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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Via di Francesco

DMSyracuse

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
CF March/April 2015 - SJPdP to Santiago
Cam. Finisterre/Muxia August 2016
Cam. Fatima - Oct 2017
Like my other pilgrimages that I've done (Camino Frances and Camino Fatima), certain things happen in my life and I find myself finding a pilgrimage that seems to be calling me to go. Now I've stumbled upon the St. Francis way just recently and I am thinking of making that my next one. I will have approx. 2 weeks and would love to plan it around the feast of St. Francis Oct 4th next year 2019. I experienced being in Fatima for the centennial of the last apparition Oct 13th of last year and it was an experience I will never forget, so I like the idea of arriving in Assisi for whatever kind of celebration they may have for the feast day. I'm just learning about this pilgrimage from what I can tell it seems to have really become more organized and popular over the past couple of years. From what i'm reading on the web site and seeing there is a Cicerone guide book Way of St. Francis by Sandy Brown my assumption is that the infrastructure and markings are pretty well done now? I'm also assuming it would be much different than my camino de Santiago as far as the number of other pilgrims, maybe more like my Camino de Fatima as there were not many people walking from Porto to Fatima like I did . I would like to start in Florence and end in Assisi as I probably will have about 2 weeks of time for this. Would love to hear from others who have either done this pilgrimage or who are planning on doing it. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have:)...
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Like my other pilgrimages that I've done (Camino Frances and Camino Fatima), certain things happen in my life and I find myself finding a pilgrimage that seems to be calling me to go. Now I've stumbled upon the St. Francis way just recently and I am thinking of making that my next one. I will have approx. 2 weeks and would love to plan it around the feast of St. Francis Oct 4th next year 2019. I experienced being in Fatima for the centennial of the last apparition Oct 13th of last year and it was an experience I will never forget, so I like the idea of arriving in Assisi for whatever kind of celebration they may have for the feast day. I'm just learning about this pilgrimage from what I can tell it seems to have really become more organized and popular over the past couple of years. From what i'm reading on the web site and seeing there is a Cicerone guide book Way of St. Francis by Sandy Brown my assumption is that the infrastructure and markings are pretty well done now? I'm also assuming it would be much different than my camino de Santiago as far as the number of other pilgrims, maybe more like my Camino de Fatima as there were not many people walking from Porto to Fatima like I did . I would like to start in Florence and end in Assisi as I probably will have about 2 weeks of time for this. Would love to hear from others who have either done this pilgrimage or who are planning on doing it. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have:)...
I, too, have an interest in doing this. Let’s continue to post what we have each discovered about this route. In the meantime, I will be ordering Cicerone’s guide today. Janet
 
Yes sounds good Janet, will continue to post anything else I discover and yes planning on ordering the guide also soon!
I, too, have an interest in doing this. Let’s continue to post what we have each discovered about this route. In the meantime, I will be ordering Cicerone’s guide today. Janet
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Yes sounds good Janet, will continue to post anything else I discover and yes planning on ordering the guide also soon!
Like my other pilgrimages that I've done (Camino Frances and Camino Fatima), certain things happen in my life and I find myself finding a pilgrimage that seems to be calling me to go. Now I've stumbled upon the St. Francis way just recently and I am thinking of making that my next one. I will have approx. 2 weeks and would love to plan it around the feast of St. Francis Oct 4th next year 2019. I experienced being in Fatima for the centennial of the last apparition Oct 13th of last year and it was an experience I will never forget, so I like the idea of arriving in Assisi for whatever kind of celebration they may have for the feast day. I'm just learning about this pilgrimage from what I can tell it seems to have really become more organized and popular over the past couple of years. From what i'm reading on the web site and seeing there is a Cicerone guide book Way of St. Francis by Sandy Brown my assumption is that the infrastructure and markings are pretty well done now? I'm also assuming it would be much different than my camino de Santiago as far as the number of other pilgrims, maybe more like my Camino de Fatima as there were not many people walking from Porto to Fatima like I did . I would like to start in Florence and end in Assisi as I probably will have about 2 weeks of time for this. Would love to hear from others who have either done this pilgrimage or who are planning on doing it. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have:)...
Hello!
My husband and I will be on the way with you! We are leaving from Florence mid-September 2019 and will arrive in Assisi a day or two before October 4. My birthday is the 4th and for years it has been my dream to be in Assisi on the great Saint’s feast day. We will look for you on the way!!
 
