Getting into and through the Vatican tour was exactly as chaotic and crowded as everyone says it is. If you really want the experience without the swarms of people, the only real solution is to splurge on one of the early-morning private tours. They’re expensive, but from everything I’ve heard, it’s the only time the Vatican feels remotely calm.

Technically, it’s free to enter the Vatican Museums. But if you want to skip the lines, you can book a guided tour or a priority entrance ticket. Just know that skipping the line doesn’t mean skipping people. Instead of one giant crowd, you’ll just find yourself in several smaller ones: being herded from room to room like very well-traveled cattle.

That said… the beauty inside makes the chaos worth it. The art, the ceilings, the history, the perfectly preserved madness of it all—you can’t help but be impressed.

I didn’t have a ton of time in Rome, so after finishing the Vatican I ended up squeezing in two major stops before heading to the airport: the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. Honestly, it worked out surprisingly well.

It was a bit late in the morning to avoid the crowds—Trevi was already a sea of people—but it’s an easy walk, and the energy of Rome makes it fun even when it’s busy. From there, getting to the Colosseum was simple enough, and even a quick loop around the grounds feels worth the stop.

If you’re tight on time, this mini-route is actually a great way to hit the highlights without feeling rushed.