Our third day on the Via Francigena took us up, up, up to San Miniato on another mixed-weather walk. However, Tuscany did not require sunshine to display its natural Italian charm.

Thirty miles into our planned 250-mile stroll to Vatican City, the “trail” has been mostly ho-hum, marked by roads, mud, and tall, wet grasses atop riverside berms. But, like all our distance walks, the Via Francigena’s merit eclipses the inconveniences. Plus, I have this feeling that there are many, many surprises ahead.