Secret Italy: Trieste & Udine

Few places in Italy remain undiscovered, but the tiny region of Friuli Venezia Giulia – known simply as Friuli – is a treasure trove of historic and artistic gems. Discover a less-explored side of Italy: a grand Habsburg city, a Venetian pearl without the crowds, ancient Roman ruins, a fairy-tale castle by the sea and Friulian specialities.

Cividale

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival in Udine

Arrive at Venice, Treviso or Trieste airports for transfer to your hotel in Udine.

DAY 2 – Trieste

After breakfast we drive through rolling countryside with the snowy peaks of the Julian Alps never too far off in the distance. We arrive in Trieste, the region’s cosmopolitan capital, beautifully situated on the gulf of Trieste overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Once the main seaport of the Habsburgs, the city has an unmistakable Viennese flavour, with wide boulevards, grand neoclassical buildings and elegant squares, notably the seafront Piazza Unità d’Italia – Europe’s largest seafacing square. During our tour, your local guide will introduce you to Trieste’s highlights and splendid mix of architectural styles in its largely pedestrianised old town. After our tour, you have free time to wander at your own pace and soak up the café culture for yourself – try a strucolo de pomi, the Triestine take on apple strudel, with a cup of Illy coffee, the famous brand that was founded here.

Next, we follow the coastal road to Miramare Castle, built in 1860 for the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium. Set dramatically on a rocky promontory

This characterful hotel is classically designed whilst maintaining a fresh and modern feel, and is perfectly situated in the heart of Udine’s historic old town.

Astoria Hotel, Udine HHHH

Astoria Hotel

above the sea, this fairy-tale castle is a fine example of an aristocratic residence with remarkably preserved furnishings. Entrance is included to the castle, so take a closer look at Habsburg life in the eclectic interiors or stroll through its immaculately landscaped park. (B) + Included Experience – Guided tour of Trieste and visit Miramare castle

DAY 3 – Mosaic School of Friuli & San Daniele

This morning we drive through lush countryside to visit the Mosaic School of Friuli in Spilimbergo. Founded in 1922, this renowned training centre attracts students from all over the world. During our guided tour, we’ll explore this intricate artform and the various techniques used. There’s free time after to discover the pretty little town of Spilimbergo. As you walk along cobbled streets between elegant buildings, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The town’s medieval castle comprises magnificent buildings in a fascinating combination of architectural styles. Later we continue to San Daniele, a hilltop town renowned for its delicious prosciutto. We visit a local producer to learn about the ancient artisanal process involved in curing this very special ham and enjoy a tasting afterwards. Its sweet and delicate flavour is said to be a result of the area’s microclimate, owing to a mingling of the winds from the Carnic Alps and the Adriatic Sea. (B) + Included Experience – Guided tour of the Friuli Mosaic School, visit Spilimbergo and enjoy prosciutto tasting

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Arrive Depart

ITALY

Bassano del Grappa

Vicenza

Padova Castelfranco Veneto Venice Brenta Canal

Mantova

DAY 4 – Cividale, Gorizia & winetasting

After breakfast we drive to Cividale, nestled in the green hills bordering Slovenia and split by the picturesque Natisone river, over which spans the town’s impressive bridge – so-called ‘Devil’s Bridge’ after locals allegedly asked the devil for help to build it! Cividale was founded by Julius Caesar as ‘Forum Iuli’ – from where Friuli gets its name – and grew in significance as the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy. To discover its fascinating history, we visit the Santa Maria in Valle monastery to see the unique Lombard Temple, an outstanding example of art and architecture from the High Middle Ages. The well-preserved walls and ceilings of this hidden gem are intricately adorned with Byzantine frescoes and stucco decorations, and its 8th-century sculptures are some of the finest to survive in Europe. Then we drive to Gorizia, a unique town at the border with Slovenia once wellloved by the Habsburg bourgeoisie. Its red-roofed buildings are crowned by a medieval castle, and there are sweeping views over the beautiful countryside. After time for lunch at your leisure, we continue to the critically acclaimed wine region of Collio Goriziano. This enchanting landscape of gentle hills is marked by hypnotic rows of verdant vines and dotted with grand villas and wine estates. The unique microclimate, created by the area’s equidistance from the Adriatic Sea and the Austrian Alps, works perfectly with the marlstone soil to yield exceptionally fragrant grapes. Unsurprisingly, some of the world’s best white wines are produced here, so our tour would not be complete without a visit and tasting at one of Collio’s celebrated vineyards. (B) + Included Experience – Visit the Lombard Temple, Gorizia and wine tasting

DAY 5 – Aquileia & rustic lunch

This morning we discover Aquileia, one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire. At its peak the population exceeded 100,000, but today it’s a sleepy rural town peppered with ancient ruins – the most complete example of an early Roman city in the Mediterranean world. We have a guided tour of Aquileia’s early medieval Patriarchal Basilica, a World Heritage

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Your tour includes

• Return flights from a selection of regional airports with hotel transfers • Five nights in four-star accommodation, inclusive of all local taxes • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

(B) Daily Breakfast, (L) 1 Lunch Prices are per person. For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • 3 guided tours including Trieste, the

Mosaic School of Friuli and Aquileia’s

UNESCO-listed basilica • 4 visits including Miramare Castle,

Gorizia, the Lombard Temple of

Cividale and Spilimbergo • See how prosciutto is cured and sample the Collio region’s white wines on a visit to a renowned producer

site recognised for its significance as a Christian hub in central Europe. After a fascinating morning, we drive to a rustic restaurant in order to sample authentic Friulian fare made with fresh local ingredients. Later we return to Udine with the rest of the day at leisure. There’s plenty to explore in this visual feast of a city, such as the hilltop castle, which houses a collection of excellent museums, including an art gallery with works by Caravaggio and Tiepolo. Of course, art in Italy isn’t confined to just museums and galleries – Udine’s beautiful Venetian heritage can be admired in Piazza della Libertà, a Renaissance jewel. (B,L) + Included Experience – Guided tour of Aquileia’s Patriarchal Basilica and enjoy a rustic lunch

DAY 6 – Return flight

Transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)

Please note: The use of air-conditioning in hotels in Italy is at the hotel’s discretion and is normally restricted to the summer months (mid-May to mid-September), depending on the temperature. Where hotels feature an outdoor swimming pool, this will be open during the summer months (weather permitting).