Keelan Cunningham

Italy's beautiful Lake Como: three long, elegant legs of cool, clear water, close to the Swiss border, against a stunning backdrop of snowcapped Alps.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor honeymooned here in the wake of the abdication crisis, in a low-lying, lakeshore, garden villa, now the holiday hideaway of maverick tycoon Richard Branson.

George Clooney recently bought a similar pad along the shore towards the compact city of Como.

European city breaks are always a popular choice with holidaymakers looking for last minute breaks. Old favourites like Paris remain best sellers for a reason as the romantic capital of the world mixes architectural splendour with suburb food and great sight-seeing opportunities.

For last minute holidays Rome is a perfect choice. The Italian capital promises an unbeatable mix of ancient ruins, renaissance art and modern city culture.

When hitherto fiercely independent travellers decide to embark on a first ever escorted holiday one must ask if this is a 'senior' moment or a mature decision? Based on the success of the holiday - definitely the latter - seven glorious days in Northern Italy without having to drive, devoid of arguments over map - reading failures, or taking the wrong exit at spaghetti junctions.