PDF Easy Hiking Via Francigena, Camino to Rome From Gambassi ...

[Pages:3]EASY HIKING VIA FRANCIGENA, CAMINO TO ROME FROM GAMBASSI TERME TO SAN GIMIGNANO

The activity: We walk 8.5km (5.3 miles) 390m/ 1,280' ascent, 310m/1,017' descent from the Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano passing Pancole and the Pieve di Cellole along the Via Francigena pilgrim trail, following mostly unpaved roads and woods with beautiful views on the Tuscany countryside. The day: We meet at 7:30am and depart Montecatini to drive approx. 1,15 hours to Gambassi Terme. Here we pay a short visit to the beautiful Pieve di Chianni, a church built in 1000 AC and have a coffee at the recently restored, 1000 year old pilgrim's hostel. Following the Via Francigena marked walking trail we find the peculiar village of Collemuccioli, the Sanctuary of Pancole and the Pieve di Cellole, surrounded by cypresses, where the local monks live immersed in a peaceful and meditative atmosphere- We skip the last paved stretch with a short transfer and reach San Gimignano. After lunch we visit this UNESCO town famous for its many towers. We climb the Torre Grossa for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and end the day with an award-winning ice-cream. We transfer back to Montecatini.

S-Cape Countryside Travel srl - Via dei Giraldi 8R 50122 Firenze ? Italy Tel +39 0552345334 - Fax +39 055 2469163 - info@s-cape.it

Included:

? Transfer to/from activity ? Walking guide ? Lunch ? ice cream

Not Included:

? Alcoholic beverages (other than wine included with lunch)

? Gratuities ? Insurance of any kind

What to bring ? Day pack ? Comfortable, layered clothes suitable for walking (not jeans) ? Rain/waterproof jacket & trousers ? Fleece/insulating jacket ? Walking /trekking shoes ? Water bottle ? Sunscreen / sunglasses (it can be sunny in October!) ? Any personal items/medication you need

Difficulty: Easy Active (2) out of 5 - (i.e., Beginner level, easy physical activity; ~2-4 hours activity/day)

Number of participants: Min 10- Max 15

The Via Francigena, Camino to Rome

The way to Rome, Via Francigena (or Via Romea) which led to the Eternal City from the Western Alps and the Rhineland, was used for 7 centuries by sovereigns, emperors, plebeians and clergymen and was probably the most important road of the times. The Via Francigena led all the way from Canterbury in southern England to Rome and was one of the fundamental routes forging European history. It was a main thoroughfare along which hundreds of thousands of pilgrims passed on their way to Rome.

The Italian section (1000 km long) cuts through the Alps in the Valley of Aosta and proceeds southwards through Piedmont, Lombardy, the flatlands of the River Po, before crossing the Apennine mountains through the Cisa Pass near Berceto. Here it enters Tuscany then continues through northern Latium ending in Rome.

The Tuscan section of the Via Francigena covers 354 kilometres and 16 legs that touch towns and villages immersed in the most beautiful Tuscan landscapes from Pontremoli in the north to Radicofani in the south of Tuscany.

This "way to Rome" is an essential and formative phenomenon in the history of Europe. Fragments and reminders of its existence are still to be found scattered throughout our area. In the past, the journey was not just an adventure or a risk but an act of devotion in itself and the pilgrims would stop off along the way at places deemed holy by the Church.

Nowadays, we are able to reconstruct the itinerary thanks to a document left behind by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury, who, upon his return from Rome to his dioceses in 994 AD, recorded the names of the places where he stayed, forming the stages of his journey home.

For more information on the route, visit

S-Cape Countryside Travel srl - Via dei Giraldi 8R 50122 Firenze ? Italy Tel +39 0552345334 - Fax +39 055 2469163 - info@s-cape.it

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