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

Three Unexpected Foodie Destinations

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There are culinary giants around the world that draw hundreds of thousands of foodies each year. Places like Japan, Italy, and France. And there’s no denying that these destinations have incredible and unique food scenes. However, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and to have a unique and truly hidden-gem foodie experience, these are three up-and-coming foodie destinations across the world.

Slovenia

Slovenia is Europe’s most surprising foodie destination. Located in central Europe, this small country is surrounded by some incredible culinary neighbors. Slovenians have incorporated a little bit from each into their traditional cuisine. Goulash from Hungary, tortellini-like dumplings from Italy, and sausage from Austria. Wrapped up in its unique indigenous food – Slovenia holds its own against these powerhouses.

Slovenia’s cuisine is steeped in seasonal, local farm-to-table eating. A country that’s covered in forests, close to the Adriatic Sea, and ranked highly in terms of sustainability. Slovenia prides itself on local produce and sustainable practices from wines to stews.

[Photo Credit: Neven Krcmarek via Unsplash]

Given that, Slovenian food is hearty, traditional, and cozy. Think sausages, freshly foraged berries, and thick stews. It’s not unusual to see wild asparagus canapes garnished with forget-me-nots both gathered from the forest nearby.  It’s easiest to say that Slovenia combines ancient roots with modern influences.

Top Traditional Slovenian Dishes To Try

Jota – The nation’s favorite soup. A mix of beans and sauerkraut, potatoes, garlic, turnips, onions, and tomatoes.

Ajdovi žganci– Buckwheat flour fried, mixed with water, and left to simmer – a basic version of porridge. Served with cuts of meat or sprinkled on top of soups and stews.

Kranjska Klobasa – A very traditional smoked sausage. Also called a Carniola sausage – minced pork cuts with salt, pepper, and garlic.

Bograč stew – A hearty stew with three types of meat in the recipe. Pork, beef, and seasonal game like venison or boar. Served with seasonal vegetables and lots of paprika.

a hand dusts powdered sugar on round pasteries in Slovenia

[Photo Credit: Klara Avsenik via Unsplash]

Štruklji  – Dumplings made from a unique filo pastry made from buckwheat. They can be either savory or sweet. Traditionally a festive treat – filled with cheese, meat, apple or tarragon.

Prekmurska gibanica – One of the best loved pastries. A hefty cake with layers of poppy seeds, walnuts, raisins, apples, and quark cheese.  With a layer of cream on top.

Potica –  A delicate, thinly rolled yeast dough spread with a sweet filling before being rolled and baked. Classic filling of walnuts poppy seeds hazelnuts cottage cheese or even dried fruit.

Dining Customs

It’s normal to tip about 10% for good service in restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Restaurant menus are divided into the typical Western sections and dinner is usually between 7 – 9 pm.

Thailand

Thailand’s cuisine, a vibrant tapestry of flavors and aromas, offers a culinary journey unlike any other. From the bustling street food markets of Bangkok to the elegant fine dining establishments, there’s something to enjoy at every turn. Thailand features bold flavors, fresh local ingredients, and simple yet sophisticated cooking techniques. You can indulge in a fiery curry and savor a delicate seafood dish. Thailand is the best place to sample a range of complex flavors and a perfect balance of spices paired with bright fresh fruit.

happy man cooking with fire

Of course, we recommend eating where the locals eat to get a true sense of the best Thai food. Taking a food tour is a great introduction to these local haunts with small menus and incredible dishes.  Another perfect way to experience the cuisine is to take a cooking class!

Thai food consistently uses garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chili, and fish sauce in their foods so you can expect a bold base of flavors. Central Thailand has the sweetest food while the South offers the spiciest.

[ Photo Credit: Marissa and Derek via Shared Adventures – read about their Thai Honeymoon Here ]

It’s fairly easy to be a vegetarian in Thailand as a lot of the food revolves around rice, noodles, and veggies. If you’re looking for powerful yet balanced flavors – Thailand is the perfect place for you.

Traditional Thai Dishes to Try

Khao Soi  – Fried noodles in a creamy soup

Sai Oua  – A spicy pork sausage -typically found in the North.

Gaeng Hung Lay – Tender pork belly in a red curry.

