A holiday company is allowing travellers to walk the last 100km of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route and get an audience with the Pope.
The seven-day trip follows the last 100km of the 2,000km route which starts in Canterbury and heads to Rome, with the audience with Pope Frances taking place on trips that end on Wednesdays.
The holiday sees pilgrims start their journey in medieval Viterbo, before travelling along footpaths and trails across the Lazio countryside, passing through small towns and villages – accommodation is in family-run country hotels and farm houses.
Walkers end their journey at the Vatican in Rome, along the famous Via Triumphale, with spectacular views of Rome, the Eternal City. Accommodation on the last night is in a 17th century Monastery just 500m from St Peter’s Square.
Walkers completing the route get the ‘Testimonium’ – a certificate that shows their completion of the pilgrimage – before meeting the Pope.
Seven nights’ half-board costs from €589 per person. International flights are extra.
Click here to book with www.francigenaways.com
