A Castle in Every Corner

A Region of Hidden Fortresses, Fine Wines and Mountain Vistas

The old Duino Castle overlooking Adriatic coast of Italy - Shutterstock

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Tucked away in the northeast corner of Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the country’s most underrated regions. It borders Austria, Slovenia, and the Adriatic Sea, giving it a rich mix of cultures, languages, and traditions. Unlike Italy’s more famous regions, Friuli isn’t crowded with tourists - but it offers just as much beauty, history, and delicious food and wine.

This region is perfect if you want to explore a quieter side of Italy. You’ll find medieval castles on hilltops, vineyards stretching across the countryside, Alpine peaks, and seaside villages. The city of Trieste has a grand, old-world charm and a mix of Italian and Austro-Hungarian style. Udine and Gorizia are full of elegant squares, old castles, and excellent food. If you love nature, you can hike in the Julian Alps, relax on the beaches near Grado and Lignano, or bike through peaceful wine country.

For history lovers, Friuli has everything from ancient Roman ruins in Aquileia to WWI sites in the mountains. For wine lovers, the region is home to some of Italy’s best white wines, especially from the Collio and Carso areas. And if you enjoy unique local traditions, this region’s blend of Italian, Slavic, and Austrian culture offers a different kind of Italian experience.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is well-connected by train and road. It’s about 6 hours by train from Rome and around 3 hours from Milan. If you're already visiting Venice, it's even closer - just 1 to 2 hours away, depending on where you go. This makes it easy to include Friuli in a longer Italian trip.

In today’s email: 

• A Castle in Every Corner: Whether you want castles without crowds, wine without lines, or mountains without the mayhem, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave:-

  • Miramare Castle – Trieste

  • Duino Castle – Duino, Province of Trieste

  • Gorizia Castle – Gorizia

  • Artegna Castle – Artegna, Province of Udine

  • Spilimbergo Castle – Spilimbergo, Province of Pordenone

  • Ragogna Castle – Ragogna, Province of Udine

  • Villa Manin – Codroipo, Province of Udine

  • Castello di Pinzano – Pinzano al Tagliamento, Province of Pordenone

A Castle in Every Corner:-