While inside the Vatican complex in Rome, all I could see in front of me was an endless sea of humanity. Vatican security staff used ropes to block certain entrances and force the crowds to take the long route, away from the most direct entrance to the Sistine Chapel via a maze of small collection rooms within the Vatican museum. Only then did I grasp the full meaning of a “tourist trap” and knew I had fallen directly into it!

But then again, the most famous tourist experiences obviously lure unlimited numbers of people in because they are unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.  So are they really worth it?

I hope to give you my honest assessment by using one of my recent tourist excursions as an example, as well as some tips on how to prepare ahead and avoid some of the craziness if you decide it’s worth the plunge.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Example: Vatican City State in Rome, Italy

Where we went wrong from the beginning….

1. Jim and I showed up hoping to tour Vatican city on our last day in Rome with only an eight hour timeframe from the time we arrived at the Vatican to the time we’d have to board our flight.

2. We didn’t purchase advance tickets online and there was an approximate three hour line formed to purchase tickets.

3. We chose what appeared to be our only alternative option and approached one of the hundreds of solicitors advertising tours on the street, a seemingly “perfect” opportunity to skip the lines and be led through the Vatican by an expert tour guide.

4. Before we purchased the ticket – all of the above included at only 45 euros or $60 US dollars per person (sense the sarcasm?), we didn’t ask the right questions, the most important one being – how many people will be in our tour group?

Turned out to be exactly 53 people and as we weaved in and out of other tourist groups all heading to the same Vatican group tour entrance, the only way to keep track of our tour guide’s location was to search for the colorful purple and red scarf she tied to a stick and waved in the air. I felt like I was in a scene of “Where’s Waldo?”

5. We believed the advertised poster board confirming the total tour experience would consume three hours of our time.

What really happened?

*Tour start until Time we stepped inside Vatican group tour ticketing area = 1.5 hours.

Outside the tour company’s office, we huddled in unable to hear our expert tour guide as she started the tour with a real bang, presenting us with some “special facts” about the Vatican (i.e. showing us pictures from a book that anyone could purchase in the Vatican gift shop and reading it word for word!)

*Ticketing area until Time we received our tickets = 30 more minutes.

Once inside, we figured out the scam. This tour company probably purchased the fifty three tour tickets online a few minutes prior to the tour start to avoid skipping the general lines, but still had to wait in the line that formed for advance purchased ticket holders. So our guide distracted us (showed us the Vatican picture book) until they could pick up the tickets, a tricky technique that clearly worked to persuade myself and fifty-two other tourists to purchase an expensive, non-refundable guided tour.

My Solution – 

I knew for my own sanity  and Jim’s sanity that we had to break away from our group as soon as possible but unfortunately we also needed to get Jim’s credit card back from the tour guide first (the credit card was collateral for the headsets we were given to use inside).

30 minutes later we weren’t any closer to the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica. We had only managed to make it to the 2nd (out of 10 or more) museum collection rooms. So I knew without a doubt it was time to make the move…

My acting skills were put to the test as I complained of stomach pain and told the tour guide we had to leave immediately. The rest of the group could hear this entire exchange through their headsets so the worst part was undoubtedly trying to avoid fifty glare looks (though I’m sure all of these people secretly wanted to do what I was doing..) while our guide stopped the tour to sort through her disorganized pile of 50+ credit cards and retrieve ours.

But it saved us at least another four more hours of entrapment, and relieved us from the fear that we’d still be inside the Vatican when we should be at the airport boarding a flight back to London!

An hour later we were through the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and back outside exploring the streets of Rome.  Meanwhile, our tour group was probably only entering their 4th museum collection room. 

Learning From Example: How to Avoid Repeating My Mistakes! 

1. Ask yourself some questions before you set off for your own “crowded tourist experience,” whatever that may be.Why do you really want to see it? Is it for your own personal reasons or because you were told it’s a must see attraction from a guide book or a friend (who doesn’t necessarily share your same interests)? Will you forever regret it if you miss out on it?

The day we went to the Vatican, I probably would have been just as happy taking some pictures outside of the complex. Jim had already seen it years before, and I’m not Catholic (not even very religious). My main objective was to see the Vatican’s opulence and all the magnificent sculptures, artwork, & murals in person, and to snap a few pictures. But because of the chaotic-ness that ensued, most of the pictures I did manage to snap were not quite amazing-can’t-live-without-photographic scenes! (See below)

Selfie picture inside the Vatican museums

My favorite Vatican picture of Jim!

Another priceless picture…

2. Set your own conditions and terms in advance for your plan of action if you get there and something’s not as anticipated. Decide how long you can wait in lines before you, your family or friends become so aggravated that the experience turns sour.

3. Confirm expectations ahead of time with friends and family and agree on time frames.

If you decide to take the plunge –

1. Do as much advance research as you possibly can.

2. Practice your patience skills. (not my best trait)

3. Buy advance tickets online for the attraction you’re going to see (Advance Vatican tickets can be bought from this link) to cut down on waiting times.

4. Bring a notebook, a book, iPad games, or make up your own creative game (if you have children or even if you don’t!) to fill the time while you’re waiting in lines.

If you decide not to take the plunge –

Think about what you could be doing instead of spending a full day in the tourist madness.  Every place has its own fascinating piece of culture outside the tourist zones and sometimes it’s more fun to participate in a more locals experience, break away from the usual sights or just take time to enjoy your vacation!

That last day in Rome, my preference would have been to:

1) Drink a beer at an Italian craft beer bar. (Luckily I did not miss out on that experience and prioritized that other days.  See my 4 Craft Beer Bars to Visit in Rome article)

2) Sit outside and people-watch on the Roman streets while eating my favorite food – pizza!