Rieti Trip Overview
A short but intense journey that combines the natural beauty of the Reatina Valley with the charm of the Franciscan sanctuaries and the culinary richness of the Sabina. In these places marked by the presence of the poor man of Assisi, you can feel the love for nature and simple things. In just two days we visit the four Sanctuaries and the medieval villages that are located along the route. We walk on the paths of the “Camino di Francesco”, made easier by the optimal organization of the stages and the assistance of an expert and friendly guide. To this is added the visit of the city of Rieti and the archaeological site “Rieti S topic”. Without neglecting the taste, starting from the rich breakfast in our elegant hotels and the packed lunch with typical products. For dinner, you can choose from various restaurants that offer different nuances of the typical Rieti and Sabine cuisine. Plus the chance to taste local delicacies and great craft beers directly from the producers.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 days
Starts: Rieti, Italy
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Rieti Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Rieti, Lazio, Italy
A short but intense journey that combines the natural beauty of the Reatina Valley with the charm of the Franciscan sanctuaries and the culinary richness of the Sabina. In these places marked by the presence of the poor man of Assisi, you can feel the love for nature and simple things. In just two days we visit the four Sanctuaries and the medieval villages that are located along the route. We walk on the paths of the “Camino di Francesco”, made easier by the optimal organization of the stages and the assistance of an expert and friendly guide. To this is added the visit of the city of Rieti and the archaeological site “Rieti S topic”. Without neglecting the taste, starting from the rich breakfast in our elegant hotels and the packed lunch with typical products. For dinner, you can choose from various restaurants that offer different nuances of the typical Rieti and Sabine cuisine. Plus the chance to taste local delicacies and great craft beers directly from the producers.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rieti
Stop At: Rieti, Rieti, Province of Rieti, Lazio
At 4:30 pm, meeting with the guide and visit of the historic center of Rieti. It starts from the splendid Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, consecrated in 1225, and the Papal Palace. We then visit the most beautiful and evocative corners of the historic center, of pre-Roman origins, including Piazza San Rufo (the “center of Italy”, according to an ancient tradition), the Flavio Vespasiano Theater, the medieval districts with the walls walls and the fourteenth-century Basilica of Sant’Agostino. From the Piazza del Comune we go down along the shopping street, towards the church of San Francesco. We cross the Velino river on the pedestrian bridge, whose clear and fast waters feed the Marmore Falls. We conclude our tour in a place near the Roman bridge, where we enjoy a fantastic local craft beer. Afterwards, free time or visit of “Rieti Underground” (ticket to be paid on the spot).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Rieti’s Underground, Via Pellicceria 5, 02100, Rieti Italy
(Optional visit not included in the package). Meeting with the guide and payment of the entrance ticket near the Roman Bridge, dating back to the 3rd century BC, on the south bank of the Velino. After introducing and visiting the nearby Lira Monument, we move to the north bank of the river, once subject to periodic flooding that made the alleys temporarily navigable. We visit the basement of noble and noble palaces, built on both sides of the ancient viaduct, whose nine arches still support the main street of the city. The environments are very varied and, in addition to the actual underground passages, include a tangle of medieval alleys, once in the open but later incorporated into the palaces. Between one underground and another, you will discover the peculiarities of the medieval alleys and many suggestive corners. Particularly fascinating, the visit of the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchiarelli, a masterpiece of the brilliant architect Carlo Maderno.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Dinner: Wide choice of menus in typical places (restaurant, trattoria, quality pizzeria) with craft beer and local wine.
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a 3 or 4 star hotel in the historic center or in the greenery just outside the medieval city walls.
Day 2: Leg of the Camino di Francesco starting from the Sanctuary of Greccio.
