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LA VIA DEGLI DEI | in 8 Days
Choose your travel dates
WHAT YOU'LL SEE
The Via degli Dei is not only an experience worthwhile living, but it's also worthwhile sharing with friends and family.
Bologna, with its perfectly preserved medieval historic center and its 40 km of porticoes, is the starting point of our journey, Florence, UNESCO heritage site for its importance in architecture and art, is the place of arrival. In the middle of it all the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, with its excellencies: the Pliocene Buttress Nature Reserve, still full of fossils and shells dating back to 4 million years, the "Flaminia Militare", an ancient roman road built in 187 BC, the Trebbio Castle, built by Cosimo I de' Medici to dominate the Mugello valley. And again the Sanctuary of Monte Senario, where the friars offer walkers the "Gemma di abeto" liqueur, secretly prepared on site, and finally the city of Fiesole, considered to be the "terrace" of Florence, a jewel of Etruscan foundation born on the Florentine hills.
This, and so much more is the Via degli Dei, a path that traces a “piece of history” and gives to the numerous trekking lovers the chance to fully explore and enjoy the untainted beauty of these places.
PROGRAM:
Day 1: Km 20 (Elevation gain/loss +/-: +330 m/ - 300 m)
from Bologna to Sasso Marconi
Arrival in Bologna, briefing in Piazza XX Settembre (next to the train station) with one of our team members where you'll be given the map of the Path and your pilgrim credentials, handover of your luggage. Departure towards Sasso Marconi.
After crossing the city center you'll walk up the Colle della Guardia and the Basilica of San Luca. You'll then descend towards Parco Talon and, following the Reno river, you'll start to leave behind the city.
Day 2: Km 22,8* (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +1310 m/ - 680 m)
from Sasso Marconi to Monzuno
Departure from Sasso Marconi towards the Pliocene Buttress Nature Reserve, first through Prati di Mugnano, Monte del Frate and finally the ascent to Monte Adone, one of the symbols of the Path, will be one of the unforgettable moments of this journey, on the descent pay attention to the fossils ! After a stretch of paved road you will arrive at the small center of Monzuno.
*it's possible to shorten the stage of about 5 Km by taking a bus to reach Monzuno.
Day 3: Km 10,5 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +490 m/ - 310 m)
from Monzuno to Madonna dei Fornelli
Through a centuries-old chestnut grove and the ridge on the main Emilian peaks you reach Madonna dei Fornelli, former holiday village today reborn thanks to the Via degli Dei.
Day 4: Km 18,5 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +760 m/ -790 m)
from Madonna dei Fornelli to Monte di Fo'/Santa Lucia
You are now in the heart of the Via degli Dei and this will be a stage filled with emotions: majestic beech forests, various stretches of the Flaminia Militare, a Roman road from 187 BC. and you will arrive at the largest Germanic Cemetery in Italy, symbol of a wound that has never really healed.
Day 5: Km 16 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +670 m/ -1100 m)
from Monte di Fo' to Gabbiano
Today the Mugello valley awaits you, it was chosen by the Medici family as the place of their residences (now UNESCO heritage sites). Don't miss the small timeless village of Sant'Agata!
Day 6: Km 14,2 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +380 m/ - 450 m)
from Gabbiano to Tagliaferro
Enjoy a late start or seize the opportunity to visit the Bosco ai Frati convent by taking a small detour from the main path. Enjoy lunch in San Piero a Sieve, fancy a fiorentina steak? , and enjoy the climb with a view on the Trebbio Castle.
Day 7: Km 12,5 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: 620 m/ - 430 m)
from Tagliaferro to Olmo
You are now in the area of the Florentine hills, the highlight of this stage will be the spectacular Convent of Monte Senario, at 815 meters above sea level, with a balcony offering a panorama of the destination.
Day 8: Km 18,5 (Elevation gain/loss+/-: +400 m/ - 800 m)
from Olmo to Florence
The final day of walking has come, the last kms, through olive trees and cypresses, will lead you to Fiesole, a terrace overlooking Florence, and its archaeological area, unknown to most but a true Italian jewel. Then the descent towards Piazza della Signoria, you're in Florence - cradle of the Reinassance!
From Fiesole you can take a bus to the center of Florence, shortening the stage of about 5 km.
You'll retrieve your luggage at the train Station of Santa Maria Novella.
*Extra nights in Bologna and Florence can be added to your package upon request
**The program might slightly vary depending on the availability of the accommodations
PRICE:
860,00 € per person (travelling alone, already includes single room surcharge)
565,00 € per person (in 2 or more people);
The price includes:
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Welcome and briefing the morning of departure;
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Overnight stay and breakfast;
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Luggage transport service between accommodations - 1 baggage per person;
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Via degli Dei Hiking Map & guide (1x group);
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Via degli Dei pilgrims' Credential (1 per person);
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Handling Fee;
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Liability insurance.
The price does not include:
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Single room surcharge;
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Lunches, dinners, extra food and drinks or other extras;
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City tax where due (to be paid directly at the accommodation);
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Transfer to Bologna and from Florence;
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Transfers with public transport;
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Cancellation insurance;
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Possible transfers to skip the stage in case of need;
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Anything not mentioned in the section "the price includes".
NOTES:
A deposit of 100 euro per person (non refundable) is required upon confirmation of your booking. In case your booking is requested within the 30 days prior to your departure we will directly request the whole balance.
For the luggage transfer only one piece of luggage per person is allowed (without external bags/appendixes) maximum dimensions 60x40x20 cm.
In order to satisfy your requests to the best of our ability, booking requests should be sent 15 days in advance, 30 if you intend to travel in the months of June, July, August, and close to national holidays
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We've selected small and simple accommodations, we're sure you'll feel right at home with the warm welcoming typical of the Apennines.
The list of the accommodations booked will be sent once the deposit is paid.
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BASIC DETAILS
Where: from Bologna to Florence
Style: Itinerante
Duration: 8 days and 7 nights
Luggage transfer: Yes, one piece of luggage per person is allowed (without external bags/appendixes) maximum dimensions 60x40x20 cm
Accommodations: Small hotels, family run B&B's, farmhouses, camping with lodging in bungalows/mobile homes or apartments (pool available)
Rooms: as per your request
Bathrooms: en suite / private but outside the room in some cases
Difficulty level: ●●●● | Moderate - The Via degli Dei is a route approximately 130 km long which does not present any particular technical difficulties, other than distances and elevation gains (in some challenging sections). The Apennines are a continuous alternation of climbs and descents, therefore adequate preparation is necessary.
We do not recommend this trip to beginners