End of Year Reflections 2024

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What a year we have had! 2024 has been one for the record books, and we could not be happier! The Shared Adventures team has arranged more than 200 trips this year, to destinations that span the globe – from the Arctic Circle, to Antarctica, to New Zealand, the Maldives, and pretty much every corner of Europe and the Caribbean. We’ve planned honeymoons, anniversaries, proposals, birthdays, babymoons, family vacations, reunions, and more. And we’ve received amazing feedback from happy clients who’ve made memories to last a lifetime. 

Top Destinations

As always, Italy was our most popular destination, but we saw clients branching out beyond the usual Rome/Florence/Amalfi Coast/Venice and wanting to explore places like Puglia, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, and Sardinia, which we love!

It’s so much fun to help travelers get off the beaten track and see something new. We saw more interest in lesser-visited countries like Finland, Malta, and Argentina. And, we also saw what we think are the beginnings of a trend towards visiting cooler climates like northern Europe, Iceland, Alaska, and Canada.  


[Photo Credit: Jill & Kevin via Shared Adventures. Read about their family adventure to Iceland here!]

How We Helped

One of the big hurdles we helped clients navigate this year were the restrictions meant to curb overtouristing.

We explained (and re-explained) the Venice entrance fees, and helped clients figure out exactly who needed to pay them, when, and how.

For next year, we expect that our biggest hurdle will be explaining the new logistics for obtaining ETAs (electronic travel authorizations) to enter the UK and Europe, since the media has everyone freaking out about needing “visas”, and we’re already getting asked how many months in advance you need to request those.

(spoiler alert: The UK requirement begins January 8th and the Europe ETIAS system does not have a firm start date yet; but both will take only a few days to process once you apply.)

[Photo Credit: J & C via Shared Adventures – Read about their Italy trip here!]

We will also be helping our Italy-bound clients plan for and navigate the “Jubilee Year” crowds in Rome in 2025. 

2025 Trends

Looking into our crystal ball, some of the other trends we expect for next year include: 

  • More requests for small-group travel, including extended families, groups of friends, and special events like birthdays or anniversaries. This might be villa rentals, small yacht charters, or just a block of rooms at a resort. 
  • More people electing to fly Business Class / First Class, to make long-distance flights more tolerable, and to arrive refreshed and ready for the vacation 
  • A continued interest in less-crowded, less-touristed destinations. (Ann is making scouting trips to both Malta and Slovenia next year, so stay tuned!)
  • Cruise clients moving towards smaller ships, on more upscale cruise lines, with more immersive, port-intensive itineraries. This includes river cruises, expedition cruises, and more. 

[Photo Credit: McNicol Family via Shared Adventures – Read about the Mexican Villa Rental here!]

Whatever your travel plans for 2025 might be, one tried-and-true piece of advice still applies – plan ahead! Reach out sooner rather than later, and we’ll help you plan a fabulous adventure. 

Greece Beyond the “Big Two”

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We get it — pretty much everyone has Mykonos and Santorini on their mind, and on their bucket list, when they think about Greece.

These two popular islands have done a fabulous job of capturing the hearts and minds of American travelers. But it’s starting to have some unintended repercussions in terms of crowds, prices, and overall experience.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]

When we were in Santorini last April (before the tourist season had even really kicked off) the crowds in Oia, and the lines for the cable car, were already unpleasant. Flash forward to July/August, and add in a couple of giant cruise ships making a port call for the day, and it would have been a madhouse.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]

With that in mind, we have some suggestions for ways to experience Greece in a more low-key, less-stressful way:

Focus on the Peloponnese Peninsula

Athens itself merits more than the quick one- or two-night stay that most Americans give it. With a longer stay, you can use Athens as a home base for day trips to places like Meteora, Delphi, and the Corinth Canal.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]

And then you can discover some of the other hidden gems of the Peloponnese, and spend a few nights in a romantic seaside town like Nafplio or Monemvasia.

[Photo Credit: Mike, view from Nafplio via Shared Adventures]

Choose More Under-the Radar Islands

Mother with her two daughters overlooking a green mountain in Greece

If you want to stick to a traditional “Athens and the Islands” itinerary, you don’t have to use Mykonos and Santorini. Choose smaller, quieter islands like Naxos, Paros, or Milos for a taste of authentic Greek culture and natural beauty. Or combine Athens with a longer stay on just one island – perhaps a larger island like Crete, which offers a wide variety of experiences in one place.