Stop At: Santuario di Greccio, 02045 Greccio, Province of Rieti, Italy
After breakfast, we will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the Sanctuary of Greccio (about 20 minutes), clinging to a rocky wall. We visit the “grotto of the crib”, a pilgrimage destination for Pope John Paul II and also for Pope Francis. Here, on Christmas night 1223, St. Francis created what went down in history as “the first nativity scene”. We also visit the dormitory of San Bonaventura, the ancient and modern church, the collection of nativity scenes from all over the world. From the large terraces we admire a breathtaking view: the Sabine Mountains, the Valle Santa and the Apennines in the background. At the end of the visit, we set off with our guide for the first excursion along the paths of the “Cammino di Francesco”.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Greccio, Greccio, Province of Rieti, Lazio
Starting from the Sanctuary of Greccio, we follow the path of the “Cammino di Francesco” along the side of the mountain, slightly uphill, for 2.5 km. We arrive in the medieval village of Greccio, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, where we can visit the churches and take a tour of the alleys. In December there is a Christmas market in the square. We leave and continue the journey: we go down through the woods towards the majestic Abbey of San Pastore and then we reach the valley floor. After a flat stretch in the countryside, we arrive in Contigliano.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Contigliano, Contigliano, Province of Rieti, Lazio
In the lower part of the town of Contigliano we find all kinds of services. We go up to the upper part and enter the castle village, the scene of a sacred representation during the holy week, which boasts ancient origins. In the first of August, there is a historical re-enactment: “Assault on the Castle”. As soon as we cross the door, the imposing collegiate church of San Michele welcomes us. We walk through the cobbled alleys that run all around, in an alternation of suggestive corners and sudden panoramic views. We continue our walk descending again to the bottom of the valley, where we find the ruins of the ancient church of San Lorenzo and two ancient wash houses powered by fresh spring water. The path continues climbing over a small wooded hill and then towards the village of Piani di Poggio Fidoni. From here we go up towards the small medieval village of S. Elia.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Santuario di Fonte Colombo, Via Colombo Fonte 40, 02100, Rieti Italy
From the village of S.Elia, we descend along a path in the woods and reach the Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo, the point of arrival of our first excursion on the “Cammino di Francesco”. The sanctuary is called “Franciscan Sinai” because here Francis dictated the definitive Rule of the Order of Friars Minor to Brother Leo. We visit the church, where a copy of the papal bull is kept and the old convent. In the Chapel of the Magdalene, we find a “T” painted by Francesco himself. Finally we go down to the cave where the rule and the tree of the apparition were written. At 4:30 pm our driver will pick you up and take you back to the hotel.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Rieti, Rieti, Province of Rieti, Lazio
To end the day in style, after having refreshed ourselves in the hotel, we can visit the best producers of delicacies and excellent shops in the city, within walking distance. Possibility also to visit a craft brewery about 7 km from the center (transport not included), with tasting of many types of beer.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Rich breakfast at the hotel.
• Lunch: During the excursion, packed lunch with sandwiches with local cold cuts and cheeses, fruit and artisanal dry sweets.
• Dinner: Wide choice of menus in typical places (restaurant, trattoria, quality pizzeria) with craft beer and local wine.
Accommodation included: Like the first day.
Day 3: Leg of the Camino di Francesco starting from the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone
Stop At: Convento San Giacomo, Piazzale Missioni Francescane, snc, 02018 Poggio Bustone RI, Italy
After breakfast, we will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone (about 20 minutes), from where our second excursion will begin. This is the first of the Franciscan sanctuaries in the Holy Valley, where Francis stayed for a long time with his companions after fleeing from Assisi. From the terrace we enjoy a wonderful view of the mountains above and the valley, in the middle of which we can clearly distinguish the Long Lake and, in the distance, also that of Ripasottile. After the visit we descend towards the town, another delightful medieval village overlooking the plain surrounded by wooded mountains. We continue through the woods, passing through the small village of San Liberato and reach the rival city of Cantalice.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Cantalice, Cantalice, Province of Rieti, Lazio
The village of Cantalice is located exactly in the middle of our excursion. Originally belonging to the Kingdom of Naples / of the two Sicilies, the town is perched on a steep rocky wall surrounded by dense woods. A long staircase, interspersed with stretches of alleys, climbs through the village to the Sanctuary of San Felice da Cantalice. After admiring the view from the terrace in front of the church, we continue through the countryside along a panoramic ridge, passing through the other sanctuary dedicated to the local saint, that of San Felice at the water, with its miraculous spring. We then descend through the woods to the Acquamartina stream and then go up to the Forest Sanctuary, where our second excursion also ends.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Santa Maria della Foresta, Via Foresta, 30, 02100 Rieti RI, Italy
This is the only one of the four Franciscan sanctuaries in the Holy Valley where the friars minor do not live. The ancient convent has been inhabited for several decades by the Mondo X Community, founded by father Eligio. A representative of the community accompanies us on a visit to the church and the convent, known for the “miracle of the grape”, performed by Francis during his stay in this place. The community cultivates a small plot of land, on which we admire an incredibly beautiful vegetable garden, flowers and fruit trees. At the end of the visit, our driver will pick you up and take you back to the hotel.
Duration: 40 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Rich breakfast at the hotel
No accommodation included on this day.
