Friuli 3 days enogastronomic

Day 1
Meeting with participants in Udine, a city of Venetian charm and ancient buildings. Piazza Libertà or “Liberty Square” is
defined “the most beautiful Venetian Square on the mainland”, while Piazza Matteotti or Matteotti Square (also known as
Piazza delle Erbe/ Herb Square), is surrounded by porticoes and has the appearance of an open-air living room where
you can observe an array of ancient and colourful buildings that bear witness to the spirit of Udine. On the hill, the
castle towers over the city roof-tops with a view of the surrounding mountains and, towards the south, the Adriatic sea.
In the 1700’s, the renowned artist Giambattista Tiepolo reached his artistic maturity in this same city: his masterpieces
are on display in the Gallerie del Tiepolo (Tiepolo Galleries at the Palazzo Patriarcale), in the Cathedral and in the Chiesa
della Purità (Church of Purity). We will proceed to Collalto of Tarcento and have lunch at Ristorante Costantini. Stroll
through San Daniele, which is perched on a hill and where you can enjoy infinite views from its mild slopes. This small
city is considered a pearl of Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is internationally renowned for its production of prosciutto whose
one-of-a-kind taste is the outcome of a thousand-year-old tradition and a unique microclimate. Also worthy of note are:
the white 18th-century Cathedral, the frescoes of the ex-Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate (former Church of St. Anthony the
Abbot) which represent the most beautiful series of renaissance art of the region, the Palazzo Comunale or Municipal
Hall and the bell tower of Giovanni da Udine (Raffaello’s favourite disciple). Enjoy a brief chocolate tasting
experience at the artisan workshop of Adelia di Fant. As an alternative we can visit the Brunelde Domus Magna
(supplement of € 10,00), located in the hills of Fagagna. The origins of this safe are ancient; in fact, it is situated on
the historical Salt Passage. The cultural heritage of Friuli Venezia Giulia is in part represented by castles and in part by
fortified buildings that the region’s geographical “border” position had erected in numerous quantities on the junctions of
the valleys, at the crossroads of ancient roads, on the ports, and on the hillsides. It is in this context that Castello di
Susans (Susans Castle) was erected, with its four formidable towers, situated on the top of the hill that is its
namesake. The castle assumed its current features in the first half of the 17th century, although its origins are much
more ancient: it was probably the site of a Roman castrum. From here you will enjoy a scenic view, with the
Tagliamento Valley and the Carnia mountains on one side and the Friulian plains on the other. Tour and lunch at the
castle. Back at the Hotel Friuli in Udine, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2
In the morning we will visit of the ancient hamlet of Spilimbergo, city of mosaics par excellence and seat of the Scuola
Mosaicisti del Friuli (Friuli School of Mosaic Art). This small city received the award of "Gioiello d'Italia" (Jewel of Italy) in
2013, together with another 20 Italian municipalities. It takes its name from the illustrious Spengenberg counts of
Carinzia, who settled here around the 11th century. Noteworthy are also the Cathedral with its 13th century frescoes, the
castle with its Painted Palace, the Upper Palace or Palazzo di Sopra in the Valbruna borough, the Chiesa dei santi
Giuseppe e Pantaleone (Church of St. Joseph and St. Pantaleon) with its precious linear chorus by Marco Cozzi (1477)
and its historical centre with its narrow alleys and porticoes. We will proceed to Valvasone where our visit will take
place among the alleys of this ancient medieval structure, dominated by its castle. Its Cathedral holds a precious 16thcentury organ of Vincenzo De Columbis, belonging to the Venetian school, while interesting examples of devotional
paintings can be found in the Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo ed Antonio Abate (the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and
Anthony the Abbot). Wine tasting will be offered at the Borgo delle Oche winery and we will lunch at Da Bepo’s
restaurant in Bugnins (Camino al Tagliamento). We will then proceed to Sesto al Reghena to visit the beautiful
Abbazia benedettina di Santa Maria in Sylvis (Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis). Founded by the
Langobards, it was named thus because in ancient times it was located in a thick forest or wood, and it represented one
of the most important monastic institutions in Friuli Venezia Giulia, whose act of donation celebrated its 1,200-year
birthday in 2012. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3
Morning departure for località Fossalon. We will enter the regional natural reserve of Valle Cavanata or Riserva
naturale regionale Valle Cavanata. The route will allow us to admire one of the most breath-taking environments of
Friuli Venezia Giulia. The scenic itinerary, from which on a clear day you can see the Histrian coast quite well, has as its
first stop the teaching centre called Casa Spina.
We will later reach an observatory on the banks of the Isonzo River, from where we can admire the last one hundred
metres of the river, its mouth and its rushes, and an area along its banks called Canéo or reed bank. The last stop will
be the fishing village situated in the locality of Punta Sdobba, at the mouth of the river, a quaint village, where time
seems to have stopped. We will then proceed to Grado, a beautiful Friulian beach locality, for a stroll along its historical
centre. The city, also called “Isle of Gold” or “Island of the Sun” because of its golden sand, represents one of the most
fascinating and evocative tourist locations on the Adriatic Sea. Its splendid beaches, azure sea, lagoon, spas, the
picturesque lanes or “calli” of its historical centre and its ancient Early-Christian basilica, make Grado a unique
destination in the Italian overview of tourist locations. Lunch will be served at the restaurant in Hotel Fonzari. In the
afternoon we will visit Aquileia. Founded in 181 B.C., this small city has an archaeological area of exceptional
importance and is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Excavations have brought to light the ruins of a
Roman forum and a Basilica, a sepulchre and mosaic floors. A multitude of findings from the Roman period (statues,
mosaics, coins, glasswork, terracotta pottery, urns, bronzes, a boat, a lapidary etc.) are gathered in the Museo
Archeologico Nazionale. The gorgeous Basilica di S. Maria Assunta, the mother church of the ancient Patriarchy, was
erected on a pre-existing building that dated back to the 4th century, and on which numerous expansions were carried
out in following centuries (most of which were destroyed during the barbaric invasions). What can be admired first and
foremost in this basilica are the famous Early-Christian mosaics (4th century), which constitute a milestone in the history
of Italian art. Interesting are also the Forum and River Port with its background area which was once the home of
Roman warehouses and the Lapidary Museum, both being a testament to the Early Christian epoch. There will be a visit
to the Beltrame Estate in Palmanova where we will taste the local products. End of services.
The order of the visits may be modified in order to guarantee the excellent implementation of the program.
Participation costs range from
€ 295,00
(Minimum 25 participants)
Costs include:
- accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Udine, in a double room with private bathroom, half-pension, drinks included; lunch (drinks included) in the restaurants Costantini di Collalto in Tarcento, trattoria Da Bepo in Bugnins and hotel
Fonzari in Grado, gourmet and wine tasting at the winery Borgo delle Oche in Valvasone, The Beltrame Estate in
Palmanova and the chocolate workshop of Adelia Fant in San Daniele del Friuli; tour guide for half a day on Day 1 and
the whole day on days 2 and 3
Costs do not include:
- coach transport*, tickets and offers made to the churches, sojourn tax at the hotel (not established at the moment),
tips, personal extras and anything not specified in the section: "COSTS INCLUDE".
*Coach quotations on request