Hello!
My husband and I will be on the way with you! We are leaving from Florence mid-September 2019 and will arrive in Assisi a day or two before October 4. My birthday is the 4th and for years it has been my dream to be in Assisi on the great Saint’s feast day. We will look for you on the way!!

Fantastic! That should definitely be a special birthday for you:). Would be great to keep in contact over this next year and share whatever we learn about the via di Francesco! I've done a few camino's now and am wondering if it will be similar as far as being able to just walk and find an Albergue (or similar like lodging)without having to pre-plan the days ahead...
 
If our plans work out we will be walking in mid May 2019. I already have the Cicerone guide, it arrived a couple of weeks ago. Not sure if we will start n Florence, maybe La Verna. I am checking all my options.
I don't think we have to book accommodations ahead...maybe a day before like in France.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Hi
I did la verna to Rome this year this sept/oct. The route is reasonably well marked but having a GPS route is pretty essential as there are not that many pilgrims and it is easy to miss a way mark. Assisi is very busy and particularly round the saints feastday so make sure you have accommodation booked. We used the Sandy Brown book and it is reasonably good. However the accommodation info was not always uptodate and we met some Italian pilgrims with an Italian guide that had a whole lot more accommodation options, so worth shopping round for info. There are not Albergue type accommodation in all the towns and we used Booking .com a fair bit. It is a lovely walk but there is a lot of up and down and you always seem to end up having to walk up to your final destination.
 
Hi John, I am planning to start in La Verna next May, did you use public transport to get to La Verna? Any advice on how to get there appreciated.
 
Hi
we got a series of trains from Milan all in the one day all went well till just missed last train to Bibbiena and next train arrived too late to get bus to la Verna so stayed night in Bibbiena and got bus up in morning.
Milan- Bologna
Bologna- Prato
Prato- Florence
Florence-Arezzo
Arezzo- Bibbiena
6 hours and about 70 euro. We bought on the day so might be cheaper in advance and would be if you starting from Florence. The bus ran a few times during the day and we got conflicting info about there not being a bus from different websites but there is. We had booked the sanatorium at La Verna but weren't able to make due to missing the bus.
Hope this helps
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hi
I did la verna to Rome this year this sept/oct. The route is reasonably well marked but having a GPS route is pretty essential as there are not that many pilgrims and it is easy to miss a way mark. Assisi is very busy and particularly round the saints feastday so make sure you have accommodation booked. We used the Sandy Brown book and it is reasonably good. However the accommodation info was not always uptodate and we met some Italian pilgrims with an Italian guide that had a whole lot more accommodation options, so worth shopping round for info. There are not Albergue type accommodation in all the towns and we used Booking .com a fair bit. It is a lovely walk but there is a lot of up and down and you always seem to end up having to walk up to your final destination.
Hi John,
Couple of questions for you since I'm planning on walking from Florence to Assisi same time next year as you just did. I'd like to be in Assisi for the feast day in October. You said you used Sandy Brown's book did you follow his recommended stages if not how many days did it take you from la Verna to Assisi?
I planned my Fatima pilgrimage in Portugal last year to arrive in Fatima on the centennial day in October and as busy as it was, there was an Albergue that didn't take reservations but was only for pilgrims that showed there credentials proving they had walked so i stayed there cause it was right next to the Shrine rather than the accommodation I had booked ahead of time. Is there a something similar in Assisi a place that is open to walking pilgrims only? Also seems like most start in La Verna instead of Florence do you know why that is? Is it because of the walk from Florence is difficult or not marked well or maybe just to shorten the number of days? Thank you!
 
