FREE THE WAY OF ST FRANCIS: VIA DI FRANCESCO: FROM FLORENCE TO ASSISI AND ROME PDF The Reverend Sandy Brown | 288 pages | 30 Jan 2016 | Cicerone Press | 9781852846268 | English | Cumbria, United Kingdom St Francis Way - Camino di Francesco - Camino Ways Free 1st Class postage on UK orders. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund. More information The first section of the book is devoted to practical issues after a preamble about the history of the route. Advice is given about public transport, how to get a Pilgrim Certificate, best times to walk, what to carry, opening times of shops, restaurants and so forth, budget, itinerary and other useful information that is needed. The four appendices at the rear of the book give The Way of St Francis: Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome tips, route overviews and other useful information. I can't think of anything useful that has been omitted. I believe that Sandy Brown has written a very useful guide book for anyone contemplating the St Francis Way. There is a host of useful information, mapping and GPS provided that I think would enable a hiker to complete the route safely. The walk looks challenging and passes through beautiful areas of Central Italy. The weak part of the book for backpackers is the lack of information about camping but we do have the internet now to overcome that problem. But specialist guides written by cognoscenti and offering in depth, practical advice, flourish. Even in the age of GPS, pilgrims need help in staying on the straight and narrow. If more guidebooks were so thoughfully put together and so easy to follow, it might just keep worries at bay and get more of us out there doing instead. Hannah, That Adventurer Blog. Read more of this article and an interview with the author at Italy Magazine. What makes the itinerary as suggested by Sandy Brown stand out is that it combines the most important sites identified with the life of St Francis into a km long walk, while taking great care to make each of the 28 stages of this walk an enjoyable and scenic daily experience with easy access to services and economical overnight lodging. The Way of Francis is a timely trekking guide to a pilgrimage route from Florence through Tuscany, Umbria and Assisi to Rome and its seven pilgrim churches. It specifies the dimensions, highlights and difficulties of each stage in a trip which covers kilometers in 28 days. It pays particularly attention to all the places linked to St. Francis, such as Greccio where he made the first nativity crib and Assisi where he began his mission and where he lies. He came to Rome several times and his memory is preserved at the San Francesco a Ripa church in Trastevere where the cell he occupied can be visited. The American author, Sandy Brown, is an Methodist minister with a degree in mediaeval history. See more at: Italian Insider. It really inspired me to do more hikes this year in the UK too. Can't wait to see which other surprises you have for us! Coralie, Tea Time in Wonderland. He records his pilgrim adventures in his popular blog, www. Get the latest news, articles and offers in our newsletter sent out around every two weeks. Fast free 1st Class postage on UK orders. International shipping available. GPX files are available for many of our books. Just sign into your account to access them. Search Terms. International Trekking Pilgrim trails. Described in 28 stages, the guide to the month-long route includes detailed maps, profiles and information about all the shrines, churches and towns along the way. Seasons Spring, summer and fall. Winters are possible, too, except for higher elevations where snow is not uncommon. Difficulty Some steep climbs and descents, but no special gear required. All walks are graded either "Easy", "Moderate", or "Hard". The walk is sprinkled with sacred sites from the life of St. Francis and culminates in the Eternal City of Rome. More Images. Subscribe to updates by email Be notified by email when this book receives an update or correction. There is now baggage service available via FrancescoWays. Wayof St Francis Updatesa 1. GPX files. Sample The Way of St Francis: Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome. Trade Information. View author profile. St Cuthbert's Way. Newsletter Get the latest news, articles and offers in our newsletter sent out around every The Way of St Francis: Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome weeks. No quibble refunds If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund. Shop Extra Contribute. Walking in Italy: on the trail of Saint Francis of Assisi | Travel | The Guardian This long-distance walking trail inspired by the life and work of Saint Francis is recommended for experienced walkers as the mountainous terrain makes the trail quite challenging, particularly sections 1 and 3. Walkers however will be rewarded with the stunning and peaceful countryside; passing through areas of impressive natural beauty, as well as important Franciscan sites including Assisi and Rieti. This is the most popular itinerary, you may be able to combine or split the distance for each day. Click on get a quote to customize your trip. Take your time to explore and marvel at the great architecture of one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Florence! Walking along the busy streets of Florence, you will head north to Porta San Gallo and then east along the foot of the Fiesole hill and into the rim of green hills hovering over the Arno River. Avoiding the busy Via Aretina as much as possible, you will continue along the river bank and hillside, passing by Sieci and the little church of San Martino a Quona. Today you will start from Pontassieve, crossing the 16th century bridge giving the town its name. You will follow the track of an ancient road, climbing amid Chianti vineyards, up to the village of Diacceto m. After descending to Pelago myou will head into the mountains over Paterno and reach the first mountain pass of the route: Passo della Consuma m. You will now leave the administrative province county of Florence and enter Arezzo. Today you will be heading mostly downhill, coming across isolated houses and a couple of very small villages, before you reach Stia ma picturesque village and resort by the Arno, just sprung off the overhanging Mount The Way of St Francis: Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome. Today is quite a challenging day but also a day of stunning beauty. You will begin by gently ascending and passing a couple of small villages; you will then head towards the monastery and hermitage of Sacro Eremo di Camaldoli msurrounded by dense white-fir forests in the heart of the national park. You will continue along trails in the woods and some stretches following local roads, with only a few isolated buildings here and there; then you will head down to the mountain village and winter resort of Badia Prataglia m. Today, the St Francis Way continues across forests, climbing up to m and then down a bit to the mountain village of Frassineta, then further down to Rimbocchi mand up again to La Verna mwhere you will find one of the greatest Franciscan sanctuaries. It is another challenging walking day but all of your effort will be rewarded with stunning landscapes. After leaving the sanctuary area at La Verna, you will start by climbing to the top of Monte Calvano m. Further on, Passo delle Pratelle m is a watershed between the north and south sides of the Apennines. Heading eastwards into the mountains, when you are half-way we leave the main trail to The Way of St Francis: Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome the isolated Eremo di Cerbaiolo man ancient Franciscan chapel on top of a rock. One single hermit lives here and, when he is around, he welcomes pilgrims into the little compound. You will then continue to Caprese Michelangelo. After Caprese Michelangelo, you will enter the Alpe della Luna nature reserve, crossing it mainly on dirt roads, over a maximum altitude of about m; at about halfway, you will reach the aptly-named village of Montagna ma favourite resort for the people of Sansepolcro. You will then continue over the mountains to Eremo di Montecasale man important Franciscan shrine inhabited by a few friars who will be happy to show you around. From there you will descend to the Sasso Spicco waterfall and follow the brook down to the bottom of the valley, cross up to the other side and finally descend to the beautiful medieval town by the Tiber of Sansepolcro mat the edge of a wide lush plane. Past the industrial area and across the bridge over the Tiber, you will continue on secondary roads across the flat countryside. Fighille, in the province of Perugia, is the first village over the regional border between Tuscany and Umbria, lying at the foot of the hill, topped by the beautiful medieval town of Citerna m. Today you will start your walk heading downhill amid open fields. A winding country road over the hills will take you to Le Burgne agriturismo. Across the beautiful countryside, dotted with scattered villas and farmhouses, you will reach Lerchi and uphill again you will get to the ancient Franciscan convent of Eremo del Buonriposo m.