A Via Francigena Wave in 2022 ?

[kiwiDavid]

I noticed on the VF Facebook page that more people appear to be gearing up to walk in 2022 after deferring from previous years - I assume this is a response to international travel opening up. Any thoughts out there on this ?
ie: Accommodation being open (especially hostels - Cissa pass etc) - a possible increase in the number of people walking during the year - any changes to COVID rules (distancing / hostel bed closures / masks) - whether it's to soon for the Countries concerned and their thoughts on people coming in 2022.
I know it is conjecture at this stage but 2022 is just around the corner and things feel like they're about to start up again - I hope so.
David

 

[C clearly]

I noticed on the VF Facebook page that more people appear to be gearing up to walk in 2022

I have had this impression for every route that I look at. However, I really doubt that the number of pilgrims will exceed the numbers of 2019. The big question is whether the accommation is available. I am reassuring myself that if I find myself in a little bubble or wave on one of the less-travelled routes, I should just hold back a day or two and it will probably ease. On the routes which have few pilgrims, a group of, say, 6 could be a problem in terms of albergue beds, but the next day would probably be fine.

 

[roving_rufus]

Accommodation is more of an issue on the VF compared to many camino routes, even on the more travelled Italian section, and it is still unclear if or when some of the pilgrim accommodation will open. In 2022 it probably means having to be more flexible and having additional funds for a hotel room at some points. I think the vf will probably have higher numbers in 2022 as people have had more time to think and plan, as well as new english guidebooks having been written, as well as promotion by various interested parties particularly in Italy (more Italian pilgrims?), and maybe those who are trying to avoid camino routes in a busy Holy Year But there are still so many unknowns -just how many will walk in 2022 and the pressures on particular sections like Tuscany, or if the hostel on the Cisa Pass will open in 2022, never mind the state of the pandemic and what restrictions will be in place. I know I am hoping after a 2 year break to get back and walk another section on the VF in 2022, but in my case it will likely be off-season so higher numbers are less of a factor but as my planning to walk a section of the Camino Ruta de la lana at the end of November is that things have changed due to the pandemic and will keep changing for some time yet

 

[Harington]

I noticed on the VF Facebook page that more people appear to be gearing up to walk in 2022 after deferring from previous years - I assume this is a response to international travel opening up. Any thoughts out there on this ?
ie: Accommodation being open (especially hostels - Cissa pass etc) - a possible increase in the number of people walking during the year - any changes to COVID rules (distancing / hostel bed closures / masks) - whether it's to soon for the Countries concerned and their thoughts on people coming in 2022.
I know it is conjecture at this stage but 2022 is just around the corner and things feel like they're about to start up again - I hope so.
David

Available from the Confraternity to Rome's online shop is this https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/product/new-booklet-of-accommodation-and-services-in-france/. It is updated (French and English) in February of each year, and published in March. It should therefore give you a fair idea of what is open and what is not in France.

 

[CherieAnne]

Accommodation is more of an issue on the VF compared to many camino routes, even on the more travelled Italian section, and it is still unclear if or when some of the pilgrim accommodation will open. In 2022 it probably means having to be more flexible and having additional funds for a hotel room at some points. I think the vf will probably have higher numbers in 2022 as people have had more time to think and plan, as well as new english guidebooks having been written, as well as promotion by various interested parties particularly in Italy (more Italian pilgrims?), and maybe those who are trying to avoid camino routes in a busy Holy Year But there are still so many unknowns -just how many will walk in 2022 and the pressures on particular sections like Tuscany, or if the hostel on the Cisa Pass will open in 2022, never mind the state of the pandemic and what restrictions will be in place. I know I am hoping after a 2 year break to get back and walk another section on the VF in 2022, but in my case it will likely be off-season so higher numbers are less of a factor but as my planning to walk a section of the Camino Ruta de la lana at the end of November is that things have changed due to the pandemic and will keep changing for some time yet

I walked Camino Santiago last Septrmber and in mid April I along with 3 people I met in Sept are walking from Lucca to Rome. Very excited!

 

[WisTom]

I walked the VdlP/Sanabrés starting in February of 2019. While many of the municipal albergues were closed, it was always possible to find some accommodation - although some stages were 40+ km. I plan to start the VF from Torino to Vercelli to Rome on February 18, 2022 and am hoping that the experience will be similar, even if some alberghi are closed. I don't expect that there will be too much pressure from high numbers of pilgrims at that time, but don't have any experience in Italy to back this up.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I returned from the VF in mid October and I found very few hikers (More cyclists though) throughout my trip and more than ample places to stay along the way.

