Sanremo is undoubtedly the most important Italian Music Festival and brings the whole of Italy to a standstill each February, offering up the latest batch of musical hopefuls every year since 1951 up to today. It has launched the careers of incredibly famous singers like Zucchero, Eros Ramazotti, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Giorgia and others.

Italian pop legend Gianni Morandi (pictured below) will host the show with Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One group CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Ivana Mrazova, a Czech fashion model, and Italian actor/director Rocco Papaleo as co-host. The festival begins this year on the 14th of February and runs until  the 18th.

Watch out for a special evening on the 16th of February, as the festival will celebrate "gli Italiani nel mondo", the achievements of Italians around the world, with a special evening entitled 'Viva l'Italia', dedicated to famous Italian songs with participants singing a duet with international artists, including Patti Smith, José Feliciano, Sarah Jane Morris and Shaggy.

Here is the list of the singers who will participate this year and the international guest stars and special songs they will perform on the 16th:-

- Nina Zilli and Skye Edwards: Never never never (Grande grande grande)
- Samuele Bersani and Goran Bregovic: My sweet Romagna (Romagna mia)
- Dolcenera and Professor Green: My life is mine (Vita spericolata)
- Pierdavide Carone and Lucio Dalla with Mads Langer: Anema
- Irene Fornaciari and Brian May: I who have nothing (Uno dei tanti)
- Emma Marrone and Gary Go: If paradise is half as nice (Il Paradiso)
- Matia Bazar and Al Jarreau: Speak softly love (soundtrack "Il Padrino")
- Noemi and Sarah Jane Morris: To feel in love (Amarsi un po')
- Francesco Renga and Sergio Dalma: El mundo(Il mondo)
- Arisa and José Feliciano: Que serà (Che sarà)
- Chiara Civello and Shaggy: You don't have to say you love me
- Gigi D'Alessio and Loredana Bertè with Macy Gray: The Flame (Almeno tu nell'universo)
- Eugenio Finardi and Noa: Surrender
- Marlene Kuntz and Patti Smith: The world became the world

What an extravaganza: music, fashion, entertainment and awards. The Sanremo Festival is always an Italian entertainment experience and there's no excuse for missing the singing or the spectacle! It will be broadcast each evening on television, but seeing the singers on the gogglebox is nothing compared to getting up close and personal with the talented beauties of the Sanremo Music Festival.

A beautiful place to visit at any time of year, San Remo turns into a music lovers paradise when this musical circus comes to town. The city has a welcoming propensity, receiving visitors throughout the year, who are made to feel at home. It is a great center where you can find arts and culture, a wonderful ambience, authentic service, ambition and elegance.

This unusual combination of harmony and culture is the perfect place for celebrations of all kinds. Decide for yourself - the sporty weekend, the family party, the company incentive, a romantic picnic for two or a gathering of friends in an enchanting atmosphere? To find out more visit the Riviera dei Fiori website or contact VivaDolceVita on +39 333 932 6627.