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 …
Day 72: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni One of the nicest walking days of the pilgrimageand two of the best towns; San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. San Gimignano is one of the most beautiful beautiful towns on the Via Francigena! And there is something endearing about the small medieval walled fortress village of Monteriggioni. Winter white truffles …
Day 70. Ponte dei Medici to Ostello Sigerico: Slowly getting back into the way of Via Francigena. It’s nice to be back in walking daily rhythm. Stoped at beautiful little Chapel San Rocco in San Minatao for a stamp where the host let us ring bell. Then continued walking through Tuscany’s rolling hills and vineyards …
Days 68-69: Florence to Altopascio to Ponte dei Medici: After a day of relaxing in Florence and a fabulous dinner including Chianina beef we returned to the Via Francigena and spent the night at Ostello Ponte dei Medici. The hostel is on the bridge offering views up and down river. And so quiet! ——— ——— …
Day 59 Berceto to Pontremoli. I don’t know what happened but I thought this was a relatively easier 27K day after the tough 32K yesterday. Well it unfortunately was 33K but the scenery was beautiful again and pleasant mountain walking. It was almost 4 when we arrived after starting at 6:50. Tired, we arrived at …
Days 56-57 Fiorenzoula d’Arda to Fornovo di Taro: So wonderful to be back in the hills and enjoy some sun but the millions of flying ants all day coming into Fornovo were more than a nuisance. Then was surprised when we had to ford a stream before being blown around crossing the long bridge into …
Day 52 Mortara to Gropello Cairoli: One learns to take what the Camino gives. More flat fields of rice and corn but instead of pavement the path was mostly packed sand which was heavenly on the feet after two long days. We had a delightful stop in Tromello where a little old guy, Carlo (Mamma …
Day 50 San Germano Vercellese to Vercelli: All the rice fields today are reminiscient of last year’s Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage but a bit boring. Around noon on a Saturday of a festival weekend we walked into the historic crossroads of Vercelli. Here we could veer west for Santiago de Compostela or east for Jerusalem. …
Day 48 Ivrea to Viverone: Walking through Ivrea we came to a small Pilgrims Info Office where a sweet lady stamped our books. Some of these Italian communities are really supportive of pilgrims. Walking on a bicycler riding by stood up, waved and shouted, “Buon Cammino”. Continued good vibes in Italy. We passed many hillside …
Day 46 Verrès to Carema: Another wonderful walk passing through Arnad early and enjoying the tranquility of the 11th Century Romanesque Church of St. Martin de Tours. ——- Shortly after leaving Arnad we crossed a bridge that reminded me of the bridge in Puente La Reina on Camino Frances. Then in Bard we ran into …
Day 42 Bourg St. Pierre to Great Saint Bernard Pass to St. Oyen. About a 1,000 meter ascent and descent. Today marked the halfway point of our pilgrimage going over the 2,469 meter (8,100 feet) Great St. Bernard Pass. On the way up we enjoyed the mountain scenery and a pleasant encounter with Father Matthew …