This morning we visited the Amphitheatre in Santa Maria Capua Vetere. Not only is this an impressive ruin, but it is also where Spartacus trained and launched his rebellion. We have followed the Appian way from Rome to Capua. After their defeat in 71 B.C.,...
2000 kms cycled from Innsbruck 42 days since we left Innsbruck - 37 days biking 3 mountain passes: Arlberg, Grand Saint Bernard, Cisa Most expensive accommodation: 95€ in PaviaLeast expensive accommodation: by donation (20€ for both of us) in a number...
We have been enjoying the small cities on the sea as we cycle down the coast south of Rome. Gaeta is so appealing that we have stayed an extra night. The decision was easy to make because we are also staying in a particularly outstanding B&B....
We are pilgrims again! But first may I take a moment to apologize to all cyclists for my suggestion that to be a mere biker is somehow less worthy. I have always held in high regard all people who move through the world on two self propelled wheels. I also...
Ruth:Today we went to St. Peter's Square, the final destination of the Via Francigena and the end of our 2800 km pilgrimage to to Rome. It's Wednesday, which means we were not alone. We joined at least 10,000 others keen on catching a glimpse of the...
Cyclists have no fear there is a calm and beautiful way into Rome on Bicycle! Gord and made it from Innsbruck to Rome in just over 1800 kms!If you are a cyclist on the Via Francigena, or just cycling into Rome from the North or East, it is worth a few more...
Gordon: We left the Via Francigena for a couple of days to visit the UNESCO world heritage site at Tarquinia. This was an important Etruscan city and it has received it's UNESCO designation for the tombs that they left. What a treasure trove....
After leaving Sienna we have spent the last two days exploring the Val d' Orcia with its marvellous hill towns.The valley was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site as "an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance...
There has been a rivalry between Florence and Siena for hundreds of years and it continues today, with many tourists weighing in with strong feelings about their preference. Gord and I are not going to visit Florence on this trip, but we are very impressed with Siena....
Ruth: After a long and tough day of climbing we made it to San Gimignano. Each day we normally plan our route and choose between the Euro Velo 5, the Via Francigena or the route suggested by my map app pocket earth. Today we did a bit of everything from rough single...
Ruth: We are spending two nights in Lucca to enjoy the sights and sounds of this marvellous place. Last night it was Opera (this is the home town of Puccini) and tonight it is the Santa Croce Festival where the whole town is lit up with candles as the...
Gordon: While I do not share her enthusiasm for vast expanses of tedious sand, Ruth loves a beach. So it was with some excitement that Ruth approached the coast near Massa to find ... that someone owns the beach. We cycled for a number of kilometres...