An essential part of working for Select International Tours is knowing the trips. After all, we send thousands of pilgrims worldwide each year to every conceivable Catholic pilgrimage destination. Our job is to understand precisely what you can expect on your trip. So, with the beginning of the Jubilee Year in Italy, it was necessary to send one of our staff to the field to experience it first-hand so we can help you have a better trip to Italy in 2025. I was happy to go!
I traveled with a fantastic Group led by Jeff and Emily Cavins, along with Fr. Peter, Deacon Tony, and a cantor named Addy. The leadership team was outstanding and was further supported by two excellent Italian guides and two skilled bus drivers who led our group of 100 pilgrims on a Jubilee Year pilgrimage that included stops at Eucharistic miracles and important biblical sites that helped to solidify the cohesiveness and breadth of our Catholic Faith. It’s easy to think that Italy is just Rome, but the truth is that Italy is a very diverse country.
Miracles Abound in Italy
One of the standouts of an Italian pilgrimage is the many places where miracles occurred. On this pilgrimage, we visited Orvieto and Lanciano, where two Eucharistic miracles are housed. Learning about both and seeing the host turned flesh are breathtaking experiences that help remind us of the miracle we all witness at every Mass.
We also visited Assisi and San Giovanni Rotonda, the hometowns of St. Francis and St. Padre Pio. Both saints received the miraculous stigmata, and in San Giovanni Rotonda, you can still see the blood stains on St. Padre Pio’s garments. In Assisi, we spent time with St. Francis and St. Clare and prayed at the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be canonized this Spring. Venerating these great saints (and soon-to-be Saint) reminds us that holiness is accessible to all: rich, poor, young, or not so young.
Biblical Ties in Italy
Many people either forget or don’t realize that modern-day Italy was also the site of many biblical events and now houses the relics of many biblical figures, including St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Timothy, and St. Bartholomew, to name a few. There is a prison (still standing) where Sts. Peter and Paul were held, and the places where they were martyred are now beautiful churches. Then there are the catacombs, where many early Christians were buried. A trip here reminds us that while the story of Salvation began in the Holy Land, it continued in Italy.
The Duomo di Orvieto is magnificent!
Rome for the Jubilee
Of course, there is Rome. It is impossible to walk or drive through Rome and not be amazed at the grandeur and sophistication of the city and its inhabitants when Our Lord was ministering in Galilee and Jerusalem. Perhaps most striking is the comparison between the Coliseum, the center of Roman culture in the first century, and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. It is mind-numbing to see how much Jesus and his Apostles changed their world; it is on grand display in Rome.
2025 is a Jubilee Year in Rome. This makes visiting now even more special. Why? Here are a few reasons:
- Plenary Indulgences: During the Jubilee Year, plenary indulgences are available to pilgrims who walk through the Holy Doors, which are only open during the Jubilee. Plenary indulgences are a subject unto themselves. You should read this post to learn more about the Jubilee and Plenary Indulgences.
- Everything is Fresh: As you might imagine, when you invite the whole world to visit, you tend to clean up beforehand. Italy and the Vatican have spent the last year cleaning and restoring many important sites and now is a great time to see them in all their glory.
- The Catholic Community is Everywhere: When one’s view of the Catholic Church is limited to one’s home Parish, it can be challenging to see how big the Church is. Come to Italy for the Jubilee, and you will get a glimpse of how grandiose it is! When I traveled to Italy last month, I met three other groups of Catholics who were all going to celebrate the Jubilee while standing in line to board my plane! By the way, January is the slow season so many more groups will celebrate the Jubilee in the coming months. It’s like a massive Catholic family reunion. If you want to expand your view of the Church, come to Italy for the Jubilee.
What Should I Know About Traveling to the Jubilee?
I mentioned earlier that one of the most critical parts of our job at Select International Tours is understanding each trip intimately. This trip to the Jubilee was necessary because the practicalities of traveling to Italy during a Jubilee year differ from traveling there at any other time. Most of the differences are logistical, but they do affect the experience. Here are the key takeaways from my trip:
Prepare to be on your feet more.
On most pilgrimages, you should expect to walk 12k-15k steps a day. I cannot overstress this enough: that estimate is on the lower end during the Jubilee. I average 16,000 steps daily, and my longest day was over 18,000. You will miss some sites if you cannot walk this much unassisted at a normal pace. So consider proper footwear, speak with your doctor, and begin a walking program now to prepare.
Prepare for bigger crowds.
This might be obvious, but it bears repeating. The crowds at most sites will be larger than in other years. This is not necessarily bad, but it is crucial to understand before traveling. Expect to spend time with a lot of people.
