Month-long holidays are all but a distant memory for most Romans, according to recent figures from national consumer association Adoc. Only two per cent of Romans in the survey sample now manage four weeks or more, while 45 per cent go on holiday for between eight and 14 days, and 41 per cent are away for just one week. Families now have to come to terms with the high cost of living, says Adoc president Carlo Pileri, and faced with the choice of quality or length people are choosing the former. Given the strength of the euro against the dollar, Romans favourite destinations are now Canada and the USA. Behind this are countries in east European (above all Croatia) where holiday prices are lower. And this year many have chosen Germany, with Cologne hosting the 20th World Youth Day over 16-20 August, which is set to be attended by Pope Benedict XVI.