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.