Walking the Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is one of the most captivating walking routes in Europe, a historic trail connecting Canterbury to Rome. Here you'll find information on stages, preparation, gear, and my personal diary of walking the entire route, from Canterbury to Rome.
My name is Alberto Foppa Vicenzini, and I am an avid walker. Over the years, I have completed the Camino de Santiago, the Assisi Way, the Way of St. Benedict, and the Via Francigena. Through these experiences, I have gained not only practical knowledge but also emotional insight, which I am eager to share with anyone interested in embarking on a journey.
Slow travel has become an increasingly popular phenomenon in recent years, with more people discovering the true meaning of walking for days or weeks along historic routes.
From my experience, I can say that it doesn't matter how long the route is, how old you are when you start, or even where you do it—if approached with the right spirit, it can become a truly unique experience.
The Via Francigena is suitable for everyone: young and old, women and men, solitary travelers and social butterflies. Along the way, you meet walkers of all kinds, with the most diverse motivations. You just need to start, listen to your body, let your steps guide you, and gradually enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Map of the main stages
Each stage of the Via Francigena offers something unique, and every walker experiences it differently based on their preferences, mood, and the reason behind their journey. The conditions around also greatly influence the experience: the same stage can feel different depending on the weather or time of year.
In choosing these stages, I aimed to give a short overview of what one might encounter along the Way. You might be drawn by the natural scenery, walking in complete harmony with it; visit historic towns; socialize with other pilgrims at the end of the day or along the route; or prefer to walk alone.
Each stage provided me with one or more of these experiences, which I discovered day by day, step by step. Sometimes I made the choice; other times, the stage chose for me. Click on the pins on the map to see some special images that are very meaningful to me.
The Via Francigena in pictures
My book about the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome
Explore the personal and immersive diary of a 2,200 km journey along the Via Francigena, straight from my book
Written in Italian, based on my personal journey.
Read the bookGet in touch
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at afoppa@tiscali.it or use the contact form on the contact page.