Cultural Vacation in Friuli, Italy's Hidden Gem
Contact
8181 Arista Place
Broomfield, CO 80021
United States
Highlights
Stunning locations, historical cities & charming villages
With its pristine forests, aqua-colored lakes, national parks, and the majestic peaks of the Friulian Dolomites, Friuli allows you to experience nature in its purest state. Because we average just 4 to 8 guests on each vacation, our footprint is small. We can take our time and appreciate the wonders around us.
- Visit Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO world heritage site founded by Julius Caesar in 50BCE
- Tour the opulent rooms of Miramare Castle where Charlotte of Belgium and Maximilian of Hapsburg spent the happiest years of their lives
- Participate in a mosaic workshop at a world-famous mosaic school in Spilimbergo, a charming medieval hamlet
- Follow in the steps of the Romans in Aquileia including the magnificent Basilica, which contains the largest mosaic floor of the early Christian age in Western Europe
- Visit Trieste, the little Vienna by the sea
- Visit Udine, the historical capital of Friuli with what is considered to be the most beautiful piazza in all of Italy including entrance to
- Visit Venzone one of Italy's most beautiful villages
- Enjoy guided walks with your host on one of the many hiking trails in the Julian Alps, Carnian Alps and Friulian Dolomites
- Learn about the fascintating lesser known side of history of the WWI Italian front
Savor Regional Foods
The food of Friuli is as diverse as the region itself. Friuli also produces some of Italy's finest ingredients, particularly San Daniele ham and Montasio cheese, while the farmers’ markets of Gorizia and Pordenone are legendary.
- Visit a farm to taste the local cheese of the region, Montasio
- Discover why Friuli is called "Heaven for white wine lovers"
- Embark on a sensory journey at a family-run Acetaia for a tour and tasting of balsamic vinegar made from Refosco and Friulian grapes aged in barrels of different precious woods
- Visit a local Gubana producer to learn all about the typical Friulian cake
- Learn all about Grappa followed by a tasting at one of the oldest distilleries in Friuli
- Taste the famous D.O.P. San Daniele ham at a local producer
- Enjoy the Habsburg café culture by sipping coffee in one of the historical cafes in Trieste, a meeting point of writers and intellectuals
Description
Discover Italy's unsung jewel on this fully escorted small group tour (up to 8 people) in Friuli Venezia Giulia with your local host, Audrey
Your first question is undoubtedly "Where on earth is Friuli-Venezia Giulia?" It may be hard to believe, but there are still fantastic places in Italy that are not overrun with tourists. Relatively unknown outside Europe, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a wonderful place with incredible food and wines. The New York Times called it "Italy’s secret garden".
With five languages, four national parks, cultured cities, sandy beaches and Alpine mountains, fascinating history, exceptional walking, gorgeous towns and fabulous food and wines, the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is rich in culture and has all the ingredients for an unforgettable vacation. With its stunning mountains, the Dolomites, plains and seashores, all less than an hour's drive apart, Italian writer Ippolito Nievo fondly described Friuli as a "little compendium of the universe". The only thing missing are the tour buses!
Arrival and departure airport: Venice Marco Polo (VCE) or Trieste Airport (TRS)
Pricing: $4,297USD pp (double occupancy) not including airfare. Single supplement $797
$500 deposit per person is required to secure your space on this tour
2024 is SOLD OUT
2025 dates are:
May 12 to 19, 2025
September 10 to 17, 2025
Other dates are available on request for private groups of a minimum of 4 travelers.
You will love a Cultural Vacation with us if:
- You prefer to hang out with the locals instead of in crowded tourist spots
- You want to see the Italian backroads and hidden villages without the stress of driving a rental
- You love food and are open to discovering regional cuisines, wines, and artisanal products
- You like to venture off the beaten path and are looking to travel deeper and more authentically
- You enjoy exploring new cultures and learning the traditions and customs of another way of life
- You want to skip the logistics and planning and just relax and take in every single Italian moment
Special services
We offer personalised ancestry services that include research into your family tree, sourcing documents and where possible arranging meetings with your relatives. Not only will you be tracing family roots in the land of your Italian forefathers, you will be able to experience first hand one of the most incredible regions of central Italy at the same time.
Planning to spend more time with Audrey before or after the tour? This is an excellent region if you are looking to visit other regions in northern Italy and Slovenia. For pricing on the pre-tour and extension contact Audrey.
What's included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Unwind for 7 nights in charming, hand-picked boutique style accommodations that offer Italian hospitality, comfort and local character (standard rooms, including daily breakfast)*
- Relax in the care of your multilingual host and driver-guide, Audrey
- Welcome dinner
- Private transfers to and from Venice Marco Polo airport
- Private air-conditioned 9-seater van
- Hand-picked experiences and insider access to the Italian way of life
- All entrance fees, local expert guided for guided tours
- Information packet before departure
- Taxes & Fees: Local VAT taxes and government fees, City Tax, gas, highway tolls, city access licenses and permits, parking fees
*Audrey works with family-run boutique and historical hotels. For specific information about accommodations selected for this tour, please contact Audrey.
What's not included
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport fees, visa fees, immunization costs, entry clearing fees (when applicable)
- Optional enhancements like room upgrades
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Personal expenses like phone calls, spending money, laundry and tips
- Lunches, snacks, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Your international and domestic airfare
- Porterage: Please note that you'll need to carry your own luggage up and down stairs at hotels and across cobblestone
Duration
7 days/8 nights
Location
Service type
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