Читать книгу The Way of St Francis. Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome онлайн

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Because of this rugged topography, the Way of St Francis is often a challenging walk. Veteran Camino de Santiago pilgrims may compare several of the days to a walk over the Route Napoleon that crosses the Pyrenees. A daily climb and descent of 500 to 1000 meters is not unusual.

Mount Terminillo and other snowy peaks in the Central Apennines create weather patterns that ensure regular rainfall, and the mountain streams and aquifers supply pure water that is bottled and shipped all over Italy at water plants like Cottorella near Rieti. For pilgrims, this environment means that sporadic rain is assured in any season of the year.

Some who haven’t visited Central Italy are surprised to discover this lovely region has four distinct seasons, with frequent freezing temperatures in the winter as well as very hot temperatures in the summer. Snow is common at the higher elevations included on this itinerary, with chilly temperatures and more rain in the lowlands. Summers bring the high temperatures expected of Italy, but rainfall averages year round show why the region remains green.