 

[kiwiDavid]

I returned from the VF in mid October and I found very few hikers (More cyclists though) throughout my trip and more than ample places to stay along the way.

That's reassuring Bob - I had heard that more than a few places had closed for COVID (mainly dedicated pilgrim hostels - both private,municipal and religious - like the Cissa Pass,Santa Cristina & Orio Litta). I did follow a few people on Facebook walking this year and they seemed to do OK with accommodation (albeit with some occasional long stretches) - hopefully places will open up and allow more options. My other concern would be restrictions imposed by local and national COVID regulations and whether they will ease by mid 2022 (might need a Crystal Ball for that one).

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Yes, you are accurate. There was some longer stretches, but nothing that was not do-able.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

I noticed on the VF Facebook page that more people appear to be gearing up to walk in 2022 after deferring from previous years - I assume this is a response to international travel opening up. Any thoughts out there on this ?
ie: Accommodation being open (especially hostels - Cissa pass etc) - a possible increase in the number of people walking during the year - any changes to COVID rules (distancing / hostel bed closures / masks) - whether it's to soon for the Countries concerned and their thoughts on people coming in 2022.
I know it is conjecture at this stage but 2022 is just around the corner and things feel like they're about to start up again - I hope so.
David

It is interesting. I am following the covid #’s in Europe and wondering if solid plans are still a bit premature. Saying that, I am hoping to go too but I think I will wait awhile yet.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

It is interesting. I am following the covid #’s in Europe and wondering if solid plans are still a bit premature. Saying that, I am hoping to go too but I think I will wait awhile yet.

*For what it's worth* - - I found during my time in Europe, during this Covid time, just about everywhere I went people were conscious of distancing, mask wearing and when entering businesses there was posted signage reminding people of all the above. Further, I found multiple businesses would check your temperature and your vaccination card when entering their businesses. (Even MacDonald's).
I never once saw any "push back" by anyone towards an employee when entering a business. The last note I reasoned with myself when I planned this trip was that I was going to be walking on the road and in the countryside, away from people contact. I believe and respect each person has to make their own decision when the time will be "right" to go, but I had a positive experience and felt safe the entire time while I was there.

 

[Jennifer Partika]

I walked Camino Santiago last Septrmber and in mid April I along with 3 people I met in Sept are walking from Lucca to Rome. Very excited!

I have been wanting to walk in Italy for a while but have had a hard time finding guide books in English that provide enough information to make me feel comfortable setting out.
Do you plan to use a book or app as a guide?

 

[roving_rufus]

I have been wanting to walk in Italy for a while but have had a hard time finding guide books in English that provide enough information to make me feel comfortable setting out.
Do you plan to use a book or app as a guide?

There are three main guidebooks available in English for the Via Francigena. For the Italian section there is terre di mezzo (I haven't used this). I have used the lightfoot guides which even in France a few years ago (before a push to mark the route fully) was very detailed, and the updated version gives in my view plenty of instructions on the route. The third option is a new edition of the Cicerone guides to replace the dated versions by Raju, but I haven't used them yet. All three probably need a little supplementary help in regards to accommodation which changes. Online resources about current accommodation and how to access it are important so to have up-to-date info.
I found the apps clunky to use but did download gpx tracks to use on maps.me offline.

 

[GuyA]

There are three main guidebooks available in English for the Via Francigena. For the Italian section there is terre di mezzo (I haven't used this). I have used the lightfoot guides which even in France a few years ago (before a push to mark the route fully) was very detailed, and the updated version gives in my view plenty of instructions on the route. The third option is a new edition of the Cicerone guides to replace the dated versions by Raju, but I haven't used them yet. All three probably need a little supplementary help in regards to accommodation which changes. Online resources about current accommodation and how to access it are important so to have up-to-date info.
I found the apps clunky to use but did download gpx tracks to use on maps.me offline.

I have also had an interest in the Via Francigena…curious as to whether walking in Italy requires basic Italian knowledge (certainly would be nice to have) or whether English/French combo is sufficient.

 

[PeteAJ]

Does anyone have a sense of how many people walk Lucca to Rome each year? Enough for new Cicerone titles I guess.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I have also had an interest in the Via Francigena…curious as to whether walking in Italy requires basic Italian knowledge (certainly would be nice to have) or whether English/French combo is sufficient.

Some very basic will help, but nothing that you could not obtain via Youtube. I speak zero Italian and was able to get across the country without a problem. I found "many" Italians I encountered did speak some "camino" english.

 

[domigee]

I have also had an interest in the Via Francigena…curious as to whether walking in Italy requires basic Italian knowledge (certainly would be nice to have) or whether English/French combo is sufficient.

