Put on your hiking shoes and join us for the journey of a lifetime! The Way of St. Francis, also known as the Cammino di San Francesco, offers offers a unique path of discovery. Relatively unknown outside Italy, this exceptional hiking trail offers a remarkable mix of nature, history, art and culture, in the context of the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. By focusing on the cultural, spiritual and historical aspects the Cammino offers, this trip is for those with an open heart and mind, who are interested in delving deeper into the local heritage. 

Arrive in Bologna’s airport in the afternoon, where you’ll be greeted by your host and continue to Rimini. There we’ll check into our hotel to relax before the start of our journey. Feel free to explore the ancient, medieval and modern history of an extraordinary town - the birthplace of the first Renaissance building, the modern summer vacations, and of one of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Federico Fellini. In the evening, we’ll meet our fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Meet your Esperienza host and local guide at the hotel for a brief orientation, then depart to quickly reach the first hills above the city and the Marecchia River valley - Valmarecchia. Continue on your walk to arrive in Vergiano, where you can discover a small chapel in homage to an ancient tradition. Here, San Francesco was hosted in a modest house where they offered him a stick as a support for the journey (the current secular cypress of Villa Verucchio). We’ll spend the night in Verucchio, the hilltop town that offers magnificent views of the valley and unique opportunities for fans of archeology and history.

Miles: 15; Elevation change: +1,600 ft, -600 ft

Discover the hilltop village of Verucchio, which has existed since Pre-Etruscan times,. We'll experience its incredible Archeological Museum, and learn about its collection of artifacts from the ancient Villanovan civilization which lived in this area. We'll also take some time to create our own hand-crafted journals, which we can use to record our reflections about our hiking adventure. And, or course, to enjoy a relaxing lunch or aperitivo in the lively piazza.

Depart for the medium-high Valmarecchia, among rugged cliffs dominated by fortified fortresses. You will encounter several breathtaking panoramic views from the ridge, with a view of San Leo (still distant), the castle of Montebello, and the Pincio and Aquilone mountains, also known as the “Sleeping Bishop,” due to the unmistakable shape that made it an important orientation point for the pilgrims from Rome, who descended as far as Rimini and then traveled along the Valmarecchia to cross towards Rome at the Viamaggio pass (Via Major). Among pastures, cultivated fields and wooded patches, you reach the Convent of Sant’Igne, one of the most significant destinations on the Way. Overnight in the picturesque village of San Leo.

Miles: 13: Elevation change: + 1,900 ft, -1,000 ft

“The most beautiful town in Italy? San Leo: a fortress and two churches.” That’s according to Umberto Eco, author of the best-seller “The Name of the Rose.”

We’ll take a day of rest in San Leo, a charming village with stone-paved streets and expansive westward views of the peaks and valleys of the Valmarecchia, as

well as eastward to the beaches of the Adriatic Sea. Taking time to explore the town, its castle, and its connection to the life of St. Francis, we will learn about the history of San Leo and the individuals who left their profound mark there. We’ll also get a lesson in pasta making, and have the opportunity to meet the young and passionate locals who give new life to this ancient town.

From San Leo, a medieval town built on a mighty overhanging boulder, you descend again to the valley floor and then go up again to the opposite ridge in

the Savio Valley where Sant’Agata Feltria is located, a splendid ancient village steeped in spirituality and mystical places. We’ll stay overnight a few steps from

the historic center of the village. Before the end of the day, we’ll explore Sant’Agata’s treasures – the museum of Rural Arts, the theatre of Angelo Mariani and the whimsical fountains designed by Tonino Guerra. We’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant full of history, local character and extraordinary dishes.

Miles: 13; Elevation: +2,500 ft/-2,400 ft

On this day of exploration, we’ll discover the many treasures of the town of Sant'Agata Feltria, from its soaring fairy tale castle to its exquisite theatre to a volunteer-run museum dedicated the rural arts. Then we'll travel by shuttle to our beloved Pennabilli, to get to know the village that was the birthplace of Esperienza. visit the Tonino Guerra museum, the Garden of the Forgotten Fruits. 

Today, the landscape changes radically, passing from a bucolic and rural environment to a mountainous one, typical of the Apennines. Along the way, you’ll reach the Hermitage of Sant’Alberico. Documented since 1043, it was, according to an ancient tradition, founded by San Romualdo. San Francesco passed through here on his way back to La Verna. Continuing through the woods, you’ll come across the splendid stone road, called “Via Granducale,” because it was built by the Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany for a pardon received. Our overnight stay is in Balze, situated in the green heart of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines on the slopes of Monte Fumaiolo.

Miles: 14; Elevation +3,700 ft/-2,100 ft

We are now between Romagna and Tuscany, under the rocky wall of Monte Fumaiolo. Among pastures and woods, we’ll ascend to Poggio Tre Vescovi (3,800 ft) where the ridge path is part of an ancient medieval road. We’ll then reach the Gualanciole Pass and the Pratelle Pass (3,300 ft), the junction point with the Via di Francesco which leads from La Verna to Rome. After descending steeply to the Croce della Calla (3,500 ft), under the wall of Monte Penna, we’ll arrive at the Sanctuary of La Verna. Dinner and overnight stay in the guest rooms of the Sanctuary.

Miles: 15; Elevation: + 2,600 ft/-2,300 ft

After breakfast, we’ll attend the Blessing of the Pilgrims and learn more about the life of St. Francis, as we gather energy at the Sanctuary of La Verna. We will stop for lunch and visit with a local ceramics artist in the nearby town of Chiusi della Verna. In the afternoon, we’ll travel by shuttle to Bagno di Romagna, a place of clean air, pure mineral hot springs, authentic cuisine and friendly residents.

Take a leisurely morning to wander the town, hike the nearby trails on your own, or enjoy the nearby spa. We’ll have a celebratory lunch together at a Michelin-starred restaurant in a nearby town. Dinner will be on your own.

Refreshed by our time in nature, and filled with indelible memories, we’ll return to Bologna in the morning after breakfast by private coach.