What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
Today’s Numbers: Distance Walked: 18 km (felt like 30 km) Time Walking: 6 hours (including breaks) Altitude Difference Ascent: 580m Altitude Difference Descent: 290m Temperatures: High of 29C Guide Book Rating: Average Our Rating: Deceptively Difficult Summary: Last night, we spied a coffee vending machine outside of our dorm room. First thing this morning, Richard… Continue reading Day 16: Bolsena to Montefiascone
Distance Hiked: 25.5 km. Time: 7 hours (including a wonderful lunch in San Lorenzo Nuovo). Summary: Richard and I both began this day tired. We were grateful for the gentle trail, with minimal climbs, generous periods of shade, and cool breezes. Despite our exhaustion, we did not miss the unique beauty of this particular path.… Continue reading Day 15: Acquapendente to Bolsena
Proceno: When I left you last, Richard and I were enjoying a gelato in Proceno. After a bit of downtime, we had soup on our minds and went to find a restaurant. After a fruitless search, we saw the man who runs our hostel. Not only did he tell us where ’the’ restaurant was, he… Continue reading Day 14: Proceno to Acquapendente
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! The traditional route for this section of the Via Francigena is from Radicofani to Acquapendente. The problem is that the path takes you along a busy, shoulderless highway for several kilometers. What’s a hiker to do? After planning and scheming, we found these key options. 1. Take your chances. Although not recommended,… Continue reading Day 13: Radicofani to Proceno
Distance Walked: 26km (door to door). Time Walking: 6 am - 2:30 pm (8.5 hours). Accommodations: Rifugio Communale Alceo Gesti, Piazza Anita Garibaldi 2. Tel: 331-5291556, infostelloradicofani@libero.it. Bunk Bed: 14.70 euros per person. Summary: Although we walked 8 km more than yesterday, our early start and frequent cool breezes made it a much easier day… Continue reading Day 12: Castiglione d’Orcia to Radicofani
Distance Walked: 18 km. (Felt like 30 km...seriously)! Weather: Sunny and HOT (highs of 32 C). Route: Steep climbs up and down all day long. (Richard’s iPhone recorded us as climbing the equivalent of 51 floors. Once again, it felt like much more). Walking Time: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., including two long breaks, and… Continue reading Day 11: Torrenieri to Castiglione d’Orcia
Distance Walked: 19.6 km (door to door). Time: 7 hours (including rest stops and a LONG lunch break). Weather: Cloud coverage with a steady, cool breeze for the last 5 km. Our Route: The traditional Via Francigena walking section from Ponte d’Arbia ends in San Quirico, 26+ km. As Tuscany provides endless hills to climb and… Continue reading Day 10: Ponte d’Arbia to Torrenieri
Distance Walked: 26 km Time Frame Walked : 6:15 am - 2:15 pm (with 3 rest stops and a tiny bit of rerouting)! Temperature: 31 C (it is now 5:30 pm and is 32 C). Accommodations: Centro Cresti - Via Cassia 8, Ponte d'Arbia, Buonconvento 53100 Siena (SI) lCombination of bunk beds and single beds.… Continue reading Day 9: Siena to Ponte d’Arbia
Monteriggioni to Siena: 21 km Walking Time (including rest breaks): 6 hours. Siena: The Lonely Planet has referred to Siena as “a giant, open-air museum celebrating the Gothic.” Siena’s historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its museums, art, food and medieval architecture make Siena a popular tourist destination. Accommodations: CASA DELLE BALIE HOSPITAL… Continue reading Days 7 and 8: Siena
Distance Walked: 13 km (4 hours including lunch break). Monteriggioni is architecturally and culturally significant. It is known for its well preserved towers of its town walls and is referenced in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The town attracts many tourists, pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike. For 4 euros, you can walk on small sections of the ancient… Continue reading Day 6: Gracciano to Monteriggioni
Retirement Reflections 