This afternoon I spent some time reading ahead in my guidebook, plotting out my journey to Rome. What follows may prove to be hopelessly ambitious, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable. Now that I’ve got a working mobile, arranging for parish accommodations a day or two in advance should be possible, which in turn should help with my budget.
Vercelli
Abbazia di San Alcuino
Gropello Cairoli
Belgioioso
Calendasco
Fiorenzuola d’Arda
Costamezzano
Sivizzano
Berceto
Pontremoli
Aulla
Avenza
Pietrasanta
Lucca
Ponte A Cappiano
Pieve Santa Maria a Chianni
Colle di Val d’Elsa
Siena
Ponte d’Arbia
Gallina
Abbadia San Salvatore
Acquapendente
Montefiascone
Vetralla
Sutri
Campagnano di Roma
La Starta
Rome
That’s 28 stages, although there may be days when I wind up not walking – Siena in particular may be worth spending some time to explore. (And of course, I may find myself waylaid by blisters or ill health along the way.)
From Rome, I’ll take a train to Bari. Since I’ve lost so much time early on, I need to make sure I’ll be able to clear the Schengen zone within my 90 days of visa-free travel. If I start walking again this weekend, I should arrive in Rome by mid-December.
Rome itself warrants a long stay, but the clock will still be ticking. I’ll give myself three to five days, depending on the weather and my health.
The day after I’m done playing tourist there, I’ll be out of the Schengen zone and into Albania. Once I re-enter the Schengen zone, I should still have enough time to walk the 400 km through northern Greece without fear of being nabbed at the border for overstaying. If I run into more delays, then I’ll just hop a bus to the Turkish border from Thessaloniki. That would be disappointing, but it’s preferable to facing the risk of a hefty fine, deportation, and possibly even a ban on travelling to any Schengen zone country in the future.
I’m ready and raring to go. Once the package of extra clothes arrives from Canada, I’ll be on my way again!
