2025 Rome Jubilee: Alternative Places to Visit in Italy

Length: 10 days

Places Visited: Lake Garda, Sirmione, Verona, Valgardena, Venice

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

The majestic Dolomites and Lake Garda offer a serene retreat from the expected crowds of the Jubilee in Rome 2025, and Zicasso’s Exploring the Dolomites: Splendid Northern Italy Tour will give you a chance to engage with Italy's dramatic natural beauty rather than urban congestion.

Combine the thrill of mountain landscapes with the romance of historical towns like Verona for an alternative to Rome's ecclesiastical focus during the Holy Year. From watching an opera under the stars in Verona's ancient amphitheater to horseback riding through alpine meadows, this journey provides outdoor adventures and cultural immersion, including wine tastings and cooking classes in mountain villages.

The focus on Northern Italy's distinctive cuisine, from mountain cheeses to regional wines, presents a different facet of Italian gastronomy than what visitors typically encounter in Rome. Instead of queuing for Vatican museums or joining pilgrim processions, you can spend your days hiking through UNESCO-listed mountain landscapes, exploring medieval castles, and discovering the unique German-Italian cultural fusion that characterizes this alpine region.

Learn more: Northern Italy Travel Guide

Length: 8 days

Places Visited: Parma, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna, Cremona

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Eight-Day Exclusive Journey of Heritage, Scenery, and Cuisine in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna is a chance to uncover Italy's cultural richness away from the expected Roman Jubilee crowds. Cities like Bologna, Parma, and Ravenna provide extraordinary artistic and architectural treasures. Italy's “culinary heartland” allows you to delve deep into authentic Italian gastronomy through cooking classes and visits to producers of prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and balsamic vinegar.

The itinerary balances cultural exploration with culinary discovery, from witnessing the ancient craft of violin-making in Cremona to mastering the art of tortellini-making in Bologna's traditional kitchens. Marvel at the glittering Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna's basilicas or the Renaissance splendor of Ferrara's Palazzo dei Diamanti at a relaxed pace.

Rome's restaurants will likely be overwhelmed with Jubilee 2025 visitors, but on this tour, you will be able to partake in intimate tastings, market explorations, and cooking classes that will provide you with a deeper understanding of Italian food culture than you could achieve in the busy capital.

Learn more: Three Exclusive Itineraries to Emilia-Romagna

Length: 12 days

Places Visited: Florence, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Peinza, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Siena, Venice

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

The combination of Tuscany's rolling hills and Venice's romantic canals on Zicasso’s Iconic Florence and Venice Tour with Countryside Culture will give you a diverse Italian experience far from the Jubilee crowds in Rome. Visit the birthplace of the Renaissance in Florence, wander medieval streets in Siena, and glide through Venice's timeless waterways as you immerse yourself in Italy's artistic heritage on this travel package to Italy in 2025.

From hands-on winemaking in Tuscan vineyards to exploring the Gothic splendor of Siena's cathedral, this journey gives you authentic cultural immersion without the intense crowds anticipated in Rome. The itinerary balances iconic sites like St. Mark's Basilica with lesser-known treasures like Montepulciano’s underground network of medieval wine cellars.

Take culinary classes or taste wine for meaningful cultural connections that might be difficult to arrange in Rome's busy Jubilee atmosphere. Discover the artistic riches of Florence's museums and Orvieto's medieval tower, or savor peaceful moments in Venice's squares.

Learn more: Best Florence and Venice Itineraries

Length: 19 days

Places Visited: Palermo, Trapani, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Noto, Ortigia, Syracuse, Taormina, Alberobello, Lecce

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Southern Italy's distinctive blend of cultures and traditions is a rich alternative to Rome's Jubilee celebrations. While Rome fills with pilgrims, learn about the fascinating mix of Norman, Arab, and Greek influences in Palermo's architecture, or marvel at the ancient Greek temples of Agrigento in relative tranquility on our Paradise Tour of Italy: Sicily and Puglia Vacation.

The combination of historical exploration and culinary adventures creates a deeper understanding of Italy's diverse cultural heritage, from wine tasting in Marsala to discovering local specialties in both regions. Instead of navigating crowded  attractions during the Roman Jubilee, wander through the unique trulli houses of Puglia or explore the Baroque splendor of Ragusa.

During the best time to visit Italy in 2025, this southern route allows exploration of the country’s archaeological treasures and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The journey reveals a less-traveled but equally magnificent side of Italy, where ancient temples stand against dramatic landscapes and centuries-old wine-making traditions continue in picturesque vineyards.

Learn more: Best Southern Italy and Sicily Tours

Length: 9 days

Places Visited: Piedmont, Lombardy, Chianti

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

The Luxury Italy Wine Tour of the Top Regions offers an elegant escape from the anticipated Jubilee 2025 crowds, replacing Rome's religious fervor with the serene beauty of vineyard-covered hills and intimate wine tastings. The route through Langhe, Franciacorta, and Chianti gives you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with Italy's viticultural heritage and the peaceful rhythms of country life.

