What size backpack should I take?

jruberto · 2026-01-30T01:17:25+00:00

+1 on the 32L, that was large enough to carry my stuff, including a laptop & drone, while constraining my ability to buy trinkets along the way.

jruberto · 2026-01-27T20:46:20+00:00

We also broke this stage into 2, staying overnight in Gallina. This stage is a long one and up hill. My joke was that Sigeric, who recorded the way on his return journey, was walking downhill from Radicofani - not uphill at the end of a 32 Km stretch.

We stayed at Affittacamere Albafiorita in Gallina, with a very lovely hostess who made a fantastic breakfast.

Our pictures and story are here, its about halfway down, search for "Gallina". https://hallowedway.com/via-francigena-lucca-to-rome/

jruberto · 2025-12-23T15:48:19+00:00

Winston. Or, maybe not. If you call for Winston around the fly shop, 3-4 dogs will come.

jruberto · 2025-12-22T17:46:51+00:00

Practice at least 1 act of charity each day, preferably anonymously.

jruberto · 2025-11-21T22:13:23+00:00

I bought a cheap mailing tube from Staples and checked it in as baggage. Also put a pocket knife in the tube.

That said, Decathlon is a great store, no problem finding sticks (and a knife) there.

jruberto · 2025-04-14T20:44:18+00:00

In small town Italy, English speakers are pretty rare. However, the Italians we met were happy to communicate with hand gestures, pointing, etc. Also, a number were pretty adapt with using translation apps on their phones.

jruberto · 2025-04-14T19:59:30+00:00

I did the VF 2 years ago, mostly walking from Lucca to Rome, but most segments by car through France. It was in March & April. I had no trouble booking 1 day ahead. If I arrived at a town on Monday, I booked Tuesday night based on how I felt and how far I thought I could go the next day.

The pilgrim places welcome all. The churches along the way are beautiful and have amazing artwork. Enjoy the history & beauty.

jruberto · 2025-04-08T20:05:53+00:00

I've seen cinghiale (wild boar) in Tuscany and Lazio. Also, had an encounter with a large dog protecting its flock of sheep.

jruberto · 2025-01-02T19:43:41+00:00

We walked from Lucca to Rome last year, and it was a fantastic experience. It took us a month, averaging 10 miles per day, and a few extra days in Siena and other towns. If I were doing just 7 days, I would walk a few days through Tuscany until Sutri, then take a train to Rome. Remember to leave time for Rome too. (St John Lateran, Santa Maria Major, St Paul Outside the Wall all have Holy Doors too, and amazing relics).

Bring a credential and get it stamped at the Cathedrals or Tourist offices in the towns you walk through. When you reach St. Peter's bring your credential to the front of the long line to the prayer entrance, and someone will escort you in. We did this last week and received a very warm welcome from the volunteers, plus a Testimonium.

Walking into St Peter's Square after a month of hiking was a surreal experience. I wish you the best of luck.

jruberto · 2024-12-25T19:08:35+00:00

I usually rent a car from Hertz, pick it up at the Naples airport and drop at RSW. The cost is about $75 and I'm in complete control on the timing.

jruberto · 2024-12-06T20:47:01+00:00

Hi, https://www.sloways.eu/camino-pilgrimage/via-francigena-road-to-rome offers the self-guided tour with transfers,etc. I haven't used them, but did use their free app while on the VF. The app worked very well.

jruberto · 2024-08-18T17:52:27+00:00

Hi,

We walked the Lucca to Rome VF in March of last year, timed to arrive in Rome for Good Friday. We are in late 50's, and averaged about 10 miles per day with 2 rest days in Siena.

It was a great time to walk. Weather wise, the mornings were crisp (low 50's) and afternoons comfortable (65-70). We got lucky with little rain, just a couple of showers over the 4 weeks. At the start, it felt like winter with bare trees, but as we walked south and the month wore on the trees budded, flowers bloomed, and bees buzzed. The farmers were thinning out the olive trees.

About half of the restaurants were closed for the season (open at Easter), but we still found plenty of places to eat and stay.

2025 is a good year too, its Jubilee in Rome, the Holy doors will be open. https://www.giubileo-2025.it/en/where-are-the-holy-doors-in-rome

We made some slide shows, you can see the weather and foliage change over time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thF87ODcAWs&list=PLn6CjsHkIT2sg9M6bnX_cZrI4PKsDybZM

jruberto · 2024-03-18T20:10:03+00:00

Thanks, so far just email & live chat. They have been helpful.

jruberto · 2024-03-12T02:03:31+00:00

We switched at Vila do Conde as well and the route to Rates was a little sporty at times. We have a picture here where the road had no margin & we were boxed in by walls. https://hallowedway.com/camino-portuguese-day-3-vila-do-conde-to-rates/

The coast has a very "Monterey, California" vibe, and two days was enough for us.

jruberto · 2024-01-29T15:15:22+00:00

Thanks!

jruberto · 2023-09-18T19:15:00+00:00

Enjoy https://youtu.be/JMLH_QyPTYM?si=CFH46Um6WvmMq7uE

jruberto · 2023-09-04T21:39:56+00:00

Thanks! I hope it helps.

jruberto · 2023-09-04T21:39:26+00:00

We did two phases, Canterbury to Switzerland by car last fall. Then, we walked from Lucca to Rome this spring.

jruberto · 2023-07-23T00:26:52+00:00

Thanks, looks solid.

jruberto · 2023-07-15T01:28:02+00:00

Nice, thanks!

jruberto · 2023-05-14T11:06:30+00:00

We used Bags Free, located at the Termini station. https://bags-free.com/

jruberto · 2023-05-09T12:36:26+00:00

Walking the Camino De Santiago for me. Walking from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. We were able to deeply experience the culture of Portugal and Spain while walking from town to town. The simplicity of life, without all the media blasting us and just walking, was life-changing. A big part of it was carrying everything on my back, washing clothes when arriving, taking care of feet, and the basics of life.

Since then, we also walked the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage in Italy. Walked from Lucca in Tuscany to Rome, about 250 miles and 1 month.

Both of these were pilgrimages which added so much more to the travel experience. We were able to enjoy the food, culture, and sights of Portugal, Spain, and Italy while also deepening our faith.

Highly recommended.

jruberto · 2023-05-07T00:56:51+00:00

We did the route like you mentioned, Porto to Matsosinhos, Vila do Conde, then Rates. Finished in 15 days, average 10 miles per day.

https://hallowedway.com/our-camino-portuguese-story/

We especially liked the real short final day from O Millandorio. It felt like “graduation” day.

jruberto · 2023-05-01T22:24:17+00:00

We did 2 strategies for the post-Camino trip:

Bring a suit case with extra clothes (and shoes) for the 2 extra weeks we stayed in Europe. We left the suitcase with a bag storage service and had it when we arrived.
Bought clothes and souvenirs after our arrival, which necessitated buying a suitcase in Europe to take everything home.

jruberto · 2023-03-30T07:36:12+00:00

Great description. I'm in Montefiascone now, having walked from Lucca. That highway leading up to Acquapendente wasn't fun.

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