Pilgrimage 2024 is postponed.
Get ready for 2025!!!!
Dates will be posted in August 2024. Please read below for Pilgrimage information. For additional questions please do not hesitate to email info@museumofwalking.org
Walking from Camaldoli to La Verna. All included minus travel to and from Florence, Italy. Group meets in Florence)
*Additional $500 for single occupancy
Partial proceeds from this pilgrimage go to Museum of Walking programs and scholarships for students and teachers!
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE?
Walking 3-6 hours a day in silence. Immersion in nature. Each day is comprised of contemplative walking and sketchbook drawing or writing if desired. You will walk the paths used by pilgrims on their way to Rome from Central Europe. These ancient paths were forged by saints including Saint Francis of Assisi.
WHAT IS THE SACRED FOREST?
A valley of ancient stone villages, small churches and picturesque sanctuaries. This valley is far from the typical tourist routes in Tuscany. Traditionally, pilgrims walked the sacred forest for religious devotion or spiritual renewal.
DO I NEED TO SUBSCRIBE TO A PARTICULAR RELIGION TO WALK WHERE SAINTS WALKED?
No, you do not have to be religious or have a regular meditation practice to participate in this walk. This is an opportunity to experience nature while walking mindfully in a secluded place where writers, artists, saints, and pilgrims discovered sacredness from attuning to nature and beauty.
SOUNDS AMAZING, BUT WHERE WILL I SLEEP?
In traditional pilgrim B&B’s and “rifugi” mountain huts along the way. Accommodations range from rustic to romantic monasteries of the sacred forest including the most famous sanctuary, La Verna.
TECHNICAL NOTES
These walks are not particularly difficult but participants are encouraged to be prepared physically and in good health. In case of bad weather, or for any other reason necessary to ensure the safety of the group, the guide can make changes to the excursion. Unfortunately the path is not wheelchair accessible.
MANDATORY MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
Hiking shoes, waterproof backpack, rain gear, waterproof jacket or poncho, windbreaker or wool sweater, hat, sunglasses, water bottle.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Camera, drawing/ writing materials, collapsible water bottles, and walking sticks as the terrain can be rocky.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO BRING AND WHERE WE WILL WALK EACH DAY?
A supply list, daily schedule, and recommended books are sent once pre-deposit is paid.
DO I HAVE TO PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT UPFRONT?
No, after you pay your $350 pre-deposit through PayPal you can pay the balance in full or with installments by check, cash or PayPal. We offer a few different payment plan options.
The Museum of Walking is offering a small $350 scholarship for students, teachers, and recently graduated students. Please email Angela at info@museumofwalking.org for details
PRICE INCLUDES:
Stay at the B&B or mountain shelter
Transportation to/from Florence to pilgrim trail
ALL meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) of the Tuscan-Romagna region
House wine included with dinners
2 guides (Angela Ellsworth and Melissa Morris)
Daily transfer of luggage between B&B's.
Guides with knowledge of region as well as contemplative/ mindful practices, art, drawing / writing skills.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Travel Insurance (must have)
Airfare / travel to/from Florence, Italy
Extra wine
Tips
FAQ’S
WHAT IS THE LANDSCAPE LIKE?
Kilometers of ancient trees with the scent of moss and bark, natural caves, and large boulders covered with moss that create grottoes once used by monks as ice chests.
DO I CARRY ALL OF MY BAGS WITH ME AS I WALK?
No. All you have to carry is a daypack and your luggage will be transported to your accommodations.
WHO IS LEADING THIS WALK?
Angela Ellsworth & Melissa Morris who both have knowledge of the region, art, and contemplative practices. See Bio’s of walk leaders below.
DO I HAVE TO BE SILENT THE ENTIRE TIME?
No, there will be time designated for silent walking throughout the day and time for sketchbook drawing and writing. There will also be time for talking and sharing as well.
HOW FAR WILL I BE WALKING A DAY?
3-6 hours a day with a day-pack containing lunch, water, and other basic needs. Luggage will be transported by vehicle each day to each accommodations.
I WANT TO GO HOW DO I APPLY?
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Accepting applications for Sacred Forest Pilgrimage. See APPLY link for online form and pre-deposit ($350) payment.
NOTES:
We will not receive your application until you complete the pre-deposit on PayPal. This secures your position as a participant and goes towards the full cost of the trip if you are accepted. 15 days after applying we will notify you if your application is accepted and/ or return the pre-deposit if your application is not accepted. If the workshop itself is cancelled by the facilitators for any reason your pre-deposit amount will be refunded in full immediately.
FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
Please email Angela: info@museumofwalking.org
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
BIOS
Melissa Morris is an artist and educator living in Florence, Italy. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she received her BA from the University of Michigan and MFA from SACI, Florence. Melissa speaks both French and Italian and lived in the EU for over 15 years guiding cultural walking and cycling tours throughout the continent. In 1999, she began studies with artists Rose Shakinovsky and Claire Gavronsky in Florence. She has participated in several international artists residencies and teaches at the Siena Art Institute and Centro Fiorenza language school in Florence. Melissa studied for an extended period of time at Plum Village, France with Buddhist monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh and continues to bring together the practices of meditation, mindfulness and art. She is co-founder of Slow Mile, bringing together the teaching of art and creativity with slow travel, and has organized and led events in Tuscany, Spain, Portugal and New York City.
Angela Ellsworth is a multidisciplinary artist and Professor in the School of Art at Arizona State University in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. She is director and co-founder of the Museum of Walking (MoW) located in one of the least walkable cities in the US. She is interested in art merging with everyday life and public and private experiences converging in unexpected spaces. Her solo and collaborative work has taken in wide-ranging subjects such as illness, physical fitness, endurance, social ritual, and religious tradition. Her work has been reviewed in ArtUS, Art News, Frieze Art, and Artforum. She has presented work nationally and internationally including The Getty Center, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, National Review of Live Art, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Phoenix Art Museum. www.aellsworth.com
