Meet Cecilia, your Rome private guide to the art and antiquities of the Eternal City.

Cecilia is an art historian and a native Roman with a Master's degree in Medieval and Renaissance art from La Sapienza University, Rome. Although her specialty is painting and decorative arts, she has a broad knowledge of the history of Rome and a personal passion for ancient history, which she shares on many antiquity-themed itineraries. Cecilia has worked actively in the past as a lecturer, teacher, and curator of exhibitions. She had been a staff member of the education department of the Vatican Museums, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, and the Galleria Colonna where she still frequently consults. In collaboration with the Centro di Studi sulla Cultura e L'Immagine di Roma, Cecilia has contributed to projects focusing on Roman Renaissance palaces, including Palazzo Fani, Palazzo Patrizi and Palazzo Costaguti.

With extensive experience teaching history and art history to a variety of audiences, including adults, university and high school students, Cecilia has led tours as a licensed guide for Rome and Florence for more than 20 years.

Languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish

Join Cecilia on her favorite route through Rome on this full-day exploration that starts in the ancient world and ends in the Renaissance, highlighted by a tour of the Sistine Chapel, and of course, a stop for lunch in one of her favorite local spots!

Spend a day with Cecilia exploring some of the finest but best kept secrets of Roman art and history while tracing a path chronologically through the city.  Our day begins at the Church of San Clemente, where we will get a glimpse into the mysterious cult of Mithras in its subterranean temple. Progressing above ground we’ll move through the early Christian era and the development of medieval art and enjoy the mosaics in the apse.  Before leaving the church, we will move a step forward in the early Renaissance, exploring the frescoes in the Chapel of St Catherine.

Traveling across the historic city center by taxi, we will also move a few hundred years ahead on the timeline of our narrative.  We will stop to visit the residence of the richest man in Europe in the 16th century, Agostino Chigi. Tucked away at the glorious Villa Farnesina are frescoes by Raphael and his pupils, offering us the careless and joyful pagan face of the Renaissance.  Here Cecilia will introduce us to how the Renaissance came to be and how it was expressed in the culture and arts of the city of Rome.

Over lunch in nearby Trastevere, we will have time to prepare for our afternoon together at the Vatican Museums.  The vast collection can feel overwhelming, but with the help of a trained guide and art historian, we’ll see the most meaningful works and understand their context.  Most importantly, we will meet the star of the Roman Renaissance, Michelangelo Buonarotti, and see his majestic Sistine Chapel ceiling and Last Judgement frescos up close.  The silence and splendor of the artworks within will be the perfect conclusion to our deep dive into the art and history of Rome with Cecilia.

Rome Private Guide itineraries include the cost of your time with your private guide and usually include museum or monument entrance tickets.  Lunch and refreshments are at your expense. Accommodation is not included.  

What if I want a different itinerary with this expert?
The published itinerary represents Cecilia’s favorite way to visit Rome. If you are looking for something different, please check out our other Rome offerings!

How crowded are the Vatican sites?
Please be aware that during the summer travel period, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica can be subject to extremely high levels of visitor traffic. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour experience.

Yes. We can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party.