Learning – October 02,

  • #4 Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano Via Francigena Day 4 Travel Day 23)
  • Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 9.5 miles (55.5 total) / 1,255’  elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

Learn as you go.  Food fuels energy. Yet too much food makes you sluggish.  At the end of a day’s walk it’s a tough call between eating and taking off shoes.

Win, win. Shoes off and simultaneously eating. Italian walkers.
Official beginning and ending of Via Francigena.
The avoided tourists.

Ten Minutes – October 01, 2026

  • #3 San Miniato – Gambassi Terme Via Francigena Day 3 Travel Day 22)
  • Time: 7 hours 45 minutes / 14.5 miles (46 total) / 1,174’  elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

Three landscapes separated by ten minutes of walking.

Countryside

Tonight’s accommodations is Ostello Sigerico at the 12th to 13th Century Santa Maria Church in Chianni.

Roosters – October 01, 2026

  • #3 San Miniato – Gambassi Terme Via Francigena Day 3 (Travel Day 22)
  • Time: 7 hours 45 minutes / 15.5 miles (45.2 total) / 1,174’ elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

An early morning start in hopes of avoiding the heat and sunshine.  Nothing heard but the sound of roosters. 

Early Start
Early Start
Two of the five people seen walking on today’s rolling hills.

 People – September 30, 2026

  • #2 Altopascio – San Miniato: Via Francigena Day 2 (Travel Day 21)
  • Time: 8 hours / 18 miles (30.7 total) / 1,900’  elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / sunshine and clouds mixed & winds 5-10 mph

It’s always about the people.

Lady with Dog
As expected I passed cafés along the way. However, none were serving food. I was peckish after the long walk. Not good. I made sure I have a sandwich packed for tomorrow’s walk.
This lovely lady promised to me the best sandwich. She did!

Few – September 30, 2026

  • #2 Altopascio – San Miniato: Via Francigena Day 2 (Travel Day 21)
  • Time: 8 hours / 18 miles (30.7 total) / 1,900’  elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / sunshine and clouds mixed & winds 5-10 mph

A long walk got longer at 11am when the sun shines increased and shade decreased.

Garden
Roman Road. The rounded cobblestone are hard on the feet. How did the Romans manage with sandals?
16th Century Medici Bridge

Pastimes – September 29, 2026 

  • #1  Lucca – Altopascio: Via Francigena Day 1 (Travel Day 20)
  • Time: 6 hours / 12.7 miles / 72’ elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Pastimes when it’s a “time on feet” walk. 

Visit churches along the way. The density of grand churches is overwhelming.
Cappuccino and pastry breaks. I’m hopeful of finding a tasty treat. It hasn’t happened yet.
Meet the locals. Adorable.

As Expected – September 28, 2026 

  • #1  Lucca – Altopascio: Via Francigena Day 1 (Travel Day 20)
  • Time: 6 hours / 12.7 miles / 72’ elevation gained
  • Weather 55-85° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Today’s walk delivered exactly what was expected 97% paved roads, suburbs, commercial and industrial zones.  It’s a small part of the big picture with better things to come.  

Official start Lucca’s Piazzale San Michele
The double church bells rang for a solid ten minutes announcing morning mass.
Many of the graves had photographs of the dead. Each photo showed a very somber person as if it was a passport photograph. Many of the graves had wilting fresh flowers. I got the impression that these dead were not forgotten.

Ariadne – September 28, 2026 

  • Lucca: Day 3 (Travel Day 19)
  • Weather 55-85° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Carved into the portico of Lucca’s Cathedral of San Martino is a circular labyrinth with the Latin inscription, “The labyrinth was built by Dedalius of Crete; all who entered therein were lost except, save Theseus, thanks to Ariadne’s thread.” 

Positioned along the Via Francigena the labyrinth serves as a meditative guide for pilgrims on their way to Rome. Could there be a more perfect place to begin a 250 mile walk to Rome? 

Carved Labyrinth
Inside the Cathedral is a chapel containing a carved wooden statue recognized as the oldest surviving wooden statue in Western Europe.
Traditional claims the statue was carved by Nicodemus, a follower of Jesus.