Pad Thai – The national dish. Conceptualized to represent Thailand on a plate.

Pad Kra Pao – A simple meal of steamed rice topped with a spicy basil mince meat and fried egg.

pad thai in thailand

[ Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – Read about her epic Thailand adventure here]

Thai Curry – Choose from the spicy red, piquant green or aromatic yellow.

Tom Yum Goong – A spicy sour soup with fresh lime, lemongrass , mushrooms and shrimp.

Tom Kha Gai – A creamy soup with coconut milk and chicken.

Som Tam – A spicy green papaya salad with shredded papaya, tomatoes, string beans, carrots, peanuts and a light sweet and spicy sauce.

Dining Customs:

Most meals are eaten family style – sitting around a communal table and ordering lots of different dishes for everyone to share.

Shoes are usually removed before entering a restaurant or home and locals often sit on the floor or at a low table. However, many restaurants will have western-style tables and chairs.

Typically meals are eaten with a fork and a spoon which is used instead of a knife.

Just add the word “Krap” (if you are a man) or “Ka” (if you are a woman) to the end of every sentence to make it polite. It’s like saying “please” and “thank you” all in one.

Telling the chef that it was “aroi” (delicious) will go a long way!

Argentina

Argentina is often celebrated for its vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage. But did you know it offers a culinary experience that is equally captivating? Beyond the renowned red meats and hearty wines, Argentina boasts a diverse and evolving food culture. Argentinian culture often revolves around good food and good company.

Shaped by centuries of colonial influence and indigenous traditions. Portions are large and cheese is ever present as Argentina takes its culinary influences from an influx of Italian, Spanish, and Native cuisines. The food of Argentina offers a European feel with a South American flair.

[ Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her Argentinian adventure with her daughter here]

Teatro Colon in Argentina

From mouthwatering stews and sweets to traditional pizzas and pasta. From the rustic steakhouses of Buenos Aires to the elegant vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina’s cuisine invites you to embark on a journey of taste and discovery. Every dish tells a story of the country’s rich heritage and passion for good food.

wine tasting in Mendoza

Of course, delicious food is paired with delicious wine! You can enjoy not only a vibrant Malbec but also a Cabernet Sauvignon and Torrontes – a native Argentinian wine. The traditional dishes are left untouched, but there’s room for new creations and experimentation. Argentina is perfect for those foodies who want to experience a little bit of everything (but with a heavy focus on good meat.)

[ Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her Argentinian adventure with her daughter here]

Traditional Argentinian Dishes To Try:

Parrillada -A mixed grill designed for sharing with different types of meat, and paired with salad and fries.

Provoleta – Provolone cheese that is grilled until it melts and bubbles.

Locro– A hearty stew made with beans, corn, meats and veggies.

Humita En Chala – Argentina’s version of tamales. Made with corn cheese and spices.

Choripan – A type of sandwich with chorizo sausage in crusty bread and smothered in sauce.

[Photo Credit: Delfina Iacub via Unsplash]

Empanadas – A pastry filled with meat and baked or fried.

Medialunas – Argentinian version of the croissant. Smaller than a typical French croissant.

Morcilla – Black pudding.

 Mollejas – A traditional sweet bread

Alfajor – Two shortbread cookies sandwiched with a creamy filling. 

Helado – An Argentinian spin on gelato – rich and creamy with unique flavors.

Dining Customs

Expect a relaxed service pace- you are meant to enjoy the meal.  There is no sense of turning over the table and therefore you may wait longer for service than in an American restaurant.

There is a cover charge added to the bill.  However, this is not a tip and a ten percent tip is typical.

Dinner usually starts at 9pm – Midnight so prepare for a late-night affair.

Is your mouth watering? Which culinary style are you most drawn to? The hearty and farm-to-table Slovenian? The bold and vibrant Thai? Or the meat-focused and multi-cultural Argentinean? If this blog has inspired you to explore beyond the traditional foodie destinations – let us know! We’d love to help you plan your next foodie adventure!

Italy from Top to Bottom

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J. & C. were looking to experience a little bit of everything on their Italian adventure. They wanted to see all the major sites and experience some off-the-beaten-path locales of Italy to see where they’d like to return to one day. We put together a whirlwind trip from Rome to Florence ,Venice, Naples & the Amalfi Coast. Here’s their trip report:

First of all: Wow!! 

