Secret Italy: Trieste and Udine
Holiday Highlights
- Enjoy a guided tour of Trieste, an elegant Habsburg city with a vibrant café culture and Europe’s largest seafront square
- See the remains of Aquileia, an ancient Roman megacity, and take a guided tour of its UNESCO-listed basilica, renowned for its 4th-century mosaics
- Discover Udine, a hidden Venetian gem with grand architecture and the early works of Tiepolo
- Visit Miramare, Archduke Maximillian’s fairy-tale castle and botanical park by the Adriatic Sea
- Tour the prestigious Mosaic School of Friuli to admire this intricate art
- Sample the Collio region’s fragrant white wines on a visit to a renowned producer
- Visit the Lombard Temple of Cividale, a rare example of an 8th-century church with extraordinary art from the High Middle Ages
- Explore fascinating Gorizia, a handsome city once divided between Italy and Yugoslavia
- Five nights in four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, with breakfast
What's Included
- The price of this Italian escorted tour is per person, based on two people sharing a room and includes:
- Return flights
- Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast
- All local taxes and transfers
- All tours as mentioned
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
- We guarantee there are never any hidden costs or surcharges, inflated prices or artificial discounts.
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Italy and transfer by coach to your four-star hotel in Udine, the historic capital of Friuli.
Day 2
Morning After breakfast we drive through rolling countryside with the snowy peaks of the Julian Alps never too far off in the distance. We arrive in Trieste, the region’s cosmopolitan capital, beautifully situated on the gulf of Trieste overlooking the Adriatic Sea. We will partake in a walking tour of the area, which has a reputation as ‘the city of cafés’. Notably the seafront Piazza Unità d’Italia – Europe’s largest sea-facing square, features the smart cafés, with their inspiring sea views were once frequented by literary figures, such as James Joyce and Sigmund Freud. During our tour, your local guide will introduce you to Trieste’s highlights and splendid mix of architectural styles in its largely pedestrianised old town. Up above the hill overlooking the harbour stands a medieval fortified castle, which remains remarkably preserved as it has been miraculously spared any significant military activity. At the foot of the hill lie the ruins of a striking Roman theatre, astonishingly unearthed only in 1938! It once had a magnificent proscenium decorated with ornate statues and archways looking out to the sea – in Roman times, the sea reached inland as far as the theatre! Another must-see is the San Giusto cathedral, known for its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, reminiscent of those in Ravenna. Afternoon After our tour, you have free time to wander at your own pace and soak up the café culture for yourself – try a strucolo de pomi, the Triestine take on apple strudel, with a cup of Illy coffee, the famous brand that was founded here. Next, we follow the coastal road to Miramare Castle, built in 1860 for the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium. Set dramatically on a rocky promontory above the sea, this fairy-tale castle is a fine example of an aristocratic residence with remarkably preserved furnishings. Entrance is included to the castle, so take a closer look at Habsburg life in the eclectic interiors or stroll through its immaculately landscaped park to admire the impressive variety of plants. If the beauty and serenity of the location haven’t taken your breath away, the stunning views over the gulf will surely do the trick.
4* Hotel Astoria - Udine
About the hotel
This characterful hotel is classically designed whilst maintaining a fresh and modern feel. It’s perfectly situated in the heart of Udine’s historic old town.
There’s a large, welcoming reception area with plenty of comfortable seating. The hotel has a bar and restaurant serving regional, national and international specialties. There are also many eateries close by should you prefer to dine out.
All of the rooms are air-conditioned with an en-suite bathroom and feature complimentary Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, minibar and telephone.
The use of air-conditioning in hotels in Italy is at the hotel’s discretion and is normally restricted to the summer months (mid-May to mid-September), depending on the temperature.
Location
The hotel is right at the doorstep of Udine’s pedestrianised area – it’s a short walk to the Renaissance main piazza, as well as the imposing Gothic cathedral and the intimate Oratorio della Purità, which both feature major works by Tiepolo, arguably the greatest Italian Rococo painter.