If you have always wanted to wander through the region of Lazio, see the Eternal City, and explore the Roman Ruins, this is the trip for you! Brian and I have walked through Italy and can tell you it’s so magical. First, you can’t beat the food! We love it so much that we’re including a pizza and pasta-making class! Second, the region of Lazio. This region is known for its rolling hills, volcanic lakes, and gorgeous plains.
The trip itself is the perfect blend of what we are best known for – walking and getting to know the area and food where we travel. You will have eight walking days, two days to explore Rome, and an optional third day to explore Rome further.
The character of the villages makes me smile every day on pilgrimage
June 18, 2026, Day 1: Fly into Rome and Travel to Rieti
We will arrange your travel from Rome (the city you should fly into) to Rieti, the town that will be our home base for a couple of days. Don’t worry, when you fly into Rome, you won’t see anything that “gives the city away,” and your walk into the city will still be magical. We will spend the evening in Rieti getting to know each other and preparing for the adventure ahead.
June 19, 2026, Day 2: Warm-Up Walk in Greccio to the Sanctuary
With everyone a bit jet-lagged, we will take it easy on our first full day together. We are staying in Rieti, but we will have a local company drive us to Greccio, where we will walk to the sanctuary that is home to the first live nativity. This is where we will officially begin our walk and have our tau ceremony (similar to a shell ceremony). Everyone will receive their pilgrim credential and tau necklace on this day. The Greek letter tau (T) is the sign of Saint Francis and has become the symbol of this pilgrimage route. During our time in Rieti, you may decide to enjoy a tour of the underground salt road. On this day, we will meet with a local expert who will talk to us about what to expect on the journey to Rome.
Mileage: 4.4 kilometers
June 20, 2026, Day 3: Greccio to Rieti
With the help of our local company again, we will be transported back to Greccio to begin our walk to Rieti. Surrounded by forested slopes and spiritual quiet, you descend toward the Velino River Valley, eventually arriving in Rieti. Known as the “navel of Italy,” this small city is rich with Franciscan history, ancient Roman ruins, and Renaissance architecture. Rieti has been known as the geographic center of Italy since ancient Roman times. It’s the perfect place to reflect on the journey ahead and our home base for the first few days.
Mileage: 21.6 kilometers
June 21, 2026, Day 4: Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo
Leaving the city, you follow quiet country roads and trails into the Sabine hills. Olive groves and vineyards will have you drooling to taste their olive oil and wine. The route to Poggio San Lorenzo winds through rolling terrain with nonstop views. Today we will cross a 1600-year-old Roman bridge! This tiny village, once a Roman outpost, still holds remnants of its ancient past. The evening here is tranquil, ideal for enjoying simple local fare and stargazing.
Mileage: 21.4 kilometers
June 22, 2026, Day 5: Poggio San Lorenzo to Ponticelli
You walk through open countryside and historic farmland toward Ponticelli Sabino, a hamlet nestled among fields and hills. Here you’ll encounter authentic rural life and a slower pace. The route will include quiet paths paralleling the ancient Via Salaria, a Roman road that once connected Rome to the Adriatic Sea.
Mileage: 20.2 kilometers
June 23, 2026, Day 6: Ponticelli to Montelibretti
Today’s walk brings a mix of wooded areas and open views of the approaching Tiber Valley. As you reach Montelibretti, you’ll notice a shift from remote villages to more connected towns. Perched on a hilltop, Montelibretti offers a picturesque historic center with sweeping views.
Mileage: 12 kilometers
June 24, 2026, Day 7: Montelibretti to Monterotondo
Now entering the greater area of Rome, your path passes through olive groves and suburban farms as you make your way to Monterotondo. This bustling hill town has a lively historic center and a strong connection to Rome’s past, with Baroque palaces and winding lanes. The hope is that by now you have enjoyed a lot of olive oil from these beautiful groves! You’ll sense the capital city drawing near, yet the small-town warmth remains relevant.
Mileage: 19.9 kilometers
June 25, 2026, Day 8: Monterotondo to Monte Sacro
Today, you cross into Rome’s urban landscape, arriving in the neighborhood of Monte Sacro, named for the hill where plebeians once staged political revolts in Roman times. Despite being within the capital’s limits, this area retains pockets of greenery and historical interest. You’ll rest here before the final stretch into the heart of the Eternal City.
