Famous TV chef Giada de Laurentiis says that being from Rome is a big advantage for her. Rome has a long history, and family is very important there. Giada’s own happy memories of growing up in Rome have inspired her cooking career.
“Rome really is home,” says de Laurentiis, who moved to the United States with her family when she was seven years old. “All of my earliest memories are in Italy, mainly ‘family and food.”
Giada de Laurentiis is a famous chef who became successful in California. Although she is based in California, she feels connected to Rome, where she was born, and visits regularly. Her relationship with Rome and her Italian background has been complicated at times.
“As a kid, it was the bane of my existence,” says de Laurentiis. “Everyone made fun of the pasta I had in my lunches, the way my name sounded, the list goes on.”
Over time, Giada realized that being Roman and Italian was a huge advantage for her- she even calls it her “superpower.” She finds joy in her Italian culture and wants her daughter Jade to share that connection. Giada thinks being Italian has been a good and helpful thing for Jade.
Now, Rome is becoming even more famous because of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations. Giada wants everyone, especially the younger generation, to get to experience how wonderful Italian families are.
Rome can be a lot for kids to take in. It’s crowded and the famous sights are huge, and there are just so many of them. If you plan well, a trip to Rome can be magical for kids, giving them memories they’ll treasure and share with their children, just like Giada. She is sharing her tips for having a fun time in Rome with kids.
For an amazing food experience, visit Campo de’Fiori
Families will enjoy the busy market at Cambo de’ Fiori, which is located near Piazza Navona. It started as a flower market over 150 years ago, and now it sells all sorts of things, from fresh flowers and food to fun souvenirs. It’s a place where everyone in the family can find something they like. Right near the Campo de’ Fiori market is a famous bakery called Antico Forno Roscioli. It’s open since 1972, it’s a well known and loved bakery for Romeresidents and those who appreciate good food. They use a traditional Roman recipe for their pizza. They use very little yeast and let the dough rise for a whole day. This makes the pizza light and crispy, and Giada de Laurentiis says it’s just “great.” Sometimes, the line to get pizza there is very long.
“Roman-style pizza is really fun for kids to try,” she says. Roman pizza, called pizza altaglio, is served by the slice. It’s different from the Neopolitan pizza that most people know. Roman pizza is thinner and crispier, while Neapolitan pizza has a thicker, softer crust. But the pizza al taglio at Roscioli is special and has its own unique qualities. “It’s like a focaccia type of dough, and they sell it in squares,” says de Laurentiis. “I love the potato and onion slices.”
The Trevi Fountain in Rome is usually very crowded, which might be too much for children, but it’s safe to visit at night or early in the morning.
The Trevi Fountain is a beautiful and impressive fountain. It was designed by a famous Baroque architect named Nicola Salvi. It’s now a well-known symbol of Rome and its architecture. It is located in a small square and is often extremely crowded, especially during busy times of the day. The crowds are expected to be larger during the 2025 Jubilee year.
“Going first thing in the morning is incredibly magical,” she says. “It’s quiet and special and perfect for kids.”
Movies like La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday have helped make the Trevi Fountain worldfamous. So many people visit the Trevi Fountain that officials have talked about chargingfor entry to manage the crowds. Large crowds might intimidate some kids, but children are often really drawn to the fountain.
“It’s fun because the kids get involved in history, and they get to play with money,” deLaurentiis says. This refers to the popular belief that if you throw a coin into the TreviFountain, you’ll come back to Rome. It’s a tradition many tourists participate in.
“You can go below the Trevi Fountain. It’s honestly amazing,” de Laurentiis says. The TreviFountain is a hidden area called “The City of Water”.
Best family activity – Food tour
In Italian families, cooking brings everyone together. Even the smell of garlic cooking in the morning gets everyone involved and sets a warm, family-oriented mood for the whole day.
“My childhood taught me the art of gathering,” says de Laurentiis, whose next upcoming book, Super Italian, explores superfoods and healthy living. “It exposed me to amazing ingredients from a really young age, which taught me the beauty in simple, well-made dishes.”
Venchi is a great place to go if you have a sweet tooth. It is a chocolate shop that was started in Turin, Italy, in 1878. It’s a must-visit for sweet lovers.
“Anyone who knows me knows chocolate is my weakness,” says de Laurentiis. “I’ve tried it all, and Venchi is one of my faves.”
Rome is closer to the beach than many realize. Just a short drive from the Colosseum will take you to the beach.
The beautiful beach of Lido di Castel Fusano features clear water, white sand, and surrounding trees.
“Lido di Castel Fusano is a favourite,” she says. “When I was a kid, we loved to go to the beach for the day. It’s so nostalgic, packing lunch and driving to the beach with my family.”
Lido di Castel Fusano is a nearby beach that offers a break from busy Rome, especially for kids. Packing snacks and rice salad and then driving to the beach for a relaxing day is a Roman family outing.
