Question about winter lodging on Via Francigena

[J Willhaus]

We'll be walking the Lucca to Siena stretch in mid-February. The Sandy Brown book mentions calling ahead a day or two in advance for pilgrim lodging, but @Rex indicated he didn't always do that a little later on in April. For those like us who prefer to wing it, what has been your experience on this route?

Although we occasionally book ahead, that usually isn't our Camino preference. We also prefer simple dorms over hotel or private rooms that usually don't take reservations or bag transport. I am hoping we can stay in Lucca at the Pelligrinario San Davino our first night so will probably try to reach out to them a few days in advance to let them know we are coming. The info I see in the S Brown book says they accept reservations. They also have a note about hospitalero training on the San Davino website, so I hope we'll meet some like-minded folks who can give us pointers for the stretch we are walking this year.

Do the Italians use WhatsApp to the extent they do in Spain for notifying in advance, and if so, what indication do I look for in the phone number? I know in Spain if it starts with 6, the number is usually a cell number.

 

[roving_rufus]

My winter experience on the VF was pre-Covid, though further back in the Po Valley. But I did find most pilgrim accommodation preferred at least a day's notice- to make sure someone could open up or have the heating on. In fact I had emailed a few of them weeks ahead to check they would be open (no useful Aprinca list!) and did discover one was closed and another one was doing renovations- which changed my first day plan from Vercelli ending instead in Nicorvo.
So for example - ringing Nicorvo in advance - meant they had the heat on a few hours when I arrived and through the night which was appreciated as it was below 0°C when I arrived and -5°C in morning. But there was a problem after a powercut that morning with the electronic entrance system, so had to wait for the keyholders to come back but there was a note left for me to go to the bar to wait. I was their first pilgrim in 2 weeks.

Or in Orio Litta, the local lady was waiting staring out in to darkness and fog 20 minutes before I said I would arrive and she was worried about me (i could see her out the window as i arrived in town)- but had heating on, left sweets and some wine for me, and checked I had food for dinner.

The VF is less winging it! Ringing in advance is definitely a good idea!

 

[lvf]

We'll be walking the Lucca to Siena stretch in mid-February. The Sandy Brown book mentions calling ahead a day or two in advance for pilgrim lodging, but @Rex indicated he didn't always do that a little later on in April. For those like us who prefer to wing it, what has been your experience on this route?

Although we occasionally book ahead, that usually isn't our Camino preference. We also prefer simple dorms over hotel or private rooms that usually don't take reservations or bag transport. I am hoping we can stay in Lucca at the Pelligrinario San Davino our first night so will probably try to reach out to them a few days in advance to let them know we are coming. The info I see in the S Brown book says they accept reservations. They also have a note about hospitalero training on the San Davino website, so I hope we'll meet some like-minded folks who can give us pointers for the stretch we are walking this year.

Do the Italians use WhatsApp to the extent they do in Spain for notifying in advance, and if so, what indication do I look for in the phone number? I know in Spain if it starts with 6, the number is usually a cell number.

I'll be watching this thread. My husband and I are thinking about walking the VF in the spring!

 

[Siegfried]

We'll be walking the Lucca to Siena stretch in mid-February. The Sandy Brown book mentions calling ahead a day or two in advance for pilgrim lodging, but @Rex indicated he didn't always do that a little later on in April. For those like us who prefer to wing it, what has been your experience on this route?

Although we occasionally book ahead, that usually isn't our Camino preference. We also prefer simple dorms over hotel or private rooms that usually don't take reservations or bag transport. I am hoping we can stay in Lucca at the Pelligrinario San Davino our first night so will probably try to reach out to them a few days in advance to let them know we are coming. The info I see in the S Brown book says they accept reservations. They also have a note about hospitalero training on the San Davino website, so I hope we'll meet some like-minded folks who can give us pointers for the stretch we are walking this year.

Do the Italians use WhatsApp to the extent they do in Spain for notifying in advance, and if so, what indication do I look for in the phone number? I know in Spain if it starts with 6, the number is usually a cell number.

Hi
I'll do my Pilgrimage in June from Siena
As always Gronze is a good planning tool for Camino.
Also Frangenciga sections exist

Vía Francígena | Gronze.com

La Vía Francígena es un camino histórico de peregrinación —declarado Itinerario Cultural Europeo en 1994— que une la catedral de la ciudad inglesa de Canterbury con la plaza de San Pedro de Roma. Su origen es la peregrinación de Sigerico, arzobispo de Canterbury, en el año 990. Actualmente está...

www.gronze.com

 

[Paul-CH]

I will probably leave on beginning of March 2025 from Vercelli, but before I leave I will check the Webcam Casola and Pollina: A15 Passo della Cisa if there is any snow left on the way to Passo della Cisa. This will influence my decision to leave.
I did read, that the Italien like to be informed of the Pilgrims so they can prepare the room / heating and sometimes possible food for dinner/beakfast. Next year is a holy year, with a huge amount of People going to Rome and probably also more Pilgrims as usual.

 

[Paul-CH]

I look for in the phone number?

