Via Francigena Variant – Lucca to Altopascio through Sant’Andrea di Compito

I always cringe a little when people say they don’t want to walk the Francigena between Lucca and Altopascio, so they start their Tuscan walk at someplace like San Miniato, which of course is a fine town. It’s just that to miss Lucca is to miss one of the highlights of the Via Francigena. AlongContinue reading “Via Francigena Variant – Lucca to Altopascio through Sant’Andrea di Compito”

New instructions for receiving your testimonium at St Peter’s Basilica

After finishing a very lovely Way of St Francis from Florence to Assisi and Rome I experienced for myself the changes I’d been hearing about in the process for receiving the testimonium certificate. Here’s a quick walk-through for walking pilgrims on any route looking to receive their testimonia:

Via Francigena Part 3 Stage 5: Revised route through Colle di Val d’Elsa

The stewards of the Via Francigen made an excellent choice a few months ago to turn the Colle di Val d’Elsa option into the main route and to improve it by connecting it to the stunningly beautiful Sentiero Elsa pathway and park. Because of 2-3 stairways and 4 river crossings on boulders, the path isContinue reading “Via Francigena Part 3 Stage 5: Revised route through Colle di Val d’Elsa”