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Polaroid of the Week: Hiking the Historic Via Amerina from Assisi to Rome

Polaroid of the Week: Hiking the Historic Via Amerina from Assisi to RomeWhat an incredible week! My spontaneous eight-day trek through Umbria and Lazio to Rome along the historic Via Amerina pilgrims' path was a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences. (If you missed my September roundup, I hiked sections from Assisi to the Eternal City.)

It's hard to know where to start, but this journey was easily one of the highlights of my year. When I finally removed my well-worn running shoes—standing in for proper hiking boots—on the last day, I felt a mix of profound relief and a longing to keep walking.

Umbria, a region I knew little about before, left me in awe of Italy's endless beauty. Is there any corner of this country that isn't breathtaking? It echoed Tuscany at first with rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards, then shifted to lush green forests, gorges, and waterfalls—like stepping into a masterpiece painting wherever we went.

We passed countless picturesque medieval hilltop towns, each perched dramatically atop hills with roots in antiquity. Entering through ancient gates into cobblestoned historic centers, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls, I imagined medieval merchants, monks, ladies, and lords, whispering, 'If only these paths could talk.'

This wasn't an easy hike—blisters and sore legs proved that—but the rewards far outweighed the challenges. And that's before mentioning the world-class Italian cuisine.

Stay tuned for in-depth trip reports. In the meantime, check my Via Amerina photo album on Facebook for more stunning shots as I continue updating it.

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