Day 2
Castel Gandolfo to Giulianello – 24km
We left the papal palace and the church of St. Thomas of Villanova, the latter designed by Bernini, to walk around Lago Albano and over the crater’s edge to Lago di Nemi and its eponymous town which one enters through 20-foot-thick walls to be greeted by the massive Palazzo Ruspoli, often characterized as austere. Nemi is a graceful little town which, like most little towns in Italy, has its own identity, history, character, and treasures. Right now Nemi is celebrating strawberries, mounds of which can be found in front of every café and store.
After a demanding climb of 2400 ft we descended into Velletri, a bustling town that shows no sign of the heavy bombardment it endued during WW2. We proceeded to Giulianello which while only 6 km from Velletri at the end of the day felt like an eternity.
Walking the Via Francigena 
All power to you both. As you seek nothing you will find everything. If you need any help with Aman hotels along the way, just let us know.
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so impressed with your discipline!!
Mark & Kim
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Such a contrast between Lake Nemi and Albano. Niemi, as I remember, was quiet and yes, austere. Serious about strawberries and everything else. Lake Albano, thanks to its miserable rocky beachlets created when they dropped the water level, became an overcrowded mecca for always hungry Romans. Giulianello is a good place to stop. Next, fascist dreams.
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Day Two
Skies blue bright
Strawberries beg champagne?
Lake plus lake and a hill to climb
Today
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The towns you hit on day 2 sound wonderful. We really envy your trek. And I envy your grabbing the opportunity to use the word “eponymous”. I look for opportunities to do so, but they are hard to come by. Frank
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Hoping that those wonderful blue skies follow you all the way. Lyndsey x
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