels.

The mission of Manor Farm is to “Provide a living history visitor attraction and to conserve a farmstead of historic buildings, together with 400 acres of countryside. To bring back those memories of farm living to those who visit.” When visiting this farm, a team of ten full time employees welcome each visitor and prepare to assist you with any needs. Also, amazingly, a group of volunteers readily are available offering support for any needs.

Manor Farm Country Park is set in a scenic background of farmland and countryside of early woodland sitting near the bank of the beautiful River Hamble. The Farm is open daily every March 16 through November 2 from 10 am through 5 pm. Each month, Manor Farm has special actrivities planned for the visitors coinciding with holidays and special days or events of the year. Never is there a dull moment at Manor Farms. Activities are intense and the day is thoroughly invigorating. Events are varied and include something interesting for everyone.

School Visits

Manor Farm especially encourages student visits. Guided tours are specially designed and selected based on self focused activities suitable for KS1 and KS2 students. Brochures are available for those interested. Manor Farms belief is that every child should have an introduction to farm life including the animals and farmland. At Manor Farms, the landscape is of such a assorted degree, students will be introduced to the ponds, hedgegrows, woodland and the tidal shoreline of the River Hamble. A remarkable self guided tour study course within itself. In addition, Manor Farm offers the Victorian Schoolroom Activity, the Discovery Trail, Discussion Trail and , Self Guided Farm Tours offered for student’s ecological enrichment.

Group Visits

Manor Farm offers something for everyone in their tour programs. Young, old, rich, not so rich, large, small. Anyone and everyone leaves Manor Farm a little wiser and a little more enriched. There is something of interest for the young and old alike. Farm and coach concessions, free coach and minibus parking is always available for groups of fifteen or more. Booking in advance is recommended. Manor Farm has the Pantry Tea Room, which is open all day, offering special menus for visiting groups. The Tea Room will make special preparations for birthday parties and teas. Call them in advance to discuss your desires.

Descriptive Overview of Manor Farm

Manor Farm is home to chicken, ducks, geese, and hundreds of other animals as they roam freely across the historic farmland. There is room to walk around and enjoy the countryside, lull under the trees, indulge in the awesome appeal of nature at its best. Visitors often sit outside the café and enjoy tea as they take in the sight of this lovely Farm. Manor Farm also offers visitors a gift shop to take back just a piece of memory. A large variety of gifts including food is available for purchase.

Dog Walking

For those who bring their dog along, there is a dog exercise field available. Your dog can take the lead and roam, play and make friends with other canine. The exercise field is available for exclusive parties by just calling in advance and booking. Contact Manor Farm for details.

Accessibility

Manor Farm Country Park is wheelchair accessible and also available for pushchairs. If there are extenuating needs, contact the proprietors in advance. The Park also has available for its visitors an easy going trail to the most popular areas of the park for those who have restrictions in their ability to manipulate certain areas. Benches are also available throughout the park when needed.

To see the remnants of the old fashion farm and farming at its best, visit Manor Farm Country Park in Southampton, UK. The farms of the past have never been more prevalent than they are when you visit this well established reflection of the past in today’s world. Let your children see what life was in bygone days and what was before, can still be like today. Visit Manor Farm Country Park and you don’t have to dream about farming any longer.

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We all dream of a White Christmas.  Bing Cosby sings it so well when he reminds us of our childhood in “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.”  Whenever I hear the words to that song, I tend to see myself playing in mounds of snow and throwing snow balls at my friends of years so long ago. Christmas never seems like Christmas until I see the first snowflake fall.  But, if you’re like some of us, we live in those areas that just never see temperatures dropping any lower than 20 or 30 degrees.  Never will you see snow fall in these areas.  And even if you do, it will never last long enough to make a flake much less mounds of snow last a minute on the ground.

