Walking retreat from Orvieto to Rome on the via Francigena
“la passeggiata dell’amore”
650,000 footsteps in 14 days
Walking retreat from Orvieto to Rome along the Via Francigena.
Walk 650,000 steps on foot in 14 days along the ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena from Orvieto to magical Rome. Your dream becomes a reality. Unwind and discover the magical power of this walking retreat
Enjoy wonderful new encounters, impressions and insights to never forget? Do you enjoy going on a hiking vacation together with a group of sociable and like-minded people from young to old with the same interest in a casual atmosphere?
Then walk with us “la passeggiata dell’amore” along the ancient pilgrim path through a beautiful volcanic landscape. Plenty of remnants of Etruscan and Roman culture to world city Rome. Focusing on slowtravel and sustainable tourism, we are following in the footsteps of the many pilgrims before us. Together you will experience your best hiking retreat ever.
Pilgrimage.
A pilgrim, pilgrim, pellegrino comes from the Latin peregrinus, which means one who walks the fields. Later, a purpose was attached to it, usually a religious purpose.
Our 10-day pilgrimage is called “la passeggiata dell’amore” and is independent of religion or ideology.
Let Follow the Red Shoes take care of you, allowing you to go fully for the experience and the special experience. You walk at your own pace and have plenty of room to enjoy yourself in your own way. In addition, there is time for communal breaks a good conversation, conviviality and the sharing of experiences.
Step out of the delusion of the day with us by experiencing what life is really about while walking. Time to charge your own battery instead of your smartphone’s.
Enjoy and be inspired.
Dates 2023:
Sept. 23 to Oct. 7
Wandelretraite van Orvieto naar Rome
over de oude pelgrimsroute de via Francigena
- Hoofd leeg & hart vol
- Liefde voor jezelf
- Gericht op je eigen weg de rest mag je loslaten
- Ontmoetingen met anderen onderweg
- Authentiek op reis met persoonlijke wandelgids
- Focus op het lokale leven
- Tijd om je eigen batterij op te laden i.p.v. je smartphone
- Bagege vervoer
- Mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan meditatie- en brethworksessie
- Art Journal om je belevenissen in te schrijven
Mariët Bloemendal personal hiking guide (coach)
Ciao, I am Mariët Bloemendal the creative jack-of-all-trades and passionate Italy expert of Follow the Red Shoes.
Follow the Red Shoes specializes in special experience and discovery vacations in Italy.
I am also a hiking coach in Italy and am an (online) coach at Talenfirst. My mission during this special retreat is to let you enjoy authentic central Italy in a special way. Far away from mass tourism I take care of, organize and create a base in which you, will discover and experience a real Italian vacation.
All walking retreats and vacations of Follow the Red Shoes I guide myself. I look forward to experiencing “Il Passegato dell’amore” with you. A milestone in your life.
I myself traveled to Rome in 2015 along the ancient pilgrimage route with my dog Djazzy and shuffleboard. A milestone in my life. Taking another trip back to Italy. A new path after a tumultuous time in my life. Article Libelle.
In 2020, with Follow the Red Shoes, I won the Benelux Award for Best Specialist Italian Holiday Agent 2020.
Since January 2021, I have been heard monthly as
Correspondent Italy program “de Wereld” BNNVARA NPO1.
Probably you are very curious who I am? I cordially invite you to read more about me through my blog.
Walking retreat from Orvieto to Rome along the ancient pilgrimage route the via Francigena.
Origin of the pilgrimage route:
In the 10th century, the Archbishop of Canterbury walked the footrace for the first time. In the Middle Ages, people walked to Rome with the goal of visiting Peter’s tomb under St. Peter’s. The pilgrimage route largely follows the road built by the Romans. Especially the faithful from France crossed the Alps on their way to Rome, hence the name Via Francigena (Franconian road).
Practical information:
Level: The hikes are mostly on untracked trails.
Hiking experience and good fitness are desirable. (level 3)
Climate: Typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers. The month of June is a wonderful hiking month.
Site: Through beautiful Mediterranean nature and past remnants of a rich history. Varied landscape with olive and pine trees, cypresses, vineyards, fields and grasslands with numerous wildflowers. Volcanic hilly landscape with green valleys and remains of the Etruscan civilization.
Guidance: The walking guidance is provided by Mariët Bloemendal of Volg de rode schoentjes. She knows the area like the back of her hand.
Group size: We walk in a small group up to max 6 people. In this way, personal needs can be properly addressed.
All times listed are the average running times. In addition, there will be time for rest stops, taking pictures and viewing the area and sights.
During our hikes, you don’t have to overcome huge height differences and you don’t have to wear special equipment. Provide sturdy hiking shoes, preferably well broken in. Good protection from the sun is definitely necessary and also consider light rain gear.
Accommodation hiking retreat from Orvieto to Rome
During the pilgrimage to Rome, we will stay in small charming agriturismo, monasteries or B&B. All located on the Via Francigena.
Programma van dag tot dag wandelretraite van Orvieto naar Rome
Overnachting Bolsena.
Dag 4: Bolsena – Monte Fiascone.
Dag 7: Veltralla – Sutri.
