"I have come that you may have life, an overflowing, abundant life."
~ Jesus
~ Jesus
Dates: June 7-16, 2024
The mist of the morning floats over the rolling hills.
Sunlight floods the muted landscape giving shape to ancient villas.
Cypress trees awaken like sleeping centurions guarding the gates to Eden.
As you scan the rows of trellised vines on the horizon,
You breathe in the day with expectation and begin to walk the path.
Like so many before, longing for an encounter with the Divine.
You are walking the Via Francigena and this is The Way of the Vine.
Sunlight floods the muted landscape giving shape to ancient villas.
Cypress trees awaken like sleeping centurions guarding the gates to Eden.
As you scan the rows of trellised vines on the horizon,
You breathe in the day with expectation and begin to walk the path.
Like so many before, longing for an encounter with the Divine.
You are walking the Via Francigena and this is The Way of the Vine.
What's the Focus
The focus of this traditional walking pilgrimage dating from the 9th century is on the abundant life. The theme of vineyards in sacred texts are often used to symbolize prosperity, or God’s blessing and abundance. Vineyards are also a place of joy and gladness, where celebration, singing and cheer take place. You might say vineyards represent a place of shalom or peace, where the state of our souls can be tended to by the vinedresser.
Through daily walks totaling 67 miles in 5 days, we'll be asking the question, what is the abundant life and where do we find it?
Through daily walks totaling 67 miles in 5 days, we'll be asking the question, what is the abundant life and where do we find it?
Itinerary Highlights
Base Cost: $1,995 per person
(based on 8 participant minimum)
(based on 8 participant minimum)
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrive in Lucca, Italy
Day 2: Lucca to San Miniato
Transport to Altopascio to begin walk (14 miles, rated Average). This stage includes a long walk through a forested nature reserve. The enormous tower of San Miniato can be seen for many miles around and was erected as a beacon to pilgrims on the Via Francigena. San Miniato is home to Napoleon Bonaparte’s family and features his family's chapel.
Day 3: San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (24.1km/15 miles, rated Average). Now the vast rolling hills open up and this very picturesque day carries pilgrims through beautiful farmland with constant, sweeping vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
Day 4: Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano (13.7km/8.5miles, rated Easy). San Gimignano is noted as one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns, with dozens of towers where prosperous medieval families stored their treasures and a small spa. Optional Gelato tour and wine tasting of the famous Vernaccia wine.
Day 5: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni (27.4km/17miles, rated Challenging). Monteriggioni is a fully walled medieval village atop a rounded mountain. The challenging but beautiful walk can be shortened with a van ride at the start or end of the day.
Day 6: Monteriggioni to Siena (20.6km/12.8miles, rated Average). There are few words worthy to describe Siena. Inside its medieval walls there are world-renowned treasures of medieval and Renaissance art, capped off by a stunningly beautiful cathedral at its heart.
Day 7: Recovery Day. Tour Siena in the morning. Wine tasting at Felsina Winery and Ancient Terme (spa) experience in the afternoon outside Siena with Van transport.
Day 8: Departure Day. Part ways, transport to Pisa and/or Florence for departure or further travel.
Day 2: Lucca to San Miniato
Transport to Altopascio to begin walk (14 miles, rated Average). This stage includes a long walk through a forested nature reserve. The enormous tower of San Miniato can be seen for many miles around and was erected as a beacon to pilgrims on the Via Francigena. San Miniato is home to Napoleon Bonaparte’s family and features his family's chapel.
Day 3: San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (24.1km/15 miles, rated Average). Now the vast rolling hills open up and this very picturesque day carries pilgrims through beautiful farmland with constant, sweeping vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
Day 4: Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano (13.7km/8.5miles, rated Easy). San Gimignano is noted as one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns, with dozens of towers where prosperous medieval families stored their treasures and a small spa. Optional Gelato tour and wine tasting of the famous Vernaccia wine.
Day 5: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni (27.4km/17miles, rated Challenging). Monteriggioni is a fully walled medieval village atop a rounded mountain. The challenging but beautiful walk can be shortened with a van ride at the start or end of the day.
Day 6: Monteriggioni to Siena (20.6km/12.8miles, rated Average). There are few words worthy to describe Siena. Inside its medieval walls there are world-renowned treasures of medieval and Renaissance art, capped off by a stunningly beautiful cathedral at its heart.
Day 7: Recovery Day. Tour Siena in the morning. Wine tasting at Felsina Winery and Ancient Terme (spa) experience in the afternoon outside Siena with Van transport.
Day 8: Departure Day. Part ways, transport to Pisa and/or Florence for departure or further travel.
What's Included
- 8 nights accommodation (the pilgrim way/single occupancy). Pilgrim plus luxury options upon request.
- All baggage transport for those not wanting to carry a backpack
- Dedicated travel & experience guide
- Custom Via Francigena guidebook
- Spiritual Direction per request
- Pre-travel prep and content
- All breakfasts and dinners
- SOS (emergency evacuation only)
What's not Included
- Airfare
- Airport transfer on day of arrival from Pisa or Florence
- Recovery day activities (optional add-on)
- Pilgrim plus luxury accommodations (optional add-on)
- Passport, visa, or luggage fees
- Wine tastings/spa treatments
- Any personal purchases
- Any meals not indicated on itinerary (lunches), as well as beverages at meals
- Recommended travel protection/insurance
- Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included