Book ahead for Rome in 2025. (credit)

If you’re planning a trip to Rome next year, chances are high that you’ve seen and heard a lot of chatter about the 2025 Jubilee. This extraordinary event (actually considered “ordinary,” but we’ll get to that) draws millions of people to Rome and involves months of preparation at sites all over the city. For travelers planning a trip around the Jubilee, there’s a rush of excitement at being able to participate in such an important event. However, if you’re planning a trip to Rome that doesn’t involve Jubilee celebrations, you might find yourself making some last minute adjustments or arriving to find longer than usual lines for the places you’ve earmarked to visit. But with the right planning and a bit of background, your 2025 Roman holiday will be a truly unique experience.

The Eternal City is preparing for the Jubilee year. (credit)

What is the Jubilee?

Although we use the word to talk about different kinds of celebrations, the word jubilee actually comes from the Old Testament and was meant to describe a special year where sins, debts and other afflictions are pardoned. In the book of Leviticus, a jubilee occurred every 50 years, but in the 12th century Pope Boniface VIII decreed that it would occur every 25 years. As the centuries progressed, these Jubilee celebrations were known as “ordinary” (falling in the set period of years) or “extraordinary” if a Jubilee year was proclaimed for a particular motive. In 1933, for example, an extraordinary Jubilee was proclaimed to celebrate the 1,900th anniversary of the resurrection of Christ.

The most important feature of the Jubilee ritual is the opening and the final walling up of the “holy door” in each of the four great basilicas which the pilgrims are required to visit in Rome. These are St. Peter’s Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo Fuori le Mura. The doors are opened by the Pope at the beginning of the Jubilee celebrations, which will be on December 24th, 2024, and then closed by him on January 6th, 2026. All over the world, Catholic churches dedicate a door for the Jubilee year to accommodate parishioners who are unable to make it to Rome. However, the auspiciousness of passing through one of the four holy doors is so powerful that up to 30 million pilgrims will make their way to Rome during the Jubilee year to complete this rite. Along the way, they’ll visit hundreds of sites around the city that are significant to the Catholic Church.

Plan ahead to visit St. Peter’s Basilica in 2025. (credit)

How Will it Affect Rome?

With so many people coming to Rome and circulating in such specific areas around the center of the city, there have been major preparations underway all year to get the city ready to host. And although work technically began in 2021, there are still many construction projects underway that will likely continue into the first few months of the Jubilee year. For instance, the tram lines that connect the Vatican City with other parts of Rome are in the midst of a major upgrade, and many of the most important sights around the area, including Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza del Risorgimento, have had major detours. All over the city, the most important monuments are being cleaned and restored, meaning that they may be covered in layers of scaffolding until complete.

While the city has promised to be ready for the opening of the Jubilee doors on December 24th, it’s a pretty massive job with inevitable delays. Add to this the entirely unrelated construction work underway in Piazza Venezia, where a new metro line is being dug as part of a project that is expected to last at least 15 years, and you might think that Rome is in a “work in progress” phase. But they don’t call it the Eternal City for nothing, and there is still plenty to see, do and experience during your holiday.

Book tickets for the Vatican Museums well in advance. (credit)

Getting the Most Out of the City

First, get a good pair of walking shoes. Plan to stay in central Rome where you can rely on your feet to get around, as public transport is likely to be crowded and taxis might be fewer and farther between than normal. The Centro Storico will be just as bustling as ever and you’ll even find that iconic sights like the Trevi Fountain (currently undergoing a cleanup) will shine even brighter than usual, so there will be plenty to see on walks around town.

Second, plan your visit well – and well in advance. If your heart is set on visiting major attractions like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Villa Borghese, get your tours and tickets sorted out as early as possible. Waiting until you’re in town to try to squeeze in a tour may prove to be a difficult task, and you don’t want to be disappointed. However, if you want to visit the Vatican Museums, keep in mind that the lines and crowds will be much larger than usual, so plan accordingly. If you might previously have needed a half day to visit, dedicate a day instead.

Third, remember that you’re visiting one of the greatest cities in the world at one of the most remarkable times. The Jubilee only occurs four times a century, and its a pretty incredible thing to witness. You’ll see people from all over the world coming for a ritual experience that dates back centuries. The minor inconveniences will hardly matter when you think back at this ordinary (and extraordinary!) event that you’ll take part in, from your own corner of Rome.

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With Rome’s Jubilee year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to secure your stay for 2025. Italy Perfect has a handpicked selection Rome tours and experiences and Rome vacation rentals that are the ideal home base for experiencing it all. Find out more and reserve now for the best selection!

The post The Jubilee in Rome: Tips for Visiting in 2025 appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.

Step inside the lovely Sisto Mare apartment in Rome.

In a city like Rome, with so many extraordinary neighborhoods and history around every corner, it can be hard to choose where to stay. What we look for in our Italy Perfect vacation rentals is just the right balance between a convenient central location and a quiet, local atmosphere. We want you to be able to step out your front door and fall in love with your Roman neighborhood as you easily walk to all the top sights in the historic heart of the city. Enjoy a quiet coffee around the corner and then meander along cobblestone streets to find iconic spots like Piazza Navona – this is the essence of the Eternal City for us!

Stroll to the nearby historic Ponte Sisto bridge. (credit)

When we first saw the three Sisto Fiume and Sisto Cascata apartments (yes we personally visit each and every one of our Italy Perfect vacation rentals!), we knew they were a very special find. The location is tucked away in a quiet spot near the pedestrian only Ponte Sisto bridge over to lively Trastevere and the Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona neighborhood. It’s full of charm and tremendous history. We call this area a hidden haven in Rome, because it is incredibly central and yet so quiet.

Gaze down over the Roman ruins at the Largo di Torre Argentina nearby.

Even better, each one of these vacation rentals has been beautifully remodeled and decorated with a modern and elegant design. Sisto Fiume is a spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom apartment that welcome up to 6 guests. Sisto Cascata is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom rental that sleeps 5 guests. Even better, since they’re all located in the same building, they’re ideal for larger groups. Traveling to Rome with your family? Planning a girlfriend getaway and need more space? Book all three Sisto apartments and there’s room for up to 17 people! Take a look at some of our favorite details each in apartment below.

Sisto Cascata

A spacious and modern open plan living area welcomes you to the Sisto Cascata apartment. Comfort and quality speak out when you stay here, with decorative details that echo proud Italian design. There’s even a little balcony that overlooks the neighborhood.

With two well-appointed bedrooms and two gorgeous bathrooms, this apartment is a truly comfortable home setting for a Roman holiday. Whether you’re shopping at the Campo de’ Fiori market and cooking at home or enjoying a relaxing start to your day, everything about this apartment is designed for an inviting stay.

Enjoy a relaxed stay in style at the Sisto Cascata.

Sisto Fiume

Contemporary style meets comfort at the three-bedroom Sisto Fiume apartment. With a wonderful sense of space and beautiful light, we love the modern Italian design and custom designed elements throughout this lovely Roman apartment. Here you’ll also find a primary bedroom where relaxation is key with a sauna as well a dual Jacuzzi tub.

Book your stay at one of the beautiful Sisto apartments direct on Italy Perfect or view all of our Rome vacation rental apartments here.

The post Three Gorgeous Vacation Rentals in the Heart of Rome appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.