French is OK when you’re near the border with Switzerland. Most people speak it. After that, I found I had to use (basic) Italian to say book a room/bed and ask a few simple questions…

 

[kiwiDavid]

It is interesting. I am following the covid #’s in Europe and wondering if solid plans are still a bit premature. Saying that, I am hoping to go too but I think I will wait awhile yet.

I understand your concern - on the news there seems to be a lot of new COVID cases in Europe lately. I note Bob from LA seems to have "had a positive experience and felt safe" and completed his Camino without any problems. His last comment about whether it feels 'right' for an individual to go is the bottom line and something to work through. What I would like to know was are Pilgrims welcome on the Via Francigena or is there a perception over there that it is still premature ?

 

[Corned Beef]

What I would like to know was are Pilgrims welcome on the Via Francigena or is there a perception over there that it is still premature ?

It's not a straightforward answer. The CV19 situation is in flux so what may be true today may be different tomorrow as cases rise. The map in the link below shows how the situation ebbs and flows over the length of the route.

The emerging issue at the moment in different European countries is the validity of the vaccination with some countries wanting visitors to have had a third booster one.

A personal view is that you wouldn't make plans until Spring until the winter surge is over and cases start to clear up in different areas at different times.

The European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS)

This interactive dashboard provides a weekly integrated epidemiological summary for influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2.

www.ecdc.europa.eu

PS: A parochial comment for those who have an UK NHS vaccination. The NHS app now shows all 3 vaccinations and the QR code to show it.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

What I would like to know was are Pilgrims welcome on the Via Francigena or is there a perception over there that it is still premature ?

From my recent experience, I found people were actually friendly when they saw me walking. Many were very welcoming and greeted me with a "Buen Camino" either walking or driving by. I actually had an elderly man and his 30 something year old granddaughter stop me because he wanted to relate his Camino "experience" to me from some 40 years ago with his now deceased wife.
Never once did I experience anything negative from anyone either on the road, in the villages or the places I stayed.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Do you plan to use a book or app as a guide?

The Mezza book and the official app are all one really needs. They are lightweight and comprehensive with information.

 

[Marbe2]

I understand your concern - on the news there seems to be a lot of new COVID cases in Europe lately. I note Bob from LA seems to have "had a positive experience and felt safe" and completed his Camino without any problems. His last comment about whether it feels 'right' for an individual to go is the bottom line and something to work through. What I would like to know was are Pilgrims welcome on the Via Francigena or is there a perception over there that it is still premature ?

I would be more concerned about possible lockdowns or quarantining in the winter months. As I am sure you have heard, Austria just went into a national lockdown.

 

[Anna&Michael]

I noticed on the VF Facebook page that more people appear to be gearing up to walk in 2022 after deferring from previous years - I assume this is a response to international travel opening up. Any thoughts out there on this ?
ie: Accommodation being open (especially hostels - Cissa pass etc) - a possible increase in the number of people walking during the year - any changes to COVID rules (distancing / hostel bed closures / masks) - whether it's to soon for the Countries concerned and their thoughts on people coming in 2022.
I know it is conjecture at this stage but 2022 is just around the corner and things feel like they're about to start up again - I hope so.
David

For those still interested in how crowded the trail is, what'a useful for finding your way and accommodation, take a look at ourP ost in thread 'LIVE from Via Francigena, June 2022' https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...m-via-francigena-june-2022.75245/post-1041464

 

[JamesM]

Available from the Confraternity to Rome's online shop is this https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/product/new-booklet-of-accommodation-and-services-in-france/. It is updated (French and English) in February of each year, and published in March. It should therefore give you a fair idea of what is open and what is not in France.

The link did not work. Do you know if this book is available at any shops along the way. We start in Arras next week.

 

[JamesM]

Available from the Confraternity to Rome's online shop is this https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/product/new-booklet-of-accommodation-and-services-in-france/. It is updated (French and English) in February of each year, and published in March. It should therefore give you a fair idea of what is open and what is not in France.

Hi. The link doesn't work. Is this book available for purchase in Calais or Arras? We start in a week so not enough time to get it shipped.

 

[C clearly]

The link doesn't work.

That particular page link didn't work, but you could try going to the organization's main page at https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/ . Maybe contact them directly with your enquiry.

 

[Harington]

Hi. The link doesn't work. Is this book available for purchase in Calais or Arras? We start in a week so not enough time to get it shipped.

Probably from the association Arras-Compostelle-Francigena at Office Culturel, 2 rue de la Douizième, Arras, France, but message or email them first from their FB page. Definitely in Reims where there is a 'permanence' in the cathedral from 2pm most days.