Pilgrimage 2027: Via Di Francesco – Florence to Assisi!
NOTE: Florence to Assisi will be our only pilgrimage offering in 2027.St Francis is arguably one of the world’s most beloved saints. True, he was known for his vow of poverty, his care for nature as a way of loving God, and his work for the poor. But did you also know he was known for his joy and merriment? He is the “Dancing Saint”.
We invite you to explore the joy of The Danicing Saint as we drink in the rugged beauty of Italy’s “Green Heart”; the region of Umbria, the home of St Francis.
Pilgrimage Dates: September 12-27, 2027
Pilgrimage Route: Via di Francesco (CLICK FOR DETAILS) – Florence to Assisi – 190 km (118mi) of wandering the mountains, streams, and rivers of St Francis. NOTE: We had been hoping to offer a separate pilgrimage in June of 2027. However, Assisi is now the only pilgrimage we will offer in 2027
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (check link above for details): not technical, but some days with significant elevation gains and losses
Lodging: Farm stays/ Inns/ Monastery / Three & Four Star Hotels (European Rating system) “All of good standard” based on availability in each vicinity
Natural Beauty: Stunning
A Thought from Our Leaders
Renee & Dan Huie – Vigo, Spain
Porto, Portugal – Santiago de Compostela, Spain 2025
“We love to travel, yes, but there is something unique and beautiful about a pilgrimage. About taking the time to walk, to feel the soil, smell the smells, and see the natural sights of other cultures; other pilgrims. There’s something about slowing down, creating space for silence, for disconnecting. and ultimately for sensing, in the words of St Ignatius – “All is gift” and God in all things. It takes time. It takes noticing. It takes taking time to notice. And, time to receive.
Via di Francesco is a long pilgrimage! 10 days of walking (called “Stages”) with a day of rest two-thirds of the way in. Three stages have significant elevation gain and loss. So, we have built in 3 days: 2 at the beginning (there are good reasons for this!), a rest day in the middle, and two nights in Assisi! Time to disconnect. Time to rest. And, Time to re-collect.
At first, I (Renee) was a little intimidated, but I realized I had no reason to be. Research has shown Via di Francesco is doable, even for those new to making pilgrimages by foot. But I/we will need to train for this. If training fails to be enough, there is no shame in skipping some stages by taking a taxi!
My plan for my physical training is to plan on doing Mt Si a good amount over the summer of 2027. Maybe even several days in a row, just to get my body and mind used to the grind. I am sure, like past years, our group will put together training days before we fly out in September.
I’m thrilled by the challenge! Join us for this pilgrimage of laughter, silence, community and beauty.
Renee & Dan
About You:
To be clear, this is not a tour. It is a spiritual pilgrimage. We have chosen a moderate to challenging route, but you must posess the following:
- An openess to and curiosity over your own spiritual journey. We hope that regardless of your faith tradition, or perhaps lack of faith tradition you will find ourselves to be non-anxious companions on the life-long pilgrimage all of us are on.
- Comfortability and flexibility with discomfort, unknowns, unpredictability, other cultures and, of course, other people
- The ability to walk on uneven surfaces in excess of 16 miles in one day with a day pack and then do similarly the next day with or without blisters :-)…or find a cab. Hey, there’s no shame!
- The practiced ability to self regulate in times of stress or hardship
- Walk each day for 10 days
- The ability to transport yourself to the next city, town, or home in the event of illness, exhaustion, or injury. The group will not be able to wait
- A spirit of flexibility, adventure, and curiosity
- Ability to be in solitude even if you are an extrovert
- A willingness to roll with the punches and embrace the journey
REGISTRATION OPENS:
- First Time Soul Care Seattle Pilgrims: 9:00AM Pacific, October 1, 2026
- Return Pilgrims 9:00AM Pacific, October 4, 2026
REGISTRATION, ROUTE DETAILS, INCLUSIONS, PRICING – CLICK HERE
REGISTRATION CLOSES: January 5, 2027
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: CLICK HERE!
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS: CLICK HERE!
About your guides:
The 2027 pilgrimage will be led by seasoned pilgrims and spiritual directors, Renee and Dan Huie. Having sojourned this life together for the last three decades as a couple (as an RN, small business owners, parents, city dwellers, travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, spiritual directors, retreat leaders, and co-founders of Soul Care Seattle), Renee and Dan have found no greater joy than journeying with others – sojourning together through the interior spaces of the heart and soul, or traveling to some of the most evocative sights. In addition to daily journeying with others through interior spaces as directors at Soul Care Seattle, Dan and Renee have recently walked the 27 day, 400 mile Camino Ignaciano from Loyola to Manresa, Spain in 2022, St Cuthbert’s Way along the borderlands of England and Scotland, as well as the Portugese Route of the Camino Santiago de Compostella.
Monastery at La Verna photo by Flora Orosz on Unsplash
Umbrian Countryside photo by Nils Schirmer on Unsplash