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 was gravelling in Tuscany before us (read his story here: Gravel with locals in Tuscany - Crete Senesi). This adventure was closer to his dream destination than first thought. What this is his dream destination: the Via Francigena! Part of the EuroVelo 5 route, this ancient pilgrimage route is one to lick your fingers at. The section in Tuscany, from Florence and then on to Rome, is where you want to be. We take a closer look at 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 pilgrims' route stretching in its entirety from Canterbury to Rome, is probably every gravel rider's 'wet dream'. Especially the section just after Florence towards Rome. The complete Via Francigena also has some beautiful stretches in Switzerland. What's hot, if you start the Italian section, you'll be at the top of the Gran San Bernardo. A genuine Classic, as also seen in the Mountain High Chasers story.
Pilgrim routes are fantastic
The wonderful thing about riding an ancient pilgrimage route is that not only do you encounter stunning views and beautiful places, but you also ride on historical ground. This is where people walked, rode on horseback, by carriage towards Rome, the eternal city. it's like a meditating ride through the heart of Italy with a unique mix of history, culture and natural beauty. You sometimes really ride along ancient paths, where you can feel the history. If we get poetic, this is a narrative. Every bend, every hill offers you a new chapter. The 'rolling hills of Tuscany' flanked with vineyards and olive groves, to the Etruscan villages and towns that almost adorn the hills. At the end, there is Rome, where, according to the saying, all roads converge. A city that captures 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. I made my best holiday bike ride ever 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 wanting to cycle. My dream destination that ended up high on my bucket list.'
Robbert continues: 'During my ride, I was captivated by the beauty of the surroundings, the beautiful white gravel lanes and authentic farmhouses among the Tuscan hills, just below Siena. Marco told me the colours are even more intense in spring and that I should ride the Via Francigena. Now I have been to both Rome and Florence and both cities have left an indelible impression on me. So how fantastic is it to cycle through the Chianti region, Val d'Orcia and along Lake Bracciano to get off in Vatican City? A dream route, in other words.'
Ticking off Vatican City is always good if you like the smallest countries in the world all want to cycle. In Europe, you already have some, such as San Marino, Andorra, Monaco.
Via Francigena with Rolling Dreamers
If there is one organisation in Italy where you can book a tour with confidence, it is that Rolling Dreamers. Matteo, Mattia and Carlo will take you to the most beautiful places in Italy. Ever since Rolling Dreamers was founded, the Via Francigena has been their signature tour. In this version, you start in Florence and then drive towards the Via Francigena and follow it all the way to Rome. Starting in Florence, there's nothing wrong with that anyway.
You can choose from several tours at the Rolling Dreamers, including a ride on a genuine 3T rental bike or the Women Only variant. There is also a 'classic', which is yourself entirely, or can also do with guidance.
Dream destination: Via Francigena, the route
This is the complete Via Francigena, from the border with Switzerland to Rome. Fair is fair, when you see this, you can only think one thing: when will I have two weeks off? As a Dream destination, the Via Francigena is one for the top of the bucket list!