Trip Length

14 days is too long for us, 10 would have been better (good to know about ourselves), also probably 2 full days and a travel day if we’re visiting multiple cities, the 3rd day in Rome and Venice was too much for a quick tour. We walked about 3-5 miles per day – so I was sore the first 3 days, but better after! I really need to ramp up walking before the next trip…

Rome

We loved that we were off the beaten path away from the center of the city. We were close to the Trastevere area which we liked (where the Jerry Thomas Bar Room was – we went there for the first night in Rome) . It’s a bit younger, hipper with street music and great restaurants. We went to this area a couple of times.

We also went to Beppe and his cheeses – a small cheese shop with wine and trays of cheese and meats to eat – so much for such a small price – also awesome! We really like to eat! We also went to Alfredo’s where fettuccine alfredo was invented – a bit cheesy (pun intended) but good. 

Our bartender gave us some great places to visit: Drink Kong (didn’t get to), Oteleg Trastevere for gelato – was awesome, Trapizzino for stuffed pizza (didn’t get to), Supplizio (didn’t get to), Seu Pizza Illuminati – awesome pizza, L’Elementare – also awesome pizza, Trattoria Sora Lella was a wonderful restaurant and Taverna Trilussa (didn’t get to).

We went into a lot of churches, saw the squares and fountains. Our second day we had a tour scheduled for the Sistine Chapel and we were a bit disappointed. The tour was 3 hours, we didn’t get what we wanted to see, paintings, and saw so many statues. The crowds were crazy and you can see the chapel a lot better in photos. The Basilica was better. We walked around the Colosseum – not in- way too crowded and enjoyed some quiet time at the Non-Catholic cemetery.

Overall, there are so many cars, but it’s still a walking city. The hotel was great (Gigli D’Oro Suites), though we might want to be a bit closer to the Trastevere area, but still on our side of the city, if we ever go back. 

Florence

The trip on the train was awesome – really wished we had a bit more time here, it looked like there was a lot to do. Really would have liked to go into the Duomo. We did get to the Uffizi Gallery. The hotel was awesome!! (Hotel Cerretani Firenze – MGallery) Highly recommend. 

Venice

The train to Venice was also great. We loved Venice – probably because there weren’t any cars! Loved how each alleyway was a street that led to another square. So many restaurants and too many cheesy tourist crappy shops. Had to search to find some really nice artisan shops. 

Our hotel [Liassidi Palace] (so great right on the canal), had a tour to a glass shop on Murano, Italy, so we did that our second day, and then continued to Burano where we ate at a Michelin star restaurant Al Gatto Nero (The black cat), OMG, so good and this island is so cute and colorful. 

Again, walked around, went into many churches, saw many squares, and ate a lot of pasta. Found some nice art galleries in an off-the-beaten-path area and had some nice talks with the artists. The hotel was beautiful and so nice right on the canal. 

Naples

We really didn’t care for Naples, Italy. We should have just taken the train after all. By the time we got to the airport by water taxi, waited, got on the plane, and got to Naples, it would have been the same time just sitting and relaxing on the train. Naples is definitely a city – not a tourist area. They have touristy things, but it feels like a city. And where the cars in Rome take a back seat to the tourists, not so in Naples – they’ll run you over. Maybe if we had time to explore we would have found something to love, but at first glance- no. We did go to the artifact museum… it was fine. Feeling a bit museumed out by this time. We should have just gone down to Praiano that day.

Praiano

Wow – this place (Hotel Torre Saracena) is beautiful. The room and the staff were amazing, the views awesome, the breakfast was great. But no restaurant or bar.

We went on a wine tour that took us to Ravello (beautiful) and then further up to a winery with lots of wine and great food. 

Overall – nice, but I feel the coast is a bit limiting. In a larger city you probably have enough to do, but in the smaller areas, there’s only so much to do, and it involves climbing a lot of stairs – you definitely need good cardio and good knees. Really a beautiful area, but not sure if i’d go back. 

We’re looking forward to our next big trip in 2026. We’ll take some of the things we learned here and apply them when we start planning. 

Thank you so much, you were awesome!!

-J. & C.

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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)