Friuli Venezia Giulia
Italian essence on an extremely diverse territory
Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the smallest regions of Italy but has such varied and original characteristics that it is an excellent tourist destination for those who want to get an idea of the great diversity of the Italian reality.
The territory includes all the geographical types of the land, from the peaks of the Julian Alps to the Grado’s lagoon, from the Friuli plains to the Karst plateau, behind Trieste. Its root start from the Romans where Julius Cesar established Trieste as the last point before the German territory. From the 15th Century has been shared in time between the Venetian and the Austrian authority. In the region you can find sign of it in its food, architecture language and background. Been part of the Austrian Hungarian empire until the end of the First World war when it joined Italy and its administration.
Friuli Venezia Giulia has four main cities: Trieste which is its capital city, Udine, Pordenone and Gorizia. All of them deserve a visit Repitaly would suggest you to set your base in Trieste where you can also enjoy great transportation links but also nightlife or extremely renowned restaurants. From there all the other cities would deserve a visit and a day trip would be plenty.
Around Trieste you should visit The Miramare Caste and Park, the village of Muggia or the natural site of Grotta Giagante (Main Seaside Cave). Around Udine you will have Cividale, or San Daniele, Villa Manin and also Palmanova. Around Pordenone you will find the Aviano Castle, Benedictine Abbey of Sesto al Reghena and the Barcis Lake. Around Gorizia You will have Aquileia, Grado and all the historical location of the first world war.
Our long list of tours will give you plenty to visit in terms of destinations and main location however we also wanted to tell you about the countless opportunity that the region has to offer. Firstly, you will have to experience the singularly styled kitchen. As the rest of the region it take inspiration from the Venetian, Italian, Austrian, Hungarian, Jewish, Serbian and Croatian kitchen and so, as you can imagine, the result is astonishing and incomparable with any other regional kitchen. Trieste will offer you a wide range of cultural activities with its many Museums, Theatres, Cinemas, Clubs, Pubs and much more. If visiting in the summer, you will also have to experience the sea characterized by high depth and crystal clear water. Do local by laying down on the Miramare walk and refresh yourself in one of its many kiosk café.
Key Destinations in Friuli
Udine is renowned and called by local as “Udine Lounge” as the atmosphere in the elegant city centre it reflects the relaxed approached of a 5star hotel lounge. Not far from the city you will find the first jewel to visit such as the Medieval Town of Cividale Del Fiuli. Also in the are you will be tempted to visit San Daniele world known town of the cured ham. Still made on a homemade recipe the many factories in town will offer you tours and degustation. In the small town of Passariano you will have to visit the marvellous palace build for the Manin family. Settled to be half way from continental Europe and the rest of the Manin family business this exciting palace will remind you the Austrian heritage. Conclude your tour with Palmanova and its characteristic town fortification built as a star.
Trieste is without any doubt the capital of the region mainly for its ability to merge many architecture style, population, cultures, religion, kitchen. Raised in popularity when the Austrian Hungarian Empire established as Free Port town since than the city become the only port city of the empire and therefore it raised in popularity and fortune. As such many cultures settled quality that can be spotted from its many religious temple of many kind such as the Synagogue (the second in size after the one in Rome) Cristian such as the San Giusto Catthedral, Greek orthodox or Serbian orthodox. The main square of the city is Piazza Unita’ D’Italia which is also a reminder of that period of fortune with the three sides of the square adorned by marvellous gothic palace from the 18th and 19th centuries. In here you will see historical Grand Hotel (now Hotel Duchi D’Aosta) Insurance building (typical in a port town) like the Lloyds Building or the Generali Building. All crooned by the City Hall. Please also notice that not temples are present in the square and this is to confirm the multicultural imprint that the city wanted to show to be open to all. Trieste is also renowned for its cafes many of which inspired the work of Joyce Saba and Svevo. Still in Piazza Unita’ you will have the “Caffe degli Specchi” (Mirrors Café). Not far from it in the extravagant Canale Sant’Antonio there is the Caffe Tommaseo and not far from here close to the synagogue you will have the Caffe San Marco. Do not miss a stroll or a breakfast into the XX Settembre avenue. Marvellous Avenue almost all closed to traffic and with trees, with all the tables in the middle is full of bars, restaurants, shops ideal to experience the city aroma.
The smallest province in the region are Pordenone and Gorizia. Pordenone is well famous for its industrial heritage however nearby you will have a famous summer holiday destination as Lignano Sabbie d’oro (that mean golden sands). In the countryside there will still be plenty of destination such as Aviano and its castle. Also in Aviano there will be one of the biggest NATO base. The Benedictine Monastery of Sesto al Reghena, or the Barcis Lake. Gorizia is a border town with its cousin Nova Gorica in Slovenia of which the border between Italy and Slovenia is shared. The countryside has to offer many locations linked with the First World War but also the staggering Aquileia with its UNESCO world heritage site. You can also find stream water in the Grado spa.