Sep 28 2022 - Oct 8 2022

Starting from $9,999

Retrace the steps of medieval pilgrims to Rome on rewarding, optional daily walks along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route starting in Tuscany, savoring the artistic masterpieces and medieval architecture of pastoral Italy. This illustrious trail (which fully extends from Canterbury, England, to the Italian capital) has long been overshadowed by Spain's Camino de Santiago. This program presents a unique opportunity to see the underexplored yet magnificent art treasures that line its cobbled pathways. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano, with its soaring medieval towers and cathedral, with its exceptional frescoes by Ghirlandaio and others. In Siena, Florence's 14th-century rival, see artworks by Donatello, Pisano, and Pinturicchio on a private tour of its sumptuous Duomo. In the cathedral in tranquil Orvieto, experience Luca Signorelli's Last Judgment—an achievement on par with Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes—on a private viewing. Conclude in Rome with a private tour of the Vatican Museums, including immersive close looks at Raphael's Stanze di Raffaello and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Walking the trail is optional; mini-coaches will be available to transfer guests to all visits. Walking tours range from one to three hours per day, with rest days only featuring sightseeing walking.