So, we are the ones who pack our families up with everything we need and some things we don’t then head for winter in areas such as Montana, Wyoming or even Utah.  This year, I am heading to Salt Lake  City, Utah.  My plans are to fall in the snow and make snow angels amongst other things.  Therefore, what are some of the other ventures I recommend anyone indulge in while in Salt Lake City!   First plan ahead and make reservations to stay at one of the three surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah ski resorts:

Salt Lake City Mountain Resort

The Salt Lake City Mountain Resort is known for offering Ski fanatics more than 3,300 skiable slopes.  In addition, visitors to the Salt Lake City Mountain Resort are able to take advantage of numerous other activities and amenities the resort offers.  The Salt Lake City Mountain Resort offers unique adventures including exciting rides for those who do not ski. Some may partake in the Alpine Coaster Ride, the Human Maze, Miniature Golf course, Little Miners Park, and the Ziprider just to name a few.  The resort is also known for their catering activities.  In addition, there is an experienced staff available to handle any of your catering needs.  If you are interested and in need of a relaxed atmosphere after a long day of excitement, try Kristie’s Coffee Café or the Legends Bar and Grill.

Deer Valley Resort

The Deer Valley Resort is an exclusive luxury resort for those seeking the luxurious life while vacationing. They offer four unique mountains with ninety one different runs for skiers.  Guest will have over 1800 skiable acres of land available to them during their stay at the Deer Valley Resort.  Beginning skiers will also have to their avail an area exclusive for training.  No steep slopes for these elusive ones.  They will have the pleasure of safety and diminutive mountain space to their advantage.  Deer Valley also has twenty chairlifts and one gondola for those wanting this activity.  Never will you have to wait. Your trip back to the top of the mountain is speedy.

The Canyons Resort

With over 3500 available ski acres, the Canyons is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Exceptional skiers will love the varied terrains at the Canyons Resort.  The Canyons has sixteen lifts to take skiers to any one of the eight lifts.  The mountains are a sight within themselves.  With the snow capped peaks.  Awesome views for those seeking snow during the winter months and wanting to remember a winter wonderland.  The Canyons has two hotels for you to select from:   The Grand Summit Resort Hotel and the Sundial Lodge.

One of the most spectacular sites in the world during the Christmas season is the amazing light display at Temple Square. Deemed as Salt Lake City’s most famous attraction, this 10 acre block attraction is located in the middle of downtown Salt Lake City.  During the Christmas Season, Temple Square is decorated with more than 300,000 lights.  Visitors stroll through the area taking in the scene oohing and aahing as they enjoy the lights and the music as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse.  The Christmas lights are lit the day after Thanksgiving and remain lit throughout the holiday season.The Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearses every Thursday evening from 8pm till 9:30 pm. Then again on Sunday morning from 8:15am till 10am.  Their rehearsals are open to the public.

Make plans to attend the Hale Centre Theatre presentation of the Christmas Classic during your CHristmas vacation trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, “A Christmas Carol” being performed December 5^th – 23^rd.  “Honor Christmas in your heart.  Relive the enduring story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s reformation…acclaimed as ‘Utah’s #1 Christmas theatre tradition’! This presentation was adapted especially for Hale’s Centre Theatre by Richard G Wilkins music and orchestrated by Barlow Bradford.”

There is so much to enjoy during the holiday season in Salt Lake City, Utah and your Christmas vacation will be just as well as spent here as anywhere else that might be warmer.  Just the appeal of the area is enough to make you spend the entire month of December in this winter wonderland.  With the entire month dedicated to the enchantment and pleasure of the season, plan to vacation in Salt Lake City  this Christmas.

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Tip #1 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

Use a specialized travel agency when booking your cruise vacation.  This means going to a travel agency that specializes in cruises.  If you want to try an online travel agency you could try such sites as:   cruises.com and MyCruiseValue.com.

Do you realize that sometimes this tip can actually cut your cruise fare as much as 50% off of the brochure price?

Tip #2 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

Always plan a little ahead of time or book late.  This means that you should book at least 6 months in advance or choose a package that is ready for sailing in less than 30 days.

Tip #3 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

If you can skip the plane trip the cruise line and drive to it.  This is perfect for people who actually lives within a comfortable driving distance.

But if you don’t, remember if you don’t make it on time, you will lose your trip.

Tip #4 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

If you can, try to book your cruises for the for late fall, when the season isn’t at isn’t peak time.  Reductions are usually given at this time to promote traveling.

