Rome or Milan for that Italian Holiday?

When planning your holiday in Italy, keep in mind that this country is long and narrow, and there is a vast difference in culture, landscape, activities and even weather between the far north and the toe of the boot.

Don't run yourself ragged trying to cover the entire country, rather, choose a region and concentrate your holiday there, preferably letting a small villa or self catering flat as your home base and exploring the villages and countryside from there. The sheer variety of Italy's offerings will overwhelm you unless you specialize in one or at most two regions. Let’s have a look at two popular choices.

ROME

Do all roads lead to Rome, or is it just that every trip in Italy seems to start in the Eternal City? It's not only the religious visitors that pack this 3000 year old city. Even if you don't center your holiday in Rome, at least spend a day or two visiting the architectural marvels of a city that was once the glittering jewel of a vast and powerful empire. Start with the Pantheon, built in 27 BC, which retains much of its splendor and remains among the best preserved of ancient monuments. Ravaged and plundered repeatedly, it no longer retains its bronze roof, but its architectural form still takes the breath away.

The Colosseum was originally intended for spectator sports, such as animal fights, and held 50,000 spectators. The majesty and eerie size still stir the imagination.

Once the political and religious center of the Roman Empire, the Forum Is now an impressive collection of crumbling columns which recall the power and majesty of the great empire?

MILAN

Choose to spend your holiday in the vicinity of Milan if you have an eye for fashion and seek artistic inspiration. This city buzzes with enthusiasm and is home to The Last Supper by ad Vinci. Even a month would not suffice to explore all the art museums, but don't miss the Musei del Castello and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, as well as the la Scala Opera House where the most beautiful operatic voices long to sing.