Famous for its politics, bad TV and a diet that no doubt has Dr Atkins turning in his grave, Italy is an exciting prospect for trainees. Its business and fashion capital, Milan, is home to the country's stock exchange and most of its major banks and corporates. Although not the most beautiful city in the world, it is wealthy, glamorous and fast-paced. Nestled in the plains of the Po Valley, it's a short journey into the Alps or to the beautiful lakes region. Meanwhile, the Eternal City, Rome,, remains Italy's traditional regulatory centre. It lacks the relentless commercial pace of Milan, but none of its style, and is “the most stunning city in the world,” according to one besotted trainee. Milan's winters can be cool, with temperatures falling below zero. In the summer, both cities become hot and muggy, and Rome can be stifling. Sensibly, the locals flee to the coast, and you'd be well advised to do the same whenever you can.

Work: Competition for Italian seats is tough and good language skills are essential. Expect either corporate, capital markets or banking work. When the office is busy you could be drafting advice or prospectuses on top of the usual pre-transaction due diligence. When the office is quiet, you’ll be unlikely to avoid translation jobs. “It is a working city and you become acutely aware of that,” one trainee cautioned of Milan, adding: “People work until they feel their bosses are going home.” Expect more finance and securitisation work in Rome, but as with most foreign seat options, “it can be the equivalent of doing three seats in terms of variety.” Forget Starbucks, you’ll be quaffing real coffee here, and you’ll need it since working hours are much the same as London, and sometimes longer. While this will be no Roman Holiday, you will enjoy long lunches, regular coffee breaks and a generally relaxed office environment. Trainees noted a more deferential attitude towards partners, who tend to be older and highly academically qualified. “There's a real focus on the partners being everything, and to be fair, it’s mostly true.” Despite this, trainees spoke of a “warm” atmosphere in their offices. “If you make an effort to speak Italian, you'll be rewarded,” added one. As another described their office environment: “It's almost like a family.” Not to be confused, of course, with The Family.

Rest and play: Italians are famously welcoming, and as one trainee told us: “I loved being alone in Rome; I wasn’t going to Irish bars and talking English the entire time.” Apartments are usually centrally located (the Clifford Chance pad overlooks the Roman Forum), but wherever you can, always route your journey to work past something spectacular. One source described his journey on a Vespa, whizzing past the Colosseum, and we felt we were there riding pillion. Whether it’s sipping an exorbitantly priced espresso in Piazza Navona, getting lost in the cobbled streets or admiring the views from atop St Peter’s Basilica, there will surely be something about Rome that’ll have you tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain. In Milan, “everywhere is a fashion show, so when you come here you have to smarten up your act or bar-men won't serve you!” When you’re not bankrupting yourself at Prada, you can enjoy one of Italy’s “most civilised traditions” - the mid-evening aperetivo, which is drinks plus everything from tapas to sushi. Miraculously, you can just turn up at football games in the afternoon and get tickets to see the city’s famous clubs - AC Milan or Inter Milan.