Tip #5 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

Book your own flights.  Yes, you can save money if you skip the cruise packages that offer their own air flights.  You can generally find cheaper flights yourself, especially on the web.   But be warned, if you don’t make it on the time and you know delays do happens when you fly, the cruise will not wait on you.  But if you fly on a plane that was scheduled through a cruise line via what they call an air-sea package the cruise line will try their best to get you on the cruise.  In this case, it may be worth paying the extra fees for the peace of mind it gives.

Tip #6 for How to Save Money While on a Cruise

Watch which type of cabin you choose.  If you choose an inside cabin, you may save money.   The premium cabins, the ones with the portholes and balconies, will sell for a much higher rate.  Also check to see if children can sail for free and if you can get a reduction for third or fourth passengers.

If you do your homework, you may be surprised at the little cuts you can make to your vacation plans and save a bit of money.  Yet, these little cuts doesn’t mean that you won’t have any fun.   It just means you will have more money once you get back home to reality.

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LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Panama City is extremely proud of the city’s Christmas tree.  Join in the celebration when we light the Christmas tree on December 1, 2008 in beautiful Frank Brown Park at 6pm.  The event begins with the mayor of the Panama City opening the event.  Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity during your Christmas vacation in Panama City, Florida.  For more information, visit [email protected].

SILVER SANDS HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN CONCERT

An amazingly beautiful Christmas production of over 60,000 red, white and green lights which are choreographed while music plays those beautiful Christmas tunes we have come to love and cherish.  Silver Sands Holiday Lights in Concert takes place in Panama City by the 40 foot tree located in the Courtyard at Saks Fifth Avenue off of Fifth Ave.  The beautiful, fun and friendly event occurs every evening during the holiday season in Panama City.  It’s free and open to the public.  For more information, call (850) 654-9771.

PANAMA CITY WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES  

Every Wednesday night in December beginning at 6pm, the Village of Baytown Wharf, will perform for the residents and visitors to Panama City.  This event is free of charge and everyone is encouraged to attend.  Christmas tunes of bygone years will be song for your pleasure.  Bring the family and enjoy scenes from days gone by.

THE PANAMA CITY JAYCEES CHRISTMAS PARADE

Every Christmas the Jaycees provide the community with Floats, Marching Bands and just and all around atmosphere of high spirits.  This December 6, 2008, the Jaycees are expecting no less than one hundred thirty floats, a variety of marching bands from area schools and they are televising the parade live on  local cable channels. Don’t be late; the parade will begin exactly at 5:30 pm.  Because the participants will begin to line up at least one hour prior to the beginning, spectators are encouraged to arrive early.  All Christmas parades have been extremely popular, but the Jaycees seem to draw an extra large crowd.

THE ANNUAL BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS

Let’s begin by walking along as we watch one of the most awesome parades of the year.  Each year, boating enthusiast in the city and surrounding area join in to provide residents and visitors with a shower of lights.  The Annual Boat Parade of Lights will entertain everyone this year on Saturday December 12, 2008.  Don’t, miss this one.  The boats are engulfed and decorated with some of the most beautiful lights you have ever had the opportunity of seeing.  For additional information, call (850) 872-7208.

In addition to the parades and whimsy of the season, Panama City offers the visitor a little bit of yesteryear.  The area is relaxed and not deluged with the hustle and bustle of the fast paced life as with most cities.  Visiting Panama City is somewhat like taking a step back in time.  Enjoy the peace and quiet of each day by just walking along the streets and enjoy shopping as little children play along the streets.  The friendliness of the area is easily realized immediately upon arrival.  Smiles are offered freely without hesitation.

Visit Panama City during Christmas vacation and enjoy life as it should be; peaceful, happy and pleasant.

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Below are just a few of the family oriented free attractions offered in Las Vegas that are guaranteed not to damage the pocketbook:

The Fremont Street Experience_ Delight yourself when visiting the Fremont Street Experience. This show provides entertainment from dusk to midnight. Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas close to the Plaza Hotel Casino. The lights will simply mesmerize you with their awesome visual and sound effects. Thousands enjoy the shows so be ready to mingle, the streets are lined with shoulder to shoulder entertainment seekers. This street experience offers free live entertainment, an intimate party atmosphere and not too far away are the lights of some of the area’s most interesting casinos.

