This trip is now operated by Headwater and their website contains all the information you will need to choose and book your trip.

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We are pleased to announce that New Experience Pilgrims have been acquired by Headwater.

It is a coming together of two kindred spirits, as Headwater is an award-winning specialist in self-guided walking and cycling holidays with over 37 years of experience and knowledge, while New Experience has been creating and perfecting walking and pilgrimage holidays around the world for over 20 years. Both businesses were founded from humble beginnings; led by husband-and-wife teams and offering a more personal approach, centred around customer experience and exceptional service.

To find out what this means to New Experience Pilgrims customers click here.


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Via Francigena - Facts:

  • The Via Francigena covers 1900km / 1190 miles from Canterbury to Rome.

  • This follows the path taken by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury who travelled to Rome in 990 to meet Pop John XV and receive his investiture pallium.
  • The 79 stages recorded in Sigeric's diary of his journey back to Canterbury have made it possible to retrace the key stops on this.

  • It will take approximately 3 months to walk the full length of the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome all the way from Canterbury. It should take a month and a half to cycle the route.
  • The journey to Rome will end at the Vatican.
  • The Via Francigena or Camino to Rome crosses four countries: UK, France, Switzerland and Italy, through areas of spectacular beauty and historic interest.

  • The section of the Via Francigena in Tuscany, from Lucca to Siena, is one of the most popular and spectacular stretches of the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome.

  • The Via Francigena route is a Council of Europe  European Cultural Itinerary since 1944 and Major Cultural Route since 2004.
  • Once in Rome, you can request your Testimonium, certificate of pilgrimage to Rome.

  • To obtain the 'Testimonium' or certificate or completion to Rome, you must walk at least the last 100km of the Via Francigena - from Viterbo to Rome.
  • The Testimonium is issued at the rectory in St Peters's Basilica.
  • Numbers for the Via Francigena are difficult to come by and much lower than on the Camino. 2500 pilgrims walked or cycled the Via Francigena in 2012 (source: Cicerone Guides).
  • The Via Francigena route is a much quiter and less commercialised pilgrimage - perhaps a more authentic experience.
  • The red arrows and little black pilgrim signs mark the way to Rome.