Hi John,
Couple of questions for you since I'm planning on walking from Florence to Assisi same time next year as you just did. I'd like to be in Assisi for the feast day in October. You said you used Sandy Brown's book did you follow his recommended stages if not how many days did it take you from la Verna to Assisi?
I planned my Fatima pilgrimage in Portugal last year to arrive in Fatima on the centennial day in October and as busy as it was, there was an Albergue that didn't take reservations but was only for pilgrims that showed there credentials proving they had walked so i stayed there cause it was right next to the Shrine rather than the accommodation I had booked ahead of time. Is there a something similar in Assisi a place that is open to walking pilgrims only? Also seems like most start in La Verna instead of Florence do you know why that is? Is it because of the walk from Florence is difficult or not marked well or maybe just to shorten the number of days? Thank you!
Hi
I followed the stages in the sandy brown book to Assisi.
There was no dedicated hostel/albergue in Assisi so you need to book a guest house B+B.
We started
 
in La Verna as the feedback seemed to be that the stages from Florence are not really part of any pilgrim route and are difficult days to start with as lot of slogging through the mountains.
 
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in La Verna as the feedback seemed to be that the stages from Florence are not really part of any pilgrim route and are difficult days to start with as lot of slogging through the mountains.
Thanks for the info - appreciate it!
 
Hi
I did la verna to Rome this year this sept/oct. The route is reasonably well marked but having a GPS route is pretty essential as there are not that many pilgrims and it is easy to miss a way mark. Assisi is very busy and particularly round the saints feastday so make sure you have accommodation booked. We used the Sandy Brown book and it is reasonably good. However the accommodation info was not always uptodate and we met some Italian pilgrims with an Italian guide that had a whole lot more accommodation options, so worth shopping round for info. There are not Albergue type accommodation in all the towns and we used Booking .com a fair bit. It is a lovely walk but there is a lot of up and down and you always seem to end up having to walk up to your final destination.
I am interested in doing this route from la verna to rome next year ....i understand that it takes about 21 days...couple of questions
1. I will have about 18 days...what sections/stages would you say are worth leaving out if i have to?

2. Looks like i need to pilgrim passports...one to assissi and one to rome...is that correct? And where did you get yours?

3. Any recommendations re accommodation?

Many thanks
Stephen
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
You can fill out an online form here: http://www.viadifrancesco.it/en/
If you are an american then it will be sent from American Pilgrims to Italy, a new organization based on the west coast. It is a beautiful credential. We start in Pontassieve (we will take the train from Florence and then walk from there to Rome) May 4 and you can follow our personal blog here: https://viadifrancesco.wordpress.com
We are so excited to start our journey through Italy, although our Italian language study these past four months has been challenging. We are using the Cicerone guide. The website to the Cicerone guide is: https://caminoist.org. There is a pdf file with lots of accommodations listed.
 
in La Verna as the feedback seemed to be that the stages from Florence are not really part of any pilgrim route and are difficult days to start with as lot of slogging through the mountains.

Bad feedback! The Via Francesco begins in Florence. The Sandy Brown stages are all really part of the pilgrimage. The walks through the mountains are some of the best parts. The villages between Florence and La Verna are worth seeing.

I walked this in June-July 2017. Some parts were not well marked, but the guidebook was very helpful. Although I understand that the markings are being constantly improved, GPS can be very helpful as well. The stages are mostly long and frequently services are far apart. Taking this into account and considering the daily heat profile (this was during a heat wave/drought), I opted for the bus on a few of the stages. Taking ground transportation out of Florence's urban sprawl, or even all the way to Pontassieve, will be a better start. The first day could have been a killer had I not caught a taxi to Settignano.

If you only have time to reach Assissi, consider finishing the rest of the way to Rome another time. Spello, Trevi, Spoleto, Rieti, et.al. are great stops/visits and the views along the way are excellent
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I am interested in doing this route from la verna to rome next year ....i understand that it takes about 21 days...couple of questions
1. I will have about 18 days...what sections/stages would you say are worth leaving out if i have to?

2. Looks like i need to pilgrim passports...one to assissi and one to rome...is that correct? And where did you get yours?

