Author: Redazione AEVF

In 2020, Canterbury will host a General Assembly of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF), which will take place on 14 – 16 May 2020.
Canterbury – an English city in Kent, with a typically medieval style, is a place, from where in 990 the Archbishop Sigeric began his journey on foot to Rome and a zero kilometre for the modern Via Francigena.

The Canterbury General Assembly is a concrete testimony to unity and synergies between the countries of the path, it represents a growing desire to consolidate and strengthen the European network of the Via Francigena routes.

In recent years Massimo Tedeschi, EAVF President, and Luca Bruschi, EAVF Director, have been in constant contact with Velia Coffey, deputy general manager of the Canterbury City Council and vice-president of AEVF at the time, this long-lasting dialogue confirmed a common understanding of the Via Francigena.

“Organizing the General Assembly on English soil is a great event for the Francigena family. – comments the President Tedeschi – This is a sensitive demonstration of the international dimension of the Via Francigena and the EAVF network. In addition to the numerous assemblies organized in Italy, in recent years one meetings was held in Swiss Aigle and two in French Champlitte, the EAVF operational headquarters for the development of the Francigena in France, and in Besançon (Doubs, Bourgogne- Franche-Comté). The involvement of England and Canterbury for the 2020 assembly represents an important moment for the whole Association, bearing witness to our European soul.”
 
EAVF General Assembly will gather its members and friends from England, France, Switzerland and Italy for a 3-day meeting, however, the event is open for all those interested in the European itinerary.

The event will start on Thursday 14 May at 14.30 in the prestigious Guildhall with an official opening and proceedings, followed by an official dinner. In the morning 15 May will be held a workshop on sustainable development, organised by the Municipality of Canterbury. The afternoon 15 May will be dedicated to cultural discovery of the city.

A hike along the Via Francigena will be organised on Saturday 16 May: we will travel the very first stretch of the route, following the footsteps of Sigeric.

Attached downloadable (also in French):

the programme of the event;

all logistical information regarding the event

Tuscany Quintessence is a Tour Operator created by Tuscan travel enthusiasts, specializing in tours with e-bikes, the pedal-assisted bicycle.

The offered proposals are designed for every need and are suitable for beginners, families and expert bikers.

“Our dream is to create perfect conditions for your unforgettable holiday in Tuscany. The success of an unforgettable holiday also passes through the harmonization of multiple experiences that, mixed wisely, generate something special” explains Alberto Lombardi, founder and CEO of Tuscany Quintessence.

Five essential elements that mean a total travel immersion, five essential components to live an experience: adventure, art and history, nature, wellness and food.

Tuscany Quintessence is the new partner of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF); with its original e-bike travel proposal on the Tuscan stretch of the route, it invites experts and beginners of cycling holidays to live a special experience of immersion in history and Francigena wonders with a different perspective of riding a pedal-assisted bicycle.

Alberto, the bicycle trip is considered more physically demanding than the journey on foot, many people do not feel able to do it. How much physical preparation is required and “fatigue” to be expected on an e-bike trip?

“You touched a central point of discussion, back in a day it was exactly like that! The e-bike made a wonderful revolution, in fact it allows you to live a cycle touring experience eliminating the fear of not being able to keep up with the rest of the group, to slow down the others, to struggle beyond the threshold of fun. And then it is very easy to ride, like a normal bike. The bicycle trip has always been considered too physically demanding, a dream of many but suitable for a few. Today the dream can come true, try it to believe it!”

Although the e-bike is becoming more popular today, there are still many doubts about this transport type. What are the reasons for choosing a trip with this kind of bicycle?

“We think of a couple, a group of friends or a family; it is very difficult for the group to have a balanced training level, and inevitably it can discourage them. The less trained can simply take advantage of the assistance offered by the e-bike to fill the gap, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the view, the company and the day outdoors. So now it is possible to live this active experience together, a new world opens!
In particular, we at Tuscany Quintessence love electric mountain bikes because they allow you to discover Tuscany by safely traveling paths surrounded by nature, regenerating scents and sounds, enchanted by deep panoramas, which reach the soul”.

The Via Francigena is an ideal route to slowly discover the area, whether on foot or by bicycle, therefore we believe that it is a great choice to include it among your travels. So far, what are your considerations as Tour Operator regarding the proposals on the itinerary?

“The Via Francigena represents for us the ideal way to discover Tuscany. In fact, the five components that characterize the travel experience – adventure, nature, art and history, food and wellness – are all within reach along the Via Francigena! When properly mixed, they transform an active holiday into an engaging, regenerating experience. Physical activity, moments of silence, pleasant bike conversations, Tuscan landscapes, medieval villages, the fun of a cooking class or relaxation at the spa, are like musical instruments that playing together, as in a concert, create an experience that goes far beyond the components themselves. This is the true soul of our itineraries. “

To discover all the trips and activities of Tuscany Quintessence visit the website: www.tuscanyquintessence.com

Again in 2020 the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) takes part in “Fa’ la cosa giusta!”  (“Do the right thing!”), a fair of responsible consumption and sustainable lifestyle, which takes place on 6 – 8 March 2020 in Milan, Italy.
Now in its 17th edition, a free admission fair organized by Terre di Mezzo attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, serving as a meeting point for institutions, specialized tour operators, associations, media and all stakeholders, caring about responsible consumption and sustainable economic, social and cultural development.

