Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a region of northeastern Italy that has many different sides: a land with contrasting landscapes, a small universe characterized by different realities that create wonderful sceneries. The high mountains that surround this region (like the Dolomites, Unesco's world heritage, Alpi Giulie, Alpi Caniche, Prealpi), the Carso plateau, the lakes, the grottos and the valleys cohexist with the typical maritime lanscapes of Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro, that draw thousands of tourists during the summer.

The morphological and cultural diversity of this region is the result of the meeting of different civilizations. A visit to the art city of Aquileia cannot be missed: it was one of the most important centres of the roman empire and today it is a Unesco's world heritage; Gorizia, a cosmopolitan centre with its medieval castle; Trieste, regional county seat with historical coffee bars, neoclassical palaces along the Canal Grande and many other monuments; Udine, dominated by its ancient castle and embellished with Giambattista Tiepolo's works of art; Pordenone, with its ancient castles and characteristic boulevard with long porches.

The mountains of Friuli are the perfect destination for the winter-sports lovers (skiing, snowboarding, climbing, ice skating and trekking). During the winter, many ski localities like Tarvisio, Piancavallo, Sauris and Sella Nevea offer the tourists miles of ski slopes and modern facilities while, during the summer, the sandy shore and crystal-clear water of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Sisitana, Muggia and Grado allow them to spend relaxing and fun holidays with beach volley, waterskiing, windsurfing and sailing. The gastronomic tradition of this region is characterized by delicious dishes and D.O.C. wines produced by farms that offer their visitors a tour in the vineyards and the tasting of typical products (like the San Daniele ham or the Montasio cheese).