November 2010: As part of a larger trip to Libya-Visiting Libya Under Muammar Gaddafi, Climbing Mountains Haunted by Evil Genies, Traveling Across the Magical Saharan Desert and Having an Entire Ruined Roman City to Myself | Venture The Planet and Lebanon-Visiting Hezbollah Mosques and Roman Ruins in the Baaka Valley While Being Shown Around this Amazing Country by the Lebanese Family of a Good Friend, Lebanon | Venture The Planet, I made the most of an 8-hour layover in Rome and Vatican City. With little time to spare, I meticulously planned every minute to ensure I could visit two of the city’s most iconic landmarks—the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
The journey was surprisingly manageable via train from the airport, though navigating the train connections proved to be the most challenging part. Once in the city, however, everything fell into place, allowing me to experience a brief but unforgettable glimpse into Rome’s incredible history and art.
About the Vatican City
Vatican City is a unique microstate located within the city limits of Rome. It holds the status of a United Nations observer state but is not a full member of the UN. As the headquarters of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope, it carries immense historical, cultural, and religious significance. Despite its small size, Vatican City has played a profound role in shaping global history and continues to wield considerable influence over millions of people around the world.

Location of Vatican City and Rome
My first stop was the Colosseum, the ancient Roman gladiator arena that once held thousands of spectators as they watched men battle each other—and wild beasts—to the death for sport. Fortunately, the site wasn’t as crowded as it would have been during peak tourist season, but even so, the line to enter still took about 30 minutes. While waiting, I had to fend off one scammer after another, a common challenge in heavily touristed areas.
Once inside, I found the exterior of the Colosseum to be far more impressive than the interior. Still, standing within its ancient walls felt surreal. This was a monument I had seen countless times on television, in movies, and in history books—yet now, I was physically there, in one of the most legendary structures of the ancient world.

Roman Coliseum
After spending an hour in the Colosseum—amid too many other visitors to truly feel the reverence the site deserved—I decided it was time to head to the Sistine Chapel. I returned to the train station but mistakenly got off at the wrong stop, forcing me to walk several miles. After getting lost for a while, I finally found the entrance to Vatican City.
I entered through the Vatican Museums, paid my admission, and quickly realized that Vatican City isn’t much of a city in the traditional sense. Instead, it feels more like a collection of grand churches, museums, and residences for Catholic clergy. Fortunately, since I was visiting during the off-season, the lines weren’t long, allowing me to make the most of my limited time.
I didn’t have nearly enough time to fully appreciate the vast exhibits, so I rushed toward the one place I had always heard was truly spiritual—the Sistine Chapel. Upon entering, I was struck by its size; it was smaller than I had imagined, but the breathtaking beauty of its interior more than made up for it. Michelangelo’s murals on the ceiling were absolutely mesmerizing, and standing beneath them felt like being in the presence of something beyond time itself. It was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and magical rooms I have ever stood in.
Photography was strictly prohibited, and security guards were vigilant, immediately pouncing on anyone who attempted to take a picture and forcing them to delete it. But I wasn’t leaving without a photo. I waited for the inevitable moment when another tourist would break the rule, drawing the guards’ attention. As they were distracted disciplining the poor soul, I swiftly snapped a few shots of the ceiling—securing my prize before making my exit.

Inside of Sistine Chapel

Famous Mural by Michaelangelo

St. Peters Basilica
I didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked exploring all the chapels and museum exhibits in the Vatican, but I did take a moment to stop for lunch and enjoy a beer—one last pause to soak in the atmosphere of this historic place.
Afterward, I raced back to the train station and made my way to the airport, just in time to catch my evening flight to Libya. Though brief, my whirlwind visit to Rome and Vatican City had been an unforgettable glimpse into some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.