Vatican City Warnings Or Dangers

  Taken by Alberto Soldevilla.
by Dizzyhead
 
  • Taken by Alberto Soldevilla.
      Taken by Alberto Soldevilla.
    by Dizzyhead
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      Vatican
    by solopes
  • Vatican
      Vatican
    by solopes
  • Vatican
      Vatican
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  • Vatican
      Vatican
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Washroom Nowhere To Be Found!

by freddie18

We visited Vatican City twice in April 2006. Although we did a lot of picture taking in and around the St. Peter's Square, my family and I were greatly dissappointed with the lack of washroom (that is how we call it in Canada), Restroom (in the U.S. as far as I can remember), and Toilet (in Rome). It happened on the first time we went there, and we did not let it happen again on the second time. After a long walk around Rome the whole morning and early afternoon, we headed to the Square when my wife felt that she needed a toilet very badly. This was due to the fact that the three of us had been drinking water throughtout our tour that induced the call of nature. We walk...cannot find one. Finally, just few meters off the Square we found an arrow sign. How long did it take us to find the toilet?.......15 minutes walk!!! We found the toilet inside a mall....thank you. It did not end...

pickpockets on bus num 64

by lina112

This bus is the bus who goes to Vatican from termini station and most of pickportes takes this bus to go to vatican and to try to steal some wallets or bags. Around Vatican you must be careful too with pickpokets.El autobus numero 64 es el que va al vaticano desde termini y es el autobus mas usado por los carteristas en Roma. Asi que si usas este autobus para desplazarte para el vaticano ten cuidadin. Tambien debes de gastar cuidado con los carteristas en los alrededores del vaticano.

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Vatican dress code

by Jenniflower

I am not sure why people dont take the time and effort to read up on this type of thing before going to view it. The Vatican has a certain dress code which needs to be adhered to. It's not nearly as strict as other temples I have been in.They like you to have covered shoulders, no shorts or mini skirts. Also no buggys/prams or daypacks.I saw quite a few people that shouldnt have got in, but did, so I think the security has slackened the rules somewhat.

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Human traffic and queues

by Jenniflower

Traffic on the roads and onthe pavements, wherever you go, there are people people people. And with so many people, this can only mean one thing. Queues! Wherever you go, whatever you see, be prepared for loooooooooooooong queues, and hope and pray that it isn't in the direct sunlight (which it normally always is), and that it will move quickly (which it generally doesnt). Ensure you have a bottle of water on you and headache tablets for the inevitable.Alternatively? Go at odd times, when people are less likely to be around.

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It's a really long climb to the top!

by Jenniflower

When standing in the queue, reading the signage, we figure that there are two choices. The first is to go to the top by lift (and pay to do so), and the other is to walk all the way up. Bearing in mind we had a baby with us and we were all tired and extremely hot, we decided to take the lift. Imagine my surprise when we get out of the lift, then looked up and the dome still towered above me! Shock of shocks! I know my level of fitness isn't great, and the heat was searing. I was not in a good frame of mind to fully appreciate what I was busy doing, not at all.Then we set off to the next set of stairs upwards (there apparently was a small sign saying how many steps to the top, but we never saw it); these steps were small and led us to the front of the cupola, overseeing St. Peter's square: this was quite simply, spectacular! One could either walk around the outside of the dome and enjoy...

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Always wear a hat or cap

by Jenniflower

No matter what your skin tone, I would wear a hat most of the time I am outside. The sun is very hot and with cancer scares being what they are today, one shouldn't take any chances! A hat, sunglasses and sun cream. ALL the time (More info in my packing list tip).

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Not buggy/pram friendly

by Jenniflower

In ancient times, there were no buggys and prams. So, when laying the stones for the walkways in the city, this didn't have to be considered. For us modern folk this does pose a problem however. The many steps, sharp inclines and cobbles make it quite hard (especially around the coliseum and forum areas) to get baby around in the pram. So your two option are:~ Carry baby (we had a back carry-thing, which was really helpful)~ Carry the pram (with baby in it!)haha Fun and games. It was all done in good spirits but did slow us down somewhat.

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Appropriate clothing

by alisonr

You will have read in many other places I am sure, that the Church dress code is REALLY imposed here at the Vatican. If you really really want to go in, don't take a chance. We were advised even against wearing long shorts, just incase the guard was having a bad day and decided to stop you. Go for the safe option of covering up your whole legs and shoulders, and if it is hot just take a pair of shorts to get changed into. You don't want to come all this way and then get kicked out.Having said all that, i do recall seeing a number of girls with skirts which got very close to the knee while walking. Maybe the guard checked them while they were standing in line!!

Gypsies...

by CandS

Just watch out for the gypsies on the way around to the Vatican Museums (ie along the Vatican walls). They didn't seem to worry anyone while we were there but it wasn't too busy when we were there either...we had been warned about them earlier too so maybe that helped.

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respect the place

by ophiro

This is a religious place (even one of the most religious places in the world) so dont come with short pants and bare shoulders to this place.They will not let you enter the place or give you something to put.

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Questions and Answers

Irkita62 profile photo

Q:  How I can book tickets for the visit of Vatican Gardens in minibus and than museums of Vatican? In thw website I find the Vatican... 

goodfish profile photo

A: The only thing I can find for the gardens that mentions a minivan - and it isn't even very definite - is this... 

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