I like the idea of cavalry that don't need horses. It would make them more unique and it would give me a reason to build cavalry. I think there are too many rifleman/musketman replacements already and a cavalry UU would be more interesting.
That reflects a lot of the thinking I had. My main concern was that they would upgrade to landships/tanks.
My thinking about Italy is as follows:
UA: Strong UA related to great works and possibly trade. Maybe great artists can be used multiple times? Maybe their great works are 50% or 100% more potent? Maybe something where great works are tied into being luxury resources? Lots of possibilities not touched by Brazil.
Then maybe two UU's. One from renaissance era (Genoese Xbox or Condottieri) and one from industrial (Berseglierri or Alpini).
I think an alpini that replaces artillery and move through mountain and gets double-movement on hills would be a very new and unique replacement.
As for colors, I gues nice, lush, verdant green with red border? Ethiopia and Aztecs use red and green, but they're more dark and washed-out shades.
Too bad they don't do gradients. I actually liked that faux image Snoop posted a page or two back.