On San Jacopo’s trail from Pistoia to Lucca with a stay in Montecatini.

San Jacopo, or more precisely San Giacomo, is one of Jesus’ apostles, John’s brother, both prominent figures in Jesus’ life, sons of a fisherman and in turn fishermen, Jesus transformed them into “men’s fishers”. Very famous is the way of Santiago de Compostela, where St. James’ remains are found, for years it has become a place of great pilgrimages. In recent years, a project for an Italian Way has been born that connects Pistoia, the “Little Santiago” to Santiago de Compostela. This path connects the five cathedrals of Florence, Prato, Pistoia, Pescia and Lucca, passing through Montecatini Terme, the project foresees that from Rome it is possible to reach Santiago de Compostela, passing precisely through the Little Santiago. Why has Pistoia earned the name of “Little Santiago”? Because since 1144 it has kept a Saint’s relic in a chapel inside the Cathedral of San Zeno. The route from Pistoia to Lucca will allow the pilgrim, crossing the nature and the environment of the Tuscan landscape, to walk along quiet paths through vineyards, olive groves, holly woods, ancient medieval roads up to ancient villages, Romanesque churches and majestic convents where time seems to have stopped, he will meet the locals and converse along the way with his travel companions, resting in the shade of an old oak tree to meditate and find himself, until he reaches the two great Tuscan art cities Pistoia and Lucca that will welcome him after the long effort, both are places of great religious value. Between the two cities it will be pleasant to find refreshment and recovery of strength, immersing yourself in the beneficial thermal waters of the welcoming city of Montecatini, located right on the axis of the path.

DURATION OF STAY: 5 days / 4 nights

1° day

Arrival at Pistoia, the “little Santiago” and accommodation in a structure in the city center. Visit of San Zeno’s Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, which contains the relic of the Saint,with entrance to the chapel of the silver altar. From a religious point of view those who will cross the Holy Door of Pistoia are as if they were crossing the Porta di Santiago de Compostela, here they can also receive the journey official participation stamp. Then stop at the only Italian “Cippo” of the San Jacopo Way. Free evening to stroll around the city and get to know it better, maybe having dinner in one of the clubs in the center (optional dinner) to taste the Iacopina, the celebratory dish of the San Jacopo’s journey. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

2° day

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure on foot, very early in the morning, from Pistoia to Montecatini. Packed lunch provided by the hotel. Arrival in Montecatini, a famous spa town, swim in the swimming pool of the Terme Redi to relax the muscles after the long walk, possibility to do, on request, other spa treatments. Free dinner in one of the restaurants in the center or in one of the restaurants in Montecatini Alto, the ancient village overlooking Montecatini. Overnight at Hotel

3° day

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure on foot to Gragnano, in the direction of Lucca, walking among splendid villages and green hills where it will also be possible to meet local artisans and enjoy a platter of typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses at a friend’s house. Arrival in Gragnano in the afternoon, accommodation in a hotel near Gragnano. Overnight in the hotel.

4° day

Breakfast at the hotel. We resume the journey starting from the Hotel until we reach Lucca, a city famous for its splendid walls that still preserve one of the great art cities of Tuscany intact, visit the Cathedral of San Martino to admire the magnificent Holy Face. Packed lunch provided by the hotel. Accommodation in a hotel near the center, possibility to have dinner in a restaurant in the city (optional dinner).

5° day

Breakfast at the hotel and return to the place of origin.

Rate upon request

Single supplement to be quoted