MGM Grand Lion Habitat_ located at 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd. inside the MGM Grand hotel-casino. If out of the area, obtain additional details by calling (800) 646-7787. If you are one of those privileged to be in the area, dial (702) 891-1111. The Habitat is open to the public from 11 am thru 10 pm. For your information however, the lions are switched around from 3:30 pm thru 4:30 pm daily. While being switched, the lions are not on display. Be aware, while watching as these majestic animals feed, play, groom themselves and sleep, they are separated from you by only one and one half inches of glass.

CBS Television City Research Center_ located at 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd, the Research Center is open daily from 8 am thru 10 pm. The center has a policy that children must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. While observing, provide your opinions regarding new shows. Visitors viewing the shows can offer their opinions by using test pads and monitors. Ever wanted to get in on the cutting edge of a new movie, sitcom or talk show? Visit the CBS Television City Research Center.

Fountains at Bellagio_ Each evening a force now known as nucleation assisted by manipulation by mad scientist type individuals, the Fountains at Bellagio brings to the delight of thousands, an amazing, awe inspiring correlation between water and music. Several choreographed musical routines are performed daily; Along with rushing water which can sometimes soar at heights as high as 460 feet in the $40 million, 8.5 acre lake. This has been tagged as being the most ambitious water feature created by what is known as “WET” design. Watch this celebrated dance of the water at 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. If needing additional information, call (888) 488-7111.

Fountain shows at Caesars_ This Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain show at Caesars Forum Shop is located at 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd. The show opens every hour on the hour Sunday thru Thursday from 10 am till 11 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am till midnight. The shows are located inside Caesars Palace. Location is described as being found at the intersection of what is known as the popular Strip and Flamingo Road. For more details or to obtain information, call (800) Caesars!

Ethel M Chocolate Factory_ Do you, as most Americans, love chocolate? Well if so, the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens are for you. Travel about 10 miles from the Strip to Two Cattles Garden Drive in Henderson, NV. This is not for those who are dieting or trying to eat healthy, because, the visitors are constantly picking up pieces of chocolate and popping it. Visitors not too consumed in the eating process, are provided with details as to the time and effort that goes into creating the perfect chocolate morsel. For information and driving directions, call (702) 433-2500. Oh, and by the way take a few minutes to visit the Cactus Garden. For your entertainment, the Cactus Garden has more than 300 different varieties of cactus plants some may have never see.

The Sirens of TI_ located at 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. “No man is safe in Sirens Cove!” The sirens are said to be part muse, part temptress and part pirate. The show runs for approximately 12 minutes and offers dance, music, energy, temptation, danger, excitement ,sensuality and seduction. The stage is the size of four football fields and is filled with water. The Sirens lure pirates into the cove with their spellbinding voices. They ultimately sink the pirate’s ships. Remember the legend of Ulysses? For additional information, call (800) 944-7444.

Streetmosphere at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian_ For shopping in Grand style, visit the Shoppe’s at Streetmosphere. Hours of operation vary based on the shop. The shops are scattered throughout the Venetian Hotel-casino at 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd. For information regarding shops, location and hours call (702) 414-4500. As guest visit throughout the shopping area, they are entertained by street performers of all shapes, sizes and talent.

Volcano at the Mirage_ As if a clock ticks within, this volcano erupts and explodes all of its glory every hour. Visitors anxiously await the entertainment. Crowds gather to see the volcano in action wondering what goes on within. The Volcano is located at 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd. For details and information regarding the grand reopening in late 2008, call (800) 963-9634.

The Neon Museum_ This open air museum is located at the East end of Fremont Street Experience. For information or details, call (702) 387-NEON. The museum is open 24 hours each day. The Neon Boneyard within the museum is described as “a giant shoe, a shoe bigger than your refrigerator, a shoe bigger or so it seems, than any tiny space within an apartment or house”. Visit the Neon Museum, but if wanting to obtain entrance into the Bone yard, call ahead.

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When one decides to volunteer abroad and takes part in voluntourism, he or she volunteers time and effort towards a project or vision that will help the world in some way, either large or small, local or global. The benefits of voluntourism or becoming a volunteer abroad are thus two-fold; those taking part in voluntourism get to experience a different culture in a very hands-on and immersive way and also have the opportunity of walking away from their tourism experience with the feeling that something great has been accomplished.

