Via Francigena WEEK 2

From 650Euro per person

This week of Via Francigena has it all: scenic lakes, medieval castles, picturesque vineyards & awe-inspiring sanctuaries. As you hike over hills & through the pine forests, make sure to stop & appreciate the unique “balmetti” cellars around Borgofranco d’Ivrea. From there, you can visit the red Ivrea towers. Built in 1358 as a defensive castle, the building was then transformed into a summer residence for the Savoy family, after which, from 1700 to 1970, the castle served as a local prison.

After the marvels of Ivrea, enjoy a picnic on the glacial lake with prehistoric dwellings, Lake Viverone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the lake lies the sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola, an important pilgrimage site from the 15th century to today. Your last stop will be the charming medieval town of Garlasco.

The second week of the Italian stretch of Via Francigena starts in Pont St Martin, which you can reach by train or bus from Milano (2h30). Waiting for you at your hotel will be all the material you need for your trip: hotel vouchers, a detailed description of the route & stops along the way, & the GPS maps. You will also find information on churches where you can receive a benediction, should you desire one.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Ivrea red towers
Scenic mountain landscapes
Viverone Lake
Pavia
The Madonna della Bozzola Sanctuary

HOW DOES IT WORK:

We book your accommodations

We will book double rooms with private bathrooms in 2* or 3* hotels, b&b or country Inns. and you will find the corresponding vouchers in your package

We transfer your luggage

Just leave it at the reception desk with your name tag and you will find it at your next accommodation.

We supply detailed route notes and maps

The route notes can be in English, Italian, French or German. All maps have GPS tracing.

PRICES AND SUPPLEMENTS

> Price in double room: 650 Euro

> Price in triple room: 580 Euro

> 5 Dinners package: 120 Euro

> Single supplement: 120 Euro

> Solo traveler supplement: 220 Euro

7 Nights

15+ Age

Via Francigena

Departure
Pont st. martin to Garlasco
Included

7 NIGHTS ( in 3 Star Accommodation )

All breakfast ( dinners on demand )

Emergency number 24/7

Gps Files Available

Luggage Transfer

Pilgrim's "Credenziale" ( Stamp book )

Road Book & Maps
Not Included

11 NIGHTS ( in 3 Star Accommodation )

2 Dinners

5 Dinner package ( On Request )

5 NIGHTS in 3-4 Stars Accommodation

6 NIGHTS in 3* / 4* Accommodation

8 NIGHTS in 3* / 4* Accommodation

Wine Tasting in Umbria

From our gallery

Pics from our friends walking along the Francigena!

Day 1 – Arrival in Pont St Martin – Height at departure: 345 m

The departure point of the first stage is Pont Saint Martin, little village located on the frontier between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. It owes its name to the Roman bridge dating back in the I century B.C. . The second part of the name honors the Saint. In the neighborhood there is also the Strada delle Gallie (Gaul’s’ road), which arrived almost intact nowadays, with its pavement, one column and the arch built in the granite.

Day 2 – Pont St Martin – Ivrea – Height at arrival: 253 m Length: 26.5 km Walking time: 6h.00

Today the itinerary winds among countryside areas, little villages and woods. From the hills located in the north of Ivrea, you will see, in the distance Montalto castle, a huge fortress with high towers dated back to 1300. The stage ends in Ivrea, located on the banks of the river Dora Baltea. In the towns you will find some important remains of the Roman Age and from medieval times, when Ivrea was protected by its walls and divided in “rioni” (quarters).

Day 3 – Ivrea – Viverone – Height at the arrival: 287 m Length:22,8 km Walking time: 5h.00

The first part of the today’s stage take place through open countryside. Interesting, the little village of Bollengo, The second part goes across the hills and offers nice views on the valley and then on the Lake of Viverone, with crystalline water and rich in uncontaminated plant and wild life. Really nice to visit is the nearest village of Viverone, with the interesting Bell Tower.

Day 4 – Viverone – Santhia’ – Height at the arrival: 183 m Length:16.7 Km Walking time:4h10

After a quite walk along the lake of Viverone, you continues through a nice wooded area to cross one of the last hills before the agricultural plain. The fields gets the upper hand little by little while you reach Santhià, first village you meet during the long passage of the Padana plain. Santhià is an agricultural and industrial centre where two branches of the Francigena Way join on: one towards the Gran San Bernardo Pass and the other one towards the Susa Valley.

Day 5 – Santhia’ – Vercelli – Height at the arrival: 130 m Length: 30.5 km Walking time:6h30

This is the first stage completely flat. During spring the wide area of fields around Vercelli became a boundless water expanse, thanks to a complex net of water channels built for rice cultivation. The city of Vercelli is at the junction of two branches of the Francigena Way (Jacob toward Turin and Susa Valley, and Sigeric toward Valle d’Aosta). The medieval Cavour square is entierly surrounded by ancient houses with porch and the renowned Basilica of Saint Andrew isan absolute masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic of North Italy.

Day 6 – Vercelli – Robbio – Height at the arrival: 120m Length: 22 km Walking time: 4h

Out of Vercelli, after a short walk in the countryside, you walk along the banks of the river Sesia. The itinerary becomes wooded and you cross the border between Piedmont and Lombardy. Nearly Palestro, you will leave the river and shortly you reach Robbio. This town is on the consular street that led to Gallie and had an important role since the ancient times. Today it is an agricultural and industrial centre in the pavese plain. TRAIN TO MORTARA AT THE END OF THE WALK

Day 7 – Mortara – Garlasco – Height at the arrival: 93m Length:16 km+ train Mortara/Garlasco Walking time: 5h

The today’s stage crosses the pavese countryside: farm houses and imposing rural houses are like little dots among the wide cultivated fields. tYou will reach Mortara which is the home of the Salame d’Oca (goose Salami ) and it hosts a historical “palio” dating back to 1400 during which take place the famous ” game of the goose”. From there you can either spend the night if your vacation ends, orcatch a train to Garlasco and spend the night there ready to continue your walk. Garlasco is well know for the Sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola, 4 km from the town centre.