Italy Mobile Phone +393… as far as I know, and they react better on WhatsApp than on emails.
Google has the answer but you have to search for it:

The general format for Italian mobile phone numbers looks like: +39-(Mobile Carrier Codes)-XXXXXXX ​

• Mobile carrier code: Italy’s mobile numbers start with a 3-digit number, followed by a 2-digit mobile carrier code that recognizes the service provider. Some of the mobile carrier codes differ per the telecom companies are:

1. TIM: 330, 331, 334, 3345
2. Vodafone Italia: 340, 345, 346, 348
3. ILIAD: 351-5 to 351-9, 352-0

 

[J Willhaus]

Ok, we are starting out in Lucca tentatively on Feb. 13. I will start trying to contact places after the first of the year per the guidance of members, the S Brown guidebook, and Gronze. Winter closures will narrow the availability, but I hope the bulk of pilgrims won't be starting until later.

Our stages are intentionally short. We seldom walk long days anyway, and this is only the beginning of our 3 months of walking and volunteering. Don't want to get injured early in the game.

FEB 12- arrive Lucca.
FEB 13- Lucca to Altapascio (18 km)
FEB 14- Altapascio to Ponte a Cappiano (14.5 km)
FEB 15- Ponte a Cappiano to San Miniato (14.5 km)
FEB 16-San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (24 km)
FEB 17- Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano (13.6 km)
FEB 18- San Gimignano to Colle di Val d'Elsa (12.5 km)
FEB 19- Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni (15.5 km)
FEB 20- Monteriggioni to Siena (20.3 km)
FEB 21- Extra day in Siena

We are spending a little over 3 weeks in Italy total before heading to Spain to walk and volunteer beginning in March.

 

[roving_rufus]

I am looking forward to reaching Italy on my route from SdeC to Rome but it will probably not be to 2026. I miss the pizza, pasta, gelato, coffee, risotto.... maybe I will have to walk a few long days to get there in 2025
So have fun on the VF!

 

[J Willhaus]

I am looking forward to reaching Italy on my route from SdeC to Rome but it will probably not be to 2026. I miss the pizza, pasta, gelato, coffee, risotto.... maybe I will have to walk a few long days to get there in 2025
So have fun on the VF!

I've not been to Italy now for 23 years. Phil's never been.

 

[Siegfried]

Ok, we are starting out in Lucca tentatively on Feb. 13. I will start trying to contact places after the first of the year per the guidance of members, the S Brown guidebook, and Gronze. Winter closures will narrow the availability, but I hope the bulk of pilgrims won't be starting until later.

Our stages are intentionally short. We seldom walk long days anyway, and this is only the beginning of our 3 months of walking and volunteering. Don't want to get injured early in the game.

FEB 12- arrive Lucca.
FEB 13- Lucca to Altapascio (18 km)
FEB 14- Altapascio to Ponte a Cappiano (14.5 km)
FEB 15- Ponte a Cappiano to San Miniato (14.5 km)
FEB 16-San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (24 km)
FEB 17- Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano (13.6 km)
FEB 18- San Gimignano to Colle di Val d'Elsa (12.5 km)
FEB 19- Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni (15.5 km)
FEB 20- Monteriggioni to Siena (20.3 km)
FEB 21- Extra day in Siena

We are spending a little over 3 weeks in Italy total before heading to Spain to walk and volunteer beginning in March.

May I ask you why you start so early in the year

 

[Paul-CH]

May I ask you why you start so early in the year

Just a few lines above they wrote:
We are spending a little over 3 weeks in Italy total before heading to Spain to walk and volunteer beginning in March.

 

[Siegfried]

Just a few lines above they wrote:
We are spending a little over 3 weeks in Italy total before heading to Spain to walk and volunteer beginning in March.

This doesn't explain.
They can do it also after Spain

 

[Paul-CH]

This doesn't explain.
They can do it also after Spain

As long as we do not know how long the volunteering last, we can only speculate. But I am sure in Summer it is too HOT in Italy to walk.

 

[J Willhaus]

I just retired from the university last spring and have time now to do more things so our time line for 2025 is Italy and Spain in Feb, March, and April, followed by home a month in May to get essential tasks done around the house that we share with other family members (annual checking of HVAC system, decorating at cemetery for Memorial Day, etc. ) then traveling to Oregon from June through August for volunteering at a wildlife refuge.

This year, our Spain volunteer time will be in the second half of March and the first part of April. I don't do well walking in hot weather and had a heat injury on the Camino in 2022. It's really easier for both Phil and I to walk in cold or cool weather. We've also intentionally shifted our planned walking time to avoid crowds.

Now that I'm retired, we just have a home base and we'll be traveling and volunteering at least 6 months of the year. We need to do this now while we are still able and relatively healthy. We are already thinking about our 2026 schedule and where we'll travel and volunteer. I love being retired!

 

[duncanwhyte]

When I did the Lucca to Rome, once I had got into the albergue that day, I phoned the albergues for the next day. I think the Italians liked that. They seemed a lot more at ease and settled and usually recognised me the next day from my voice and character etc. So begin phoning at check in times 2.30pm onwards , and you will most likely speak to the hospitaleros, as they are on alert.

 

[Karl Oz]

I walked the VF a year ago in October. I always rang a day ahead of arrival to ensure a bed. I prefer not to do this but I was concerned, quite reasonably, about availability. Often the owner would respond with a request that I send a WhatsApp msg to confirm a reservation. I speak a little Italian but it was easy to do it without language skills. I anticipate crowds will not exist in February but I advise a similar approach since some places could conceivably be closed during Winter.