La Via Francigena The Way to Rome

Pick up at 13.00 at Turin airport and travel north to the ancient city of Susa.
We enjoy an afternoon stroll at the feet of the alps.

Our first days walk starts just outside the mountain town of Oulx. From here we hike up through the Natural Park Gran Bosco del Salbertrand where if we are lucky we will spot deer, chamois and roes. The path is mostly through woodland until we arrive in the village of Exilles home to medieval fortress said to have once been the prison of Iron Mask. After our picnic lunch, and a visit to fortress, we descend into the city of Susa through the arc of Augustus passing by an old roman amphitheatre. (14km/ elev -300m)

We start our day with a walk up the ancient path which leads to the 11th century Sacra of Michele abbey, the Italian equivalent of the sacred monastery of Mont San Michel in France. Here we will have time to visit the monastery which inspired the famous novel the name of the rose’ by Umberto Eco and enjoy stunning views of the alpine valley of Susa. In the afternoon we head to Turin where a local guide will be waiting to give us an orientation tour of the city. In the evening enjoy free time to explore Turin before we gather again to enjoy dinner one of the cities oldest and most renowned restaurants. (10km/ elev. +400m)

We start our day with a coffee and pastry in the main square of the ancient roman city of Vercelli. From here a pleasant walk through rice paddies and cereal fields takes us to the village of Palestro, where a delicious picnic will await us. The extent of these rice paddies are reminiscent of the high plains of central Spain known as the Mesetas.

After lunch, we head towards Pavia to explore it’s beautiful city centre. Tonight's hotel is in a medieval castle in the countryside outside Pavia, where the count who still owns the property will invite us into his home to explore its ancient rooms filled with interesting art and artefacts.(11km/ elev +/- 0)

We now start to climb up into the Apennine mountain range, which stretches for miles forming the spine of Italy. We ascend along an old roman road through woodland and small mountain villages with stone houses — the views are breathtaking. Picnic lunch will be in Cassio, a small town lined with cobbled streets and stone houses. We end our day in the small mountain village of Berceto, important stop along the Via Francigena. Tonight's dinner will be a mushroom feast with a local mushroom hunter whose family has been doing this for countless generations. (17km/ elev +400m)

Leaving from the mountain town of Berceto, we climb up the final leg of the Apennines along a path which was first laid out by the Longobards in the 8th century. The path leads us to Passo della Cisa, the famous mountain border between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany where views are stunning. After a picnic at the top of the pass we descend to the small city of Pontremoli, famous for its beautiful bridges over the river Magra. (17km or 13km / elev +400)

After the previous day’s more rigorous crossing of the mountains, today’s walk is more relaxing with long stretches of the river Serchio to enjoy before walking into the walled city of Lucca. We make a circuit of the city’s renaissance walls, taste delicious gelato and soak in the charming views. There is usually a chance to listen to some opera singing in this charming town. (7km/ elev 0)

Lunch will be on your own today followed by a free afternoon to explore the city centre.

This evening’s dinner is an unforgettable experience! We will be guests at the Domus Romana (I century B.C.) and we will enjoy drinks and food of the Ancient Rome’s cookbooks. All of this surrounded by beautiful pieces of archaeology.

We are among the rolling hills of Tuscany, tramping through grape vines, olive groves and wheat fields. The walk takes us along the crest of the hills stretching San Miniato to Gambassi Terme with a fresh picnic lunch in the middle. In the afternoon we head to San Gimignano, a town born because of its strategic location along the Via Francigena and the need to host pilgrims.

Enjoy some time in the evening to explore before we all meet again for a delicious apéritif and antipasti.

(15km/ elev +/- 300)

Setting off from San Gimignano we continue our journeys through the Tuscan landscape heading to the fortress village of Monteriggioni, today is one of the most spectacular and picturesque sections of the pilgrimage route. The day ends in the city of Siena where we can enjoy exploring the streets and square where the world-famous Palio medieval horse race takes place.

Tonight you are in for a treat because we will be staying in the town of Bagno Vignoni and our hotel is right on some natural thermal springs, so we will be able to soak in the hot water and relax our muscles after many days of walking. (12km/ elev +200m)

We leave Tuscany and enter into the Val di Tuscia, our destination now just round the corner. The morning’s walk is accompanied by incredible views of the lake of Bolsena, so big that for a while it seems like the sea. In the afternoon we head to the medieval city of Viterbo, known as the city of Popes, in honour of the period when it used to be the home of the papacy. (12km/ elev + 200m).

Today we leave Viterbo and head to Lake Vico, where we will hike though the natural parks' beech forest and over the Cimini hills. The Lake is a volcanic cove and was formed by volcanic eruptions many thousands of years ago. (11km/ +/- 400m)

After a picnic we will walk up to the medieval town of Caprarola where we will visit the enchanting Palazzo Farnese which features a distinct pentagonal design and an extraordinary columned staircase. Inside we will explore the richly frescoed rooms made by some of Italy’s finest artists. A story of lust, intrigue and secrecy awaits us in the palace’s charming terraced gardens.

In the evening we head to Rome stopping at a place where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the eternal city and the Vatican. In the evening your will be free to dine at your own leisure, the hotel is located right in the historical centre by the Colosseum and the Fori Imperiali so you will be spoilt for choice.

We have arrived at the end of our pilgrimage, the holy site which people have been travelling to for centuries. In the morning we will stroll through the ancient city slowly heading towards the Vatican. Along the way we will see all the major sites of Rome: the Fori Imperiali, the Altare Della Patria, Piazza Venezia, Palazzo Chigi, the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant Angelo and many more.

A buffet lunch will be waiting for us in a small restaurant near to Castel Sant Angelo. After lunch, we will meet our local expert and head into the Vatican to visit the Basilica of St Peters, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. The perfect way to end our journey.

A delicious fair well dinner party will wait for us in a restaurant right in the square of the Pantheon

After breakfast at 9a.m. we head to Rome airport.

If you wish, we can help you to extend your stay or make other independent departure arrangements such as early taxis to the airport.