The first stage of the Via Roma (Via St Francis) beings in the magnificent Renaissance town of Florence, the capital of Tuscany. It finishes in La Verna, where St. Francis first received the signs of the stigmata.
This walking route begins in Florence and finishes at the La Verna monastery, where St. Francis first received the signs of the stigmata.
This is a 7 day, 6 night holiday with 5 days of walking.
PRICE: £ 780 per person sharing a room / £975 for a person in a single room / Solo traveller £1225.00
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NOT INCLUDED:
Day 1: Florence is a town to fall in love with. The capital of Tuscany it is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Enjoy time walking around, visiting the Duomo with its bell tower by Giotto. If you have time a visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David and a visit to the Uffizi Gallery is a must. Overnight Hotel *** in Florence
Day 2: Florence-Pontassieve
Leave the beautiful town of Florence following the old road “Strada dei Sette Ponti” (road of the seven bridges), which crosses the hills of the Arno. After Settignano with its historical villages, you walk between olive groves e vineyards and follow the river Arno. Arrive at the fortified, intimate town of Pontassieve. Distance: 22 Km/13.6 miles, Level: medium / Walking time: 7 hours Ascent/descent: + 600m -550m. Overnight in hotel or B&B in Pontassieve
Day 3. Pontassieve-Consuma
Climbing, you cross the vineyards of the Chianti Rufina and then the woods of the Abbey of Vallombrosa until you arrive at the pass called Passo della Consuma. Consuma is a small, friendly hamlet. Distance: 19 Km/12 miles Level: difficult / Walking time: 7 hours Ascent/descent: +1020 -140 m. Overnight stay in hotel ***
Day 4. Consuma-Stia
Today a nice walk crossing the mountains of Casentinesi, a place for people who love to stay in nature. You pass through woods of conifers, oaks and chestnuts. Accompanied by nice views, you descend in the high Arno Valley (Alta Valle dell’Arno) and will have an overnight stay in the enchanting town of Stia. You can visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta, which dates back to the 12th century. In the old residence of the Guidi Counts, today there is an interesting collection of modern art. Distance:16 Km/9,9 miles Level: medium Walking time: 5,30 Ascent/descent: +600 -1150 m 5. Overnight stay in hotel ***, B&B or agriturismo
Day 5. Stia-Camaldoli
Again, you climb up to arrive at the woods of the national park Casentinese, that surrounds the hermitage Sacro Eremo di Camaldoli. The hermitage at 1100m height is a mystic place funded in 1012 by San Romualdo. Your overnight stay is in a Locanda or a monastery Distance: 16,5 Km/10,3 miles Level: difficult Walking time: 6 hours Ascent/descent: +1020 -580m. Overnight stay with breakfast in Camaldoli village
Day 6. Camaldoli – Badia Prataglia
Today a shorter walk, so you can have some relaxation. You walk continues through fir and beech woods. Then you reach the highest point of your journey (1354m) before you descend to the mountain village Badia Prataglia. Distance: 8,5 Km/5,3 miles Level: medium / Walking time: 3,5 hours Ascent/descent: +540 -520m. You stay in a 2 or 3 star Hotel
Day 7. Badia Prataglia-La Verna
Again the mountains will accompany you as you first climb, then a long descent until you reach Rimbocchi in the Holy Valley “Valle Santa” Casentinese. Another climb up towards Monte Penne to reach the “crudo sasso” on which the impressive Monastery of la Verna is built. Saint Francis received his stigmata here, when he retreated from the world. Distance: 17 Km/10.6 miles Level: difficult Walking Time: 6 hours Ascent/descent: +1200 -960m. Overnight stay with breakfast in the monastery La Verna
Day 8: departure after breakfast or continue with the Via Roma towards Assisi and Rome.
ACCOMMODATION
A mixture of hotels, agritourismo, B&B and monastery at La Verna.
