This year, we’re taking our ghostly adventures to one of the most storied and mysterious cities in the world – Rome.

My guest today is Cristiana Ventura, an art historian, archaeologist, and one of the top guides in the Eternal City.

Together, we explore the city’s most famous ghosts – emperors, noblewomen, and executioners – and uncover what these stories say about the Roman soul itself. Because in a city built on layers of history, myth, and faith, the veil between the living and the dead feels just a little thinner.

Cristiana leaves us with a beautiful reflection – that in Rome, as in life, you can’t have light without shadow. To truly see the beauty of this city, you must also understand its darkness.

So wherever you are this Halloween season – whether you’re lighting a candle, wandering under the full moon, or dreaming of your next Roman holiday – I hope you enjoy this special episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

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Listen to hear:

• 02:09 – How life goes in the most haunted spot in Rome
• 03:10 – What hidden gem more travelers should experience
• 05:35 – How the stories of Rome shape visitors’ impressions
• 07:59 – What pagan traditions are still alive in the city
• 09:53 – About the origins of the local ghost stories
• 15:02 – What famous landmark is tied to multiple ghost legends
• 16:38 – Why so many Roman ghost stories center around women
• 22:08 – What dark tales have emerged from the Dark Ages
• 26:45 – About Cristiana’s favorite stories from Rome
• 29:17 – What other haunting places are with a dark history here
• 32:52 – How Halloween is celebrated differently in Rome
• 34:34 – What Romans really think about Halloween
• 35:39 – About the times of the year when the Romans feel closest to “the other side”
• 41:38 – How she has a favorite memory of a past guest
• 44:15 – Why legends are such a powerful way to explore Rome
• 47:42 – A lightning round of eerie Roman trivia
• 53:25 – What these stories reveal about the world and humanity by hearing them