Santiago or Roma

[Walking_Brewer]

Hi friends,

Back in April of this year my partner and I organised plenty of time off to walk Camino de Santiago this coming April/May. She has previously walked Camino Portuguese whilst I have done neither. Long story short, her Father has bought a house just south of Rome and will be there whilst we were supposed to be in Europe/walking Camino de Santiago. We are trying to decide on whether we no long walk Camino de Santiago but instead walk Via Francigena from Lucca to Roma.

Both my parents are from Italy, and I have never been so it would be an incredible way to see a part of Italy, plus my Grandad is from Lucca. We are just worried about the lack of signage/waypoints and how easily it will be for us to get accommodation at each location, as the Camino de Santiago is well setup for pilgrimage but Via Francigena not so much.

Just curious on peoples thoughts.

 

[Kiwi-family]

With historical and familial connections like that I would be walking from Lucca.
But you? If I told you that you had to do that one would you prefer to end up in Santiago?
Might help you decide!

 

[Bradypus]

Last summer I walked from Canterbury to Rome. This year I walked the Camino Frances again. Although there is less accommodation for pilgrims on the Via Francigena there is enough in the Italian sections to make it practical. The number of pilgrims choosing this route is growing and more accommodation is being opened along the way. Signposting is very good along the route and maps can be downloaded free from the official Via Francigena website. You can find maps and accommodation lists on this website: http://www.visit.viefrancigene.org/en/

If you have specific questions about the Via Francigena or want to read other peoples' experiences then you might like to follow the Facebook Via Francigena group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19899007360/

 

[Introibo]

I had hoped to walk from Assisi to Rome earlier in the year but ......
Angela Seracchioli has written a great guide called On the Road with St Francis.
Angela sent me a lovely credencial which hopefully I'll get to use.
Try here for information
http://www.diquipassofrancesco.it/EN/

Pax et bonum

 

[C clearly]

Just curious on peoples thoughts.

My thoughts are that Italy is the place for you to go this year!

 

[AJ]

You would be walking what I found to be the best part of the Via Francigena. The waymarking was good way back in 2011 and there was pilgrim accommodation.

 

[fraluchi]

You can pick the best of both Caminos. First a stretch on one of the many Caminos to Santiago. Second an affordable EasyJet flight from Santiago to Milan (Malpensa - 3 times a week) and Third a stretch on the Francigena (easy train travel from Malpensa to Milano Centrale and onwards to a town of choice).

 

[giorgio]

There is somebody else on the forum asking for details about Via Francigena
This is what i posted there
More details about the Via Francigena in Tuscany
http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/it/itinerario/Le-15-tappe-toscane/
For details about the Via with a list of accomodations here you have the Guide in english ( ebook )
http://libri.terre.it/libri/collana...-the-Via-Francigena---English-edition-(ebook)
Should you need more details let me know by PM

 

[William Marques]

In your position I would walk the Via Francigena from Lucca especially with the family connections. There is so much to see between there and Rome.

 

[fraluchi]

And here the latest undertaking from Santiago to Rome: Santiago to Rome - March 2018 by Sloways and in Italian.