The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from Canterbury, England, through France, Switzerland, and Italy, all the way to Rome. It was historically one of the main routes for pilgrims traveling to the Vatican, and for centuries, it was also an important trade route. The route has been used since the 9th century, with a significant boost in popularity during the Middle Ages as Christian pilgrims made their way to Rome to seek spiritual benefits.

The earliest mentions of the route can be traced back to archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury in the year 990. Sigeric described the journey back from Rome to Canterbury, listing the stops he made along the way. These stops later became the landmarks for the Via Francigena.

The route played a critical role in the spread of Christianity, culture, and commerce in medieval Europe, connecting diverse cultures and regions.

We want your experience to be interactive, nurturing and personalised, so we have limited this retreat group to a maximum of ten participants and two facilitators. 

This gives you the perfect balance of a small group to support meaningful interactions with fellow pilgrims, with the space for solo time and individual contemplation.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended to prepare you for walking around 15kms per day at average pace. On the final day of walking we will be building up to about 24kms.

Engaging with regular long walks in the months beforehand, and in particular ensuring you can walk 20+ kms in your chosen shoes/boots is highly recommended to make your Camino a comfortable one.

Of course, if a situation arises through injury or personal challenges, we will work with you to coordinate alternative transport to our accomodation each day as required.

We are dedicated to supporting and guiding everyone to have the best experience.

We have engaged a luggage service to transport our bags between accommodation each day.

This will allow you to carry a small daypack with just the on-the-trail essentials, and have your bag waiting when you arrive at the next stage of the journey.

Of course, if you'd rather hike with your full luggage that is perfectly fine as well.

The early autumn September/October days in Tuscany are characterised by sunny weather, warm temperatures and (hopefully!) moderate rainfall.

In the daytime, temperatures tend to hover near 23*C, cooling down at night to around 12*C.

This small-group event will have two dedicated facilitators and guides (Karen and Todd) with you at all times. We have worked hard to curate beautiful accommodations and design amazing experiences, and will be with you every step of the way.

Todd will be the on-the-ground communications point for all logistics, transfers, and baggage transport as well as in case of any emergencies.

Depending on where you're travelling from, most likely you will be flying into Florence or Rome.

From Florence, trains run very frequently, with the fast trains taking 1h20 and the all-stops service about 2 hours. Tickets can be pre-bought at https://www.italiarail.com/. Busses are also options if you'd prefer.

If coming from Rome, both busses and trains are options. Trains will come from the airport to Roma Termini, then to Florence (Firenze) where you can then connect to the Lucca service. Full routes from Rome airport to Lucca will take about 4 hours.

Once in Lucca we have organised a hotel an easy ten minutes' walk from the station,

Departing Siena is similarly straightforward, with frequent train services to Florence and beyond. If you're still in the walking mood, the station is about 40 minutes from our hotel, otherwise we will coordinate complimentary transfers for you.

Aside from our wellbeing programme, which will include various activities such as yoga, stretching and movement, meditation, mindfulness activities, we will also incorporate a range of other processes and activities to support transformation, self discovery and deeper awareness as you travel the Via Francigena path.

Every retreat programme is personalised for the unique needs of each individual group and while participation in the full programme is recommended, all activities are optional.

We know that moving back into everyday life can be hard when you have been through some big changes or transformation during a retreat or experience such as the Via Francigena. As such, we offer integration sessions after the retreat to help you maintain your focus and intention moving forward. 

You also have the opportunity to have one on one support, through consultations, mentoring or coaching sessions with our facilitators in any area you need more assistance with.

We have specifically selected this stretch between Lucca and Siena in Tuscany as it is one of the most iconic and scenic parts of the Via Francigena. This section is particularly loved for its rolling hills, medieval towns, and the stunning Tuscan landscape.

Expect a lot of ambling ups and downs through Tuscan hills, vineyards, olive groves, and cypress-lined roads. The route offers expansive views of the countryside, often dotted with classic Tuscan farmhouses and quiet, charming villages.

The section between Lucca and Siena includes a mix of woods, fields, and occasional paved roads, with stretches of well-maintained dirt paths that create a true sense of being immersed in nature. Given the timing of this hike, we’ll likely see the tail end of the grape harvest and the early stages of the olive harvest.

Along the way, we’ll pass through (and stay in) several medieval towns, each with its own character and history. Beyond the towns themselves, the Via Francigena has a number of historical landmarks, churches, and wayside shrines that pilgrims historically visited.

The route is far from the more crowded tourist areas of Tuscany, and while it is popular with pilgrims and walkers, it offers plenty of moments of solitude and serenity. The walking pace and the quiet surroundings make it an excellent route for reflection and inner peace.

In essence, walking this section of the Via Francigena offers a perfect blend of history, spirituality, physical activity, and natural beauty.