ktspiv4

Hello!
I am traveling for a month to Italy following my youngest child heading off to college. I arrive in Rome Aug. 29 departing Sept. 26. I have been in communication with hosts via HelpX.com to spend part of my time working in garden/kitchen for room & board. I am also looking at possibly doing the trek from Bologna to Florence (Via degli Dei) and curious about tour companies for this. And or are there other treks in the Tuscan or Umbria areas that I should consider. I am a strong hiker so that is not the issue, cost is however. Trying to make the most out of this month without killing my savings.
This is my second visit to Italy having toured parts of Venice, Florence & Rome.
Kind advice/thoughts?

Thank you

Jean

I have been intrigued by the Via Francigena since coming across route signs many years ago. My understanding is that the multi-leg route is clear enough and well traveled, so I'm not sure joining a tour would be necessary although company on the journey would be nice.

http://www.viefrancigene.org/en/

Another multi-leg trek is the Way of St. Francis: Florence to Assisi to Rome. I love Umbria.

http://www.italymagazine.com/feature...st-pilgrimages

You might want to see what you can glean from the trekkingitalia.org website. I believe they do some organized treks/walks.

ellenem

I always recall the trip report of these Fodorites who made their own walking tour across Italy.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-ravenna.cfm

Jean

I meant to add that it might be easier on the Way of St. Francis to find train or bus service at both ends of whatever segment you chose. The Via Francigena might require more research (and good maps) to find a segment the right distance between good transportation points.

ktspiv4

Thank you. I want to plan up to 4-5 day trek. Part of my trip following this trek requires nicer clothes that I need to pack. Are there options to store bags somewhere so I do not have to lug all my items with me?

kybourbon

There is luggage storage at some train stations (Roma Termini, Florence SML, Bologna Centrale). If you are hiking Florence to Bologna, they are only 30 minutes apart by train so you could easily train back and retrieve it.

There is also some transport of luggage available, but it's not that fast, only available Monday-Friday and you must have a train ticket for the Frecciarossa or Frecciargento.

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Se...sport-services

Otherwise, you might make arrangements with your hotel to store your luggage until you retrieve it

massimop

If cost is an issue the fast train tickets between Florence & Bologna might be a deal breaker for using the train station luggage storage.

Have you googled for La via degli Dei? I just tried, & there are lots of links in English but also Italian (use Google translate)

https://paulscamino.com/category/via-degli-dei/

There is a beautiful small train ride that goes from Florence to Faenza. There are several small rather remote tows at the midpoint that are very popular with hikers. If it's not too much of a violation of your idea maybe you could consider going to that area. You could either stay in one town like Marradi & take hikes in many directions or leave your luggage at the begining at a b&b in a small town nearer to Florence like Ronta, and go back for it. Backtracking on that small cheap train to pick up luggage would be easy.



The route

massimop

here's a via degli Dei tour with luggage transported


https://www.inntravel.co.uk/holidays...na-to-florence

ellenem

You might try parts of the Renaissance Ring around Florence. I recall that this routes could be hiked as a longer or shorter day hikes while staying in Florence. Take transport to a certain town to begin the day's hike, return to Florence from another town at the end of the day.
http://www.shortescapes.net/escape/4...aissance-ring/

Keren

This seems very appealing:
http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/...hi#documentary