Starting the Via Francigena

The Via Francigena is a pilgrims route in Italy. Comparable but way less known than the Compostella de Santiago.

Casa Paolina

In the morning I took the bus from Porto Venere to Sarzana and started hiking along the Via Francigena. The hike had several nice panoramic views. This being one of them. I assume usually you can have a drink here and enjoy the view but when I passed by there was noone there.

My rating: 7/10

Via della Lucertola

I was getting towards the end of hiking that day. And per usual I didn't know where I was going to sleep yet. The sun slowly started to get lower. Suddenly from time to time on the hike I see signs saying "Pace e Bene". Frequently accompanied with "pilgrims welcome", "a good place for pilgrims" etc. I decide to take a look, expecting to maybe find a paid place to put my tent. I couldn't have been more wrong. Pace e Bene is the name of the stunning domain of Simona, a somewhat older woman. Pilgrims can stay for free in a spare room or pitch they tent underneath the grapes, as they prefer. There is an outdoor shower that gives you incredible views over the city and sea below. For me arriving here was almost magical and very emotional. It was the firdt time in my life I found someone almost living exactly the way I would like to live later, on a beautiful domain where tired travelers are always welcome. Simona and I talked for quite a while in the evening, long past sunset. This little hidden gem is not on the map, but you can not miss it if you're hiking along the Via Francigena

My rating: 10/10

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