Arrive at your hotel in the enchanting hilltop town of Montefiascone, set above the beautiful Lake Bolsena. Once settled into your home for the evening you can take a stroll through the captivating cobbled streets with their pretty pastel and stone buildings. Depending on your time of arrival, we recommend paying a visit to the Basilica Santa Margherita with its imposing dome that can be seen for miles around, and the Rocca Dei Papi (Fortress of the Popes). Once the home and office of Popes it hosts a garden with the most spectacular panoramic views over the entire Tuscia and its colourful patchwork countryside.

WINE FESTIVAL: The yearly wine festival celebrates the famous Est!!Est!!Est!!! wine produced in the area and the streets come alive with outdoor dining and festivities. The festival takes place every August.

Waking to the beautiful hilltop views you can enjoy a typical Italian breakfast before beginning your pilgrimage to Rome. Today's target however, is the magnificent town of Viterbo, following the ancient paving of the Via Cassia through the vast plain dividing Bolsena Lake from the Cimini Mountains, their silhouette in the distance. Along your way, you will come across old drinking fountains providing the perfect refreshment break to pause and take in your surroundings. As you near Viterbo you will encounter the welcoming waters of the Bagnaccio thermal baths; dating back to the Romans these natural springs have been refreshing the body and spirits of pilgrims since the medieval period (and before that Roman soldiers). Now it's your turn to reward yourself with a visit to the warm waters before completing the final few kilometres to Viterbo.

Arriving in Viterbo you will be able to check into your accommodation and explore the beautiful town with its magnificent historic centre. We recommend taking time to visit the San Pellegrino quarter (St. Pilgrim's neighbourhood) with its central square, keep towers and thirteen-century buildings.

Feeling refreshed, your route today will take you through the unique Etruscan hollow roads; a series of pathways carved into the walls of tufa stone creating almost narrow, almost canyon-like walkways. These fascinating pathways are found in the area north of Rome and mostly in Tuscany and date back some 2500 years, with some of them up to 30m deep!

Emerging from the hollow road, you will be greeted by typical Etruscan countryside as you make your way towards your final stop of the day- Vetralla. Sitting on the slopes of Mount Fogliano, the town of Vetralla (once known as Etruria) holds a prominent location at a crossroads of three Roman roads and even has historic links with England. Its importance led to the town being passed as a trophy to various nobility over the years, including King Henry VIII who put it under British protection where it remained for hundreds of years. You will have the opportunity to explore the well-preserved town with its alleyways leading to lovely piazzas. When you have finished exploring, you arrive at your hotel for the evening where you can delight in dinner.

Today is a big day as you make your way to Sutri, where your efforts are rewarded with dinner at your hotel. Re-joining your pilgrimage, you first walk along the side of a volcanic crater and Lake Vico, and follow the Pilgrim markings leading your way across the pretty countryside towards the hill top village of Capranica; yet another beautiful village filled with photogenic buildings and history. You will have time to visit the remains of Torri di Orlando abbey for a glimpse into Capranica's ancient grandeur and perhaps enjoy a coffee stop before continuing on your way. Leaving Capranica you descend a tuff gorge as you follow the stream towards Sutri providing a striking contrast to the wide open plain where your pilgrimage began. Arriving in the picturesque town of Sutri with its spectacular amphitheatre, archaeological park, and welcoming Piazza del Comune where you can enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by before heading to your hotel for dinner.

Your route today takes you across the rural Italian countryside, through Monterosi where you can enjoy a morning coffee stop, and on to the majestic Monte Gelato waterfalls. These wonderful waterfalls, nestled within dense woodlands, have been used in several film sets and are a popular place to relax in nature. A lovely spot to sit, think about your journey and enjoy a picnic with the soothing sounds of the falls, or perhaps a cooling paddle. When you are ready to continue your pilgrimage and say farewell to the falls you once again begin your journey towards Rome. Walking along a panoramic dirt road, you will be accompanied by beautiful vistas as you make your way to your final stop of the day, Campagnano de Roma. Entering the town through the ancient Porta Roma (gateway into the city) and walking down the photogenic pastel Palazzi lined main street you will arrive in the pretty Piazza where you can enjoy a refreshment in one of the welcoming cafes- and perhaps a cake too.

In the evening, you will be able to soak up the atmosphere of Campagnano with fellow pilgrims and sample some of the local fare in a nearby restaurant.

Today's route begins with beautiful views over the Lazio countryside before entering the Veio Regional Park, an area of some 15,000 hectares of nature steeped with history of Romans, Etruscans and Pilgrims. As you make your way along the gentle country trails be sure to keep your eyes open for some of the archaeological discoveries that are scattered throughout the park, reminding us of the deep history of the region. Crossing the wonderful Valle del Sorbo River you begin your climb up towards Formello, with its lovely historic centre. You will have time to explore before continuing towards La Storta, named after the series of curves the ancient Via Cassia makes through the town. You will have time to enjoy refreshments in a café before your final hike to La Giustiniana, best known for its wine production. Once checked into your hotel you can venture to one of the nearby restaurants and enjoy a glass with dinner.

Today is the day you arrive in Rome. But. First, you must get there. After breakfast you once again step out on to the Via Francigena, filled with excitement to end your day in the Eternal City. Your route will immerse you in the greenery of the Insugherata Park, a beautiful nature reserve, a real treat for nature lovers with its rich flora and fauna, and splendid spring blooms providing a sweet aroma to your journey. It is hard to believe that this tranquil landscape is so close to the hustle and bustle of Rome. As you emerge from the forest and approach your final goal, you can pause for a triumphant photo opportunity at Monte Mario Belvedere from where you are rewarded with breath-taking views over the city and the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica. Making your final descent, you soon arrive in Rome as you reach Piazza San Pietro, bursting with pride in the knowledge that you have completed the Via Francigena.

You will soon be captivated by this unique city with its magnificent architecture, vast history, rich culture and celebrated faith. In the evening, you can visit one of the many great restaurants the city has to offer and raise a toast to a great week. We recommend arranging additional nights here in Rome so you can really savour the atmosphere and visit the many sights.

NOTE: On presentation of your pilgrim pass you can gain free entry to the basilica in Vatican City. However, the Vatican is a key attraction, it is wise to book in advance to avoid disappointment or long queues.

Delight in a relaxed breakfast and depending on your onward journey plans, further explore this magnificent city.