The purpose of this European trip was Rome and the Jubilee year. I’m a non practicing Catholic but my mom and family keep me abreast of all the goings on. I have known about the Jubilee year 2025 for a couple of years. First with the intent to avoid Europe and Italy in 2025. I was under the impression that it would be insanely packed so it was not a place I’d want to visit given my aversion to crowds.

But my friend wanted to go and I’m down to travel if I have someone to go with. So we made plans and this trip came to pass. I learned that the Jubilee happens every 25 years and that the last time I was in my early 20’s and couldn’t afford this kind of trip. The next time, I will be in my 70’s and who knows where I’ll be and what I’ll be able to do then. So I’m glad I was able to take the time to get to Rome and cross through the 4 Holy Doors.

The Holy Doors are only open during the Jubilee year. To ensure being able to go into the doors, our research instructed to register for a certain date and time. And all of that probably is correct if you go outside of August.

I had known that smaller Parisian shops closes in August as everyone who can goes on holiday. But I had not known that that extended to other parts of Europe as well. Rome was pretty empty while we were there which was perfect for us. But it was hot! I don’t know the actual temperature but we modified our days to accommodate the heat.

We were up early and ready for 7am breakfast at the hotel (Anantara) and then we would make our way to the first place we wanted to be for the day. Generally it was to pass through one of the holy doors and get into the church. We were at St Peter’s before 9am and it was an easy walk in. There were no lines and we got to stroll around and take pictures with no problem. Only one person at one door asked to see our reservation.

Then we would go to a second spot – either a second door or some other thing. Anyway we would make our way back to the hotel and stop for lunch. by 9am it was starting to get warm and slowly more people came. By 10 it was too much for me and we were back at the hotel around 11 for our siesta. I know that sounds early but by this time on our trip we were tired and cranky. So we would take a nap until about 2. I napped until about 2 but my friend would still be napping. In reality I probably started my nap much earlier than her and she putzed and then took her nap. I’m not sure but it worked out well for me because at 2pm Rome time was the right time for me to work for a few hours. I worked 2-5 and then we rambled off for dinner.

We were disappointed that the many places my friend had wanted to eat at were closed. This was the case in Barcelona, Rome and in Paris. What a disappointment. But now we know and we made the best of things while we were there.

Cheers,

Melanie