Pilgrimage on the Via Francigena
Following in the Medieval Footsteps of French Pilgrims, from Coastal Tuscany to the Towers of San Gimignano and Siena.
Duration
8 days
From
€650/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Itinerant travel
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Solo, Couple, senior
The spirit of travel
The Via Francigena was for Rome what the Camino Francés was for Compostela: the network of routes followed in the Middle Ages by pilgrims coming from France to reach the tomb of Saint Peter, in the Eternal City. This is therefore a journey through History that this route proposes, by taking one of the most interesting sections of the Via Francigena, the one going from Massa to Siena. Idyllic landscapes of Tuscany, emblematic cities and small fortified medieval villages succeed one another along this unforgettable pilgrimage which is also an opportunity to savor the delicious local cuisine.
At the pace of walking, cross the famous Tuscan hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees, dotted with abbeys, chapels and fortresses full of history. Each stage reveals exceptional heritage, from the cobbled streets of San Gimignano to the historic squares of Siena, passing through villages where traditions have remained intact. The stops allow you to taste regional specialties, Tuscan wines and local products that have made this region famous.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Tuscany!
You arrive today in the charming city of Massa, capital of the Massa-Carrara province in Tuscany. After settling into your comfortable guesthouses, you will have the opportunity to discover the city's narrow streets at your own pace. We recommend ending the day with dinner at one of the many typical restaurants, where you can taste Tuscan specialties.
Start of the hike
Massa → Camaiore
After a short private vehicle transfer to Capannine, your hike on the Via Francigena begins. Under the majestic eye of the Apennines mountain range, you travel in the direction of Camaiore passing through the charming locality of Pietrasanta. The Mediterranean coast is still very close at this start of the trek, offering breathtaking views and a refreshing atmosphere. Take advantage of this first day to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region and to acclimate yourself to the pace of hiking.
23 km - Approximately 6h30 of hiking
Positive elevation gain: 300 m - negative: 310 m
After settling in for the night, you will have plenty of time to visit the city center of Camaiore, rich in historical monuments. For dinner, you will be free to choose from the many restaurants offering a variety of delicious dishes.
On the way to Lucca
Camaiore → Lucca
A full day of hiking is on the program today: you will cross through green fields, vineyards, and small typical villages frozen in time. Beautiful medieval churches will line your route, offering you cultural and historical breaks throughout your walk towards Lucques. Take advantage of every moment to immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the Tuscan countryside.
26 km - Approximately 7 hours of hiking
Positive elevation gain: 490 m - negative: 515 m
You will stay in a guesthouse in this magnificent fortified medieval town. Art is found at every corner of the city, with frescoes, sculptures and historic buildings that tell centuries of history. Take time to stroll through the cobbled streets and discover the hidden treasures of this fascinating town. For dinner, you will have the freedom to choose from the many local restaurants, each offering a unique culinary experience.
From Altopascio to San Miniato
Lucca → Altopascio
Your day begins with a short train transfer to the town of Altopascio (approximately 10 minutes), which allows you to avoid this section on very busy roads, unpleasant for walking. This train journey also gives you the opportunity to rest and enjoy the scenery before starting your hike. Once you arrive in Altopascio, you can begin your walk in more peaceful and pleasant conditions.
From Altopascio onwards, verdant fields, shaded forests, sparkling watercourses and typical farms await you, for a very pleasant walk in nature. Shortly after crossing the charming town of Fucecchio, you will cross the Arno river before entering the small town of San Miniato, where you will set down your bags for the night.
29 km - Approximately 6h30 of walking.
Positive elevation gain: 250 m - negative: 130 m.
Altopascio → San Miniato
Take advantage of some free time at the end of the day to stroll through San Miniato, the white truffle city. Explore its charming streets and discover its hidden treasures.
Castles and churches
San Miniato → Terme De Gambassi
Another beautiful day awaits us in the countryside! Through the Elsa Valley, we cross hills and woods where we encounter numerous castles and solitary churches. Among these, two deserve our particular attention: Pieve di Coiano and Pieve Santa Maria, beautiful Romanesque buildings intimately linked to the history of the Via Francigena. Shortly after, we arrive at our destination for the day: Gambassi Terme.
24 km - Approximately 6 hours 30 minutes of walking
Elevation gain: 400 m - descent: 250 m
Make the most of your free time to explore Gambassi Terme at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the local restaurants before spending a restful night in this charming town.
San Gimignano
Terme De Gambassi → San Gimignano
Today, we have less distance to cover, which gives us plenty of time to fully enjoy the gentle hills between Gambassi and San Gimignano, as well as San Gimignano itself. This town, listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, is known for its medieval towers, including the famous Torre Grossa. Its 13th-century fortifications add to the timeless atmosphere of the place, as do the medieval houses surrounding its central square, the Piazza della Cisterna.
14 km - Approximately 4 hours of walking
Elevation gain: 519 m - loss: 507 m
This evening, dinner is included. Take this opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and relax after a full day.