[Photo Credit: Alicia & Jay via Shared Adventures – read about their family vacation to Greece Here]

Set Sail in a Smaller Yacht

Cruising the Greek islands is a magical experience, but it can be even more magical if you stay away from the big cruise ships that can only visit the bigger/busier islands.

Join a small-group sailing adventure hosted by a tour company, if you want to make some new friends along the way. Or charter a private yacht for just you and your travel companions, and you can explore (at your own pace) smaller islands with secluded beaches and laid-back beachfront restaurants.

[Photo Credit: Mary via Shared Adventures]

Rent a Private Villa

For the ultimate avoid-the-crowds hack, why not rent a private villa with its own pool, a chef to prepare local cuisine, and onsite contacts who can arrange drivers, tours/experiences, restaurant reservations, and more.  Depending on the specific location, and the number of people you’re traveling with, this option might not be as pricey as you think. And you can’t beat the experience!

[Photo Credit: Rafael via Unsplash]

Regardless of how you structure your Greek adventure, it is still a place that should be on everyone’s list. Let us help you make the smartest choices and design the most customized itinerary so that you get the most out of the experience!

What Tourists Need to Know About the Rome Jubilee 2025

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Are you planning to visit Rome in 2025? It’s a big year for the city as the Catholic Church is celebrating the 2025 Jubilee! What does this mean for your trip to Italy’s capital? Here’s what you need to know…

Basic Overview

  • The Roman Jubilee (or Giubileo) is the Catholic Holy Year which begins on December 24th, 2024, and lasts until January 6th, 2026.
  • The holy year represents a time of transition from sin to grace for those of the Catholic faith.
  • The Jubilee is held every 25 years, making its attendance a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
  • It entails religious celebrations, pilgrimages, cultural events, concerts, exhibitions, and special performances.
  • The focal center of events will be Saint Peter’s Square, Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican but events will be held all over the city.
  • The theme of the Jubilee 2025 is hope. It is an event full of joy and celebration.

What is the Jubilee?

The Roman Jubilee originates from the Jewish tradition which established a year of rest for the earth every 50 years. The first Catholic Jubilee was created by the Pope in 1300. Originally it was held every 100 years, then every 50, and now every 25 to allow each generation to attend.

a golden stained glass window in Rome with a white dove in the center. In line with the Rome Jubilee theme of hope.

The holy year is a period in which the Pope grants plenary indulgence (absolution from all sins) to all pilgrims who travel to Rome and participate in planned religious initiatives. Many Catholics view it as a time to start anew, to engage in values of charity and forgiveness, and to reflect on their lives.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her week in Rome Here!]

The Jubilee officially begins on Christmas Eve with the opening of the Holy Doors of the 4 Papal Basilicas of Rome. These are Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. These doors are closed and walled up between Jubilee years.

On Christmas Eve, the Pope is carried to the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s and will be the first to pass through the door in an elaborate ceremony. Then the doors will remain open for the passage of pilgrims during the year.

In addition to attending specific events and passing through the Holy doors, there are several Jubilee pilgrimage walks that cover the whole of the city. The primary walk stops at each of the Papal Basilicas. There is a walk that stops at 7 churches around the city. And, finally, one which stops at 28 churches and basilicas and focuses on holy women.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her week in Rome Here!]

a church ceiling in Rome. One of the many places to visit during the Rome Jubilee

What Does This Mean for Non-Pilgrim Travelers?

Because Catholicism is a missionary religion, everyone is welcome to participate in the various church events, pilgrimages, and services. However, if you’re traveling to Rome in 2025 more for tourist reasons than religious, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare for.

The first is, naturally, the crowds. In 2023 Rome had 35 million visitors. For the Jubilee year, they’re expecting an additional 30 million. This means you’ll want to start planning early and making reservations now.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her week in Rome Here!]

Most of the religious events are centered around the Vatican, but the entire city will be even more bustling than usual, and you can expect a lot of foot traffic around the major attractions. Other cities in Italy are not preparing anything special for the Jubilee. However, you can probably expect the nearby tourist areas (like Amalfi Coast & Florence) to be more crowded.

