Embark on a journey of spiritual renewal and tranquility as you follow in the footsteps of St. Francis. This pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to walk through the serene and picturesque landscapes of Italy, discovering hidden gems that are often overlooked. Wander through charming cities, sit in quiet contemplation within centuries-old churches, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and warmth of the local people. Experience the profound peace that comes from walking a path steeped in history and spirituality, where every step brings you closer to the essence of faith and the beauty of the world around you.

• Step out of your comfort zone and say “yes”, open your heart and receive your answers, and experience clarity.

• Deepen your relationship with the Divine with prayer and meditation along this path.

• Feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we walk through the Sacred Forest, an 800-year-old pilgrim path.

• Experience Tuscany and Umbria like a local. See what most people miss while visiting Italy.

• Discover the history along this ancient pilgrim path.

• Explore quaint villages, savor your favorite cannoli, and drink your favorite wines. Wait don’t forget about the Gelato!

• Explore the cobblestone streets of Florence, Gubbio, and Assisi. Along with many other small villages.

• Be wrapped in an ocean of mercy as you follow the procession of the stigmata on Mount La Verna where St. Francis received the wounds of Jesus.

• Visit the quiet sanctuary of San Damiano where the crucifix spoke directly to St. Francis about his vocation.

• Walk where St. Francis walked and pray where St. Francis prayed!

*** Final Itinerary will be emailed***

We will meet you in Florence. Enjoy your day to rest from your long travels. Afternoon and Evening on your own. 

Free evening in Florence

We will begin the day with a group breakfast and an introductory meeting. 

If you'd like, join us for a free morning tour of Florence. This day is yours so you fill it with what makes your heart happy. We will give you a list of must see's. 

We will depart for La Verna in the morning. We will arrive in time to settle in, witness the awe-inspiring procession, and explore the magnificent Sanctuary. The evening will be spent in La Verna. 

3:00 Procession

5:00 Mass

7:00 Vespers

Dinner is included tonight.

Today enjoy this peaceful sanctuary.

Dinner is included tonight.

After breakfast, we will depart from the Sanctuary of La Verna and head towards our next destination, Pieve Santo Stefano.

We will walk through the Sacred Forest to our city which is 15km away. The trail will take us through the woods, fields, and villages.

After arrival, we will freshen up and head over to something you don't want to miss ... piccolo museo del diario. (Diary Museum)

I will make reservations for the group and this is included in the pilgrimage.

After having breakfast, we will be taken to Montecasale. The Franciscan Hermitage of Montecasale, where the air is filled with the presence of St. Francis. It was here that he passed through and converted three thieves. Take a moment to relax and enjoy the beautiful sanctuary in the forest. We will have prayer time here and maybe even visit with a Franciscan brother who can share the history of the sanctuary with us.

After our time at the sanctuary, we will make our way down the mountain to Sansepolcro.

The name of this town refers to two pilgrims who founded a monastic community here upon their return from the Holy Land. Sansepolcro is a veritable treasure chest of beauty. Here, you will find famous works by Renaissance masters such as Piero Della Francesca and Rosso Fiorentino.

After having breakfast, we will make our way out of Sansepolcro and head into the valley.

It is a nice walk through the valley before making their way uphill to Citerna.  

Citerna is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and sits on a hill in the Upper Tiber Valley. It has the characteristics of a fortification, functioning as a watchtower. You should visit the church museum dedicated to St. Francis, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, where you will find the precious Crucifixion by Pomarancio and a Madonna with Child of the Della Robbia school. A visit to the unusual medieval walkway within the walls is also a must-see. Take some time to explore this beautiful city.

After breakfast and a little time to explore Citerna, we will be transferred to Citta di Castello.

Città di Castello has always been a hub for art, with important artists creating works here, and grand buildings and churches being erected, such as the Cathedral, St. Dominic, and St. Francis. One of the most prominent Umbrian artists of the 20th century, Alberto Burri, hailed from Città di Castello, and his pieces can be viewed in the town's two museums.

A must-see is the Diocesan Museum, which contains the Treasure of Canoscio - one of the most ancient collections of objects used in liturgy, dating back to the Early Christian era.

