Great artwork, wonderful churches and basilicas! I could talk for hours about what we saw there-everything from walking through Bernini's works in Rome to the Sistine Chapel-beautiful beautiful beautiful! Give this a 5 star rating!

Everything else was pretty average or below. Our hotel was "5 star"-the Westin Excelsior, but amenities in the hotel were lacking-no iron or clock in the room and no coffee. Cost 5 euros to have a shirt ironed and 7 euros for a coffee in the hotel. Didn't iron anything and went elsewhere for coffee. Here's a tip if you like your coffee with milk. I made the mistake of asking for a latte in a coffee shop, and got a glass of hot milk. Went back to the barrista, asked for a double espresso and mixed the two-best coffee we had in Rome. Food was mediocre at best-at least where we ate. Best meal was the McDonalds near Spanish Steps, although I loved the panini sandwiches and the sausage sandwich we had near Trevi Fountain. On one tour which included lunch, we ordered water and Sprite, then another water and then coffee. Drinks are not included, so ask beforehand. People were fairly rude. Several times I'm walking with side by side holding my wife's hand and someone broke in between us. We were constantly being separated going through entry points-sometimes three or 4 people cut in between us.
One gem was that, around the corner from the hotel, we found a combination coffee shop/restaurant/convenience store, and bargained with the manager to loan us a carafe with coffee, because we were leaving early in the morning before the restaurant opened for a day trip to Assisi. Spent quite a nice sum on wine, milk, soda, pastries, etc there, and worth it, too!
A bottle of water for 8 euros when there's water pouring out of fountains everywhere???
Again, the pilgrimage side (audience with the pope, tour of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel, walking from Via Veneto to the Vatican with stops in between to see the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, several other churches) was excellent, and I guess every pilgrimage has it's trials and tribulations. We're glad we went, but it's TRULY a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I didn't even talk about getting pickpocketed, because they didn't get much.

I had read a lot of reviews on pickpockets in Italy and met a bunch myself in Rome. This happened in the Colosuum in Rome. A group of four fashionably dressed teenaged girls probably around the ages of 12-14 came up to me and asked for the time. From their dressing, you would not have suspected they are pickpockets.

My friend and I simply walked away quickly the minute they asked for the time. They got angry and kept pointing at their watches. If they were not pickpockets, why would they get angry? If you are really asking for the time, if someone ignores you, you simply move onto someone else. This is a group of fashionably dressed teens, not teens dressed shabbily. DO NOT be fooled by good dressing!!!

I've just got back from an amazing week in Rome so thought I would pass on a few bits of advice that I learnt to any one planning a trip in the near future.

Firstly pack a good pair of shoes! After walking for nearly 8 hours a day my feet were suffering at the end of every day!

Secondly if you are planning a trip to the Vatican and St Peters Basilica go there in the afternoon at around 1ish not early in the morning as all the guide books suggest. As everyone else who is visiting has also read this advice and they are all there early in the morning and you will still be faced with ques of around an hour if your lucky - up to 3 if your not. Arrive in the afternoon however and 10 mins is the average waiting time!

Thirdly, around the Coloseeum you will see men dressed up as Gladiators all trying to have their photo taken with you. These are a great way to get a novelty photograph but they do want paying for this service. Although they are all very friendly men they will do their best to get as much money as possible from you. Agree a price first not after as they can get quiet aggressive if they do not feel they have been paid enough. They generally ask for 5 Euros but you can haggle them down to 2.

Forthly, tickets for the colosseum are also valid for the palatino (to the right of the roman forum) get tickets here first then jump the ques at the colosseum.

Hope these few points help someone have a better holiday!

We stayed at Park Hotel Villa Grazioli, in Frascati, circa 25 minutes by train from central Rome. If flying to Rome Ciampino (prounounced something like 'shampeeno'), take the Rome -Frascati train (it is one stop further on than Ciampino). We actually caught a bus as we were told by the bus driver from the Airport (5 minutes) this was the station (it was - but the Bus station). So we took the bus to Frascati - It did however only cost 1 euro and took around 15 minutes. Do go to the train station though as it is less than 10 minutes. (Trains are cheap - only 1.90 euros from Frascati to Rome.) Most trains leave Rome at 52 minutes past the hour and 29 minutes past the hour from Frascati. Before you arrive call the Hotel to book the minibus to collect you from the Station [--]. I rate this Hotel as one of the nicest we have stayed in, mainly because of its' location - on one of the seven hills overlooking Rome - stunning views and very quiet.

Frascati is a small town with a number of Restaurant's. We had a meal in '19' and it was OK. Romans come to Frascati to get out of Rome and to drink the very nice Frascati wine. I can also recommend Pinoccio's - good seafood.

A couple of tips for Restaurant's/Bar's in Rome. Ristorante Osteria del Sostegno (just around the corner from the Pantheon) along a very narrow street - you probably won't think much of it from the outside but I believe it is a regular haunt of Politicians. The food was excellent and not too expensive. (It's on 'Via delle Colonnelle')

The other is close to the Vatican, again on a side street. Walking away from St Peter's, take the 2nd right, and then left. (You can however access through the Hotel Columbus) There is a wonderful courtyard behind some large wooden gates. It's called 'Le Colonne' Bar - we only had a drink here but they do food. That day, Easter Sunday, they had a set lunch for 80 euro's. We were not that hungry but a number of families were!

One other recommendation is a Restaurant/Cafe just at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. I can't remember the name of the place but it's just across the road and to the left of the steps. I sat and read a paper whilst waiting for my wife to do her shopping, and also had time to take in the splendid views and coming and goings of the Steps (almost on my own)!

We took a guided tour with Green Line. They were OK but only have a couple of buses, so when you jump on and off you can wait for a long time for the next to arrive. The Red bus seemed to be much more frequent.

When at the Colosseum take a 'guided tour'. It costs 11 euro's more but the information given is excellent and you do not queue for an hour! You will see plenty of official guides trying to get your business. They will work out which 'language' tour you require.