There has been a lot of renovation work over the past 3 years in Rome. Cleaning up landmarks, improving public transport, and upgrading tourist facilities in preparation for the Rome Jubilee year. So the city will be at its best and brightest.

[Photo Credit: Hilary & Zackary via Shared Adventures – read about their honeymoon in Rome & the Amalfi Coast Here!]

the Trevi fountain in Rome

Top 6 Tips for Tourists

1. Book Early. There are only so many accommodations in Rome, and booking earlier will ensure you have the best rooms during your stay.

2. Increase Your Budget. Everything from food to taxis will probably have a higher tariff because of the bigger crowds. Make a little extra room in your budget.

3. Plan to visit the big sites early in the day, over lunch, or very late in the evening. The city will be busier than usual and these times will help you to avoid the heaviest foot traffic.

4. Be sure to do a little extra planning. Book restaurants in advance, give yourselves extra time to walk in case the bus or metro is too full. And, download the Iubilaeum25 app to keep up with event schedules.

[Photo Credit: R. via Shared Adventures – read about their family Italian adventure here!]

5. Attend a few events. There will be so many events, special exhibits, and cultural activities! Even if you’re not Catholic, we recommend looking them up and enjoying some of the celebrations, since you’re there for the Rome Jubilee anyway.

6. Check the Calendar. Consider visiting in January, late Summer or the Autumn months as these will likely be the “low season” for the Rome Jubilee. Late April through the end of June and December will likely be the very busy “high season”.

Keep an eye on the calendar and try to avoid dates with big events and major Catholic holidays. We’ve provided a calendar below to highlight the biggest days.

a calendar highlighting the major dates that will increase crowds during the Rome Jubilee

Ready to start planning your trip to Rome? 2025, more than ever, is the best time to partner with a travel advisor to ensure you have an incredible adventure. If you’re ready to talk about your Italy 2025 plans, let us know!

A London & Paris Client Trip Report

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Sabrina and her daughter were so excited to plan their first trip across the pond. They wanted to see and do “all the things” and we knew that combining London with Paris would be the perfect adventure! Here’s how their trip went…

First and foremost I want to thank you for making our trip such an enjoyable experience. From our initial consult to using the app to navigate our day-to-day and everything in between…it was fabulous and exactly what we imagined. 

I journaled while we were gone, so below I’ve included info/observations to capture our experience but made it relative to your services! And we would adore working with you on future travel and recommending your services to others. 🙂

The Flight Across the Pond

With the long layover in Miami we went into the American Flagship Lounge which is the nicer of the two options there. They have a quiet room with chaise lounges, great food (including prime rib), coffees, cocktails and a place to shower and freshen up. Completely worth it even for a day pass. 

Landing in London and following your advice on staying up and calling it an early evening to get on London time proved successful. Our driver from the airport was lovely to chat with on the way to the hotel and gave us great tips and hidden gems to look out for. Originally from Portugal, he convinced me to consider Lisbon as our next adventure. Lol!!

London

We were also glad we had an early morning Tower of London sightseeing tour planned for the next day because it motivated us to actually keep with that goal. The tour ended up being the perfect way to get the lay of the land. It included a lot but it wasn’t overwhelming. The tour guide was incredible.We had a terrific experience. 

The London Eye, Book of Mormon and of course, the Tour of Windsor was equally as fabulous. Windsor was gorgeous and we had the opportunity to see both the changing of the guard and the Queen’s burial site at St. George’s chapel. We appreciated the guide’s history of the city as we drove out of London and him getting us on to the Palace’s grounds so we could then explore on our own. 

The Rubens Hotel

However, the star of this leg of our journey was the Rubens. They had us checked in by about noon that day because they knew we had been traveling and called us while we were out shopping. They also hand delivered scrumptious macaroons to our room upon arrival to the room.  High Tea there was incredible, which I highly recommend. Thanks to my friend Mara, we knew to request seating on the couches facing the window across from the Mews at the palace. We also caught a glimpse of blacked out carriage coming out of the palace while we were enjoying our tea. 

