May 7, 2016 - Via Francigena Day 19

Campagnano di Roma to La Storta - 24.5 km 

Ready to leave Campagnano

Leaving Campagnano on another beautiful morning.  An uneventful day until we arrived in Formello, 2 hours from Campagnano, when an extraordinary thing happened... 

Passing through beautiful countryside

After we passed through the arch at the entrance to the historic part of Formello, we were passing the Ostello, which was conducting a joint conference on World Peace and the Via Francigena. We met a young man outside the Ostello named Federico Rosso Carella, who invited us inside (the building functions as a hostel on the second floor). We were introduced to the conference as "actual pilgrims," and a great fuss was made over us.  We were given 'pilgrim bread' to chew on; there was some photo taking, then we were invited to climb the stairs to the top of the tower for a view of Rome, our final destination.

It was a totally unexpected but worthwhile stop in Formello and we were treated like honoured guests...Winewalkers, feeling humbled in Formello...

On a clear day you can see the destination of Rome from the top of the tower in Formello

The pilgrim's menu board at the Ostello in Formello

Actual pilgrims!

With Federico Rosso Carella at the Ostello in Formello

Meadows on the way to La Storta

At the Ostello in Formello, Federico had told us about a new bypass trail that was being built that would shorten the journey to La Storta and avoid the river crossing and he even drew the bypass route on the map in our guidebook. 

On the new bypass route to La Storta

The new bypass route circles through poppy meadows

The new bypass trail still under construction

La Storta in the distance

We booked into the Hotel Cassia in La Storta and picked up a pizza and wine at the nearby plaza for dinner, which we had at the small terrace at the hotel.

The less than inspiring view from our room at Hotel Cassia

Airing out at the end of the day!