My name is Fabio; I’m from Bergamo, and after walking the Camino de Santiago, I felt the desire to have a new experience.
I had never been to Sardinia before, so I chose to explore it through the Cammino di Bonaria, which I walked alone. For about a year, I had been wanting to set out on this journey to discover the island’s beating heart, its inland regions, and its landscapes.
I set out in early September with great enthusiasm, well prepared both physically and mentally. The biggest challenge was definitely the heat; I underestimated how important it was to always have a good supply of water with me. There were difficult moments when I really felt the strain, but I always tried not to give up and to make it all the way to the end.
What struck me more than anything else, however, was the hospitality. Even though I set out alone, I never truly felt alone along the way. I met extraordinary, helpful, and welcoming people. People who, with a gesture, a word, a smile, or simply by being there, made the journey even more special. It’s precisely these encounters, the faces, and the people I met along the way that I’ll carry with me as memories of this experience.
The Bonaria Trail was a continuous succession of different views, cultures, colors, and landscapes. Each stage offered me something new and allowed me to discover the authentic Sardinia—made up of small towns, traditions, and, above all, great humanity.
But this journey wasn’t just a trip through Sardinia. It was also a journey within myself. It helped me a lot—especially mentally—to rediscover serenity, to be at peace with myself, and to slow down; it was exactly what I was looking for.
I’m returning home with so many memories, so many places, and—above all—so many faces and encounters in my heart.
Thank you to the Bonaria Pilgrimage for giving me all of this.
Fabio Licini