They treated us to a fabulous cook to order breakfast (worth about $50 per person per day). An additional $100 food and beverage credit plus a 15% discount on all other restaurant charges during our stay. In total it was an added value of $625. The breakfast was incredible and the one morning we needed to get in and out quickly because of our Windsor Tour, they prepared a yummy breakfast off menu so we could eat and walk down to the coach station in time. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how fabulous the front desk staff and doormen were. Andrew, in particular, made sure we got into our cabs safely and always made sure if we were walking we knew where we were going. And gave great suggestions on food, etc. 

Across the Chunnel to Paris

Overall it was the perfect number of days and activities for England before venturing to France via the Eurostar. The train was an experience all its own. Comfortable and efficient. Getting a taxi was easy to navigate, as you relayed, but after that, we only used a taxi one more time. After that we made a point to use Uber. The taxi drivers didn’t speak English and while the Uber drivers didn’t either, the app makes it easier to get to where you need to go. And you could choose different service levels for efficiency. 

Paris Hotel – The Legend

The Legend Hotel was equally on par with the Rubens. While it was more modern, had a much smaller staff and a less elaborate breakfast, it was absolutely fabulous. The rooms with all hardwood floors, no upholstered beds, tempurpedic mattress and pillows. As well as TONS of closet space allowed us to avoid the bed bug concerns. The room was also larger than I expected with a rain head shower, a mini fridge and a terrific view. It was overlooking the street with a tiny balcony. The staff was amazing and super helpful. It was also centrally located in a great section of town with lots of shopping and great restaurants. I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel! 

Paris Tours

Our tours and activities in Paris were equally as awesome as our experiences in London. The Eiffel Tower was great. The guide got us into the gates and to the lift then we could explore on our own, which we loved.

The Louvre was incredible. I am so glad we opted for a guide because it would have been overwhelming otherwise. He was also so insanely knowledgeable and passionate about art that it made the experience even better.  We did break away a little early from the group. But he was so sweet! And, took a few minutes to help us navigate the best way out so that we could see more. Our trip to the Catacombs was also amazing and our guide there was also terrific. The semi private option that allowed us to access areas only available to the group tours was totally worth it. 

Our final tour to Versailles was a great way to end our adventure. However, my only complaint was that the tour guide (while very knowledgeable) spent longer than necessary in stops in each room. Repeating herself but then rushing at the end. So much so that we ended up leaving the Palace area and exiting into the gardens before we could get her attention to let her know we wanted to stay in the palace so we could get more pics, visit Laduree and the gift shops. Of course, I have to take ownership of the fact we were pretty tired. And on info overload so I should have tried to speak up earlier. We were able to end our time there with amazing crepes. At a little restaurant there in town that was a hidden gem.

Again, such a minor thing that I hesitated to even mention it but it’s worth noting in case you have other clients interested in that tour. The train ride there was nice and she did do a good job initially explaining how it worked in contrast to the metro. We had to navigate the train back on our own. It was pretty easy with the help of Google Maps. Since we wanted to end up back at a station closer to our hotel. 

Heading Home

The driver who picked us up to return us to the Paris airport was early. And they came into the hotel lobby to ring our room. He was helpful in getting the luggage loaded and getting us to the right place very efficiently. It was the perfect amount of time at the Paris airport to check bags, do a little last minute shopping, and have a yummy breakfast. With the long layover on our return flight too, we bolted to the Flagship Lounge again! It was a great respite because it was a long day. A much less chaotic environment than the terminal and the perfect way to end our trip. 

Again, thank you for everything! I’ll be touching base before the end of the year to plan our next adventure!

-Sabrina

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You provided excellent guidance for us. I appreciated that you really had us think about what was most important to us when we were selecting the right cruise – and not to totally focus on what other people had to say. THANK YOU for helping to make this a memorable trip for our family! It really was a trip of a lifetime!

– Clare and Mark (family cruise to Alaska)

The level of service we experienced was out of this world (and we did NOT make it easy on Ann). We weren’t quite sure where we wanted to go, when we would be able to go, or what “vibe” we were going for. After asking us some key questions (what we liked, didn’t like, why, etc.) Ann helped us narrow down our trip details and planned the honeymoon of our dreams. She helped book some of our excursions, answered some emergency questions while abroad and was always available/willing to help. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be using anyone else for future travel planning – Ann is a rockstar!

– Carli (Italy and Spain)