The European Association of the Via Francigena ways will exhibit in Hall 3 (code QC2) in the thematic area “Aware tourism and routes”.

Participation in this event provides a precious opportunity to raise awareness about the Via Francigena, to share the work of the association and to promote the European dimension of the journey –the EAVF strategic objectives, carried out together with technical partners present at the fair: Terre di Mezzo, Itineraria, Radio Francigena, Studio Guidotti, Sloways, Switch Up.

The Via Francigena stand will serve a reference point for visitors who want to learn more about the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, stay in touch with the EAVF and buy new products of the Via Francigena brand, credentials, guides, request brochures and maps. The EAVF staff together with expert partners will be available to provide any information about a journey from Canterbury to Rome and to the ports of Apulia.  

In the framework of the fair the EAVF will participate in a panel discussion “All roads lead to Rome”, which will take place on Sunday 8 March at 14.00 – 15.00. Panels’ participants – Luca Bruschi, EAVF director, and Jack Jaselli, walker musician, will discuss the journey on foot and share the special “Tour in Cammino”.

During the three-day fair, the EAVF staff will intervene in various meetings on topics of the Via Francigena in the South, the Via Francisca Lucomagno and the important “Trail Angels” project by Italian volunteers engaged in the maintenance of the Via Francigena routes.

For all information on the fair, visit the official website.
For the detailed programme, click here

Genius Loci Travel is a tour operator active worldwide for over 20 years, specializing in travel on foot, by bicycle and in kayak, who has chosen to deal with tourism with a specific focus on sustainability.
“From the beginning our aim was to promote tourism in rural areas, little visited by traditional tourism. Often these areas have great cultural and natural heritage, mostly unknown. With our business we encourage the development of the local economy by stimulating local communities to welcome and host visitors through creation of B&Bs, in places where hotel accommodation is non-existent, and by promoting the creation of a network of connected services, such as cooperatives for luggage transport and tourist and reception service companies.”

Therefore, both environmental sustainability – for the type of travel promoted – and territorial, enhancing lesser-known areas of exceptional historical and landscape values contribute to an economic development of the territories concerned.

This modus operandi is in particularly similar to the values ​​of the European Association of the Via Francigene (EAVF). We are therefore particularly happy to announce the beginning of the collaboration with Genius Loci Travel, our new partner who offers various independent trips, for example along the spectacular route from Siena a Bolsena.

What inspired you not to deal only with well-known and “guaranteed” destinations and to search for less-known niche itineraries of great value but with a certain dose of risk?

The background of our company is different than that of most companies. Before starting to organize tours, our staff members worked in nature conservation, land use planning, rural development and environmental protection and this still shows in many of our tours… We have founded our company with the aim of promoting sustainable forms of tourism in Italy.

For example through the planning of networks of footpaths & trails, and the actual cleaning and waymarking of many of these – in collaboration with the local authorities and local population. Nowadays, almost every tour operator claims to be ‘sustainable’ and ‘responsible’, but at Genius Loci Travel this are not just words – we really try to make a difference in the areas where we work!

So far, how are travellers responding to more original and lesser known proposals?

Our aim is to discover for our clients those places where you can still feel and taste the ‘real spirit’ of Italy. Off the beaten track, in unknown parts of Italy, but even close to known tourist areas we try to propose those authentic places most tourist don’t get to. And our clients love that! Our tours are made for real travelers, who seek out both the highlights of a destination and true experiences of local culture – in ways that benefit local communities. Tours from Genius Loci Travel not only deliver authentic local experiences to our clients, but we also take active steps to care for the destination they travel to.

Currently you promote a trip along the Via Francigena from Siena to Bolsena. Do you think to increase your offer by offering itineraries on other stretches of the Via Francigena?

Yes, we offer the sections of the Via Francigena between Lucca, Siena, Orvieto and Rome. And in several of our other walking tours in Tuscany and Lazio we offer some of the ‘best parts’ of the Via Francigena: to let our clients enjoy the pleasure of walking a pilgrim’s route, but also to relive the experience of the medieval pilgrims, walking through forests and pleasant agricultural landscapes, from abbey to abbey, from village to village, without the noise of modern traffic!

Also do we now offer the southern section of the Via Francigena from Rome to Brindisi, as well as the old Roman Road, the Via Appia, a road which has been used by pilgrims to the Holy Land for centuries. As an Italian tour operator we do specialize in Italy, therefore for the moment we only offer the Italian sections – finding the best possible route for everybody.

To discover all the trips and activities of Genius Loci visit the website: www.genius-loci.it

To find out more about traveling along the Via Francigena visit www.genius-loci.it/tour/pilgrim-routes-francigena-francis-camino-rome