3. Any recommendations re accommodation?

Many thanks
Stephen
Hi
If I was leaving any sections out as bit boring etc it would be the last few into Rome. You can do it in 18 days by combining some of the smaller stages. The Sandy Brown book shows this option.- let me know if you want me to send you copy of relevant page.
Got credential from www.viadifrancesco.it. We used the same one all the way got 2 testimonials- one Assisi and one Rome- at Vatican office- you go in via the swizz guards.
Accommodation we tended to use the local parish house/hostels plus odd Booking.com apartment. Church hostel at Piediluco i wouldn't recommend - grubby. The hermitage at San Pietro definitely worth staying at or if passing going in for a coffee. Assisi was hardest place to get accommodation and was very busy and touristy- if I was doing again i wouldn't stop there, couple of hours to look round and head on. No where to stay in Ceselli we got bus on main road into Arrone and you could combine these stages.
 
Very helpful John ....many thanks for the insights and tips. I've just got the book and will look at options for combining some stages.
 
Like my other pilgrimages that I've done (Camino Frances and Camino Fatima), certain things happen in my life and I find myself finding a pilgrimage that seems to be calling me to go. Now I've stumbled upon the St. Francis way just recently and I am thinking of making that my next one. I will have approx. 2 weeks and would love to plan it around the feast of St. Francis Oct 4th next year 2019. I experienced being in Fatima for the centennial of the last apparition Oct 13th of last year and it was an experience I will never forget, so I like the idea of arriving in Assisi for whatever kind of celebration they may have for the feast day. I'm just learning about this pilgrimage from what I can tell it seems to have really become more organized and popular over the past couple of years. From what i'm reading on the web site and seeing there is a Cicerone guide book Way of St. Francis by Sandy Brown my assumption is that the infrastructure and markings are pretty well done now? I'm also assuming it would be much different than my camino de Santiago as far as the number of other pilgrims, maybe more like my Camino de Fatima as there were not many people walking from Porto to Fatima like I did . I would like to start in Florence and end in Assisi as I probably will have about 2 weeks of timeMSyaracuse:
Loved your posting. I’ also interested in such pilgrimage as I’m a follower of for this. Would love to hear from others who have either done this pilgrimage or who are planning on doing it. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have:)...
Hi DMSyracuse:
Loved your posting and would like to follow the thread. I’m also a follower of St. Francis (my first name is Francisco)😁😁.
I have that following Via Franciscena from Rome to Assisi would be the pilgrimage, so what you propose is the same route. I would love to be part of such adventure, but planning my second Camino for 2021. So, I’ll follow the thread and learn from all more experienced.

Buen Camino
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Hi DMSyracuse:
Loved your posting and would like to follow the thread. I’m also a follower of St. Francis (my first name is Francisco)😁😁.
I have that following Via Franciscena from Rome to Assisi would be the pilgrimage, so what you propose is the same route. I would love to be part of such adventure, but planning my second Camino for 2021. So, I’ll follow the thread and learn from all more experienced.

Buen Camino
Thanks for your post Francisco. I'm still planning on a sept/oct pilgrimage on the Way of St. Francis. I now have the Sandy Brown guide and will soon be booking my flights. I also made my reservation for Assisi lodging seeing that I am planning on arriving on Oct 3 which is the night before the feast of St. Francis so I figured that would be the one reservation I would need to make ahead of time since I'm sure it will be quite busy there. Best to you in your planning for your second Camino!
 
Thanks for your post Francisco. I'm still planning on a sept/oct pilgrimage on the Way of St. Francis. I now have the Sandy Brown guide and will soon be booking my flights. I also made my reservation for Assisi lodging seeing that I am planning on arriving on Oct 3 which is the night before the feast of St. Francis so I figured that would be the one reservation I would need to make ahead of time since I'm sure it will be quite busy there. Best to you in your planning for your second Camino!
Thank you, and best of luck. Keep us posted about the pilgrimage. Where you found the guide?
Buon Camino
 
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https://caminoist.org/book/ you can purchase the guide here or also through amazon.
Thanks a lot for the information. Still planning & recruiting other friends to come along with us on 2021 to the CP, that I totally forgot to look for the Sandy’s guide.....😮😬🙄
Thanks and keep us posted on your journey.

