In my recent book about walking the Way of St. Francis, I share everything from facts to legends about this most-beloved saint's life. I have found that many who walk on this route know little about him at all and that knowing a bit of his story makes this pilgrimage all the more meaningful. In … Continue reading Why Saint Francis Matters Today
How to find lodging on the Way of St. Francis
The Way of St Francis has many levels of accommodations for pilgrims, from hostels to hotels and everything in between, including rifugios (mountain hostels) agriturismo, convents (monasteries) guest apartments and bed & breakfasts, just to name a few. San Pietro in Vignetto. One of the few pilgrim-only hostels, also a Donativo. Run by the Association … Continue reading How to find lodging on the Way of St. Francis
Using GPX Tracks
Walking the Way of St. Francis is a challenging and deeply rewarding pilgrimage. Florence to Rome, it covers 350 miles (over 550 kilometers) of beautiful vistas, charming villages and hilltop towns as well as rugged forests and mountains. However, navigating it can be tricky; the route is actually a consortium of up to eight different … Continue reading Using GPX Tracks
12 tips for eating and drinking on the Way of St. Francis (Via di Francesco)
When you are walking, you need to keep eating. As long-distance walkers quip, "this is one vacation where you can eat all you want and still come back weighing less. In Italy walkers along the Via di Francesco (Florence to Rome) have a variety of places to eat. When hilltop towns and cities are on … Continue reading 12 tips for eating and drinking on the Way of St. Francis (Via di Francesco)
Where to stay on the Way of St. Francis
The Way of St. Francis offers a range of lodging options and during our pilgrimage to Assisi in April of this year (2022) we took the opportunity to experience that entire range. Rifugio Asqua, in the Casentino National Forest, about 5k before Camaldoli. We booked ahead always, typically a day ahead, but in a couple … Continue reading Where to stay on the Way of St. Francis
How the Way of St. Francis compares to the Camino Frances in Spain
Many people who are interested in walking the Way of St. Francis (Via di Francesco) in Italy have already walked a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, very likely the Camino Frances (French Way) in Spain. (And the names of these two routes are similar enough to create confusion for anyone not familiar enough with either.) … Continue reading How the Way of St. Francis compares to the Camino Frances in Spain
Into Assisi
After 16 days, 150 miles (250k) and more elevation gain that I kept track of, we reached Assisi on Wednesday this week. It was the great end to our pilgrimage. Roman Theater in Gubbio. We had entered Assisi over two years ago on our first pilgrimage here and it was a wonderful feeling. This time … Continue reading Into Assisi
Florence to Assisi—one week in
Tuesday April 12 we left Florence, on our way to Assisi, a two week pilgrimage along the Via di Francesco, or Way of St. Francis. We walked first through city streets, then suburbs, then to the open countryside, to Pontassieve, which is about 20k upstream from Florence on the Arno River. It’s been seven days … Continue reading Florence to Assisi—one week in
Pilgrimage Prologue
Duomo in Florence We finally to got Florence, our first overseas trip in over two years. Our first flight was Washington Dulles to Munich and it was full. The airport felt very much like it used to—quite packed actually. Other than having to wear a mask continually for over 18 hours, it felt quite normal. … Continue reading Pilgrimage Prologue
Keep on Trekkin’
After a two-year wait, my wife and I are finally getting the chance to return to Italy and resume our walk on the Way of St. Francis, a newer pilgrim trail that goes about 350 miles from Florence to Rome, through Assisi, the home of St. Francis. The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi In … Continue reading Keep on Trekkin’
Russ Eanes 
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