Frequently Asked Questions

Italy and Spain are meat-loving countries, so life for a vegan or vegetarian can be challenging. Make certain to spell out your needs on your registration form and we’ll do our best to alert kitchens to your dietary restrictions. Note that Italians love to eat bread and pasta, so gluten-free meals require advance notice. Once you share your needs with us we will communicate them to the restaurants and, when necessary, confirm it directly with the cooks themselves. Many of our participants make certain to find good, local fruit to include in their lunches since sometimes fruits and vegetables are scarce in European restaurant cuisine.

If you’d like, sure! However, we’re there for you and can translate for you as needed so you’re never unable to communicate.

Yes. We’ll send you a packing list so you’ll be certain to have everything you need for a successful walk. In general, you’ll need a daypack, good hiking clothing, rain gear, and most importantly a good sock/boot/shoe/sandal combination that you’ve proven will protect you from blisters. Blisters are the #1 scourge of pilgrims, so this is probably the most important preparation you’ll make. Besides your hiking gear, you’ll want to have a suitcase or duffel bag for your street clothes. If you have baggage service it is “lobby to lobby,” and the last steps to your room can be up twisty Italian staircases. For that reason we observe a “maximum 40 pounds (18kg)” rule on our baggage. It helps our driver and it helps you!

We have a lot of experience with training ourselves, so we’re happy to share our advice! Take a look here for our best tips. We’re happy to be in partnership with Sheri Goodwin of Transformational Trekking who specializes in helping people train for physically challenging treks. Contact Sheri here.

The hikes have varying degrees of difficulty, but with van and driver you won’t need to worry about whether you can handle the topography. Still, for all our walks, participants should be in above-average cardio shape with no hip, knee or foot issues and should be prepared for steep uphill and downhill stretches sometimes on slippery footing. Our baggage service means packs can be very light. Still, it may be frustrating to be under-trained or physically incapable of enjoying some of the most scenic parts of these hikes.

Your registration fee covers all ground transportation after your arrival at the time and place of our start, as well as your overnight accommodations, and baggage service (maximum of 40lbs/18kg per person). Breakfasts are included with each overnight stay, and lunches are always your own responsibility. Unless specified, a group dinner is included at or near your overnight accommodation, but in cities a few evenings are left free for you to enjoy local eateries and get a better flavor of the village, town or city you’re in. A restaurant lunch can cost €10-15 in Europe, and a sack lunch of bread, cheese and fruit can be as little as €5 or less depending on your choices. Tips to your tour hosts are not allowed, but tips to your guide and driver are gratefully accepted. Other incidentals may include occasional laundromat costs, daily morning and afternoon café refreshments, toiletries as needed, and of course the beloved midday gelato stop!

Since Europe is on the Euro and our partner agencies and vendors receive payment in Euros, it works out best to pay in that currency. Even more importantly, participants are protected from exchange rate fluctuations that could occur between the time of their reservation deposit and the time of their final payment.

Pilgrims are free to head out at any time, but we suggest leaving with the group, which generally means 60-90 minutes after breakfast. Everyone walks at their own pace, so the slower walkers among us aren’t rushed even as the fastest among us are not held back. If your trip is professionally guided, you’ll want to walk with the guide so you’ll benefit from descriptions of flora, fauna, history, and culture. You’ll probably want to stop around 11:00 for lunch, either outdoors with sack lunches you’ve prepared or indoors at a restaurant along the way. It’s nice to be done walking by around 3:00, when it’s time to check into your accommodation for the night, have a rest, do laundry as needed, and then branch out to explore the town’s cafes, museums, castles, churches and shops on our own. If there’s no lunch restaurant available on our itinerary for the following day you will also want to shop for food for your sack lunch. Italians seldom dine before 7:30pm, so just before dinner you’ll gather for a short briefing about the next day’s adventure. Afterward head to your room or enjoy conversation until you’re ready for bed. If you would like to go to Mass, let us know and we will give you times and locations of nearby churches.