With February being the love month, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the reasons I love Italy throughout the year from my travel experiences. My admiration for this beautiful country is deeply rooted in my family history. My maternal grandmother, Lucia Nobilio, embarked on her journey to America in the early 1920s for an arranged marriage to Guido Acciavatti, who had already settled here after moving from their village, Loreto Aprutino in Abruzzo. Their union was not a romantic one; it was part of a destiny crafted by their families, aiming for a better life. This backstory gives Italy a profound significance for me, as it symbolizes love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a hopeful future.
Thinking of an adventure to Italy in 2025? It is a year that promises a unique blend of cultural and historical experiences for Italian Americans, plus, it’s seen recent improvements in the euro/dollar exchange rate.
As you prepare for your upcoming trip, I recommend WhatsApp because it will greatly enhance your experience. Widely used across Italy and Europe, it’s free to download and use. For American travelers, it allows you to send and receive texts, plus make and receive phone calls. You can stay in constant contact with your friends and family throughout your trip. Once your trip concludes, you have the ability to maintain valuable new relationships you established while in Italy, keeping in touch effortlessly through texts and calls.
Wash away the fear of a language barrier. All students in Italy for years have English as a mandatory subject from grade school. Most Italians younger than 60 have a basic understanding of the language. Today’s children are fluent in understanding and look to practice their English skills with visitors. Additionally, Google Translate can assist in navigating your language skills, menus and local information.
Historically, 2025 marks the Year of the Jubilee. Held every 25 years, it’s when Holy Doors are opened in Rome offering Catholics a chance to receive a plenary indulgence – a noteworthy highlight for many travelers. See January’s cover story on our digital archives at www.italianamericanherald.com
It also marks the continuation of “roots tourism”, started in 2024 in Southern Italy, inviting visitors to explore regions like Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania and Molise. They are rich in history and home to many of our Italian ancestors who immigrated to the Eastern shores of the United States from the late 1800s to mid-1920s due to a bleak future back home for younger generations. Today, modernization and technology has developed those regions with more job opportunities for young adults.
With the popularity of wine tours in the northern region of Italy, the next generation of Southern Italy’s vineyard owners has begun to promote “cantina apertas” during the months of May and October. You can visit many of the region’s wineries and experience their splendor. Cantina apertas (open cellars) are special weekends when wineries in Italy open up their facilities to the public for tours and tastings with no appointments necessary and free admission. Check www. mtvabruzzo.it for their schedule throughout the year.
If you want to stretch your travel dollars, look into Southern Italy during the months of January and February. This off-season period offers excellent opportunities for travelers, including lower airfare, favorable weather conditions between 40 to 60 degrees, plus the advantage of fewer crowds. Moreover, the end-of-winter sales at various stores and outlet centers make this time particularly appealing for shopping enthusiasts.
Imagine discounts ranging from 50 percent to 90 percent on Italian clothing. For those considering travel during the more popular summer months, it is essential to prepare for higher temperatures; however, the summer season also brings substantial sales with discounts.
Traveling to Italy just got easier from the Philadelphia International Airport throughout the year. Direct flights on American Airlines have expanded to now include Naples, Milan, Venice and more daily flights to Rome making it easier to travel instead of heading up north to New York or Newark, N.J.
I encourage you to embrace the Italian experience as you plan your travels for 2025. Plan a stop in the region of your ancestors, It may not be a popular tourist destination for Americans, but you will not be disappointed. I trust this information will be helpful for your future travel plans. Should you wish to discuss this further or require additional insights, please feel free to contact me.