Dream destinations for cycling come in many shapes and sizes. From long climbs (such as Alto de Letras) or gravel adventures like the European Divide Trail (or other long-distance routes). In this article we look at Robbert Flim’s dream destination. He had already been to Tuscany on gravel (read his story here: Gravel with the locals in Tuscany – Crete SenesiThis adventure was closer to his dream destination than he had first thought. What this is, is his dream destination: the Via Francigena! Part of the EuroVelo 5 route, this ancient pilgrimage route is one to tick off your bucket list. The part in Tuscany, starting from Florence and then on to Rome, is where you want to be. We’ll go into more detail about this beautiful route, with some tips from the Rolling Dreamers!
Read more about the EuroVelo network: To dream away: the EuroVelo route network
Via Francigena in a nutshell
The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from Canterbury to Rome in its entirety, is probably every gravel biker’s ‘wet dream’. Especially the section just after Florence towards Rome. The entire Via Francigena also has some beautiful stretches in Switzerland. What’s more, when you start at the Italian part, you’re standing on the top of the Gran San Bernardo. A A real classic, As can be read in the story of the Mountain High Chasers.
Pilgrimage routes are fantastic
The beauty of riding on an ancient pilgrimage route is that you not only encounter beautiful views and beautiful places, but that you also travel on historical grounds. Here, people walked, rode horses, and drove in carriages towards Rome, the eternal city. It’s like a meditative journey through the heart of Italy with a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Sometimes you really travel on ancient paths, where you feel the history. When we get poetic, this is a narrative. Every bend, every hill offers you a new chapter. The ‘rolling hills of Tuscany’ flanked by vineyards and olive groves, leading up to the Etruscan villages and towns that almost adorn the hills. At the end, there is Rome, where, according to the saying, all roads lead to Rome. A city that speaks to the imagination.
Why is this your dream destination?
Robbert Flim: ‘Last summer I spent my summer holidays in Tuscany. The region of the Strade Bianche, Chianti Gravel and L’eroica. Of course, my gravel bike was with me. My most beautiful holiday ride was there with local Marco, as can be read in this story about the Crète Senesi. It was during that bike ride that the seed was planted to create the Via Francigena to want to cycle. My dream destination that has made it high on my bucket list.’
Robbert continues: ‘During my ride, I was captivated by the beauty of the surroundings, the brilliant white gravel paths, and the authentic farms among the Tuscan hills, just below Siena. Marco told me that the colors in spring are even more intense and that I should ride the Via Francigena. Now I’ve been to both Rome and Florence and both cities have left an indelible impression on me. How fantastic would it be to cycle through the Chianti region, Val d’Orcia, and along Lake Bracciano to end in Vatican City? A dream route, then.’
Checking off Vatican City is always a good idea if you like the smallest countries in the world Everyone wants to cycle. In Europe you already have some of them, like San Marino, Andorra, Monaco.
Via Francigena with Rolling Dreamers
If there is one organization in Italy where you can book a tour with confidence, it is Rolling Dreamers. Matteo, Mattia, and Carlo will take you to the most beautiful places in Italy. From the very beginning of Rolling Dreamers, the Via Francigena has been their ‘signature tour’. In this variant, you start in Florence and then drive towards the Via Francigena and follow it all the way to Rome. Starting in Florence is actually not a bad idea at all.
At the Rolling Dreamers, you can choose from several tours, including a ride on a real 3T rental bike or the Women Only option. In addition, there is also a ‘classic’ tour, which you can do entirely on your own or with guidance.
Dream destination: Via Francigena, the route
This is the complete Via Francigena, from the border with Switzerland to Rome. Honestly, when you see this, you can only think of one thing: when will I have two weeks off?? As a Dream Destination, the Via Francigena is definitely one of the top things on my bucket list!
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.