After enjoying the capital of the Renaissance, step back in time to ancient forests and monasteries of the Middle Ages. The beautiful Casentino National Forest is the setting and St Francis’s beloved Santuario della Verna atop serene Mount Penna with its active Franciscan convent is the first goal. His hometown is the final destination. In between, walk among the towns and forests that were his inspiration, including the town of Gubbio where he made peace with the wolf, and Montecasale where he converted the three thieves. At Valfabbrica he was robbed and stripped and, of course, at Assisi he was born and was buried. No itinerary brings you closer to the person and the legend than walking from Florence to Assisi on the Way of St Francis. 

One room with private bath and breakfast has been requested.  Exceptions as noted.

4/18/25, Friday [9:15 Arrive Florence on Swiss Air]

Antica dimora de Benci

Via dei Benci 19, Firenze 

Telephone: 0552 345 227

Confirmed: 3/9/25 Patrizia      

4/19/25, Saturday [Explore Florence Day]

Antica dimora de Benci

Via dei Benci 19, Firenze

Telephone: 0552 345 227

Confirmed: 3/9/25 Patrizia

4/20/25, Sunday [Firenze to Pontassieve]

Leonardo's Rooms Locanda Nova

Via Piave 7, Pontassieve 

Telephone: 0558 368 192

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Leonardo

4/21/25, Monday [Pontassieve to Consuma]

Ospitale di San Domenico

Via Casentinese 355, Consuma 

Telephone: 347 1993121

Telephone: 333 5037577

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Elena (no formal breakfast available. Tourist tax of 2 euros per person)

4/22/25, Tuesday [Consuma to Stia]

Albergo Falterona

Piazza Bernardo Tanucci 85, Stia 

Telephone: 05751 890 138

whatsapp 339 3157379

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Genny

4/23/25, Wednesday [Stia to Camaldoli]

Locanda dei Baroni

Via di Camaldoli 7, Camaldoli 

Telephone: 0575 556 015

Confirmed: 3/5/25, reservation #3911609

4/24/25, Thursday [Camaldoli to Rimbocchi] 

RIFUGIO Casa Santicchio

Loc. Casa Santicchio 15, Chiusi della Verna

Telephone: 05751 787 586

Confirmed: 12/6/24 Laura (dinner is part of your reservation - Tourist tax of 2 euros per person)

4/25/25, Friday [Rimbocchi to La Verna]

Albergo Ristorante Letizia

Via Roma 26, Chiusi della Verna 

Telephone: 0575 599 020

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

4/26/25, Saturday [Explore La Verna Day]

Albergo Ristorante Letizia

Via Roma 26, Chiusi della Verna 

Telephone: 0575 599 020

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

4/27/25, Sunday [La Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano]

Hotel Santo Stefano

Via Tiberina 95, Pieve Santo Stefano 

Telephone: 0575 797 129

Confirmed: 3/5/25

4/28/25, Monday [Pieve Santo Stefano to La Montagna]

B&B Il Palazzo

Strada vicinale de Il Palazzo 55, Sansepolcro 

Telephone: 3477 817 173

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Giovanna (dinner will be available nearby and there are not many options, let Il Palazzo know that you're interested). 

4/29/25, Tuesday [La Montagna to Sansepolcro]

Enoteca & Locanda Guidi

Via Luca Pacioli 44, Sansepolcro 

Telephone: 0575 736 587

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

4/30/25, Wednesday [Sansepolcro to Agriturismo Le Burgne]

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5/1/25, Thursday [Agriturismo Le Burgne to Citta di Castello/2 nights in Citta di Castello]

Hotel Tiferno

Piazza R. Sanzio 13, Città di Castello 

Telephone: 075-8550 331

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Sabrina

5/2/25, Friday [Citta di Castello to Pieve de Saddi/Walk to Pieve de Saddi, transport back]

Hotel Tiferno

Piazza R. Sanzio 13, Città di Castello 

Telephone: 075-8550 331

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Sabrina

5/3/25, Saturday [Pieve de Saddi to Borgo San Benedetto/Transport Citta di Castello to Pieve de Saddi, walk to Borgo San Benedetto]

Agriturismo Borgo San Benedetto

Umbria Perugia Gubbio Loc, San Benedetto Vecchio

Tel/fax 075/9241002

Telephone: Cell 349.321 5695 

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Fabrizia (Dinner is available. Since it's in the countryside please RSVP with your host). 

5/4/25, Sunday [Borgo San Benedetto to Gubbio]

Hotel Bosone Palace

Via XX Settembre 22, Gubbio

Telephone: 0759 220 688

Confirmed: 3/3/25 Sylvie

5/5/25, Monday [Explore Gubbio Day]

Hotel Bosone Palace

Via XX Settembre 22, Gubbio

Telephone: 0759 220 688

Confirmed: 3/3/25 Sylvie

5/6/25, Tuesday [Gubbio to Il Beccafico]

Agriturismo il Beccafico alpaca

Località Vallingegno 18, Gubbio 

Telephone: 380 303 7587

Confirmed: 1/10/25 Ivo and Masako (Dinner is available. Since it's in the countryside please RSVP with your host). 