We will arrive with plenty of time to explore.

If you choose, you may walk from Citerna to Citta di Castello ... 18 miles.

We will be transferred to our starting point at Pieve de' Saddi. This place is of great significance and must be visited. It was the center of the first Christianization of Upper Tiber Valley and has been a religious hub for the entire mountainous region for centuries. Volunteers are available to guide you and offer refreshments in exchange for donations.

The path ahead is marked with uphill and downhill stretches through valleys and fields. This provides a peaceful and serene environment that revitalizes the spirits.

Again today we will be taken to our starting point, just outside of Gubbio.

We will make our way through cultivated fields and villages. You'll reach a tree-lined panoramic viewpoint next to the church of San Giovanni Battista.

Then, you'll continue downhill until you reach the locality of Abbadia di Piazza, where you'll carry on along a secondary road, flanked by majestic oak trees. From here, a long stretch in the sun and on the tarmac begins, and you'll come across the new "Fonte del Pellegrino" (Fountain of the Pilgrim) - a gift to wayfarers from the Parish Church of San Venanzio in Sermonte-Rione del Piano-in the Diocese of Gubbio.

Your arrival in Gubbio will be a reward, not just because of the beauty of the place, but also because of the strong bond that unites St. Francis with the town.

In front of the church of St. Francis, there is an endearing statue of Francis and the wolf, in memory of the miraculous taming of the ferocious beast by the Saint.

Take some time to walk around the town circuit known as the Path of "Fratello Lupo" (Brother Wolf), which allows pilgrims to visit the Franciscan places in the town - the "second home" of the Saint from Assisi.

Again we will be taken to our starting point ... Valfabbrica to start our walk.

This is the final stretch of our journey to Assisi, following in the footsteps of St Francis. It has been an amazing journey, with many ups and downs, but today is a great day!

We will start by walking through the hills and woods, and then from Pieve San Niccolò, we will be greeted with a beautiful view of the valleys, dotted with olive groves and vineyards.

The first part of the journey will take us through the forest, with some challenging uphill stretches to tackle.

As we catch our first glimpse of the Basilica of St. Francis, we will be filled with awe and a sense of accomplishment. This is a beautiful moment, a sign that our journey is almost complete. We will make our way to Assisi through the Bosco di San Francesco (Forest of St Francis) of the FAI (Italy's National Trust) we will make a small donation and walk through the woods to enter Assisi. This was the route taken by pilgrims who traveled from Assisi to Santiago de Compostela.

The Basilica of St Francis is a magnificent sight, especially when it is lit up by the sun. The moment we have been waiting for has arrived - we only need to reach the Saint's tomb. Here, in the soft everlasting light, we can reflect on our journey and gather our thoughts in prayer and meditation.

Before entering the Lower Basilica, we can stop by the Statio Peregrinorum to collect our well-deserved Testimonium.

Let's discover Assisi today! We will start with a walk through town, a small morning tour.

We will assist you in not missing the few places just outside of town.

• The Hermitage of Carceri is a place of memory, kept alive by the Franciscan friars who still live there; and a place of witness, as well, permeated with spirituality. Here preserved is not only the very place where Francis talked with God, but also the way in which the little poor friar kept in contact with the Lord while closely in touch with Nature.

• Sanctuary of San Damiano, where St. Claire spent her days. The convent and the Church of San Damiano are outside the city walls, not far from Porta Nuova. In this place, surrounded by olive trees, Saint Clare and Saint Francis experienced important moments of their consecrated life. Here Saint Clare founded the order of the Poor Clares, leading a cloistered life, and she lived there for many years until her death on August 11, 1253.

• The Portiuncula, a historic chapel in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis of Assisi restored the chapel in the early 13th century and made it the spiritual home and birthplace of the Franciscan Order. St. Clare of Assisi dedicated her life to God here, which led to the creation of the Poor Clares. And where St. Francis died in a small cell right behind this chapel in 1226

Another beautiful day in Assisi. This day is yours. Enjoy!

After saying our goodbyes, we will depart for home or more travel.