Tag: European long-distance trails
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Via Francigena Draws To An End
Day 21 Reg and I are feeling like old trail horses heading back to the barn. Just two more days of walking and we will be in Rome, a bittersweet destination. The Via Francigena has been much more challenging than we expected and most days the mileage exceeded our predictions. Nearly perfect weather, comfortable accommodations,…
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Via Francigena Potholes And Puddles
Day 20 Today’s 14-mile adventure brought us closer to Rome, but we had to work hard for the miles. We started off with a missed opportunity for a shortcut that would have reduced our walk by 2 miles. We should have turned right just after the Roman amphitheater…what amphitheater? Our day was fine, until it…
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Via Francigena Getting Easier
Day 19 This will be a quickie post. We’re reaching the end of our Via Francigena adventure. The hilltop town of Sutri is our destination for Day 19. We left Vetrella at 8:00 a.m. as vendors set up for market day, blocking off half of the main two-way street through the historic city center. The…
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Via Francigena Interesting But Terrifying
Day 18 We’re off to Vitralia, another hilltop town just 11 miles away. But first, we were directed to the Strada Signorino where a narrow lane led us between cliff-like walls of an ancient Etruscan-era roadway.It’s thought that the Etruscan Vie Cava (or excavated roadway) was built over 2500 years ago. I thought the cliffs…
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Via Francigena Those Bloomin’ Flowers
Day 17 Once again our day began with a hike uphill. There really wasn’t reason to complain though. Our day was another short one. Just 11 miles with only 800 feet of climbing. After a quick stop at the corner bar for sandwiches, we climbed as high as we could go in Montefiascone before plunging…
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Via Francigena A Royal Breakfast
Day 16 Last night was the Friday Fish Festival in Bolsena and the town was hopping. We wandered about, found a quiet cafe to eat and people watch, topping off our evening with a walk down to the lake – Lago di Bolsena. Breakfast on Day 16 was beautifully presented. The B & B was…
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Via Francigena Towering Tales
Day 11 Day 11 began with a climb up to the town of San Quirico d’Orcia where a series of roller coaster ups and downs challenged us. Along the way we saw two towers in the distance and joked that “surely we won’t pass by them!” Continuing on, the trail led us through the resort…
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Via Francigena Creates Unexpected Friendships
Day 10 Another pretty day greeted us on Day 10. We were headed to Torrenieri, 12 miles away with 1,640 feet of ascent. Our trail followed the contours of the hills as it passed by vinyards and agriturismos. Finding a picnic table or a bench when lunchtime rolls around isn’t usually easy, so we try…
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Via Francigena Offers Contrasts
Day 8 Our hotel in Monteriggioni, Rooms and Wine at Castello, has been our favorite accommodation…so far. A friendly greeting, a spotless room with a rooftop view and excellent breakfast choices set the mood for our 12-mile walk to Siena. We enjoyed a peaceful morning of walking through forests and fields. Vineyards were left behind…
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