Parents & 2 Adult Sons Traveling to Europe Spring/Summer of 2025

If you eliminate the Vatican, I don't really see any reason to avoid Italy in the Jubilee year--interesting to see if others agree/disagree. I travel in late May every year, and some places are wall to wall, others are practically tourist-free. Just try to seek a balance and not do blockbuster sites every day.
With a week, I'd look at places with less travel time investment--London, Madrid, Dublin, Lisbon.
Since you initially thought Italy and mentioned cars--maybe something in the Emilia-Romagna area for the car factories? https://www.travelemiliaromagna.it/en/supercars-road-trip-motorvalley/

I have been to A LOT of car museums. The best is the Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart. Across town is Porsche. BMW in Munich makes three in Germany.
If it's Italy you want, take a look at Turin. I don't know how much the Jubilee will affect visitors up north.
The car museum there is very good, and you can tour the old Fiat factory, including the rooftop test track. The original Eataly is nearby.
In town, there is an excellent cinema museum with a rooftop viewing platform, from which you can see the Alps (unless you go on a foggy day like I did).
The architecture is a mix of very old and relatively new and includes arcade shopping promenades (I don't know the official name for these), a couple of big squares. Public transport is easy to use and quite varied. We were there 6 years ago and rode on a couple of old streetcars, which may have been retired by now, as well as a modern underground (which we took out to the car museum).
If your sons would be willing to share a sofa bed, I can highly recommend this apartment:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7251319?source_impression_id=p3_1731434043_P3uOJb5MLL9SQfb5
It was walking distance to the city center and very close to a large daily outdoor market that had incredible produce.

Also thinking “Italy + cars,” you might consider visiting Turin, a beautiful city whose tourist attractions include a car museum: https://www.museoauto.com/en/

It also has loads of good restaurants, cafes, and bars (it’s the birthplace of Italian vermouth!).

I had a trip there planned for spring 2020 but had to cancel it when the pandemic hit. I still hope to get there someday!

Validelphia - All good points and suggestions. I had concerns about how crowded Rome would be (approx 7-10 Million visitors annually), then with the Jubilee year it is x5... so upwards of 35 Million visitors. Our original itinerary was 3 days Rome and 4 in Sorrento to visit the surrounding area. As I went to book a specific driver I was also informed that its a National Holiday that weekend as well. I have AirBNB's booked, I'd like to keep them. I will be interested to hear what others say as well.

thank you - G3rryCee, I can't wait to look into these suggestions.

Nancy we were supposed to be in Rome/Sorrento in 2020. I am still trying to make it happen! Thanks for your suggestions. I will check it out.

College men looking for entertainment? And you only have one week?
Choose one city in europe and spend it there. You can’t visit every thing.
Culture and beauty? How about Paris?

Take them to see a show at the moulin rouge in montmarte. They’ll be remembering that activity for years.

Turin, like Milan, has a lot of Art Nouveau architecture.

I really want to have them exposed to culture and the beauty of Europe.

Show them two very different places because Europe is so manifold. I recommend flying into Bergen (Norway, BGO) on May 16, enjoy their national holiday with traditional clothing and celebrations on 17th. Train (Vy.no) or NiN via Flam to Oslo +1 day. Direct flight from OSL to Spanish Barcelona (3-4 hrs) and enjoy their spirit of living, Catalan culture and the archirecture for the rest of days.

Optionally visit Florence instead of Barcelona.

May 30, depart
May 31, arrive mid afternoon, jet lagged.
June 1, first real day
June 2, second real day
June 3, third real day
June 4, fourth real day
June 5, fifth real day
June 6, flying home.

You have 5 days in Europe. Get a non-stop flight to a big city and stay there with maybe a day trip.

How about London? A great place to dip your toe into Europe. My first ever trip to Europe was a week In London, there was plenty to do and lots of options for day trips. They might like seeing Stonehenge. I’m not a car person but i wouldn’t be surprised if there are options.

I'd also suggest London for a first trip, add on Paris if you must go to more than one place. Fly in to London and home from Paris for efficiency (or vice versa). Honestly this wouldn't be enough time for either city IMHO, but here's how that could work following Mr E's timeline:

May 30, depart USA

May 31, arrive London morning or mid afternoon, jet lagged. (minimal activity day)

June 1, London

June 2, London

June 3, London a.m., midday Eurostar train to Paris (2.5 hours, buy tickets ahead to save $)

June 4, Paris

June 5, Paris

June 6, flying home from Paris.

CL, i like it, but only if you do half day private tours every day.

CL- I was thinking about this as well. I was trying to find places I haven't been before, but I think London is an Excellent choice and I have never been to Paris.

Mr. E - I already took out our travel dates, but appreciate your input.