As I continue writing this year’s trip report, I am looking forward to next year. It will be July again. Italy is on the radar, but I am concerned with the Jubilee year, it might be a bit over the top with crowdsThese would be the criteria:

can be an area with 2-3 overnight
lots of history
beautiful architecture
museums
swimmable beach
safe for solo traveller
Good Public transportation for day trips

open and appreciate any suggestions

What does "area with 2-3 overnight" mean?

How many days overall?

How well do you handle heat and humidity?

Would a pool suffice, or does it need to be a beach?

Where in Italy have you already been?

Do you want to experience Jubilee events or avoid the visiting hordes?

About 3 weeks - I prefer to stay in one city/village for about 3-4 nights to minimize wasting time checking in and out and travel time.
I am only interested in a beach (rocky or sandy)
July will be hot and this is the only time I have to travel. I have to be ok with it

I have been to Lake Maggiore, Verona, Venice, Milan, Rome, Capri, Florence, Palermo, Agrigento, Ortigia, San Vito lo Capo.

If you can bear the heat, what about Catalunya? Barcelona is beautiful (even if it gets more tourists than some prefer) and easily meets your criteria, and you also have the wonderful stretch of coast to the northeast and Tarragona to the southwest....

Or Nice....

Hi Kja I have been to Barcelona and Nice. Nice over Barcelona though. 😀

Does it have to be a salt water beach? Or would fresh water suffice? I am assuming you are planning on getting in the water?

I'd personally avoid Italy in July especially given the Jubilee. But YMMV.

Marseille? We spent a week there last year and loved it - history, architecture, museums, food, day trips... We were not there in beach season, but July should be great for that.

Hi Travelnerd, yes my thoughts about Italy this year. Looking for an alternative that might not be so crowded.

As I live inland, I can only see the sea/ocean when I take these trips. Lakes or rivers are fine too. I have really enjoyed the two times I was on Lake Maggiore, but tbh it was cold and I didn’t go in the water.

I will look into it! Thanks.

South of France also comes to mind. Greece would probably fit the bill, though I'd not want to be with the hoards of tourists in July. I know you went to Sicily recently. Maybe it won't be so Jubilee-busy in Sardina? Corsica? Portugal? I have no clue about the water temps on that side of the Atlantic, though.

Hello,
How about Puglia? I'm actually planning on going there in winter, staying in Lecce. BUT, for you, there are lots of coastal areas, nearby, so you could stay at one of those. And it seems like there are decent transportation options too to visit Lecce, Bari, and many other areas in Puglia. Maybe those areas won't be as affected by the Jubilee.
Calabria is an option, too.

Has anyone heard if the rest of Italy (aside from Rome) will be as affected by the Jubilee? Are there events all over Italy or is it centred in Vatican City and Rome?

Does the jubilee affect all of Italy? No. The jubilee celebrations are only in Rome (and Vatican City).

Per this site anyway:

https://www.selectedtoursitaly.com/t...-need-to-know/

Thank you! This is helpful.