From sampling prestigious Barolos in ancient cellars to learning about sparkling wine production in Franciacorta, the tour will connect you with Italy's winemaking traditions and the families who maintain them. Rather than queuing at tourist hotspots during the Roman Jubilee, spend your days wandering through historic estates, exploring medieval wine towns, and enjoying private tastings.

In Florence, complement your viticultural education with Tuscan culinary traditions involving high-quality beef, olive oil, and herbs as you dive into Italy’s cultural heritage through the lens of its viticultural traditions, a sophisticated alternative to the expected crowds and ceremonies of the Jubilee year.

Learn more: Best Italy Wine Tours and Vacation Packages

Length: 10 days

Places Visited: Norcia, Montalcino, Florence

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Zicasso’s 10-Day Umbria and Tuscany Exploration Tour is a journey through regions in which you can investigate Italy's medieval and culinary heritage. Discover the tranquil beauty of historic towns like Norcia, Montalcino, and Pienza instead of navigating packed Roman streets during Jubilee 2025.

From sampling prestigious Brunello di Montalcino wines in historic cellars to learning traditional cooking techniques involving truffles, prosciutto, and cheese in Florence's kitchens, this itinerary brims with culture. The route through these two regions combines spiritual heritage through Assisi's sacred sites and epicurean pleasures.

The mix of hands-on culinary activities, wine tastings, and cultural exploration result in a deeper understanding of Italian life and more than you could gain among the Jubilee crowds, allowing you to experience the country's culture in a more authentic and contemplative way.

Learn more: Italian Indulgence: A Food and Wine Tour of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio

Length: 14 days

Places Visited: Catania, Tropea, Matera, Lecce, Benevento, Ravello, Amalfi, Positano, Messina, Calabria, Otronto, Pizzo, Alberobello, Paestum, San Marco dei Cavoti, Praiano

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

The spectacular Slow Food and Leisurely Wine Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily offers you an authentic taste of Italy far from the anticipated crowds of Rome's Jubilee celebrations. The itinerary weaves through Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast for immersion into Italy’s soul through equally magnificent destinations.

From the Baroque splendor of Catania and Lecce to the unique cave dwellings of Matera and the trulli houses of Alberobello, it showcases Italy's architectural diversity beyond Rome's famous monuments. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites while savoring intimate private wine tastings in Sicily and hands-on cheese-making demonstrations in Campania.

The journey's emphasis on food and wine, including Catania's fish markets, Calabrian pecorino tastings, and limoncello crafting on the Amalfi Coast, provides a deep dive into Italy's culinary traditions. The relaxed pace through these southern regions allows you to savor local specialties and traditions while avoiding the intense tourism pressure that the Rome Jubilee 2025 will bring.

Learn more: Best of Southern Italy Tour

Length: 8 days

Places Visited: Bologna, Ravenna, Rimini, Ferrara, Forlimpopoli, Naples, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Sorrento, Tre Monti, Termini

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

This carefully crafted Taste of Italy Tour: Culinary Getaway to Emilia-Romagna and the Amalfi Coast through Italy's gastronomic heartlands will give you a taste of the country’s finest culinary traditions away from the Roman Jubilee crowds.

Combining the medieval charm of Bologna with the breathtaking coastal views of Ravello, it unveils two distinct faces of Italian culture and cuisine. From learning pasta-making secrets from Italian nonnas in Forlimpopoli to crafting limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, the tour will give you hands-on cultural experiences that would be difficult to arrange in Rome during the busy Jubilee year.

Discover Renaissance treasures in Ferrara and early Christian mosaics in Ravenna, or visit artisanal prosciutto producers, all while enjoying a more relaxed pace than you would find in the capital.

Learn more: Best Amalfi Coast Tours and Vacation Packages

Rome's 2025 Jubilee celebrations promise to be historic and meaningful events, but Italy's true magic extends far beyond the capital's borders. From the sun-drenched coastlines of Sicily to the mist-shrouded peaks of the Dolomites, and from Emilia-Romagna's culinary heartland to Tuscany's rolling vineyards, our Italian Gems Away from the 2025 Jubilee Crowds offer a chance to explore Italy's rich cultural traditions, stunning landscapes, and renowned hospitality without the challenges of navigating Rome this year.

If you are drawn to the allure of Rome during Jubilee 2025, our travel specialists are ready to craft an unforgettable journey tailored just for you. They can ensure your trip is manageable and filled with enriching experiences during this momentous time. Embrace the opportunity to connect with Italy’s heritage while enjoying personalized guidance every step of the way.

For more inspiration and detailed guides to help plan your perfect Italian adventure during the Jubilee year, explore our Italy travel guide and Italy tours and trip packages.