Planning to visit Domus Aurea and the ticket says no backpacks. How strict is this rule? How did you manage to carry wallet and other small items? Maybe a small water bottle...Did you use a pouch or small cross body bag? Looking for options so we don't get turned around at the door.
I went in 2022 and had my regular cross-body purse which at that time was a Baggalini Town Bagg which is 10x9x3.5. The Domus Aurea was so amazing. It's an active archeological dig so that is why they are quite fussy.
On that trip I also had a very small 5x7 bag that I wear when I'm on the airplane which contains my passport and money/cards. I used it for the Borghese Gallery which has a very strict bag policy but also had a bag check area.