Oct 13 – Arrival in Lucca
Accommodation: La Terrazza del Fotografo
📍 Via Fatinelli , angolo, presso Foto Cortopassi, Via S. Quirico, 9, 55100 Lucca LU
Meet: 6:00 PM in hotel lobby
Highlight: Lucca’s Renaissance walls and the Cathedral of San Martino — where many pilgrims begin their Tuscan journey.
Oct 14 – Lucca ➝ Altopascio
Distance: 18 km
Accommodation: Hotel Paola
📍 Via del Popolo 43, 55011 Altopascio LU
Highlight: Altopascio, once home to the Knights of Tau, where bread and kindness were freely given to weary pilgrims.
Oct 15 – Altopascio ➝ Fucecchio
Distance: 20 km
Accommodation: Hotel La Campagnola
📍 Via Romana Campigliese 585, 50054 Fucecchio FI
Highlight: The Arno plain and Fucecchio Marshes — tranquil landscapes steeped in medieval trade history.
Oct 16 – Fucecchio ➝ San Miniato
Distance: 10 km
Accommodation: Le Dimore del Seminario
📍 Via Conti 37, 56028 San Miniato PI
Highlight: A gentle ascent to San Miniato, famed for its medieval tower and white truffles — a jewel of the Tuscan hills.
Oct 17 – San Miniato ➝ Gambassi Terme
Distance: 25 km
Accommodation: Tenuta Sant’Illario
📍 Via Sant’Illario 20, 50050 Gambassi Terme FI
Highlight: Rolling hills and olive groves lead to the ancient baths of Gambassi — a place of rest since Roman times.
Oct 18 – Rest Day in Gambassi Terme
Activities: Thermal spa experience + gentle local exploration
Accommodation: Tenuta Sant’Illario
Thermal Spa: Terme della Via Francigena
Highlight: A pilgrim’s pause — mineral springs, slow mornings, and rest for the body before the vineyards call again.
Oct 19 – Gambassi Terme ➝ San Gimignano
Distance: 16 km
Accommodation: B&B Palazzo Altorione 2
📍 Via San Giovanni 21, 53037 San Gimignano SI
Optional: Afternoon wine tasting in the vineyards surrounding San Gimignano — Vernaccia, Chianti, and views for days.
Highlight: Vineyard-lined paths and the skyline of medieval towers rising from golden hills.
Oct 20 – San Gimignano ➝ Monteriggioni
Distance: 25 km
Accommodation: Borgo Dé Brandi
📍 Località Brandi, 53035 Monteriggioni SI
Highlight: Through the Elsa Valley to Monteriggioni — a walled jewel sung by Dante, embraced by olive groves.
Oct 21 – Monteriggioni ➝ Siena
Distance: 15 km
Accommodation: Attilio Camere (optional) or depart for Florence
📍 Via Montanini 66, 53100 Siena SI
Highlight: Enter Siena’s medieval gates — Piazza del Campo, the Duomo, and the gentle ache of arrival.
Notes & Essentials:
- 💧 Carry 1–2 liters of water daily in your daypack; refill at cafés and fountains along the trail.
- 🍞 Most stages pass through small villages with cafés, shops, and water points — though carry light snacks just in case.
- 🎒 Bags will be picked up from the hotel lobby each day at 8:30 AM and delivered to your evening accommodation.
- 🍷 Wine tasting moved to Day 7 — San Gimignano offers beautiful vineyard options for small groups.
- 🦶 Gentle reminder: this is not a race, it’s a conversation with yourself and the land. We'll find a good pace each day.