5/7/25, Wednesday [Il Beccafico to Valfabbrica]

Locanda Francescana

Via Piave 3, Valfabbrica 

Telephone: 3516 837 673

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Andrea

5/8/25, Thursday [Valfabbrica to Assisi]

Hotel Umbra

Vicolo degli Archi 6, Assisi

Telephone: 075 812 240

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Paola

5/9/25, Friday [Explore Assisi Day]

Hotel Umbra

Vicolo degli Archi 6,Assisi 

Telephone: 075 812 240

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Paola

5/10/25, Saturday [ 05:45 Depart train Assisi to Florence (be at the train station by 05:15 - you can arrange a taxi the day before. 13:40 Flight to Frankfurt]

Arrive in Florence on 9:15 Swiss Air; take the trolley to the center of town and check-in to your hotel; relax and enjoy the city.

Antica dimora de Benci

Via dei Benci 19, Firenze 

Telephone: 0552 345 227

Confirmed: 3/9/25 Patrizia

"Florence's many works of art and culture deserve additional study ....the starting point of the first stage of the Way of St. Francisco [is] at the Basilica Santa Croce. As well as being the largest Franciscan church in the world, the Basilica Santa Croce is sometimes called the 'mausoleum of Italy' since it is darker and more dense with color than its more famous sibling, the Duomo of Florence."

Antica dimora de Benci

Via dei Benci 19 Firenze

Telephone: 0552 345 227

Confirmed: 3/9/25 Patrizia

Walk along the quiet banks of the Arno River among locals and then head inland among olive grovers. Overnight at Pontassieve in the suburbs of Florence. 

Leonardo's Rooms Locanda Nova

Via Piave 7,  Pontassieve 

Telephone: 0558 368 192

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Leonardo

Walk among vineyards of the famed Frescobaldi vintner and then head into the woods as you climb to the first reaches of the Casentino National Forest where you’ll remain for the next days. 

Ospitale di San Domenico

Via Casentinese 355, Consuma 

Telephone: 347 1993121

Telephone: 333 5037577

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Elena  (no formal breakfast available. Tourist tax of 2 euros per person) 

Today’s walk is almost exclusively on paths and gravel roads, where you see the green side of Tuscany and the first hints of breathtaking mountain views. Stia stands at the headwaters of the Arno amidst forests of oak, birch and pine. Overnight in Stia in this town famed for its wool products. 

Albergo Falterona

Piazza Bernardo Tanucci 85, Stia 

Telephone: 05751 890 138

whatsapp 339 3157379

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Genny

For over 1000 years monks and hermits have called Camaldoli their home. See their chapels and shops and browse their soaps and medicinal herbs at Camoldoli Hermitage and Monastery. 

Locanda dei Baroni

Via di Camaldoli 7, Camaldoli

Telephone: 0575 556 015

Confirmed: 3/5/25

"This most challenging day follows the CAI trails 073, 070 and 053, as well as the Senteiro delle Foreste Sacre, through lush forests with sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys."

RIFUGIO Casa Santicchio

Loc. Casa Santicchio 15, Chiusi della Verna

Telephone: 05751 787 586

Confirmed: 12/6/24 Laura (dinner is part of your reservation - Tourist tax of 2 euros per person)

Walk across the Madrioli Pass with views of the Adriatic Sea in good weather to Monte Penna, site of the beloved Santuario della Verna, a functioning Franciscan convent and one of Italy’s holiest places. This is the site where Francis is said to have received the stigmata. Overnight in Chiusi della Verna. 

Albergo Ristorante Letizia

Via Roma 26, Chiusi della Verna 

Telephone: 0575 599 020

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

"Santuario della Verna is widely considered one of the most holy and spiritual places in all of Italy.  Among the ancient trees and rocky crags on the south side of Mt. Penna (1128m) it is easy to imagine St. Francis in deep medication or quiet prayer.  La Verna's remote location has allowed it to retain much of the same character as when St. Francis walked its paths 800 years ago." 

Albergo Ristorante Letizia

Via Roma 26, Chiusi della Verna

Telephone: 0575 599 020

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

After a downhill walk on forested paths the Tiber Valley opens up and the mountain town of Pieve Santo Stefano welcomes us. Take a tour of the heart of town, visit the Piccolo Museo del Diario. 

Hotel Santo Stefano

Via Tiberina 95, Pieve Santo Stefano

Telephone: 0575 797 129

Confirmed: 3/5/25

From Pieve Santo Stefano we have you taking the Montecasale option. You'll be able to visit the Cerbaiolo Hermitage, known to be a prayer site of Saint Anthony of Padua.  The original hermitage was destroyed in partisan fighting against the Nazis during WWII and a hermit devoted to prayer now lives in the rebuilt buildings (call ahead at 0575 799228 to visit). Tonight you'll be in La Montagna a few kilometers before Montecasale.  

B&B Il Palazzo

Strada vicinale de Il Palazzo 55, Sansepolcro 

Telephone: 3477 817 173

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Giovanna (dinner will be available nearby and there are not many options, let Il Palazzo know that you're interested).

