Milan

Is your next self-drive holiday going to one of Europe's most interesting cities? Then pack your car and take the family to Milan. It's a great cultural experience and there's plenty of opportunity to pick up something for your wardrobe, as it's one of the biggest fashion cities in the world.

A good place to start your holiday in Milan is at the city's landmark, the Duomo di Milano. The church is huge and unmissable in the cityscape almost anywhere you go. Its bright as well as highly detailed expression is quite special to behold and if you are brave you can buy a ticket and take the trip up and walk on the roofs. From here you can look down over the city, which is an absolutely stunning sight. Below the church is the main square which tourists and Italians alike use. Here you can take a stroll and look at the shops in the many side streets and just enjoy the atmosphere of life and happy people. Many of the shops around the square are for all budgets, but one particularly famous arcade near the square, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, has several of the most expensive shops. Many big brands have their stores here - including Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. As Milan is a fashion city, a trip here is almost a must - even if it's just to look. If you can't get enough of fashion, there's also an area quite close by with the biggest brands in the fashion industry. The area is called Quadrilatero della Moda. The more mainstream shops can be found in the city's longest street, Corso Buenos Aires.

Milan is not just about clothes and fashion. The city is also very much in control of its culture and history. One way to experience this is to visit some of the city's famous museums and galleries. At the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery, you can see a large exhibition of Renaissance art. You can see famous works by Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Rapahel, among others. The gallery used to be a monastery and is an experience in itself. So take a day out of your holiday and enjoy the art, architecture and walk in the garden.

Another impressive building to see is the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, located in the city centre. Here you can see Leonardo da Vinci's famous mural, The Last Supper. Here it is important to buy a ticket well in advance, as many people want to see the huge painting. You can also book a guided tour and hear the whole story behind the place and the painting. Afterwards, you'll probably want to take a break, so why not sit down on one of the pews while you're there and enjoy the peace and quiet of the church for a while.

After a long day, you may need something for your palate and stomach. It's no problem to find good places to eat in all price ranges in Milan. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and coffee bars. And it's easy to find something that's not too expensive.

As a tourist with your own car on the trip, the city of Como, located on the Swiss border, is a must. Lake Como is probably more what tourists come for, as it is known to be very child-friendly and attracts both tourists and celebrities worldwide. So this is a very special place and a great opportunity to have a day in the quiet as well as beautiful surroundings away from city life.