The Via Francigena in All Its Splendor
San Gimignano → Monteriggioni
Our second-to-last day of hiking is the longest on the circuit, but how beautiful it is! The splendor of Tuscan landscapes and the beautiful stone buildings encountered along the way more than compensate for our efforts. The Foci River Valley fills us with wonder, as does the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta in Coneo and the Church of San Martino in Strove. Each step brings us closer to our destination, and each view reminds us why we love this region so much.
32 km - Approximately 8 hours 30 minutes of hiking
Elevation gain: 493 m - loss: 564 m
After settling into our accommodation, we set out to discover the charming town of Monteriggioni, renowned for its 14 towers that protect it. Take time to stroll through this medieval city and soak in its unique atmosphere. Dinner is at your leisure.
Arrival in Siena
Monteriggioni → Sienne
One last stretch of around twenty kilometers through the countryside now separates us from Siena, and we take full advantage of these final moments on the Via Francigena. The picturesque landscapes and tranquility of the Tuscan countryside make this last stage particularly pleasant.
21 km - Approximately 5 hours of walking
Elevation gain: 528 m - loss: 456 m
The rest of the day is dedicated to visiting Siena, one of the most famous cities in Tuscany, notably for its superb Piazza del Campo, venue of the famous Palio, this horse race held in the streets of the city. Take advantage of this free time to discover the historical and cultural treasures of Siena.
After a pleasant stroll through the city's narrow streets, you must absolutely see the Duomo, impressive and imposing, built in white and black stone. This architectural masterpiece is a must-see in Siena.
End of services in the afternoon in Siena.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- the other meals
- the drinks
- admission tickets to natural/cultural sites
- The local taxes
- the insurance
- registration fees
- everything not mentioned in the inclusions
Included
- all transfers included in the itinerary
- accommodation in B&B
- a dinner (day 6)
- the transfer of luggage (depending on the chosen option)
- the travel itinerary (1 copy per registration file)
- the "credenziale" or "credenziali"
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
En cas d’annulation de votre voyage, les frais suivants seront appliqués, quel que soit le motif de l’annulation :
Jusqu’à 20 jours avant le départ : 15 % du montant du voyage (hors billets d’avion éventuellement inclus dans le forfait).
De 19 à 8 jours avant le départ : 50 % du montant du voyage (hors billets d’avion éventuellement inclus dans le forfait).
À partir de 7 jours avant le départ : 100 % du montant du voyage.
Toute demande d’annulation doit nous être adressée par écrit (par e-mail).
Veuillez noter que toute demande de modification du voyage effectuée à partir de 45 jours avant le départ ou pendant le voyage pourra entraîner des frais supplémentaires.
Ces conditions sont soumises à la réglementation en vigueur au moment de l’annulation.
Assurance annulation
Nous vous recommandons de souscrire une assurance annulation. Si vous avez souscrit une assurance et que votre annulation est couverte par ses conditions, vous devrez vous adresser directement à votre assureur pour obtenir le remboursement des frais d’annulation appliqués.
Sur simple demande, nous vous fournirons tous les documents nécessaires à la constitution de votre dossier auprès de l’assurance.
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Italy for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport and ID card
Italy is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen area. Nationals of the EEA can enter Italy with a valid passport or national ID card. The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Swiss nationals, although not EU members, benefit from bilateral agreements allowing them to enter Italy with a valid ID card or passport.
Canadian nationals must hold a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay. It is recommended that it remain valid for at least three months after the scheduled departure date from the Schengen area.
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the EEA and Switzerland benefit from freedom of movement within the European area and are not subject to any duration restrictions for their tourist stays in Italy.
Canadian nationals benefit from visa exemption for tourist stays in the Schengen area. This exemption allows a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, across all Schengen countries combined. Beyond this duration, a long-stay visa is required.
ETIAS travel authorization
As of the entry into force of the European system, Canadian nationals will be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorization before any travel to the Schengen area, of which Italy is part.
This electronic authorization, distinct from a visa, must be requested online before departure. It will be linked to the traveler's passport and is generally valid for several years. We recommend verifying the status of this system with the official authorities before your departure.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid travel document (passport or, for EEA nationals, national ID card).
In some countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Italy in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have coverage for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to an insurance plan, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one of these plans.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these formulas, the policy document detailing all coverage and claim notification procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy document with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To enter Italy, you must have a valid identity card or passport. No specific formalities are required upon arrival. The currency used is the euro. We recommend that you check the entry conditions applicable to your nationality with the Italian consular authorities before your departure.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between €180 and €320 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and activities. Flights or trains from Paris (€100-350 return) are additional. Venice, Rome and Tuscany in high season are significantly more expensive.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) covering 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Tuscany
Explorer of Italy's hidden paths, based in Italie
Walking in Italy lets you see the country differently. You discover landscapes, of course, but also gestures, traditions and a way of life that you don't perceive from the main roads.
— Ketty