Buen Camino
 
We are currently walking this route and we find Sandy’s guide to be a reference but there are some things the guide doesn’t tell you (downed trees, blocked paths, no stones or bridge to cross a river, etc). It’s an adventure
 
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We are currently walking this route and we find Sandy’s guide to be a reference but there are some things the guide doesn’t tell you (downed trees, blocked paths, no stones or bridge to cross a river, etc). It’s an adventure
Thanks Ed for posting and sharing your blog. I look forward to reading your daily blog as I am planning on walking from Florence to Assisi in mid-September. Are you also using Sandy's gpx files or have you found the path to be well marked? I imagine the guide doesn't help when you come across some of the blocks to the path you've had to deal with! Also curious how many other pilgrims you've come across on the trail or where you've been staying... Buon camino! or how do you say it in Italian haha:)
 
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As for the guide, it needs a lot of updates. We use Maps.me for location and navigation. As for markings, it has been better marked since La Verna. As you read in our blog, there’s some dangerous sections, especially with the weather conditions. We heard today that two Americans and two Brazilians quit the route before even reaching La Verna. That said, there seems to be a good number of people out here (although we see very few walkers during the day) and our plan to book one day at a time finds it difficult to find accommodations. We tried to stay in the pilgrim quarters at the Santuario Della Verna but it was booked days in advance. Hopefully by the time you arrive the trails will dry and it won’t be so treacherous (although some problems won’t be solved by dry conditions). Keep reading our blog for more detailed info
 
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Just an update on this thread for those that are following and may be planning your own via Di Francesco pilgrimages. Flights have been booked, credential should be arriving any day now and arrangements made for the start of my trip (Florence) and end of my trip Assisi. Arriving Wednesday Sep 18th in Florence and plan on arriving in Assisi on Thursday Oct 3rd - which will be the night before the big feast of St. Francis celebration. That'll give me approx. 14-15 days of walking, Sandy's guide has 15 stages from Florence to Assis but looks like there is some opportunities to combine a few stages so will see, I've found in my past caminos that things work out one way or another - camino provides:).. I may make a few more reservations but I don't want to totally tie myself down to a set schedule at this point...
 
Just an update on this thread for those that are following and may be planning your own via Di Francesco pilgrimages. Flights have been booked, credential should be arriving any day now and arrangements made for the start of my trip (Florence) and end of my trip Assisi. Arriving Wednesday Sep 18th in Florence and plan on arriving in Assisi on Thursday Oct 3rd - which will be the night before the big feast of St. Francis celebration. That'll give me approx. 14-15 days of walking, Sandy's guide has 15 stages from Florence to Assis but looks like there is some opportunities to combine a few stages so will see, I've found in my past caminos that things work out one way or another - camino provides:).. I may make a few more reservations but I don't want to totally tie myself down to a set schedule at this point...
Good luck, my friend. Enjoy and keep us posted.
May the daylights be blessed by “ Brother Sun”, and the nights by “Sister Noon”......

Buen Camino
 
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I'm still planning on a sept/oct pilgrimage on the Way of St. Francis. I now have the Sandy Brown guide and will soon be booking my flights. I also made my reservation for Assisi lodging seeing that I am planning on arriving on Oct 3 which is the night before the feast of St. Francis so I figured that would be the one reservation I would need to make ahead of time since I'm sure it will be quite busy there. Best to you in your planning for your second Camino!

My wife and I are planning to walk about 10 days of this route in September/October. Our current idea is to start in Rietti and walk to Assisi. Would be glad to meet up with anyone else in this thread who will be on this route then! We fly into Rome on the 23rd of September.
 
I hadn’t checked this thread lately as I’m not on the forums often. Good luck on your journey. Here’s what it looked like for us in May: Via Di Francesco
One person commented that our video makes the route look easier than it sounded in our blog.
 
