A friend and I are walking the Via Francigena in September. We need to sleep and eat dinner in towns on the path but have flexibility regarding which ones. If you are familiar with any of the following towns/cities I would love your thoughts - Altopascio, Fucecchio, San Miniato, Gambassi Terme, Coiano, Castelfiorentino. Information on any one of these would be a great help. Old walled cities with a town square, several restaurants, and a charming B & B would be our dream.
Thank you.
Posted by
Boston
1732 posts
We have been to three. Altopascio was very famous pilgrim stop and has a few old buildings and a DOP bread, but over-all it's rather suburban. The countryside between Altopascio and Fucecchio is very nice with rolling hills and rural. Approaching Fucecchio is a pleasant hamlet called Ponte Cappiano around a Medici damn (and former eel catching facility) where there's a Francigena hostel which looked quiet and well cared-for. Steps away is 'Trattoria Numero Uno' which is as good, friendly, and authentic as any restaurant we've ever encountered in Italy. Fucecchio is nice and has an old core which is evocative but not overly large. The tourism folks were exceptionally outgoing and the local merchants had windows signs offering specials to pilgrims. San Miniato is a gem and not to be missed. High on a hill it has a large and evocative old area. It's famous for its truffles which are worth trying even out of season. It would be a good stop for R & R.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15438 posts
San Miniato for sure.
Gambassi maybe.
Castelfiorentino ok, but it's maybe bigger than you'd like.