Visa in Italy

Hi there,

I will be in Italy and need my visa done as I am only in the UK for one day before going to China. Would it be possible to mail my passport and application from Italy straight to the embassy and then get it returned to me or do I need to have it mailed to my parents in the UK who sort it all out for me?

Would my parents be able to take it into the consulate and do it or will they need to do it by post?

Thanks so much
Raj