Food and wine

A land of food-loving souls, it comes as no surprise that Friuli Venezia Giulia, too, boasts such delicious local dishes that you’ll feel your choices are endless. Here, Mediterranean flavours meet mountain dishes and are further influenced by neighbouring Austrian and Slovenian traditions. The world-famous prosciutto is a delicacy from the town of San Daniele del Friuli. Go beyond the classic Frico a traditional dish made with Montasio cheese, often combined with potatoes or onions and cooked to a crispy perfection. Try the Muset sausage, the giant meatball pitina, ciuncir (cow’s milk ricotta), a Jota stew or Paparot soup. All seasoned with the local Tergeste olive oil. End on a sweet note with Prestnitz, Gubana or strucchi treats. Gubana is a sweet pastry filled with nuts, raisins, and grappa, typically served during festive occasions in the eastern part of the region.

If you want to discover everything about this appetizing corner of Italy, visit the Ein Prosit festival (https://www.einprosit.org/home-it/), taking place twice a year in the region.

An incredible wine destination

Friuli Venezia Giulia is indeed an incredible wine destination, known for its high-quality white wines and diverse terroirs. The region’s location between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea creates the perfect climate for producing elegant and aromatic wines. 

The region’s focus on indigenous grape varieties, like Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio, Picolit and Istrian Malvasia, while reds are best represented by Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Merlot, Pignolo and Terano. With charming wineries, breathtaking landscapes, and a rich culinary tradition, it’s a must-visit for any wine lovers. Nimis and Savorgnano del Torre, Colli del Ramandolo and Premariacco are a few places where the vineyards stretch beyond our gaze. 

Some of its most famous wine areas include:

• Collio – Renowned for its exceptional white wines like Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.
• Colli Orientali del Friuli – Producing rich reds like Refosco and Pignolo, as well as outstanding whites.
• Grave del Friuli – Known for more accessible, yet high-quality wines with a variety of grapes.

Come and see how the richness and diversity of the regional terroir embody the authenticity of a fabulous region.

Raise a glass to Friuli Venezia Giulia, a wine lover's paradise!

A land of castles

Italy seems to be blessed with spellbinding, extraordinary, emblematic castles that dominate the landscape, standing alone to represent ancient powers. Friuli-Venezia-Giulia is no exception and you will find several pretty examples, such as the Ceconi Castle in Pielungo, north-west of Udine, an imposing neo-Gothic manor set within the mountains and a lovely forest, a symbol of enterprise across the centuries.    

Spilimbergo hosts an incredibly attractive castle, decorated with sensational Gothic and Renaissance frescoes, triple-lancet windows, while a 15th c. building near the castle hosts decorations by Giovanni da Udine. The evocative Castle of Artegna is perched on a hill and exemplifies the ideal defensive post; dating back to the 13th c., its shape changed over the centuries, until an earthquake destroyed most of it in 1976. A subsequent work of restoration brought it back to its former glory, watching over the surrounding landscape in an ethereal manner. 

Admire the beauty of the sea from the Rilke trail, a 2-km coastal path that starts from dreamy Duino Castle, loved by Rainer Maria Rilke and Paul Valery, and reaches the Bay of Sistiana; sitting right on the seafront, the castle is privately owned, but visits will show a collection of artworks and terraces that open onto the sea. Noble, romantic 19th c.  Miramare Castle, built between 1856 and 1860, can be seen from a distance: strikingly white, it dominates the gulf of Trieste with its ethereal beauty; the intricate interiors, and the expansive park surrounding it make it a must-visit.