Via Francigena is a 2,000 kilometer Pilgrimage from Canterbury, England to Rome. Optionally one can continue on to Apulia, Italy where medieval people embarked on boats to the Holy Land. It follows the path of Julius Caeser leading his army to Britain and the path of Napolean in his conquest of Italy. Today’s pilgrims follow the 10th century path of Sigeric, the Archbishop of Canterbury traveling to Rome to receive his Papal http://pallium traversing 4 countries, including; England, France, Switzerland and Italy.
With my Partner, Mika Yamanoue of Japan, we walked the 2,000K over 86 days from 30 July to 23 October, 2020 during the time of Covid.
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Day 101: It seems sometimes that Caminos have a spirit of their own and walking from my hotel the 4k to the train station I saw the familiar comforting blue and yellow markings of Via Francesco realizing he is not done with me nor I with my pilgrimage. Arriving at …
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Day 100: A day in interesting, tranquil Assisi. Enjoying the eerily quiet holy town after the 2,240K pilgrimage from Canterbury. After the long journey, I am staying 2 nights in Assisi, and was fortunate to select Hotel Pallota, just a minute walk from the Piazza Commune. The hotel had a …
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Day 99: Spello to Assisi: Left Spello early and kind Leonardo, my older host at cozy B&B Fratello Sole told me there is an easy way to the left and a hard way to the right up the mountain. I immediately thought, “I’m tired and after coming such a long …
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Days 97-98: Spoleto to Trevi to Spello: In Spoleto, stayed at B&B Villa Massaccesi where I was hosted by the very pilgrim friendly Emmanuela and her son Leonardo who woke up at 7 to make a delicious omelet of zucchini, ham, and cheese. Nice to have a conversation about the …
Via Francesco Days 11-12; Spoleto to Trevi to Spello Read More »
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Day 96-97: Arrone to Macenano to Spoleto: Starting out I walked back to Church of Francesco and stopped in during Mass. Don Tomas was of course the priest. I wished I could thank him personally, but at least I left a thank you note at the Parish House. Feel …
Via Francesco Day 9-10 Arrone to Macenano to Spoleto Read More »
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Days 91-92. Poggio San Lorenzo to Rieti to Poggio San Bustone: Beautiful fall scenery and perfect walking weather going through some gorgeous forests. Had a fun chat with 5 Austrians including one that works for the Catholic Church. They are on their way to Rome to tell Pope Francis he …
Via Francesco Days 5-6; Poggio San Lorenzo to Rieti to Poggio San Bustone Read More »
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Days 87-90: Feeling at peace 4 days onto Via Francesco. The vibes are different on this pilgrimage versus the Via Francigena. Perhaps it is the beautiful fall weather or how quiet it has been. Walking through Tuscany was beautiful but a bit crowded relatively. Somehow the gentle and kind ways …
Via Francesco Day 1-4 Rome to Poggio San Lorenzo Read More »
A Pilgrimage from November, 2019. I will be posting that journey over the next two weeks. —————– After walking the Via Francigena Canterbury, England to Rome Pilgrimage over 86 days you would think it was time to take a break. However, my partner, Mika just departed for her home in Japan I am alone. While …
Via Francesco-Rome to Assisi. A Last Minute Decision Read More »
This is one pilgrim’s perspective from a single pilgrimage ending in October and biased. However it will hopefully provide future pilgrims and Camino de Santiago veterans a sense of what to expect on Via Francigena (VF). 1. Longer Distance and Time: Of course the length is variable depending upon where one starts but the full …
Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Day 87 For me one certainty of walking a pilgrimage such as Via Francigena is that it will penetrate into one’s heart and soul, becoming a dear friend sooner or later. One just needs to be patient. After feeling nothing special at St. Peter’s and The Vatican, I began the …
Canterbury to Rome- In Rome I have to speak up about this. A few days ago I was looking for a pizza in Bolsena and reading this menu noticed an American pizza. I thought, “Sausage or Pepperoni” and had to laugh when I read it was hot dog and french fries! I’m American and never …
In Rome October 27, 2020: This morning I was wondering how to get some information on Via de Francesco to Assisi which I plan to start Thursday or Friday. Then “coincidentally” bumped into Noëlle Dav from Holland in St. Peter’s Square who just completed 3,000K from Holland to Rome via Assisi. One more example of …
Day 86 La Storta to Rome: A few people commented on avoiding the urban walk the last day but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Yes, about half was urban but the other half was through a Nature Reserve and then over Monte Mario providing spectacular view of Rome below for pilgrims walking here …
VIA FRANCIGENA-Canterbury to Rome Day 86 ROME October 22, 2020 Read More »
Days 84-85-Sutri to Campagnano di Roma to La Storta: Sunrise on the church and Roman amphitheater make for a good start to the day. ——— Though we are now just 20K from Rome surprisingly most of the walk the past 2 days was in nature. And as it turns out yesterday and today as well …
Days 82-83: Viterbo to Vetralla to Sutri. Just outside Viterbo the walk is interesting walking through the tunnel. Interesting couple of days as we grow ever near to the Vatican. How different this last 100K is to the Camino de Santiago where at times you can see 100 or more other pilgrims. Here it has …
Day 81 Part 2 Bagnaccio to Viterbo: All roads lead to Rome. I knew nothing about Viterbo coming in but found it one of the more beautiful and interesting cities on the VF. Viterbo was not only beautiful but interesting historically. During the middle and end of 13th century the Papal residence was moved here …
Day 81 Montefiascone to Bagnaccio: As one nears the finish of a pilgrimage reflections begin. I was thinking today what defines the Via Francigena for me is Diversity. 4 Countries, mountains, plains, hills, lakes, 2 seas, 3 languages, etc.. Different cultures, foods. Even Italy is strongly provincial. I was walking along thinking VF has a …
Day 80 Bolsena to Montefiascone: A lovely easy walk through forest and olive groves with Lake Bolsena to the west the entire span. Coming into Montefiascone there are tributes to a famous local wine Est! Est! Est! Supposedly a 12th Century German Bishop sent his prelate( wine scout) ahead to mark “Est” ( Latin for …
Days 78-79 Radicofani to Bolsena: In this stretch we left Toscana for Lazio. Still enjoying all these quiet towns off the tourist radar. And getting so close to Rome and the end of our pilgrimage. Trying to enjoy this last week as the world seems to be spinning deeper into Covid fear! Walking around Lake …
Day 77 San Quirico to Radicofani: A gorgeous morning coming out of San Quirico. The last long walk of the pilgrimage. 33K and 1100 meters of ascents. Mostly beautiful nature. I don’t think we even went through any village. Lucky to reach one more beautiful Toscana hilltop town, Radicofani, before the heavy rain started. We …