This guidebook describes the Way of St Francis a 550km month-long pilgrimage trail from Florence through Assisi to Rome. Split into 28 day stages, the walk begins in Florence and finishes in the Vatican City. Stages range from 8km to 30km with plenty to see, including ancient ruins, picturesque towns, national treasures, and stunning churches. This comprehensive guidebook fits in a jacket pocket or rucksack, and contains information on everything from accommodation and transport in Italy, to securing your credential (pilgrim identity card), budgeting, what to take, and where to do laundry. Stories of Francis of Assisi's life are also included. Although the route includes climbs and descents of up to 1200m, no special equipment is required - although your hiking boots and socks definitely need to get along. Following the steps of heroes, conquerors and saints on this pilgrim trail is manageable all year round, but is best done from April to June and mid-August to October. Route maps are given for every stage, and basic Italian phrases are included in the guidebook.

Table of Contents:
Map key Overview map Introduction St Francis and the Way of St Francis Geography and climate Getting there Getting around When to go Accommodation Eating in Italy Budgeting and cash Post, phones and internet Business hours and the riposo Laundry Planning and training What to take Maps, GPS and waymarking Using this guide Discovering Florence 1 Florence to Santuario della Verna Stage 1 Florence to Pontassieve Stage 2 Pontassieve to Passo della Consuma Stage 3 Consuma to Stia Stage 4 Stia to Camaldoli (village) Stage 5 Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia Stage 6 Badia Prataglia to Santuario della Verna 2 Santuario della Verna to Assisi Stage 7 Santuario della Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano Stage 8 Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro Stage 9 Sansepolcro to Citerna Stage 10 Citerna to Citt. di Castello Stage 11 Citt. di Castello to Pietralunga Stage 12 Pietralunga to Gubbio Stage 13 Gubbio to Biscina Stage 14 Biscina to Valfabbrica Stage 15 Valfabbrica to Assisi 3 Assisi to Rieti Stage 16 Assisi to Spello (easier route) Stage 16A Assisi to Spello (harder route) Stage 17 Spello to Trevi Stage 18 Trevi to Spoleto Stage 19 Spoleto to Ceselli Stage 20 Ceselli to Arrone Stage 21 Arrone to Piediluco Stage 22 Piediluco to Poggio Bustone Stage 23 Poggio Bustone to Rieti 4 Rieti to Rome Stage 24 Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo Stage 25 Poggio San Lorenzo to Ponticelli Stage 26 Ponticelli to Monterotondo Stage 27 Monterotondo to Monte Sacro Stage 28 Monte Sacro to Vatican City Tour of the Seven Pilgrimage Churches of Rome Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Useful contacts Appendix C Language tips Appendix D Further reading