We did the Way of St Francis in March/April 2019. It's tough. Harder than any of the walks listed under my avatar. We used to say that the Pennine Way was the toughest - it's now second.
However, it is awe inspiring - the mountains, the remoteness, the lack of people. Trouble is, during all those days in the mountains with the fabulous changing weather and the views - the climbs are hard and long. Then there are the descents ...
The waymarking is at the bottom of the scale compared to all other walks we've done. In places it's non-existent. Sandy Brown's GPS files are essential. I loaded them with the vector maps on the iPhone and was so glad I had done it. Sandy's guidebook can be purchased from Cicerone - and I suggest you visit The Way of St Francis Facebook page and join (it's run by Sandy Brown).
I posted to the page from places on the Way and included photos. Just search the members for Dan Ryan when you have joined and click on my name - you can see all my posts and pics in sequence.
It is very different to the Spanish Caminos and the French routes.
all the best
Dan
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
We did the Way of St Francis in March/April 2019. It's tough. Harder than any of the walks listed under my avatar. We used to say that the Pennine Way was the toughest - it's now second.
However, it is awe inspiring - the mountains, the remoteness, the lack of people. Trouble is, during all those days in the mountains with the fabulous changing weather and the views - the climbs are hard and long. Then there are the descents ...
The waymarking is at the bottom of the scale compared to all other walks we've done. In places it's non-existent. Sandy Brown's GPS files are essential. I loaded them with the vector maps on the iPhone and was so glad I had done it. Sandy's guidebook can be purchased from Cicerone - and I suggest you visit The Way of St Francis Facebook page and join (it's run by Sandy Brown).
I posted to the page from places on the Way and included photos. Just search the members for Dan Ryan when you have joined and click on my name - you can see all my posts and pics in sequence.
It is very different to the Spanish Caminos and the French routes.
all the best
Dan
Thanks Dan for the update - I've been following the St. Francis Facebook page for quite a while now and have found it to be a great resource for information. Less than a month from now I'll be on my way! I have the guide and have downloaded gps files. As you pointed out I'm expecting it to be my most difficult camino to date (I've walked in Spain and Portugal), although I am hoping it won't be as difficult as Corsica GR20 route which I attempted last summer but after 3 days had to stop as I became dehydrated and feeling quite sick. I've learned from that and hopefully will be better prepared this time around. Those first 3 days in Corsica had climbs of approx. 1500m in less than 10k so extreme climbs and descents. Looks like the Way of St. Francis does have some big climbs also but stretched out over longer distances so I'm hoping this walk is not as extreme as the GR20.
 
Thanks for your post Francisco. I'm still planning on a sept/oct pilgrimage on the Way of St. Francis. I now have the Sandy Brown guide and will soon be booking my flights. I also made my reservation for Assisi lodging seeing that I am planning on arriving on Oct 3 which is the night before the feast of St. Francis so I figured that would be the one reservation I would need to make ahead of time since I'm sure it will be quite busy there. Best to you in your planning for your second Camino!
We should try to meet in Assisi. My wife and I arrive on the 1st. of October and head back to Rome on the 4th. Will be there the night of the 3rd. We start from Rieti on Sept. 24 and are walking north.
 
We should try to meet in Assisi. My wife and I arrive on the 1st. of October and head back to Rome on the 4th. Will be there the night of the 3rd. We start from Rieti on Sept. 24 and are walking north.
Sounds great we can compare notes on our routes from the North and South to Assisi:)… I'll send you a message so we can exchange emails.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Sounds great we can compare notes on our routes from the North and South to Assisi:)… I'll send you a message so we can exchange emails.
David,
Email sent. I'm using Sandy Brown's guidebook, sort of, since everything will be backward. Looks like that section of the path is easier, which we are counting on! We will be averaging less than 20k per day and parts of it are relatively level. I'm going to download the GPX files.
We intend to spend two nights in Spoleto.
 
just finding this thread...I leave for Italy on Sept. 10 and begin walking in La Verna on the 14th and will finish in Assisi...I have started going through Ed and Joan's Blog (which is awesome) I am looking for recommendations on accommodations, trying not to stay in hotels to keep the cost down...I have the Brown's guide and will also check out the Facebook page...also how far ahead should we book, or can we take it day by day? Thanks for all the great info!!!
 