Een pittige dag van Vetralla naar Sutri. Vandaag lopen we 22 km via het middeleeuwse stadje Cappranica. De wandeling start met klimmen over schaduwrijke bospaden naar de restanten van de Torro di Vico Matrino. Het zware werk is achter de rug wanneer we langzaam dalend wandelen tussen de hazelnootplantages in de richting van Capranica. Verder naar Sutri, dat dankzij de romaanse kathedraal de Santa Maria Assunta al van ver te zien is in het landschap. Sutri heeft een sfeervol centrum met smalle schilderachtige straatjes met in het midden een intieme piazza, die eerder aan een salon dan aan een stadsplein doet denken. Iets buiten de stad is het boeiendste monument van Sutri. Het Romeinse amfitheater, gebouwd tijdens de regeringsperiode van keizer Augustus, aan het eind van de 1e eeuw V.Chr. Het theater bood plaats aan 5000 mensen. Er vonden vooral gevechten van gladiatoren met wilde dieren plaats.
Overnachting: Calcata. (auto opgehaald in Sutri.
Mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan een stadswandeling met inwoonster van het eerste uur Marijcke van der Maden.
Dag 9: Rustdag Calcata.
Mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan een excursie naar het Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola. Een indrukwekkend kunstwerk waar je niet op uitgekeken raakt.
Dag 10: Calcata – Campagnano di Roma.
We gaan weer op pad en vandaag wandelen we 15 km. Door het regionale park Valle del Treja. Langs het riviertje de Treja. We pauzeren en lunchen bij Cascate di Monte Gelato (waterval). Langs olijf- en wijngaarden wandelen we verder. Naarmate we Campagnano di Roma naderen neemt de bebouwing toe en komt Rome steeds dichterbij. Het mooie Campagnano di Roma is onze overnachtingsplek een mooi renaissancestadje.
Dag 11: Campagnano di Roma – Isola Farnese.
De Via Francigena loopt vandaag door het groene akkerlandschap in de richting van het Parco di Veii. Een park met Etruskische en Romeinse monumenten. We wandelen verder door bossen en over velden naar het schilderachtige Isola Franese 24 km verderop. Hier lijkt de tijd stil te hebben gestaan.
Overnachting Isola Farnese.
Dag 12: Isola Farnese – Rome.
We zijn er bijna. Nog 16 km naar Rome. Langs de Via Trionfale wandelen we de buitenwijken van Rome in, natuurlijk op weg naar het Vaticaan. Deze route werd ook door de zegevierende Romeinse legioenen aflegt bij hun intocht in Rome. Wanneer we op de Monte Mario staan zien we de Sint Pieter, onze eindbestemming. De eeuwige stad.
We gaan genieten en overnachten in Rome.
Dag 13: Rome. Stadswandeling als afsluiting van onze prachtige pelgrimage.
Dag 14: Staat in het teken van vertrek.
Walking retreat checklist
Good backpack
Sturdy hiking boots
Slippers or shoes
Bottle for water (no disposable plastic)
Thermos for tea or coffee
(Sunglasses)
Water/windproof jacket
Fleece vest
T-shirt long / short sleeves
Hiking skirt or pants
Hiking socks
Rain pants and raincoat/poncho
Cap/sun visor
Quick-drying towel
Toilet paper
Paper handkerchiefs
Antibacterial gel
Wallet
Passport
Phone + charging leads
Photo camera
Umbrella
Seat mat
Sunscreen
Insecticide
Lip balm
Tick remover
first aid kit
Blister Plasters
Common plasters
Paracetamol
Diclofenac
Personal care products
All inclusive
- Organisatie
- Begeleiding van alle wandelingen en dagexcursies
- 12 overnachtingen inclusief ontbijt
- Standaard 1 eenpersoonskamer
- Eigen douche en toilet
- Lunch (nemen we mee)
- 13 diners
- Welkomstdrankje Orvieto
- Stadswandeling Orvieto
- 1 rondleiding door Marijcke van der Maden in Calcata
- Excursie palazzo Farnese Caprarola
- 1 overnachting in klooster in Rome.
- Dagexcursie Rome inclusief ontbijt, lunch en diner.
- 2 reflectiemomenten met Mariët Bloemendal
- Dagboek en pen
- Telefonisch kennismakingsgesprek
- Art journal
- Mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan meditatie- en breathwork sessies
- bagage vervoer
- Niet inbegrepen:
- Eigen drankjes en andere consumpties buiten het programma om
- Reis naar ons toe en terug naar huis is voor eigen rekening
- Standaard prijs:
- Ik bied je deze inspirerende wandelretreat aan voor € 2875,-
- Early bird prijs;
- Boek je voor 1 maart dan krijg je een speciale early bird korting van 400,- en betaal je € 2475,- i.p.v € 2875,-
Experiences hiking retreat
Margret Leferink
You are yourself: spontaneous, open, genuinely interested in and curious about people and their needs. You take that into account when putting together your vacations (customized). With your great love for Italy and Italians and in particular the Bolsena area as an overarching passion. You don’t play a role, so you don’t fall out, and people feel that.
Hilda Ruinemans
I had a wonderful hiking vacation. We walked a route from Orvieto to Rome along and through beautiful villages and towns. It was very rewarding and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Mariet thank you for your wonderful , funny and good guidance. You showed me a beautiful part of Italy.
Nikki Schuurmans
A wonderful hiking vacation. Under the guidance of Mariët, follow the red shoes, in 10 days to foot from Orvieto to Rome. The nature, the beautiful varied landscape, the delicious food, the beautiful little villages and towns and the places where we stayed overnight made this vacation an experience to remember! TOP! This way of traveling allows you to get to places you normally don’t easily see and shows you the real Italy. Going out with someone who knows the language, culture and area well is an addition. Mariët makes sure everything is well arranged, such as the rest day in Calcata (never had such beautiful views from a vacation accommodation before), and knows how to find the nicer trails that lie between Orvieto and Rome. Under the warm Italian sun, it is much more pleasant to walk through the forest and among the hazelnut trees than along the paved roads. All in all we had a fantastic two weeks, thank you!
yes I will go
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