Veneto is one of the most important regions of the country from an economic point of view, but not only: here you can find some wonderful cities of art and history such as Verona, Padua and the best known Venice. A precious heritage to be enjoyed with a glass of Prosecco. Friuli has always been a border region, which is why it is so interesting and fascinating. In this land you can find what Ippolito Nievo, an important Italian writer and patriot, described as ‘a small compendium of the universe’, alluding to the rich variety of landscapes. What really animates this region is the merging of the identities of those who have passed through it, creating a chorus of different but united voices.
Group departures 2023: 11th November | 23rd December
Our trip will guide you aroung Friuli and Veneto, an interesting regions created by the emergence of many identities of those who have passed through, creating a chorus of voices.
These lands display traces of Longobard times, Roman colonies, reinassance time cities and they are still precious for contemporary culture since the city of Gorizia in Friuli, together with Nova Gorica in Slovenia, will be European Capital of Culture in 2025.
These regions are also famous for enogatronomic production, specially for the seafood, the cheeses and the excellent wine, such as Friulano, Pinot Grigio and Ribolla gialla. We will join these delicies during our journey in Treviso, il Collio, Grado but also in the UNESCO Prosecco Hills.
The harmonious landscapes are perfect also foer trekking among the hills, wood and small villages that represents the variety of cultures of these two regions.
In the morning departure for Western Friuli, meeting with the local guide and visit of the abbey complex of Sesto al Reghena which dates back to the Lombard era, where it is possible to immerse yourself in the life of the Benedictine monks by visiting the residence of the abbots, and the church with precious frescoes. We continue with the visit of Concordia Sagittaria, an important paleo-Venetian center which, in 42 BC., became a Roman colony with the name of Iulia Concordia, to admire the remains of the ancient Via Annia, the decumanus, the city walls, the bridge, the remains of the theater and the domus. Departure for Gorizia, European capital of culture 2025, together with Nova Gorica in Slovenia and panoramic tour, with local guide, of the historic center dominated by the imposing castle,
Arrival in Capriva del Friuli, dinner in the hotel and overnight.
In the late morning departure for Trieste, meeting with the guide and visit of that beautiful border city: Piazza Unità d’Italia, defined as the “living room of Trieste”, and surrounded by buildings that overlook the sea, Piazza della Borsa, the Borgo Teresiano. Free lunch.
In the afternoon visit of the Miramare Castle, built at the behest of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg in 1856. This castle is located on a promontory overlooking the Gulf of Trieste and surrounded by a magnificent botanical park.
Return to the Collio area and stop at the prestigious Enoteca di Cormons, tasting of the excellent white wines that are produced here with a guided tour from Friulano to Malvasia to Ribolla Gialla, accompanied by cheeses and cured meats from Friuli Venezia Giulia.
In the morning we meet with a naturalistic guide for a walk through the heart of the Collio wine region, along the “Trekking of the high vineyards” through a harmonious landscape of hills planted with vines with ordered rows, woods and small villages. Then arrival at the Villa Russiz winery, in the heart of the Collio Friulano, founded by Count Theodor de là Tour in 1868, here Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot are produced, visit of the cellars with guided tour and tasting of 3 wines.
In the afternoon departure for Aquileia, an ancient Roman city founded in 181 BC. it was the capital of the Augustan region and later the center for the diffusion of Christianity. Unesco heritage and visit of the forum, the port, the decumanus and the patriarchal basilica of the fourth century with the precious floor mosaics and the crypt of the frescoes. Continuation to Grado, crossing a beautiful lagoon landscape. Short guided tour of the historic centre. Fish-based dinner in a restaurant and return in the evening to the Castello di Spessa for overnight.
Departure with the local guide for Palmanova, a fortress city preserved in extraordinary conditions with its city plan in the shape of a perfect nine-pointed star. We walk to admire first the 16th century fortified walls and then the city center with its Renaissance palaces and the beautiful Piazza Grande. We continue our visit with a stop in Clauiano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its houses built with stones from the nearby Torre river, walk through the narrow streets of the small and quiet center to admire the main buildings with decorated porticoes. Free lunch. Visit of Cividale del Friuli, an ancient Longobard capital full of charm and guided tour of the historic centre, the Longobard Temple, the Christian Museum, the Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle, and the devil’s bridge. Arrival in Udine, dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we meet with the local guide for a visit of Udine, a beautiful and welcoming city: visit inside the Palace of the Patriarchate of the Galleries of Tiepolo, who lived here and reached his artistic maturity. Walk in the historic center: the Castle, Piazza Liberà, the “most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”, the Cathedral, Piazza Matteotti, the Mercato vecchio shopping street, Piazza San Giacomo where the inhabitants of Udine love to enjoy an aperitif with a glass of wine (tajut in Friulian). Departure for Treviso, guided tour with a walk in the historic centre, the Cathedral, Piazza dei Signori, the Palazzo dei Trecento, the Canale dei Buranelli. We then move to Valdobbiadene, dinner and overnight.
Breakfast and departure with the guide for the Prosecco hills, a Unesco heritage natural site since 2019, between villages and landscapes of expanses of vineyards. Visit of an estate with the vineyard and the cellar and tasting of Prosecco Superiore DOCG wine accompanied by cured meat and cheeses. Time available for shopping and departure for Milan which will be reached in the late afternoon. End of services.
From March to December, see scheduled group departures.
More departures upon request and availability.
On request – quotations from 2 to 12 pax.
For further information on the price or a tailor-made quotation please contact us at info@out-of-italy.com.
In the plain area of Veneto, we have a moderately continental climate, with cold, wet winters and hot, muggy summers.
The quote includes 5 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 3 tastings, as indicated in the itinerary.
We travel by minivan of coach according to the number of pax.
The literal translation of Borgo in English would be “Hamlet” or “Village“ but these words do not fully explains the meaning of “Borgo” is.
A “Borgo” is a fascinating, ancient, small Italian town, generally fortified and dating back to the period from Middle Ages to Renaissance. Walking in a “Borgo” is a step back in time, a walk through history, a typical Italian experience.
For logistics or technical reasons, the itinerary can be run with some amendments on the sequence of the visits and excursions.
