Begin the day with a classic Roman breakfast of a maritozzo (a soft bun filled with whipped cream) or a cornetto (Italian croissant, often filled with custard or jam) and head to the Colosseum, the massive amphitheater where gladiatorial games and public spectacles once symbolized imperial power.

Pass by the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch commemorating military victory and symbolizing Rome’s transition into the Christian era.

Optional add-on: With older kids, continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome, where temple ruins, basilicas, imperial palaces, and government buildings, tell the story of Rome’s rise.

Have lunch at a neighborhood trattoria, sampling classic Roman pastas: cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper), gricia (guanciale, pecorino, black pepper), amatriciana (guanciale, tomato, pecorino), or carbonara (guanciale, pecorino, egg, black pepper).

Optional add-on: Visit Campo de’ Fiori, a historic square that functions as a lively daytime market filled with produce stalls and local energy.

Make your way to Piazza Navona, a grand Baroque square built atop an ancient stadium, now known for its elegant fountains and vibrant street life. Take a cafe break and do some people-watching.

Continue on to the Pantheon, famed for its perfectly proportioned dome and open oculus. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Pause for a snack of supplì (fried rice balls with melted mozzarella), a classic Roman street food.

Participate in a pizza-making class, offering a hands-on introduction to Roman-style pizza, characterized by a thin, crispy crust. After dinner, grab a gelato and visit the Trevi Fountain, where tossing a coin in is said to ensure a return to Rome.

Begin your time in Vatican City with a visit to St. Peter’s Square, an immense colonnaded plaza designed to embrace visitors arriving at the heart of the Catholic world.

Continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, renowned for its scale, Michelangelo’s dome, and masterpieces like the Pietà. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Optional add-on: Families with older kids might consider visiting the Vatican Museums passing quickly through the extensive art collections to then linger at the Sistine Chapel. Note that much of the Vatican Museum is not air conditioned, so plan your visit accordingly.

Stop for a snack of trapizzino (pizza pocket filled with classic Roman stews like chicken cacciatore or meatballs).

Explore Castel Sant’Angelo, a fortress originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, later used by popes as a refuge, offering panoramic views from its terrace. Grab a gelato and head to Ponte Sant’Angelo, for a photo op at this bridge lined with angel statues leading back toward the historic center.

Browse the Borghese Gallery, where Bernini’s sculptures and Caravaggio’s paintings demonstrate the emotional intensity of Baroque art. Afterward, head into the gardens of Villa Borghese, where families can rent bikes, pedal carts, or rowboats, offering a relaxed and active way to enjoy the space.

As the day winds down, head to the Pincian Terrace for sweeping views over the city at sunset.

Visit the Bioparco di Roma, which has open spaces, moats, and naturalistic enclosures for the animals, rather than traditional cages. Afterward, head into the gardens of Villa Borghese for outdoor play and to the Pincian Terrace for sweeping views over the city at sunset.

Rent a bike to explore the Appian Way, one of the oldest Roman roads, where ancient paving stones still guide the route. Visit the Catacombs of San Callisto, an underground burial network reflecting early Christian practices. Other highlights include the Circus of Maxentius, a preserved chariot racing stadium, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, a monumental mausoleum, and the Villa of the Quintilii, once a luxurious imperial estate.

Optional add-on: Experience gladiator school where participants dress in traditional tunics and armor to learn ancient sword-fighting techniques.

Travel to Ostia Antica, a remarkably preserved ancient port city. Its streets, apartments, and bath complexes provide insight into daily Roman life beyond the capital’s monumental core.

Return to central Rome and take a sunset cruise along the Tiber River, a relaxed way to see Rome’s landmarks from a different perspective.

In Trastevere, narrow streets and ivy-covered facades create a neighborhood that feels both historic and lived-in. For dinner, consider Roman favorites of pasta carbonara (eggs, guanciale, and pecorino) for primi and saltimbocca alla Romana (veal with prosciutto and sage) for secondi.

After dinner, enjoy gelato and take a walk up to Gianicolo Hill for panoramic views of the city illuminated at night