230 km from South Italy to Rome april 17th -  may 2nd 2012
The Roman Via Appia (Regina Viarum or Queen of all Roads) goes back to the 4th Century b.C. Apostles walked on it, and emperors, Popes, saints as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thomas of Aquino, artists as Petrarca, Tasso, Goethe and H.C.Andersen and music composers. Along it are running the paths of the Via Francigena or Via dell'Angelo, used by pilgrims for 10 centuries but today almost forgotten. Since 4 years we are striving to revive them, walking from the river Garigliano to Rome (some 230 km in 15 days).
The itinerary is very interesting and varied (Roman temples, cistercian Basilicas, monasteries and hermitages, on sandy beaches along the sea,  on mountains, along the shores of 4 lakes, in natural parks, in thick woods and crossing a thick Mediterranean vegetation, through medieval villages, 20% on original Roman roads, 40%  on mountain's or country paths etc.). On the negative side: some 8 % of the way is on national roads with heavy traffic and 22% is on paved roads (but with limited traffic).

The route: april 17th from Teano towards Sessa Aurunca, cross the river on a boat (pulled by ropes), then Castelforte, Minturno,  Formia, Gaeta, Itri, Fondi, Terracina, Fossanova, Sezze, Bassiano(start at 4.30 a.m. with torches), Sermoneta, Cori, Velletri, Castelgandolfo, final stage to ROMA, may 1st evening). 
COSTS PER PERSON
Insurance legally required in Italy for any group with a guide (2 €/day).
Only if desired: a vehicle to transport luggage (1 piece/participant) and for assistance (3€/day) 
Hospitality suggested: comfortable double rooms, breakfast & evening meal. Average cost: 45 € day/person.
Two nights: hostels  (multibed rooms) Average cost: 32 €. Pilgrims, however, can arrange their own hospitality.
 
We are a small "non profit" association (20 members) of friends expert in pilgrimages and resident along the pilgrims’ route and not tourist operators. Our guides pay their own expenses. English and elementary German spoken.

Our objective: to re–establish a path from  the South to Rome.  
We participate to events to promote the way and we mix with local population with an effort to develop the cultural/spiritual contents of the way and friendship among the participants of 5 nationalities. We reproduce original conditions of pilgrimages. We make an effort to enjoy the cultural, spiritual and social values of the way, to remember the work of artists (Goethe's "Italienische Reise" describes this route), to attend concerts of local ancient music composers and meet local communities. Above all we appreciate the company of our fellow pilgrims. Collaboration and participation is welcome.  At the arrival we receive the "Testimonium", a recognition document from the Vatican (may 2nd ). Some of the participants are religiously motivated.
In each place, however, you can avoid any involvement and enjoy time on your own.

Note
Participation to only a part of the walk is not encouraged, but accepted for more than 4 stages.
 
The walk is physically not very demanding, but some previous training is recommended.
The group will be limited to no more than 18 people. We hope to have about 50% foreigners.
Foreign pilgrims of the five past initiatives agree to answer your queries.

Whom to contact:
Alberto Alberti,     Largo Pepere 24,   00151 Roma       tel. 39065370765
portable 393491648614      E–mail: ro_albea@hotmail.com