"Today you have a 5km walk downhill to arrive at the Franciscan hermitage of Montecasale where Francis converted three thieves, two of whose skulls are displayed in the hermitage chapel.  After a visit to the monastery, currently inhabited by an active community of Capucin monks, take the path downhill coming in a few hundred meters to the turn-off for the scenic Sasso Spicco cave and seasonal waterfall. The path soon arrives at the paved highway where you turn left and find Sansepolcro in 4km." 

Enoteca & Locanda Guidi

Via Luca Pacioli 44, Sansepolcro

Telephone: 0575 736 587

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Simona

A flat walk through farms with a short climb up to the walled, hilltop town of Citerna with its sweeping views of the Tiber Valley and the mountains beyond. You'll be staying just beyond.

Agriturismo Casale Le Burgne

Voc. Burgne 12, Città di Castello 

Telephone: 3290 192 923

Confirmed: 3/5/25 (Dinner is available. Since it's in the countryside please RSVP with your host).

A green day of farms nurturing sunflowers. Climb the famed cylindrical tower at Città di Castello and enjoy the delicacies of this picturesque overnight. 

Hotel Tiferno

Piazza R. Sanzio 13, Città di Castello

Telephone: 075-8550 331

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Sabrina

Today we're splitting this beautiful walk to enjoy this stage that climbs along pastures and pine forests.  You'll finish the walk today at the fourth-century church of Pieve di Saddi with its adjoining pilgrim hostel.  They might be closed, but worth a knock on the door to investigate the ancient church's frescos. Your transport will pick you up at 4pm from Pieve di Saddi and you'll have another night in Città di Castello. 

Hotel Tiferno 

Piazza R. Sanzio 13, Città di Castello

Telephone: 075-8550 331

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Sabrina

After an overnight in Città di Castello you will be picked up from your hotel at 9am and transported back to Pieve di Saddi to continue your walk. 

You'll pass by the charming town of Pietralunga.  If you feel that you have time you can view the historic church of Santa Maria and citadel tower on the main piazza. Crowded into the narrow streets are the 18th-century former hospital, 15-century Captain's Palace, and the 12th century convent."

Agriturismo Borgo San Benedetto

Umbria Perugia Gubbio Loc, San Benedetto Vecchio 

Tel/fax: 075/9241002

Cell: 349.321 5695

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Fabrizia (Dinner is available. Since it's in the countryside please RSVP with your host). 

Everyone loves medieval Gubbio, the town of the Ceri races, the wolf tamed by Francis, and acrobatic funicular that ascends to Basilica San Ubaldo above the settlement. 

Hotel Bosone Palace

Via XX Settembre 22, Gubbio

Telephone: 0759 220 688

Confirmed: 3/3/25 Sylvie

"A tour of Gubbio from bottom to top should include at least the Roman Theater, the 13th-century Church of San Francesco, the 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli with its museum on the Piazza Grande....and the 12th-century Duomo with its many works of sacred art and stunning rose window. Not to be missed is the funivia Colle Eletto, an open-air funicular that takes you in a standing basket to the Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo and its lovely gardens and restaurante." 

Hotel Bosone Palace

Via XX Settembre 22, Gubbio

Telephone: 0759 220 688

Confirmed: 3/3/25 Sylvie

The Chiascio River drains these forested hillsides among castles and convents. This is a green and lovely stage, mostly on quiet, gravel roads. 

Agriturismo il Beccafico alpaca

Località Vallingegno 18, Gubbio

Telephone: 380 303 7587

Confirmed: 1/10/25 Ivo and Masako

"Travel through forests and along quiet country roads the route makes many twists and turns in order to pass around Lago di Valfabbrica." 

Locanda Francescana

VIA PIAVE 3, Valfabbrica 

Telephone: 3516 837 673

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Andrea

"Ending at one of the best loved towns in Italy, this short stage travels among farms and then up into forests as it crosses a ridge to make its way to the hometown of St. Francis. Perhaps the most challenging portion is the steep climb in the last 1km before town. Start early so you have more time to enjoy Assisi and its many spiritual and scenic delights." 

Hotel Umbra

Vicolo degli Archi 6, Assisi 

Telephone: 075 812 240

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Paola

"To tour Assisi's main sites, begin with its most prominent and iconic building, the Basilica di San Francesco....The entire basilica is well worth a long and meditative visit." After the basilica there are many churches worth visiting with references to St. Francis and the history of Assisi.  "In the upper part of town, it is also worthwhile to tour the Rocca Maggiore castle which dominates the town." There are many places to visit in Assisi.  Enjoy your time there and soak up the history. 

Hotel Umbra

Vicolo degli Archi 6, Assisi

Telephone: 075 812 240

Confirmed: 3/5/25 Paola

Time to depart Assisi to return home.  Today you'll wake up early to take the train to Florence and then the trolley to the airport to catch your flight.  A good opportunity to contemplate your adventure and think about what might be next!

05:45 Depart train Assisi to Florence (be at the train station by 05:15 - you can arrange a taxi the day before.

13:40 Flight to Frankfurt