WT18 catalog single pgs

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FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT 53
Lace up your hiking boots and join us on the legendary
Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrimage trail that led
from northern Europe to Rome. We’ll be following the
most beautiful sections of this route, with hikes linking
historic towns including San Quirico d’Orcia, arguably
one of Italy’s loveliest hilltop villages, and ancient
Viterbo, and ending with a hike right into stunning
St. Peter’s Square. This pilgrimage is an experience of
the senses as well as the heart. We’ll follow trails
alongside serene Lago di Bolsena, taste wines from
renowned vineyards, and explore the
peaceful Etruscan ruins at Sutri. The
delightful cuisines of Tuscany and
Lazio, accompanied by deep Chianti and
Brunello wines, will keep you well-fueled
for the journey. Buon cammino!
Days 1-4 Siena / Buonconvento / San
Quirico d’Orcia / Lago di Bolsena /
Montefiascone From ravishing Siena, we
hike trails lined by fields of sunflowers and
avenues of tall cypress trees to the medieval walled town of
Buonconvento, one of the piu belli borghi d’Italia (most
beautiful villages in Italy). Contouring golden wheat fields,
we reach the unspoiled village of San Quirico d’Orcia, where
our hotel is a beautifully restored 15th century building. Our
trail crosses a small section of cobbled Roman road as we
head above deep blue Lago di Bolsena to the citadel town
of Montefiascone, with its papal fortress offering stunning
views across the lake. Sampling regional dishes, from ribolitta
to panzanella and carciofo romanesco, adds to our pleasures
en route.
Days 5-8 Viterbo / Sutri / Monterosi Hiking through
vineyards where grapes for some of the best Italian wines are
grown (the region known as Est! Est! Est! di Montefiascone),
we reach Viterbo, whose historic city center is surrounded by
still-intact medieval walls. In Sutri, with its well-preserved
Etruscan, Roman, and Renaissance treasures, we see the
spectacular Roman amphitheater, a masterpiece excavated
from tufa rock. We also explore Monterosi, once a major stop
on the pilgrim trail, the Parco Valle del Treja, which protects
a stretch of rocky gorges and mixed oak forest, and the
picturesque village of Isola Farnese, perched on a rock outcrop.
This tiny village has a fascinating history—a member of the
Farnese family became Pope Paul III.
Days 9-10 Rome From our castle-hotel nestled in the
countryside, we hike into Rome, pausing for an incredible
panorama of the Eternal City from Monte Mario, a hill just
above the city. The last steps of our pilgrimage lead us to
Bernini’s masterpiece, St. Peter’s Square, flanked by the
Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. Leaving our pilgrim staffs by
the door, we enter the revered sanctuary of the Basilica. We
can watch Sunday mass right from our hotel—the only one
right in front of the Basilica—before departing on Day 10.
FROM SIENA TO ROME ALONG THE VIA FRANCIGENA
Our hikes on this historic route lead to enchanting villages and fascinating ruins.
PHOTO: OLIMPIO FANTUZ
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike historic routes used
by wayfarers since the
Middle Ages
• Discover medieval
villages on foot, savor
Tuscany’s and Lazio’s
mouth-watering culinary
treats
• Enjoy panoramas of
stunning Lago di Bolsena
from a balcony trail
• Enter Rome on foot, from
the hills above, and walk
to the great St. Peter’s
Basilica
DETAILS
• 10-day trip begins in
Siena and ends in Rome
• 9 nights hotels, including
historic properties
• All meals included except
2 dinners
DATES
Apr 27-May 6, 2018
Sep 28-Oct 7
TRIP COST
$4995 (11-14 members)
$5495 (4-10 members)
Single supplement: $560
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A mix of moderate walks
and hikes, some steep
trails, 4-7 hours a day,
van support, team of up
to 3 Trip Leaders
BRIAN MCGILLOWAY