General info
FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA: A journey into the past – the Middle Ages in Friuli.
Date: August 18 – 24, 2025
Highlight: This tour is carried out on the occasion of the “Palio di Cividale”. The Middle Ages in Cividale, when all the squares and streets are full of games and shops, jesters and fire-eaters, markets and taverns, musicians and drums, themed exhibitions and settings, parades and knights' challenges.
Note: The itinerary may be subject to changes both before departure and during the trip. We will do our best to reschedule everything in the best possible way without altering the essence of the trip itself. Price may vary in case of high season or holidays.Meals: We will offer local food and typical dishes, in case of special diets or allergies, please let us know.
Hotel: We choose the best option available at the moment, that is, if a 4* is available instead of a 3*sup, we will offer the best option within the agreed budget.
For larger groups or in the event of a lack of availability, an alternative will be proposed in the Collio Friulano area or in Udine.
General Program
Arrival at Trieste Airport and transfer to 3/4* hotel in Trieste, central located.
Depending on the arrival time, afternoon free for a walk in the city center by yourself and explore the majestic Piazza Unità d’Italia and the surroundings.
Dinner in a typical restaurant with fish-based menu
Overnight in a 3* or 4* hotel in the city center.
2nd day: (19 August): Trieste
Breakfast at the hotel.
09.30 Meet with an English-speaking guide/tour leader and visit the city of Trieste (walking tour). All entrances included.
12.30 Lunch free
Afternoon free to enjoy the city, do some shopping or explore the city.
19.30 Dinner in a local restaurant,
Overnight in Trieste
3rd day: (20 August): The Slovenian border and castles
Breakfast at the hotel.09:30 After breakfast, meet at the hotel and transfer to Miramare Castle.
10:00 -11:00 visit to Miramare Castle (entrance included) and the park (without a guide)
11:15 Transfer by bus to a truly special restaurant located on the border between Italy and Slovenia * the restaurant only has outdoor tables, the program may change in case of rain. Light lunch based on Slovenian cuisine (Cevapcici + a side dish + 1 glass of wine)
After lunch, arrival at Spessa Castle and time to enjoy the splendid view among the vineyards.
At 19:30 dinner with tasting at Spessa Castle, “La Tavernetta” with a 4-course menu with 4 paired wines.
Overnight stay at Spessa Castle
4th day (21 August): Aquileia, Grado e Palmanova
Aquileia, Grado and Palmanova After breakfast, transfer by coach to Aquileia.
10.00 12.00 Visit to Aquileia with a guide. The UNESCO site “Archaeological Area of Aquileia and the Patriarchal Basilica” preserves the remains of one of the largest and richest cities of the Roman Empire (all entrances are included).
12.30 After the visit, transfer to Grado and time at your disposal for lunch and a walk in the historic center of Grado.
15.30 Transfer by coach to Udine with a stop in the fortress city of Palmanova. Here you will have some free time to visit the main square on your own.
Arrival in Udine and check-in in a 3* or 4* hotel located in a central position.20.00 Dinner in a typical restaurant in Udine with local cuisine.
Overnight stay in Udine.
Day 5 (August 23): Cividale and the Palio
After breakfast, meet your tour leader and take the train to Cividale (it will take about 15 minutes to walk from the hotel to the train station)
Arrival in Cividale and free time to enjoy one of the most beautiful medieval festivals in Friuli, the Palio di Cividale, which will take you back to the Middle Ages.
The guide will accompany you to Cividale del Friuli, one of the unmissable destinations in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
It holds precious evidence of its Lombard past and is the starting point of the UNESCO itinerary dedicated to the legacy that this mysterious population has left to Italy. (All entrance fees are included)
Free time to enjoy the Palio (lunch not included, there will be many stands around to taste medieval food!)
Train back to Udine
Dinner in a local restaurant in Udine.
Overnight stay in Udine.
Day 6 (August 24): Departure
After breakfast, meet your guide and visit Udine. (all entrance fees included). Walking tour. Free lunch and transfer to the airport or train station to return home or continue your journey.
€ 1.140
€ 1.190
€ 1.250
€ 1.450