The Canadian government has recently slapped several travel advisories for various countries, including a “Do Not Travel” alert for the world’s hottest country and even a “safety and security” warning for Mexico. Some countries have criticized Canada’s “inaccurate” description of their local conditions, but Canada’s government remains focused on keeping its citizens informed about all possible risks abroad. That includes an updated travel warning for the world’s most passionate country.

Italy, a popular destination among Canadians, has been under a Level 2 travel advisory for a while now, due to terrorism risks. However, the new update highlights the 2025 Jubilee, aka the Holy Year, which only occurs every 25 years. Predicted to draw large crowds to the European nation, the event prompted additional safety reminders for Canadian travelers. Read on to learn about Canada’s new travel advisory for Italy, how to stay safe there, and how this country’s passionate reputation can also be risky for tourists.

Related U.S. Tourism Just Lost Its Big-Spending Tourists To Its Friendliest Ally America’s ally is sniping its tourists while it suffers record tourism losses, and a surprising destination is winning, per a new study.

Canada’s New Travel Advisory For Italy

Shutterstock Tourists line up to enter the ancient Colosseum in Rome Italy on a summer day

On July 23, the Canadian government updated its Level 2 travel advisory for Italy. Canadian travelers are advised to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to terrorism threats and the incoming large crowds in Rome from July 28 to August 3, 2025, in light of the Jubilee of Youth. The warning noted that the Jubilee runs from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2026, in Rome. During this period, pilgrimages, mass gatherings, traffic disruptions, and increased presence of security forces are expected across the city.

The Jubilee is a Holy Year in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years. This year marks the 2,025th anniversary of this “event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church,” per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Some sites of the celebration are on Canada’s list of terrorist “targets” in Italy, which include places of worship, transportation centers, government buildings, schools, tourist attractions, and other public areas frequented by foreigners (malls, restaurants, etc.).

Aside from terrorism and large-scale gatherings, Canadians are also reminded about other hazards in Italy, such as petty crimes, sexual assault, spiked food and drinks, fraud, demonstrations, and adventure tourism. Theft is particularly common, with increased risks in packed tourist spots, transport stations, restaurants, beaches, and even hotel lobbies. Violence and stalking against foreign women are also notably mentioned in Canada’s safety and security guide for Italy. Victims are encouraged to call Italy’s 1522 help line and review Canada’s advice for female travelers.

Related The U.S. Government Just Slapped One Of The World’s Safest Countries With A Travel Advisory Despite being one of the safest countries in the world, there is still some risk of visiting this European country.

Travel Safety Tips For Italy

Canada emphasized several safety measures for those planning to visit Italy. On top of the list is avoiding crowded areas where there’s a higher risk of terrorist-related attacks, pickpocketing, and other criminal opportunities. When visiting tourist sites, do not entertain persistent people offering various services and products, as these interactions are often shady. Keep your belongings, passport, and other travel documents in a secure place. Also, avoid flashing your phone, wallets, or any jewelry as you walk around the city.

If you’re renting a car, never leave any of your valuables inside in case of a burglary. A foodie excursion is highly recommended in Italy, but be careful of spiked foods and drinks—don’t leave your meal and beverage under strangers’ care.

Additionally, when paying for your restaurant bill or other purchases, be vigilant with how and where you use your credit card. While nature-focused diversions are generally safe, you might still encounter dangers during certain outdoor activities. Book reputable companies, heed local warnings and weather hazards, purchase a comprehensive travel insurance package, and avoid traveling alone.

Lastly, travelers are cautioned about common minor incidents on the road and public transportation. Many roads are poorly maintained, traffic signs are not always visible, some cities suffer from traffic jams, and many drivers—specifically motorcycle riders—often disrespect traffic laws and drive on sidewalks.

Taxis and other ride-hailing services might also operate differently, so be careful in choosing a taxi company. Also, discuss fares in advance, make sure the meter is running, and avoid sharing rides with strangers.

Italy’s Passionate Reputation And Its Risks

One of the beauties of Italy is its passionate and romantic image. This is evident in the way Italians express themselves—their engaging tone, hand gestures, and facial expressions that convey emotions. This reputation is deeply rooted in their cultural and artistic focus on expression, the Italian language itself, the country’s dramatic history, and their strong family values. As you explore the streets of Rome, Milan, Venice, or Florence, you’ll see that this character transcends stereotypes and is actually an identity.

But you must also be careful of this charm when visiting popular tourist areas. A well-known scam related to this is the “free rose,” where a friendly man offers you a rose as a “gift.” It’s surely flattering, especially with the Italians’ passionate and romantic nature in mind. If you reject them, they may also insist on putting the rose in your bag. However, as soon as you accept this romantic gesture, the man may aggressively demand payment. Worse, it could just be a distraction for pickpocketing.

Canada’s Level 2 travel advisory for the world’s most passionate country is not considered highly serious. So if you’ve already booked your trip to Italy in the coming weeks, just remember to have safety and security plans.

If you can’t avoid visiting crowded areas, don’t leave anything to chance, and try not to stand out. Going with friends or a tourist guide might also help curb unwanted attention when visiting busy tourist sites.