St. Peter's Basilica

[neophyte]

We have been warned by our tour guide that the line to enter St. Peter's Basilica can be very long due to the security tightening that occurred after 9/11. With only 1 day to see Rome (May 2), we are worried about losing valuable time here. We would like to hear what others have experienced, especially those of you who have visited during early May.

[meow!]

We were there last April on the Regatta's Barcelona to Venice cruise. We hired a "taxi" (small van) at the dock for 250 euros for the whole day (7.5 hours, it so turned out). It took a little more than an hour each way to Rome. The line up outside the basilica (it was a Saturday) was so long that we didn't even try (and it was wise!) We just took pictures from the outside and went to other sites instead.

[zebra]

We went in September last year - our tour guide said we should go to the Vatican in the early afternoon. When we got there we walked right in!!!

[meow!]

That Saturday we were there was right after Easter Sunday, perhaps that was a reason for the very long line up we saw!