5.2 - The Magna Via Francigena

In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount their summer hiking adventure on three different trails around three famous Italian (and occasionally Swiss) lakes: Maggiore, Lugano and Como. Buon cammino! Show Notes Il Cammino del Lago Maggiore: https://www.camminolagomaggiore.it/ Il Balcone dei Tre Laghi (guidebook): https://www.ediciclo.it/it/libri/dettaglio/il-balcone-dei-tre-laghi/ Il Sentiero del Viandante: https://www.ilsentierodelviandante.eu/en/ Main places mentioned: Sancarlone (the giant statue), Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Arcumeggia, the Abbey of San Pietro in Vallate.

In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount the second of their Italian Easter walks on the popular Via degli Dei (the 'Path of the Gods') between Bologna and Florence. Buon cammino! Show Notes Official Website: https://www.viadeglidei.it Towns mentioned: Madonna dei Fornelli, Sant'Agata, San Piero a Sieve, Fiesole.

In this episode, Nick and Wendy discuss their challenging but rewarding pilgrimage on the Via degli Abati (Path of the Abbots) in north-central Italy. Tune in to find out what made this walk such an adventure, and buon cammino! Show Notes: Regions: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany Main Towns: Pavia, Bobbio, Bardi, Pontremoli Official Website: https://viadegliabati.com  Our Live Forum Thread: Via degli Abati 

Our final episode for this season is an epic one as Wendy recounts her solo pilgrimage on the little-known Camiño de Taverneiro in Galicia. Spoiler alert: the spirit of the camino shines brightly on this route. Bo camiño! Show Notes: Links: Wendy's summary of this camino: https://shorturl.at/Xdgo5  Guidebook for the Taverneiro: https://shorturl.at/LZbX6  Holy Year 2021 video featuring Carlos Núñez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5vtgonpuII Places Mentioned: Monção (Portugal) Salvaterra de Miño Arufe Pedre Codaseda Couso

Wendy discusses spending several weeks in Santiago this summer. In particular, she talks about the advanced Galego language course she took, the feast of the apostle and the 'massification' of the pilgrimage. Buen camino! Show Notes: Wendy's course: 'Galego Sen Fronteiras' -  https://cursoslinguagalega.academia.gal

In this episode, Nick and Wendy give their top tips for planning a pilgrimage on the Camino de Invierno, from stages to accommodation to alternate routes. ¡Buen camino! Show Notes: Resources: PDF Guide - https://shorturl.at/6aHJG  Forum Planning Thread - https://shorturl.at/06juG  Gronze - https://www.gronze.com/camino-invierno Main Tips: Take the Borrenes alternative to the Orellán lookout at Las Médulas, possibly staying in Villavieja on the first night and then Casa Rosa in Puente de Domingo Flórez on the second night.  Take the alternate route between O Barco and A Rua on the other side of the river, up to the waterfall.  Casa Rural options after Monforte: Pinheiro and Villariño, or the albergue at Diomondi for the church. Last 100km: consider staying at Casa Leiras in Dornelas and Reina Lupa, 10km from Santiago.

In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount their pilgrimage on the Camino de Invierno ('Winter Way') from Ponferrada to Santiago. ¡Buen camino! Show Notes: Places Mentioned: Las Médulas - Roman Mine Site Sil River Valley Ribeira Sacra  Monte Faro Animal Artwork - After A Rua Daniel and the Wax Stamp - Lalín

In our third episode about Italian pilgrimages, Nick and Wendy recount their walk on the Via Ellenica, part of the Cammino Materano network in southern Italy. Buon cammino! Show Notes:  Via Ellenica Website and Guidebook: https://camminomaterano.it/via/9/via-ellenica  The World Heritage Endpoints: Alberobello and Matera The Gorge Towns: Masafra, Castellaneta, Laterza, Ginosa Rock-Hewn Church: San Nicola

As we continue our exploration of pilgrimage routes in Italy, Nick recounts his solo walk on the Magna Via Francigena in Sicily. Buon cammino! Show Notes: Main Attractions: Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento Most Beautiful Villages/Towns: Sutera, Racalmuto  Nick's Best Sunset Spot at Agrigento: The east side of the Temple of Juno (Giunone) Goat Art: Realised by Domenico Cocchiara; article (in Italian) with photos: https://ripost.it/2023/08/15/le-capre-girgentane-di-domenico-cocchiara-sulle-vecchie-porte-di-30-comuni/

In the first episode of our fifth season, entitled 'Italian and Winter Ways', Nick recounts his pilgrimage on the Via di Francesco (Way of St. Francis) in central Italy. Buon cammino! Show Notes: Major Towns: Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Rieti Other Places of Interest: La Verna Sanctuary, Cascata delle Marmore (the 'Roman' waterfall) Entry into Rome: From Monte Sacro, consider taking the Via Nomentana (including a visit to the church of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls) to Porta Pia and from there into Rome, perhaps including San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John of Lateran) with the statue of St. Francis directly opposite the church. Official Website: https://www.viadifrancesco.it/en/