just finding this thread...I leave for Italy on Sept. 10 and begin walking in La Verna on the 14th and will finish in Assisi...I have started going through Ed and Joan's Blog (which is awesome) I am looking for recommendations on accommodations, trying not to stay in hotels to keep the cost down...I have the Brown's guide and will also check out the Facebook page...also how far ahead should we book, or can we take it day by day? Thanks for all the great info!!!
I'll be starting from Florence on September 20th so I'll be about a week behind you. As far as accommodations, good question - I'm also not sure what to expect - what I do know is that everything I've read says it is not like the Camino de Santiago in which I made my first night accommodation (in SJPdP)and not a single other accommodation ahead of time during my remaining 29 days of walking, always able to find a place without planning ahead. So what I've done at this point is book my first couple of days accommodation, I also booked the pilgrim dormitory in LaVerna sanctuary since I definitely want to stay there and I've also booked my accommodation in Assisi since I will be arriving there for St. Francis feast day and figured that it might be quite crowded then. I really have no idea what to expect as far as number of pilgrims that I will come across, doesn't seem like many but who knows maybe it'll be more than usual due to the feast day celebration....
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
just finding this thread...I leave for Italy on Sept. 10 and begin walking in La Verna on the 14th and will finish in Assisi...I have started going through Ed and Joan's Blog (which is awesome) I am looking for recommendations on accommodations, trying not to stay in hotels to keep the cost down...I have the Brown's guide and will also check out the Facebook page...also how far ahead should we book, or can we take it day by day? Thanks for all the great info!!!
Hi walked the route last year using Sandy Brown book and mostly stayed in hostels etc, Pieve s Stefano stayed in BB signed before the town- was ok E20, Sansepolcro stopped in convent E15,Citta Di Castello donativo with nuns in convent think Santa Cecilla monastery,Pietralunga- donativo santa Maria, Gubbio in convent check out as was supposed to be Donativo but charged E60!, San Pietro stopped at Hermitage- donativo great place, Valfabbrica donativo with nuns. you can pay what you feel appropriate afford in the Donetivos- generally usually E10-15
Sorry don t have all the correct names but we used Sandys guide plus couple of lists of the offical website. Was never that busy apart from Assisi where i would advise booking.
 
thanks, JohnMcK! lots of great info...did you stay in the pilgrim dormitory in La Verna? Also, did you book any ahead apart from Assisi?
 
thanks, JohnMcK! lots of great info...did you stay in the pilgrim dormitory in La Verna? Also, did you book any ahead apart from Assisi?
Booked La Verna but unfortunately didn't stay as missed last bus up so stayed in Bibbiena. Didnt book anywhere else ahead, didnt book Assisi which was a mistake. After Assisi we booked odd apartment /BB through booking .com as worked out good value- washing machine, cooking, own space bathroom etc. they were around E40-50 so with 2 quite good value and just booked that day or previous day.
There was no problem with places to stay generally and we met some italian pilgrim who had a different guide book with other hostels in
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
thanks, JohnMcK...just booked for La Verna will look into Assisi. We also have the Italian guide so we should be good to go! travel well!
 
Doing some of the walk in October and looking forward to the challenges, views and good food. Not as prepared as I would like as this walk is a last minute decision. Last year walked most of the Lycian way so sort of mentally prepared for some hard sections like there was on that hike. But I’m no super hiker and don’t mind taking buses/ skipping sections if it gets too difficult.

I’m in the FB page and have the guide and GPX loaded but would appreciate any tips from people on this forum.

Particularly any sections which were really difficult and we maybe could skip/ shorten. Plus any favourite bits.

We will start in La Verna and go perhaps as far as Rieti - but with time constraints may miss a few bits. Have about 16 days allocated to walking then a couple of 2 nights stays.
 
Hi Bill,
could you please name more precise the author and title of this "italian book" that was mentioned here several times already?

We are planning to walk in 2020 in May/June, probably from La Verna to Assisi.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.

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