Many Britons are drawn to the idea of dashing off to European hotspots for city break.

Yet, a travel guru has recently disclosed a ‘sad’ rationale for postponing any trips to Rome in the near future.

Travel influencer Anita Pinter, who commands the attention of over 89,000 Instagram fans, delivered a stern warning about the Italian city amidst ‘sad’ scenes currently unfolding there.

In a video posted on her profile, Anita cautioned against visiting the Eternal City, specifically highlighting in her video’s text: “Don’t come to Rome in 2024!” The footage depicted construction activities around the legendary Colosseum, complete with a prominent yellow barrier and a crane blocking the ancient amphitheatre.

Anita’s reel also captured Rome’s celebrated Trevi Fountain devoid of water, surrounded by barriers, and other famous locales marred by scaffolding.

These refurbishments are part of Rome’s preparations for the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Year, which is set to draw an estimated 32 million visitors to the city.

The clip created a buzz online, amassing upwards of 26,000 likes with viewers voicing their confusion concerning the city’s condition. One person enquired: “What happened with Rome?” to which another returned: “Preparation for Jubilee next year.”

Confirmation followed from others noting: “There is maintenance work for the Holy Year.”

Some social media users even pondered if they ought to scrap their plans. “I was planning to visit in November, so it’s not worth it?” queried an apprehensive traveller, while another voiced concern, writing: “We will be in Rome on November 15th and I’m really worried, could you please let me know if the city is really in bad condition?”

Despite the visible dismay over Rome’s current state, numerous individuals maintain it’s still a must-visit destination, with one visitor remarking: “In Rome right now, It’s kind of sad but still beautiful and magical. There’s still much to do.”

Echoing this sentiment, another traveller voiced their admiration for the historic city, stating that despite the ongoing construction, it remains “still one of the best and most beautiful cities I have ever been to”.