3000 EURO PER PERSON
All roads lead to Rome, but only one of them is La Via Francigena. This legendary path follows a route traced by Julius Cesar in 58 BC called “The way of the Sun”, connecting his northern provinces with the capital, Rome. One thousand years later, the Archbishop Sigericus of Canterbury travelled this route, leaving a detailed description called the Iter Francorum, or the way of the Franks.
During the following centuries, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travelled to Rome by way of the Via Francigena. There were those seeking indulgencies granted as early as the year 1300, merchants with goods to trade, soldiers defending their territories, emperors, bankers, diplomats, and adventurers: all walked to Rome on this road. The Via Francigena, together with the Camino de Santiago in Spain, became the backbone of the ancient road system of Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages.
In 1994, this route was declared “European Cultural Itinerary” and was awarded the title of “Major Cultural Route” in 2004 by the European Council.
What’s Included
- Pick up in Orvieto (Umbria).
- Van support during the trip for you & your luggage
- 7 nights of hotels with private bathrooms
- Bi-lingual guide
- Daily maps & historical information
- Full van support
- Pilgrims credential (passport)
- Healthy snacks
- All breakfasts
- Five dinners, wine included
- Guided tour of the Vatican
- Visit of Roman amphiteatre and Mitreus in Sutri
- Lunch at a cheese farm
- Spontaneous side trips!
PRIVATE tailor-made trips are available upon request. Please ask us for details.
Location
Gallery
Itinerary
DAY 1: ORVIETO – BOLSENA – MONTEFIASCONE:
We meet at 9 am at our hotel in the centre of Orvieto, one of the loveliest towns in central Italy (we recommend spending at least 1 night in Orvieto before starting the tour). We start the day visiting the amazing cathedral of Orvieto, and then have a short shuttle to our trail. Today is a delightful, walk-through luscious forests with dappled shade into Turona Park Nature Reserve; boasting tranquil pathways alongside the rushing River Turona. These footpaths will eventually lead us to the Via Cassia, an ancient trade route and Roman Road still in use today after 20 centuries. We end our day arriving into Montefiascone, a small town built high on volcanic rock offering not only impressive views, but also good wine and delicious cuisine.
(18 km/11.2 miles – Breakfast and dinner included)
DAY 2: MONTEFIASCONE – VITERBO
Wide-open plains dotted by small hills separate Montefiascone from Viterbo. Today’s route starts with one of the best-preserved stretches of the ancient Via Cassia as it takes us through vast wheat fields. This trek will lead us to the capital of Tuscia, the town of Viterbo, rich in Etruscan origins and medieval monuments. Also known as the city of the popes, Viterbo was the papal seat in the XIII century. Virginio, your guide, is proud to show off his hometown, Viterbo, and the peperino (grey volcanic rock) alleyways of the exquisite medieval quarter San Pellegrino, guaranteed to bring us back in time to the middle-ages.
16 km/10 miles – Breakfast, lunch with cheese tasting and dinner included.
DAY 3: VITERBO – RONCIGLIONE
The thick woods of the Cimini Mountains have always been a natural obstacle for travellers. Even the brave Romans would not dare to cross them directly but preferred to take longer but safer routes. Fortunately, times have changed, and the crossing of this area is easier today. The beauty of the natural reserve abounds in its rewards: chestnuts, oaks, maples, and the lush “depressed” beech forest of Mount Venere surround the lake of Vico. The Etruscans, by excavating an incredible underground tunnel to drain the water and create a fertile territory for agriculture, artificially modified the shape and size of the lake. Short shuttle back to our hotel in Viterbo.
16 km/10 miles – Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 4: VETRALLA – SUTRI
Walking across hazelnut groves we reach Capranica, famous for its mineral water spring. A wonderful path fully immersed in the nature leads then to Sutri, where we walk directly through the stunning archaeological area, with its magnificent Etruscan amphitheatre and the rock cut Mitreus, an Etruscan tomb turned by the Christians into the church of Madonna del Parto. A short drive brings us to our hotel.
18 km/11.2 miles – Breakfast included.
DAY 5: MONTEROSI – CAMPAGNANO
Farmlands and fields take us to the waterfall of Monte Gelato, where we can rest our feet in the cold water. After entering the Parco di Veio, a panoramic unpaved road leads us directly into Campagnano, where we spend 2 nights. Our hotel is a famous historical building: since the 15th century it has been one of the best-known postal relays and inns along the Via Cassia. It has accommodated illustrious travellers such as the German writer Goethe and the Italians Alfieri and Belli.
19 km/11.8 miles – Breakfast and Dinner included.
DAY 6: CAMPAGNANO – ISOLA FARNESE
The Campagna Laziale (Latium countryside) offers a beautiful landscape before entering the Veio natural park. The long panoramic way to Isola Farnese is interrupted by the village of Formello. The well-preserved historical centre gives the opportunity for a nice break before crossing the hills where once stood the ancient town of Veio, strong and powerful rival of Rome till the 4th century BC. En route, well-hidden to most of the travellers, you will have the opportunity to see incredible works of hydraulic engineering dating back to the 6th century BC.
21 km/13 miles – Breakfast and Dinner included.
DAY 7: ISOLA FARNESE – ROMA
We leave nature behind and head forward to our final destination, crossing the vast city of Rome along the Via Trionfale (Road of Triumph). From the viewpoint on the hill of Monte Mario we admire the magnificence of the capital and spot the great Cupola (dome) of San Pietro. The goal is near, so let’s walk to the final celebration of our adventure!
We will visit the Pilgrim’s office together to obtain our certificate and then as millions of pilgrims have done over the centuries, we will head to the Basilica to partake in the ritual of kissing the foot of the statue of St. Peter.
