rome was absolutely boiling, the heat nearly knocked us over as we stepped off the train and after a few minutes of walking around we got into the hotel and straight into the shower to cool down. the hotel was very nice despite the shared bathroom but alot better than what we were used to. the lift in the hotel was tiny, only big enough for two people and you could touch either end with just your shoulders. we walked around seeing what we could before we couldn't stand the heat anymore then got treated to the biggest plate of meat you could imagine. it was huge with all different types and a side of chips but our shrunken stomachs couldn't finish it all. the heat did not drop and we only had a fan in the hotel and it was on the highest setting all night. we queued for the vatican museum but the line was so long and the heat so intense that we decided just to book tickets online and go the next day. we went to see the spanish stairs which was literally just stairs, nothing else to it. then the trevi fountain which was very impressive despite the crowds of tourist fighting each other for the best spot and waiting for the best opportunity to take a photo. the colosseum was impressive from the outside, the inside was good but not much to see just all ruins. the vatican museum was very good, full of all different types of things and very interesting. the sistine chapel was impressive, pretty much what youd expect it to be. we queued for ages for what we thought was st peters basilica but turned out to be the queue to climb the tower to the top. so we went to the crypt straight away out of the line straight in which was the way we wanted in the first place for the basilica. it was very impressive and there was alot to see, apart from the usual annoying chinese tourists it was very good. we sent postcards bought souvenirs and were then ready for food. we found a restaurant which served nice food and big portions and we all went back there a few times. rome was very dirty and very busy, it lived up to expectations but it didn't exceed them, so in a way wasn't as impressive as wed have hoped. the 12 oz rare steak and chips on the last night however were very pleasing.