Mileage: 18.7 kilometers
June 26, 2026, Day 9: Rome – Monte Sacro to the Eternal City
Your pilgrimage concludes in Rome, a city that seamlessly blends ancient wonder with modern vibrancy. You’ll walk the cobbled streets to marvel at landmarks as we make our way to the Eternal City. Who knows, maybe we will see the Pope (not guaranteed!).
Mileage: 15.2 kilometers
Staircase in the Vatican Museum
June 27-28, 2026, Days 10-11: Two Days Exploring Rome
There is so much to explore in Rome! Our first day will explore the sacred side of the city, including time to explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. You will have the option to climb the dome (for an additional $100), and we will arrange the tickets for you. Our second day will focus on Italian cuisine, with a small group class dedicated to learning how to make pizza and pasta, and a special dinner at a hidden gem of the city. During both days, with your hop-on/hop-off bus pass, you can visit quieter spiritual sites like San Francesco a Ripa or the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Whether you’re exploring bustling piazzas or finding solace in quiet chapels, Rome is a fitting culmination to your journey.
June 29, 2026, Day 12: Rome – Supplemental Day ($300 additional)
You won’t be able to see all of Rome in just two days. On this supplement day, we will provide your breakfast, dinner, and final night’s lodging while exploring ancient Rome. We will tour the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum, including a tour of the dungeons and floor of the arena, along with several piazzas. We will leave a coin in Trevi Fountain to ensure we all make it back to Rome! Following an evening bus tour, we will enjoy a final dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants that specializes in a nice variety of homemade pastas. If we are lucky, we’ll get to watch the chef make the next day’s pasta! Note: While we are in Rome, our lodging is close to the Trevi Fountain. Everywhere in the City Center of Rome, lodging is expensive. The supplemental cost covers our expenses for your lodging, breakfast, dinner, and tickets.
What’s Included in the Trip:
– Transportation to the start of our walk and back to the airport at the end of our trip.
– Lodging in private rooms of two people per room with private bathrooms (you may share bathrooms with other members of our group). Check-in is typically about 3 p.m. You can expect a range of lodging experiences from us. We will place you in accommodations close to the action so you won’t spend your time traveling or walking into the city. We cannot ever guarantee air conditioning, and even when it’s included, we cannot ensure its quality. It’s Europe where air conditioning is not the standard.
– All breakfasts, which are pretty simple in Europe, typically include a pastry, coffee, and sometimes juice.
– All dinners with multiple courses. Water is included with dinner; wine and cocktails are on your own. A typical European dinner begins at 8 p.m. and typically takes about two hours. We encourage you to eat a late lunch, enjoy a restful riposo, and have an afternoon snack.
– Daily luggage transfer. Luggage is limited to 30 pounds and a bag/suitcase no larger than 25″ tall. You will receive a document with a suggested packing list and will be encouraged to hand-wash your laundry throughout the trip. Washing machines are rarely available.
– Taxi transfer on any day you are struggling and need to move ahead to walk fewer kilometers. Plans for the taxi are made the night before by 8 p.m.
– A local expert to talk about the region and the significance of the Way of St. Francis.
– Your tau necklace (the symbol of this pilgrimage) and your credential.
– Your testimonium from Vatican City at the end of your pilgrimage.
– Participation in a pizza and pasta-making class in Rome.
– Tour the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
– Enjoy a hop-on/hop-off bus pass to explore the city.
– A special gift from us.
– Three Zoom sessions with your group, help with securing your airfare, and on-demand phone or Zoom calls with us.
– We will be filming both video and photos throughout the trip so loved ones can follow you on our social media channels. You will receive a Google Drive link after the trip with all the pictures and videos we took.
What’s Not Included in the Trip:
– Airfare
– Lunch and snacks throughout the day
– Cocktails and wine
– Tickets for tours in Rome that are not included in the trip
Cost of the Trip:
– $3800 per person in a double occupancy room with a $200 discount if you sign up before October 1, 2025
– Payment plans will be arranged and agreed upon, with the final payment due by April 1, 2026
– This trip is priced for ten participants. If we sell out with twelve people, everyone will receive $200 off their final payment. We will not take more than twelve people on this trip.
To Secure Your Spot:
If you are interested in this trip, the first step is to please complete our group travel interest form. Once we have ensured you are a good fit for our group travel experiences, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required.
Would you like to see the other trip we are offering in 2026? Please read about our July trip, where we are walking in Spain from Samos to Santiago by clicking here.
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