Via di Francesco: Greccio to Rome

We will arrange your travel from Rome (the city you should fly into) to Greccio, the town that will be our home base for a couple of days. Don't worry, when you fly into Rome, you won't see anything that "gives the city away," and your walk into the city will still be magical. We will spend the evening in Greccio getting to know each other and preparing for the adventure ahead.

With everyone a bit jet-lagged, we will take it easy on our first full day together. We will walk to the sanctuary that is home to the first live nativity. This is where we will officially begin our walk and have our tau ceremony (similar to a shell ceremony). Everyone will receive their pilgrim credential and tau necklace on this day. The Greek letter tau (T) is the sign of Saint Francis and has become the symbol of this pilgrimage route. During our time in Rieti, you may decide to enjoy a tour of the underground salt road. On this day, we will meet with a local expert who will discuss what to expect on the journey to Rome.

Surrounded by forested slopes and spiritual quiet, you descend toward the Velino River Valley, eventually arriving in Rieti. Known as the “navel of Italy,” this small city is rich with Franciscan history, ancient Roman ruins, and Renaissance architecture. Rieti has been known as the geographic center of Italy since ancient Roman times. It's the perfect place to reflect on the journey ahead.

Leaving the city, you follow quiet country roads and trails into the Sabine hills. Olive groves and vineyards will have you drooling to taste their olive oil and wine. The route to Poggio San Lorenzo winds through rolling terrain with nonstop views. Today we will cross a 1600-year-old Roman bridge! This tiny village, once a Roman outpost, still holds remnants of its ancient past. The evening here is tranquil, ideal for enjoying simple local fare and stargazing.

You walk through open countryside and historic farmland toward Ponticelli Sabino, a hamlet nestled among fields and hills. Here you’ll encounter authentic rural life and a slower pace. The route will include quiet paths paralleling the ancient Via Salaria, a Roman road that once connected Rome to the Adriatic Sea.

Today’s walk brings a mix of wooded areas and open views of the approaching Tiber Valley. As you reach Montelibretti, you'll notice a shift from remote villages to more connected towns. Perched on a hilltop, Montelibretti offers a picturesque historic center with sweeping views.

Now entering the greater area of Rome, your path passes through olive groves and suburban farms as you make your way to Monterotondo. This bustling hill town has a lively historic center and a strong connection to Rome’s past, with Baroque palaces and winding lanes. The hope is that by now you have enjoyed a lot of olive oil from these beautiful groves! You’ll sense the capital city drawing near, yet the small-town warmth remains relevant.

Today, you cross into Rome’s urban landscape, arriving in the neighborhood of Monte Sacro, named for the hill where plebeians once staged political revolts in Roman times. Despite being within the capital’s limits, this area retains pockets of greenery and historical interest. You'll rest here before the final stretch into the heart of the Eternal City.

the Eternal CityYour pilgrimage concludes in Rome, a city that seamlessly blends ancient wonder with modern vibrancy. You’ll walk the cobbled streets to marvel at landmarks as we make our way to the Eternal City. Who knows, maybe we will see the Pope (not guaranteed!). [caption id="attachment_156853" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Staircase in the Vatican Museum[/caption]

There is so much to explore in Rome! Our first day will explore the sacred side of the city, including time to explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. You will have the option to climb the dome (for an additional $100), and we will arrange the tickets for you. Our second day will focus on Italian cuisine, with a small group class dedicated to learning how to make pizza and pasta, and a special dinner at a hidden gem of the city. During both days, with your hop-on/hop-off bus pass, you can visit quieter spiritual sites like San Francesco a Ripa or the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Whether you're exploring bustling piazzas or finding solace in quiet chapels, Rome is a fitting culmination to your journey.

You won't be able to see all of Rome in just two days. On this supplement day, we will provide your breakfast, dinner, and final night's lodging while exploring ancient Rome. We will tour the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum, including a tour of the dungeons and floor of the arena, along with several piazzas. We will leave a coin in Trevi Fountain to ensure we all make it back to Rome! Following an evening bus tour, we will enjoy a final dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, specializing in a wide variety of homemade pastas. If we are lucky, we'll get to watch the chef make the next day's pasta! Note: While we are in Rome, our lodging is close to the Trevi Fountain. Everywhere in the City Center of Rome, lodging is expensive. The supplemental cost covers our expenses for your lodging, breakfast, dinner, and tickets.

• Transportation to the start of the walk and back to the airport at the end
• Lodging in private rooms, two people per room with private bathrooms. Check-in about 3 p.m. Air conditioning cannot be guaranteed.
• All breakfasts (typically a pastry, coffee, sometimes juice)
• All dinners with multiple courses; water and wine included, cocktails on your own
• Daily luggage transfer (limit 30 lbs, bag no larger than 25" tall)
• Taxi transfer (at your expense) on any day you need to shorten your walk (arranged by 8 p.m. the night before)
• A local expert on the region and the significance of the Way of St. Francis
• Your tau necklace and your credential
• Your testimonium from Vatican City at the end of the pilgrimage
• Participation in a pizza and pasta-making class in Rome
• Tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
• Hop-on/hop-off bus pass to explore the city
• A special gift from us
• Three online sessions with your group, help securing airfare, and on-demand phone or video calls
• Photos and video filmed throughout the trip; a Google Drive link with all photos and videos after the trip

• Airfare
• Lunch and snacks throughout the day
• Cocktails
• Tickets for tours in Rome that are not included in the trip