6 km/3.7 miles – Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 8: ROMA
After breakfast, you will say farewell to your Spanish Steps guides before joining our local historical guide who will give you a tour of the Basilica of St. Peter.
Breakfast included.
FAQs
What does Part III mean?
he tours offered on these dates are the third part of a 21-day journey that starts in Lucca 14 days before your arrival. You will join the group in Orvieto and walk together the last 100 kilometers to Rome. The same itinerary is also offered other days, please check our website for details.
How many miles do we hike per day?
We average between 15-23 kilometers per day. We encourage people to ride in the van if feeling fatigued. Most pilgrims walking the trail independently walk 25 kilometers a day with a heavy pack. With Spanish Steps, we have the luxury of a fully supported van which carries our baggage and carries us the extra mile when needed.
What kind of hotels do we use?
We use 3 and 4-star hotels and family run farmhouses (Agrituismo). They are located along the route in small villages, away from the large cities. All rooms have private baths. The smaller inns have no phone or TV in the room. Some nights we must shuttle to our hotel located a bit off the route. We often sleep two nights in the same hotel.
Is there WIFI at our hotels?
Our hotels nearly always have free WIFI available although it is often just in the lobby/public areas. We generally stay at historical properties, which often have thick walls, so WIFI rarely works in the rooms.
How many meals are included?
All continental breakfasts, 2 lunches with Montalcino wine tasting and cheese tasting and 6 dinners (wine and water included). One lunch with local cheese tasting is included. All other meals are at your own expense. Expect to pay around 16 Euro for lunch, 25 Euro for dinner in a restaurant.
How does one get to ORVIETO?
- Traveling from Rome is easiest by train. From Termini station, there are more than 15 trains a day starting at 6 am. Most of them are direct, with others requiring a change at Tiburtina Station (Rome). The journey lasts about an hour.
- f traveling from Fiumicino Airport, you can use the fast train connection with Termini Station called Leonardo Express (about 35 minutes) or there are other trains to Tinurtina Station, where you can also catch other trains to Orvieto. Please check www.trenitalia.com to see the train schedule and prepurchase your ticket.
- Taxi rides from Fiumicino Airport to Rome center (within Aurelian walls) or Termini Station have a fixed, all-inclusive price of 48 Euro (no supplement is ever due.) The fixed rate from Ciampino airport (CIA) is 35 Euro. We recommend using only official taxis recognizable by the evident writing and number on each vehicle.
- If you wish to travel by private driver from Rome to Orvieto, please let us know so we can help you with the arrangement. (200-250 Euro up to 8 passengers.)
Meeting place at the beginning of the tour:
We meet at 9 am at the hotel where our group of the 15-day tour is spending the previous night. The hotel may differ from one tour to the other, so we will communicate the name once reservations are ready. We usually stay at Hotel Picccolomini, Aquila Bianca, Grand Hotel Italia, or Hotel Virgilio. They are all a few minutes’ walk from the main square and the Cathedral. We recommend spending one or more nights in Orvieto before the tour starts and we are happy to help you booking a room at the same hotel where we stay as a group.
H How does one get from ROME at the end of the tour to the airport or to other Italian towns?
- There are trains from Termini train station to Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport every 30 minutes (Leonardo Express.) The trip takes 35 minutes.
- A taxi to FCO airport from Rome center (within Aurelian walls) costs 48 Euro (3-4 persons) and can be booked at the desk of your hotel. The fixed rate for Ciampino airport (CIA) is 35 Euro.
- For connections with other towns, please check the train company’s website at: www.trenitalia.com.
What kind of equipment should I pack?
The hikes are not fancy. I will supply you with an equipment list of basic items to pack. You are limited to one bag weighing 30-lbs and a one-day pack to hold items such as your camera, rain gear and water bottle. Hiking boots will be your most important piece of equipment. Please be sure they are well broken in and that you have proper socks before arriving in Italy. Please bring hiking poles with you if you wish to use them.
How do I access spending money/how much should I bring?
Most expenses are already built into Spanish Steps trips, lunches are a separate expense. Most people travel with an ATM card. Money machines are everywhere in Italy but be sure you know your PIN number before departing the US. Do not bring traveler’s check. Most banks will turn you away.
Should I leave a gratuity for our guides?
Our guests often ask for guidelines on tipping tour guides. For a 8-day tour, a tip of 80-100 Euros per guest for each guide is appropriate if you are pleased with their service; or about 7-10 Euros per day, per guide.
What is the average age of the group?
The average age of the hiker on a Spanish Steps tour is 50 years old during the spring and fall months but younger during the summer months. Most trips are a mix of a 40/60 ratio of men to women. I have taken school groups where the age range is 13-20 years old. With an eager heart and a mind full of curiosities, any age is able to walk the Camino.
What is the terrain like?
This area of Italy has its ups and downs. There are some long, slow climbs through farming areas, but not Himalayan or Rocky Mountain like terrain. In general, the paths are well worn and are not difficult. We walk along a lot of secondary farming roads, through vineyards, beech and chestnut forests and old country roads. The route is well marked with the red and white stripe and with white or red arrows. You will be provided with full detailed maps and cultural information.
Is there a single supplement?
Some people would like to be matched with a roommate. I can’t guarantee a match but will try to place you with someone if there are any requests. The price of the single supplement is 500 EUROS per person.
Can you provide references?
We would be delighted to share with you some references of former clients who have walked with us. If you would like to contact any former Spanish Steps participants, let us know by calling us. Check out our Customer Comments on our website at www.spanishsteps.com. Buon Viaggio!