Stop 1: Jewish Ghetto Tour

Overall Rating:           

Description: A tour of the Jewish ghetto in Rome allows a trip back in history, and a first hand look at the spaces and streets available to Jewish individuals during certain times in the past. Dating back to the mid 1500s this area of the city holds significance for both Jewish people and those interested in  history. Small streets are reminiscent of medieval times, and there are shops and boutiques for visitors to shop at. The Synagogue of Rome is located in the Jewish ghetto and there are other attractions in this area as well. Explore the Ponte Fabricio, the Jewish Museum, the Santa Maria della Pietà, the Portico d’Ottavia, the Via del Portico d’Ottavia, and much more.

Our Experiences: We recommend the Jewish ghetto tour, there was much to see and do in this area. A knowledgeable tour guide can make all the difference, and this is a very educational stop for families and individuals. It was not as exciting for the smaller kids as other stops in other cities but the quaint look and old time feel of this area make it worth a visit. The Synagogue of Rome and  Santa Maria della Pietà were both impressive, and the Jewish Museum was interesting for everyone as well as being educational. It was very hot (August) and our kids had a blast splashing one another with water from the fountains in the area.

Description: A tour of the Vatican Museums allows visitors to see and experience religion, artwork and historical items; the art and historical items are both impressive and extensive. This tour can include the Pio Clementino Museum with classical antiquities, the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Gallery of the Geographical Maps which contains Renaissance Art, the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Raphael Rooms, the Vatican Gardens, and there are even packages that also include the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with some tours.

Our Experiences: This stop is recommended by our entire family, and it is also educational. We enjoyed viewing priceless works of art and historical items. There are several tour variations to choose from. It was very hot and very crowded but it was worth going. It is important to note that appropriate dress is required or you will not be allowed to enter the Vatican Museums. Prohibited clothing items include miniskirts, blouses without sleeves, hats, and shorts. Check the website for up to date information.

Description: St. Peter’s Basilica is a church that was completed late in the year 1606, but the actual construction for this impressive structure was initially started in 1506. It is still considered one of the largest churches found anywhere around the globe, and it was built according the Renaissance and Baroque architectural style. This church is the final resting place and burial location of St Peter, and it is considered a very holy place in the Catholic religion. Many people make a pilgrimage to this site, and services are held many times each year by the Pope himself.

Vacation In Rome? Family Recommends St Peters Basilica Despite Crowds

Our Experiences: The architecture and interior artwork of St Peters Basilica is very impressive and larger than life. Be prepared for large crowds because of the significance that this structure holds for many millions of people around the world. The number of people and the weather made this a very hot spot on our trip but it is recommended in spite of these drawbacks.

Description: The biggest attraction in the Sistine Chapel are the frescoes that were painted on the ceiling by Michelangelo. The chapel was originally designed to be the private chapel of the pope when it was started, and many European masters painted scenes from the bible and frescoes with a moral. The result is incredible beauty and detail everywhere the eye can see. Even the floor of the chapel was designed to be impressive and reflect the opulence fit for a pope. The Sistine Chapel can be toured alone or in a package with the Vatican Museums, and you must be properly dressed to gain entrance to this attraction.

See Sistine Chapel If Traveling Through Vatican City

Our Experiences: The adults and kids both enjoyed touring the Sistine Chapel and seeing one of a kind artwork from some of the most well known artists in history. Even the younger children were in wonder at the numerous frescoes and scenes that can be found here. It was quite hot and very crowded but this did not detract from our enjoyment of the chapel itself.

Description: Campo di Fiori is a food market situated in the open air today during daytime hours, but in the 1500s this square was the center of Roman culture and the actual city center as well. In the evenings the bars and restaurants in the area do a brisk business and during the day there are many fruit and vegetable stalls selling their wares.

Our Experiences: This is a stop that is recommended if you like shopping and markets, but it would not be ideal for anyone who does not enjoy these activities. It is much smaller than we expected and while it is a little quaint, it does not have the exotic flavor we had hoped for. However, the local culture and friendly population made this a stop that we all enjoyed, and there were a wide range of foods available to choose from.