You will be in close quarters at significant sites and wait in line for restrooms and gift shops. Also, because so many groups are there simultaneously, the whisper sets used to hear the guides may occasionally have interference. So it is IMPERATIVE that you are always in sight of your guide, or at least their flag, when moving through the crowds. If you missed an explanation because of interference, alert your guide so they can fill you in and find a solution quickly.
IMPORTANT
Increased crowds can lead to pickpocketing. Here are some simple ways to minimize your exposure to pickpockets.
- Never carry large sums of cash.
- Leave valuables (including jewelry) at home or in the hotel safe.
- Always carry cash, passports, or credit cards in zippered pockets and on the front of your body.
- Never dig for cash or a credit card in a crowd; find some space before opening your wallet.
- Use RFID-proof sleeves or pouches if possible, to avoid electronic pickpocketing.
- NEVER leave your purse or backpack on a chair back; sit with it on your lap.
- If something is missing, alert your guide immediately.
Bring Euro with you.
Typically, we tell our passengers to use major credit cards for most of their purchases and to have a few small denominations of Euro for things like pay toilets and tips. However, with the volume of people in Italy for the Jubilee, I found that many shops ran out of change quickly, leaving pilgrims looking for creative ways to pay for tips and toilets. My suggestion: exchange some money for Euro BEFORE you travel to Italy for the Jubilee. Make sure you have smaller denominations, including 5 Euro Notes and 2 Euro coins. They will not go to waste in the country; you can always exchange them for USD later.
Eating in Italy
Let’s get this out of the way early: the portions are BIG, and vegetables are scarce in Italy. Italians love to eat, and the food is outstanding, but remember that they will continue to bring more if you finish your plate, so don’t feel bad about saying, “No more, thank you.” Also, pasta and meat are the norm in Italy, so if you’re a salad-first person, you may need to ask for one. Also, if you are a coffee drinker, consider an Americano for the first few days or a latte. By the end of the trip, you’ll probably be drinking double espresso. 🙂
So many things to see!
You may be overwhelmed by everything you see and do daily, so a little pre-trip prep work goes a long way. Grab a few books or pull up a few videos about the sites you will visit so you can learn a little bit before you go. That way, when you stand in awe of the Pieta (for example), you will already understand what you see. Start a notebook at home and then fill it in along the way with daily reflections to help you recall the trip.
Pro Tip: Nearly every major site has a sign at the entrance. Take a picture of it so you can remember what all the following pictures are of when you return home.
Speaking of pictures…
Before you take a picture on your pilgrimage, consider if it’s an appropriate time/place to do so. It’s easy to snap away with your camera and forget that you are in a place reserved for prayer. Be mindful of how your photography might affect other pilgrims or parishioners.
Understand tips before you travel.
Historically, tipping in Europe was not a big deal. However, the times are changing, and tipping is now expected at places like restaurants and for housecleaning staff. We will send you tipping recommendations for your trip about 3 weeks before departure. Read through them and plan accordingly.
A few words on security checkpoints.
You will pass through security checkpoints in Rome while visiting the major Basilicas. Be prepared for these checkpoints by observing the following guidelines:
- Carry the least amount possible. Leave excessive things at the hotel when touring in Rome. This will make the checkpoint scanners easier to pass and make you less attractive to potential pickpockets.
- No water bottles in secure locations. This one was new for me. You cannot bring a water bottle through the security checkpoints at the major basilicas. Hydrate beforehand and grab another water bottle when you return to the bus.
I ran into Keith Nester leading a group during the Papal Audience!
- Big cameras will be scrutinized. Pocket and mirrorless cameras made it through security quickly, but DSLR-type cameras are scrutinized and may be turned away at security. Leave them in the hotel.
- Get ready while you wait. Remove anything metal before getting to the scanner, and empty your pockets into your bag. This will make the process quicker and easier.
- Don’t get lost in line. The security checkpoints are busy, and it is easy to separate from the group if you are not careful. Watch for the group and go through with a buddy to ensure you regroup on the other side.
Conclusion
The Jubilee year is a magnificent time to visit Italy and experience all the Biblical roots, Saints, and miracles that abound there. A little preparation will help you to enjoy your trip more, so be sure to read up on the sites, prepare for the crowds, get in shape for all the walking, and pack wisely for your trip. If you haven’t signed up for a trip yet, Select International Tours offers many options. Click the button below to choose your trip. I hope to see you in Italy!
Ciao.
About the Author
Matt Maszczak is the Marketing and Client Relations Manager for Select International Tours.
www.selectinternationaltours.com