Rome is an amazing and vibrant city to stay in and should not be missed. There are plenty of excellent and inexpensive places to stay in such as hotels and Rome apartments near St. Peters and Vatican and you will be spoilt for choice by the range of restaurants and places to eat.

But however wonderful Rome is, you should not hesitate to venture a little further too. The Amalfi Coast which leads down to Naples is postcard perfect, with hotels perched in the hillside and amazing views. Go on down to the Bay of Naples where you will find historic Pompeii with its sad history.

Florence too deserves a visit, a city full of renaissance artworks and architecture. Visit the well-known Duomo, or cathedral, before strolling over the old bridge covered in shops.

The food too is wonderful, not stodgy as many people imagine but light and healthy, with olives, fruit and veg as well as fresh fish and meat dishes.

Head on up to Milan for some serious fashionista shopping, one of the most chic cities in the world where you can shop till you drop – and take in Da Vinci's famous Last Supper for a culture rush.