MADRID & ROMA

About the destination: Madrid has a rhythm all its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Vía, and the unyielding elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. Its maze of side streets south of Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are what make the real Madrid. Spend half a day in the Prado Museum, then sit to rest on the steps leading down to the lake in lush Retiro Park. The city begins to come alive as soon as the sun sets. Madrid claims to have the highest number of bars per person of any European city. Madrid is bustling with cultural events all year round. After a concert, play or film, you can choose from literally hundreds of tapas bars and an endless array of nightspots. Madrid successfully blends its cosmopolitan sophistication with its most treasured local traditions, the result is fascinating to explore.

About the destination: Modern and old, past and present go hand in hand, all the time. Whether you're in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be ready to step into the world’s largest open air museum. Rome will charm you and it will hardly leave you unmoved. It will surprise you, as it has so much to offer to any visitor, and its beauty has merely been slightly obscured by the passage of time. Rome is one of the world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you remember what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lounging in cafés watching the world go by, it will be your turn to star in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay for as long as a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.