Friuli-Venezia Giulia - From the Alps to the Adriatic Sea

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a region in the north-east of Italy and with an area of 7.856 km², it is one of the country's smallest regions. Both Austria, Slovenia, Veneto and the Adriatic Sea border on the Friulian territory, which consists of rocky coasts (Adriatic coast), a scenic hilly landscape (the Gorizia Hills) and dignified mountain peaks (Friulian Dolomites, Carnic Alps, Julian Alps). The region's highest mountain is Mount Coglians in the Carnic Alps with a height of 2,780 metres. Due to the geographic differences, the climate often varies. It is usually about 10 °C colder in the mountainous regions than at the coast and the stuffiness of the plane areas hardly occurs at higher altitudes.

The varied landscape of Friuli-Venezia Giulia impresses with majestic rock formations, a scenic hilly landscape (the Gorizia Hills) and the rugged Adriatic coast. The latter is characterised by the mixture of small bays, rocky cliffs, magical lagoons, long sandy beaches and seaport towns. One destination which is particularly popular with beach holidaymakers and bird-watchers are the lagoons of Grado and Marano because they contain bird nesting places and wonderful sandbanks. The impressive peaks of the Carnic and Julian Alps as well as the eastern Dolomites in the north of the region are located between lakes, valleys and several nature reserves. One of them is the Friulian Dolomites National Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage and the greatest park in the region. Its unspoiled nature is home to golden eagles, ibexes, chamois, deer and marmots and it is covered in an abundance of flowers, especially in spring and summer.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia was created by uniting the regions of Friuli and Venezia Giulia. While Venezia Giulia is influenced by the neighbouring region of Veneto, Friuli is characterised by the Friulian language, which is recognised in the region's administrative bodies and schools. In addition, the Slovenian and German language are accepted and supported minority languages and are supported. The region's culture was greatly influenced by the peoples who settled in the region in the course of history. In Friuli-Venezia Giulia's towns and cultural buildings, you find traces of the Celts, Romans, Langobards and Habsburgs. Many buildings in the capital of Trieste, which is said to have the highest quality of living in Italy, are reminiscent of the times of the Habsburgs and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. A particularly special building and magnet for visitors from that period is Miramare Castle about five kilometres outside of town. It was built in the times of emperor Franz Joseph I and reflects the glamour and power of the Habsburg monarchy. The World Cultural Heritage city Aquileia, on the other hand, bears testimony to the glorious times of the rule of the Romans and Langobards. Visitors can marvel at parts of the forum, remains of the river port and the Romanesque Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta at the city's excavation site. Other worthwhile destination are Udine, Gorizia, Grado, Cividale del Friuli and Spilimbergo.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia has a long tradition of wine-growing and the variety and quality of the local vines is apparent from the certified designation of origin of many local wines (for example the white wines Picolit and Ramandolo). These are part of many meals in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and complement the national and international cuisine. Due to the long shared history with Austria, you often find Wiener Schnitzel (escalope), Palatschinke (pancakes) and apple strudel on the menus. The region's cuisine is generally very hearty. Meat dishes like goulash, tongue, fried sausage or salami are common dishes on the Friulia-Venzia Giulian lunch table, which are often served with the popular polenta as a side. A well-known product among connoisseurs is the ham from San Daniele, which is celebrated during the Aria di Festa every year.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is especially popular with holidaymakers because of its excellent winter sports areas. Skiers, snowboarders, ice skaters and snow hikers find everything they could wish for here. Winter sports resorts like Tarvis, Piancavallo, Sauris or Sella Neva offer numerous long pistes against the backdrop of wonderful mountains. In addition, travellers can go tobogganing or go on horse-sleigh and dog-sleigh rides in the region's wintry snowy landscape. But Friuli-Venezia Giulia also offers a wide range of leisure activities in summer. The Adriatic coast, e.g. the lagoon of Grado or Lignano, with its long sandy beaches and its sparkling seawater is the perfect place for visitors to go bathing, surfing, sailing, boating, diving or just unwind and relax. Holidaymakers can also relax in the region's many thermal baths, for example in Grado and Lignano. The formations of the Carnic and Julian Alps as well as the Dolomites are a paradise for hikers, mountaineers, cyclists and riders.

Due to the well-developed motorway network, the region can easily be reached by car (from Europe). Visitors who want to take a plane can fly to the international airport in Ronchi dei Legionari.