With all the means of transportation available to us, why do people still set out on foot? There is actually more than one answer.
People who walk along historic trails, such as the Via Francigena, should be asked this question. In 2021 the Via Francigena was traveled by about 40,000 walkers and pilgrims.
If we take a look at the post-pandemic data collected by viefrancigene.org, we find that the Francigena is undertaken by people from more than 40 countries and is now an emblem of slow travel that allows people to be in touch with nature but also to pass through beautiful cities of art, allows them to share experiences and immerse themselves in a spiritual dimension.
Lucca, Gambassi Terme, San Miniato and Siena are the most popular starting points, with Tuscany confirming itself as the most popular land for wayfarers considering the entire European route.
Another data point is of strong interest: 87% of travelers along the Francigena do so on foot, and the remaining 13% use bicycles.
In 3 words I will show you the benefits of slow traveling. That's why I recommend that you set out along the routes in Tuscany, especially the Via Francigena.
If you embark on a slow-paced journey, you can do it alone or with friends. One thing is sure: you will find someone to chat with or you can walk in silence listening to the breath of nature.
Along the route of the Via Francigena it is easy to meet other wayfarers, pilgrims ready to share a piece of their journey with you. You can get to know the locals, their welcome and their anecdotes.
The religious-type welcome is one of the characteristics of the route. In Siena, until 2019, you could have met Sister Ginetta who has dedicated a life to helping those most in need and welcoming pilgrims with her sweet smile.
As you travel the Via Francigena in Tuscany, you can choose from among 16 stages through varying landscapes, from mountains to hills, dotted with villages and cities of art with a long history and endless charm.
From the Cisa Pass you reach the Lunigiana, a borderland dotted with castles surrounded by vegetation. The stele statues in Pontremoli will surprise you, on a journey through history. Then we approach the coast and reach Massa, in the shadow of the Apuan Alps. From the Apuan Riviera we arrive in Versilia - and "little Athens" Pietrasanta - and then move on as far as Lucca, the city of a hundred churches. Continuing our journey we arrive in Altopascio, known for its bread, a symbol of hospitality, and we cross the Terre di Pisa (San Miniato, an excellent producer of truffles). Along the way we meet Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano and its towers, fortified Monteriggioni and splendid Siena, a treasure chest of art and culture.
From the peculiar landscape of the Crete Senesi and of the Val d'Arbia we arrive in the Val d'Orcia, a Unesco heritage site, with San Quirico d'Orcia and Bagno Vignoni. We cross the Amiata area (here there is also an alternative passing through Abbadia San Salvatore) to reach Radicofani and begin the first stage that reaches Lazio, at Acquapendente.
In the nearly 400 Tuscan kilometers of the path there is so much to see and see again, with the wonder of those who travel at a slow pace, savoring every moment of the journey.
Walking is a physical and mental panacea. Breathing pure air, surrounded by nature, and exercising contribute to a person's overall well-being. And at the end of the journey, after hours of walking, travelers are undoubtedly rewarded by a deep feeling of satisfaction.
Walking at one's pace, enveloped by the sounds of nature and revived by the genuine Tuscan products, lets wayfarers travel along a path also characterized by inner research and dialogue with themselves. We know that in order to recharge physically, it is very important to unplug and break out, at least for a few days, of the routine made of traffic, technological devices, hyperconnectivity and availability at all times.
You should not underestimate the possibility of stopping at spas along the way. For example, those in Bagno Vignoni, or the Terme della Via Francigena (Thermal Baths of the Via Francigena) in Gambassi Terme will let you relax between stops and take some time to pamper yourself between hot water and beneficial steam.
