The Wall Street Journal

Planning a trip to Rome? Expect huge crowds

Planning a trip to Rome? Expect huge crowds
St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is the mother church of the global Catholic community. (Image: Fczarnowski / Wikipedia CC BY 3.0)
The Wall Street Journal
By Jacob PassyThis may be the year to skip Rome – or Italy entirely.The Catholic Church is celebrating a jubilee year, a roughly year-long tradition dating back to the early 14th century. During jubilees, which tend to happen about every 25 years, Catholics are encouraged to make pilgrimages to holy sites in Italy and elsewhere to receive a special indulgence, or forgiveness for their sins. More than 500,000 people have passed through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican since Christmas Eve, and more than 30...

More Travel

We're full! Hotspots fight overtourism
Travel

We're full! Hotspots fight overtourism

Locals are fed up with their towns being overrun by hordes of visitors.

Former war zone rebrands as tourist destination
Travel

Former war zone rebrands as tourist destination

Visitors flock to Philippines' Sulu area, but spectre of violence persists.

What’s that smell? It’s Durian Land
Primary Sector

What’s that smell? It’s Durian Land

Can Thailand persuade New Zealanders to hold their nose and eat durians?

Dileepa Fonseka 23 Dec 2024
Luxury travellers are seeking out this Mexican sanctuary
Travel

Luxury travellers are seeking out this Mexican sanctuary

Posh new enclave on Baja Peninsula is a world away from the tourist hordes.