Viator Rome

The Jewish ghetto in Rome is, today, simply one of the colorful and historic neighborhoods in an enormous city. But of course it gets its name from a less happy time when Jews in Rome were corralled behind the walls that used to circle this neighborhood. Although many of the buildings that once stood here are now gone, it’s still worth visiting the former Jewish ghetto – if for no other reason than to sample some of the famous Roman Jewish cuisine.

Many cities around the world have after-hours ghost tours you can take, but few have the history – and mystery – of Rome at night. This is a city where ancient ghost stories live alongside more modern ones, and attractions crowded with tourists during daylight hours take on an entirely different atmosphere in the dark.

While many of the most famous sights in Rome center around the ancient city, there are also lots of places that are important Christian religious sites. Some are key points on religious pilgrimages, and they all have historic importance regardless of one’s faith.

There are many holidays on the calendar in Italy, some of which are celebrated in certain cities more than others. The Feast of Saint John (or San Giovanni, in Italian) is celebrated primarily in the cities of Florence, Genoa, Turin, and Cesena – but in Rome there’s also a grand celebration.

Rome is a city of museums, ancient monuments, churches, and piazzas. But it’s not all a concrete and stone jungle out there – Rome also has some gorgeous green spaces worth exploring, especially if you need a break from the city. One lovely garden to visit is the Rome Rose Garden.

Chances are good that you know some things about Rome. It’s a famous city, and it’s been written about by countless people over the years. But it’s also a good bet there are some things about the city that would surprise you.

Let’s be honest – one day in Rome is not enough. Even if you accept that you won’t see everything or do everything that’s on your list, one day is still only going to give you the smallest taste of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. If one day is all you have, however, then that’s absolutely better than not seeing Rome at all.

Summer in Rome means, for the most part, higher prices, higher temperatures, and larger crowds. The tourist high season in Rome doesn’t actually correspond to just the three months of summer – the high season now lasts from May through September, and even experiences a bit of a dip in August. But despite the drawbacks of a summer trip to Rome, it’s generally the easiest time for people to travel (especially those with kids), and remains the most popular time of year to visit Italy.

Rome is a city that certainly likes to have a good time. That famous Italian penchant for “la dolce vita” – the sweet life – applies to just about every facet of life, no matter the time of day. Romans like to let their hair down in the evenings, but don’t make the mistake of thinking “nightlife” always means “raucous party.”

Shoppers headed to Rome may find something interesting in just about any boutique in the city – the ability to say, “I bought this in Rome!” is always appealing – but serious fashionistas should make a beeline for Via Veneto. Of course, you’ll need to be prepared for the designer prices to go along with the designer goods, but if you’re unwilling to part with that kind of money you can always enjoy the window shopping, which is completely free.