What makes voluntourism different than any other kind of tourism is the intent behind the travel. While many of us choose to go on vacations, there is often a great deal of consumption involved; we want to rent cars, drive around, visit local restaurants, hotels, beaches, and shopping spots. In short, when we take part in common tourism we are taking part in a consumptive activity and are only leaving traces and are not giving anything back outside of the economic boost our tourism offers. This is of course a much different goal of travel when you decide to volunteer abroad.

While there are several locations around the world that depend on the economic benefits brought about the tourism industry, what has not been considered until just recently are the economic and even social impacts that normal tourism has on the places that derive so much income from such an influx of visitors. The planes, vehicles, taxis that must be used to ship people around the tourist destination, the number of parking lots, land cleared for hotels, restaurants, and shops; all of these elements that go into what many consider to be the idea tourism experience benefit the region and world only in economic terms.

To emphasize another point of difference between voluntourism and another more popular form of tourism called ecotourism, it should be emphasized that the two are interconnected only in the sense that they both seek to engage in forms of sustainable travel and are more concerned with the footprint they leave behind (waste, for instance) than regular tourism alternatives. However, unlike ecotourism, which is geared more towards exploring regions that are not hospitable and lack the conveniences and luxuries of normal tourism and making it a point to have a sustainable travel experience as much as possible, voluntourism takes the concept behind sustainable travel one step further. Deciding the volunteer abroad means that of course, you will have to use some resources to arrive at your destination, but you are giving back what you take away when you volunteer abroad, at least to the local community you are supporting.

Like ecotourism, voluntourism also is concerned with leaving a minimal footprint but the intent is quite different. Instead of being a pleasure or exploratory trip alone, voluntourism tourism experiences encourage the same principles as ecotourism but also seek to actively help the communities or locations where they visit. Thus, in some ways, when you decide to volunteer abroad, it is more of an intensive mission than with general ecotourism as the pleasure aspect is considered only a byproduct of the actual tourism experience through volunteer activity and immersion in the local culture.

Ecotourism packages range in scope and mission and due to the rise in popularity, are now offered through most travel agencies as well as through online websites such as Travelocity. There are also a number of excellent websites that offer ecotourism and voluntourism packages, the best and most established of which include Cross-Cultural Solutions and GlobeAware. There are a number of different activities for volunteers to choose from and also many different destinations that range in terms of the length of the stay and the amount and type of work that will be done. There are research, community, construction, and other possibilities that can be explored through voluntourism and hey, when you volunteer abroad, not only will you feel great about your travel experience when you arrive home, you will probably have spent far less cash.

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There is no unified culture in Italy, thus this guide to Italian culture will discuss this diversity as the main aspect of the larger context of what one can expect from the culture and people of Italy. “Italy is an artificial, internally differentiated space which is, and has always been traversed by a variety of historical forces” (Dickie 19). In fact, when considering the very geographical and historical background of this European country, the sense of disunion is physically visible. When one throws in the complexity of the language barriers and also factors the contentious issues of religion and politics, there is not only an overwhelming lack of unity in cultural cohesiveness, but the sense that there are groups in direct and confrontational opposition to one another.

As noted, issues related to the incredibly diverse geographical features of Italy attest to its social and cultural disunion and create significant practical barriers to the development of a homogenous national culture. Furthermore, its position between continents and the effects of that on economic conditions, the presence of the vast Alps and other mountainous areas, unpredictable and difficult to navigate rivers and waterways, and even the variances in the suitability for the land in different areas for industries such as agriculture versus manufacturing—all of these complicate any attempts to form a cohesive sense of culture. Dickie also notes that following WWII, many of the problems with cultural unification are also related to the noxious blend of Catholicism and Communism, both of which have geographic connections that are still fiercely adhered to, thus there is also a divide not only in physical geography, but in terms of how ideologies are clustered with these areas, particularly in terms of rural and urban areas.

The language separations in Italy, especially as they pertain to the use of regional dialects, is another significant barrier to achieving a unified, homogenous culture in Italy. While Italian is the official language of the country, this is a relatively new declaration, especially considering that it was rarely spoken prior to unification. Although many thinkers in the region understood the value of a unified language system to be used “as a medium of culture” (Richardson 67) prior to the development of the national language, even with such an official language that is now commonly accepted, there is the question of the loss of heritage inherent to this elimination of dialects. While this might serve to add some degree of homogeneity, the issues that truly impact the divides throughout Italy are more complex and nuanced and cannot be addressed by developing a common language alone.

