Things You'll Need:
- Water bottle.
- Camera with excellent zoom capabilities.
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Step 1
Don't take a car or a bus. Rome is a city full of tourists and residents alike, and traffic can back-up more easily than Bigfoot's drain, and it invariably will, and it will cost you plenty to get there in a cab if you've been so bold.
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Step 2
Bring your own water bottle. This advice holds true for everywhere I traveled in Europe, but it was truest during the brutal lines I waited in before I learned this little trick I'll teach you in step four. Refill your water with tap water unless you're interested in paying 4-7 Euro (6-10 American Dollar) for a bottle of low-quality water. If you're in that boat, you're gonna need the Pope's blessing, so read on.
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Step 3
Do not go to the Vatican early, just don't do it. You've all been conditioned to go out early and catch that worm, especially when it comes to tourism. This is a folly in this situation. Think of the hours of 9-1 as a non-stop traffic jam, and just head out there in the afternoon. Have your meal first, away from the Vatican City, thus avoiding crowds and tourist traps. When you arrive in the afternoon, you'll find people walking right up to the gates or a 90% reduced line, either way you're saving hours of your trip (and life) that you would never get back.
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Step 4
Take the Metro to the Ottaviano stop to get to the line that will someday get you to the Vatican City's wondrous gates. The Whole of Rome, specifically it's public transportation is crowded and thievery is plentiful in the masses of bustling activity. Keep your possessions well-protected and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity.
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Step 5
If you've got that camera with a robust zoom, you'll need it for the splendid hallways throughout the grounds, and the Sistine Chapel is a little bit higher than you might realize, so for great pictures of it, you'll want that zoom. Just take your time and enjoy once you're in, just be kind to those there before you, they're probably grumpy from waiting in line all day.
