New guidebook follows in the steps of St Francis of Assisi

A new guidebook retracing the route of St Francis of Assisi has been launched by Cicerone Publishing. Stretching over 28 days and 550km, The Way of St Francis connects significant places and dusty paths from the life of the saint and makes them available to pilgrim walkers, trekkers and adventurers seeking to follow in his footsteps.

Author Reverend Sandy Brown, from Seattle, Washington, an ordained minister and long-distance walker, has retraced the path of the 'Patron Saint of Animals and Environment' to produce a fascinating 288-page guidebook.

The walk, which guides you through the landlocked region of Umbria, gives travellers both the opportunity to experience the places where the saint lived, prayed and worked, as well as venturing into the green heart of Italy; a land, where reality sees a lifestyle less advanced than its Tuscan neighbour.
Reverend Brown said: "If you seek to experience the simplicity and humility of St Francis and to connect with his rustic lifestyle, then this guidebook will lead you on the significant paths he followed and places he visited, all surrounded by beautiful scenery."

The guide highlights the region's local lifestyle and focuses on its tranquillity, history, culture and notable hospitality of its residents and their community-minded way of life. Combine this with verdant hillsides, densely wooded forests and rural roads lined with vines and olive trees, the experience along the Way of St Francis makes for a true adventure of a lifetime.

The route begins among the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence, continues through the forests of Tuscany and pauses to enjoy picturesque hill towns, notably one of the main locations of the trail, Assisi, which in 2016, will become a Jubilee destination, before concluding with a climatic arrival in Rome. Each Umbrian town along the way is home to hidden treasures of art, history, culture, tradition and cuisine waiting to be discovered.

Sandy Brown continued: "I've walked many pilgrim trails in Europe and none are quite as magnificent as the path from Assisi to Rome. When I walked this route in 2013, I knew instantly that I wanted other walkers from all over the world to share in the experience of this fascinating trail, so I took pen to paper and wrote the first English copy of 'The Way of St Francis.'"

The Way of St Francis by Sandy Brown is an eye-opening experience, taking you through the green heart of Italy to explore shrines, towns, churches and stories from the Ministry of St Francis of Assisi, who began his discovery with an epic walk in 1209 when he and his followers walked from Assisi to Rome to meet Pope Innocent III.

The Way of St Francis, priced £16.95, is published by Cicerone - a specialist travel publishing house

For more information see: www.cicerone.co.uk