In addition to the language issue in Italian culture, there is also a significant philosophical divide in the country that is apparent in the nation’s religious and political structures. With firm roots in the Catholic tradition where great power rested in Church authority and the subsequent rise in secularism and political ideologies that were counter to a religious state, divides between religious and secular groups were deep and the revolutionary political movements that emerged on the basis of these differences were even more divisive. There is no party that can claim absolutely majority in Italy and there are several parties, ranging from the Christian Democrats to the fiercely secular Communist-inspired offshoots. In short, there is not only great political difference, the differences that exist are numerous and to radical extremes, which makes the notion of political, philosophical, and generally ideological unification seem like a hopeless goal.

While there is no sense of unified culture in any real sense within Italy and “the open-endedness and internal diversity, [which] continue to this day”(Dickie 18) there is something valuable about such a lack of homogeneity and even though there is no distinct universal concept of Italian culture that fits all regions or views, perhaps this very diversity is the key to defining Italy’s culture.

The Catholic culture in Italy is one of the most longstanding and most worthy of commentary, especially as it is at the forefront in terms of reasons for some revolutionary political movements that gave way to even more of the same through the last two centuries. These religious and political subcultures are perpetuated by the complex relationship Italy has with itself as being such a diverse and unsettlingly disjointed culture on a national scale.

Although it has undergone several changes in recent years in terms of its image throughout the rest of the world so that it is “no longer conceived as fundamentally hostile” and can enter into dialogue (Allum 97) the Catholic Church created one of the strongest subcultures in Italy with a base that is still very strong, even if not dominant.  Due its slipping grasp on society in the face of secular Liberalism, the Church’s strategy under Leo XIII was to “combine maximum doctrinal rigor with extreme realism. This meant defending Church principles while taking advantage of the political opportunities offered by secular regimes” (Allum 99). New elements of Catholic culture were established, such as Thomism, with its stress upon the supreme domination of man over nature, as well as the associated pillars of family and work—in short, principles rooted in the rational and reason-based, albeit with faith-based underpinnings.

Within this framework, the incredibly large institution of Catholicism, with millions of members of Catholic Action and related groups and their control over many presses and a political party, the Christian Democrats with a considerable amount of power, consolidated its view against atheist movements (such as Communism, for instance) and, with its focus on discipline, obedience, and its “grassroots” structure, Catholicism dominated “the political and cultural orientation of the majority of Italians in the Fascist and Cold War periods (Allum 106). Catholic culture in Italy was, for a long period that was aided by mass action and political positioning, a fierce movement with an almost political emphasis on acceptance and adherence, although due to a change in general culture, it has been more or less forced to abandon the “take no prisoners” approach and instead remain in open dialogue with all persons, emphasizing compassion and righteousness rather than struggling to win hearts and minds.

Despite some similarities that can be suggested on the surface connections between the two, Allum notes that “the Church’s social doctrine explicitly rejected both Liberal capitalism and Marxist Socialism and put strong emphasis on employment rights and another subset of this shift in ideology is reflected in a new glorification of the “noble peasant” as he had a direct relationship to the land. Out of these and newer ideas brought about by the arrival of industry and the development of a strong working class came ideas about socialism and ways to create greater equality and rights. Marxists, as one important element of political culture in Italy, were responding in part to Church doctrine and as an alternative, and this was even more the case with the Communist culture, who were the true villains to Catholic culture.

What these political struggles represented were clashes between the secular and the clerical, and more importantly, the reason and rationality base versus the defense offered by the culture of faith that still clung to the rapidly-changing Catholic Church and the extended culture it created. In the wake of the many “isms” cited by Dombroski such as Reformism and Syndicalism, it was becoming clear that in order to best respond to the new culture of workers, who were an increasing part of the Italian economy and culture more generally, political shifts on a grand scale were required, thus ushering in the phase of the Fascist culture before giving way to globalization, which combines these subcultures that are distinctly Italian with Western culture.