Crossing the dramatic alpine border into the fourth country of my trek brought so many changes. First, after several days of climbing up from Lake Geneva, I faced a quick downhill drop amid runoff from the melting snowpack. Furthermore, the language, food, wine, and ambiance confirmed that I really was in a new place. Italy is special! I took two days to cover the trail described in this post, over a distance that many pilgrims cover in a single day, then gave myself a rest day in the city that gives the Val d’Aosta its name. Knowing that I won’t make it all the way to Rome before my Schengen Area visa expires, I’ve decided to take my time and pause more often to enjoy the views and conversations with locals, pilgrims, and other visitors.
Continue reading “Via Francigena 2024/2025 Days 53-54: Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard to Aosta”
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Experiences of a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia (2016-19) and further adventures…
