The Via Francigena
10-day/9-night land tour with optional organised daily walks
25 Sep - 4 Oct 2009
This is a scenic and cultural programme retracing the Italian section of an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from Canterbury, England, to Rome.
It was in AD990 when Sigeric the Serious made the journey to Rome to receive the Pallium from the Pope as Archbishop of Canterbury. The description of the route he took on his return journey became the earliest existing documentation of what is now known today as the Via Francigena.
Unlike ancient Roman roads which were (and still are) major thoroughfares connecting centres of great importance, the Via Francigena was really more of a series of smaller paths and trails meant for traversing on foot. What in fact distinguishes this route are the location of the places providing refuge for the night, spaced at a distance equivalent to a day's walk - closer together on more difficult routes and further apart where the going was easier. It is for this reason that the Via Francigena goes through smaller towns of Italy while bypassing major cities like Milan and Florence.
Although parts of the route fell into disuse after the Reformation in the early 1500's. the Via Francigena is today celebrated as an important historical pathway and was designated a European Cultural Itinerary by the European Union in 1994, uniting countries across the continent.
For the first time in Asia, I am very proud to propose a tour introducing the scenic and cultural highlights of the Via Francigena, starting from the Great St. Bernard Pass in the Alps on the Swiss-Italian border, through the Lombard and Tuscan countrysides, and finally to the Vatican City in Rome.
While not meant to be a pilgrimage, the tour nevertheless closely follows the paths taken by centuries of worshippers and includes optional short walks of 1-2 hours along these trails so that you can relive this ancient journey. Coming with us is an expert local guide who will provide you with an insight into the rich history of this ancient route.
For the detailed programme and more information on inclusions, you can download the brochure here or e-mail me at my travel agency.
Important Note
As the focus of this tour is the cultural heritage of the Via Francigena, it does not include any guided visits to the city of Rome itself. Nevertheless you are free, and indeed encouraged, to extend your trip by a few days and explore the Eternal City if desired, either on your own or as part of an escorted group.
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Here are ome interesting websites if you want to find out more about the Via Francigena:
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