Undiscovered Italy

Friuli Venezia Giulia - a co-ed adventure in Northeastern Italy

11 September - 20 September 2026

Limited Space

Friuli Venezia Giulia isn’t on the traditional tourist path- and many Italians have never been here, either! A borderland of unspoiled nature and melting pot of cultures in Northeastern Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia enchants with its lively mix of traditions and truly unique gastronomy. From the charm of the seaside port of Trieste, to the Roman ruins of Aquileia, to the rolling vine covered hills of the Colli Orientali, you’ll fall under the spell of Friuli. Beginning and ending in magical Venice, we dive deeply into authentic Friuli Venezia Giulia, visiting places and people throughout our journey whose artistry carries on the creativity of their ancestors. This trip will have you feeling as though you are in a dream- and may not want to wake up!

Our Itinerary

Day 1: Buongiorno, Italia! Arrivals day - Friday, September 11

We will meet at the Venice airport for our drive into Friuli Venezia Giulia. Beginning our adventure with a welcome lunch, we dive headfirst into the local cuisine and wine! This afternoon we explore Gorizia - right on the border with Slovenia. It’s a place where Italian, Slovenian, and Central European cultures blend together. With a rich history tied to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and both World Wars, Gorizia offers a peaceful, multicultural atmosphere and plenty of historical charm. You have the evening free after settling into our hotel for the next 7 nights.

Day 2: Aquileia & Grado, Roman Legacy & the Adriatic Breeze - Saturday, September 12

This morning we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aquileia, one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in northern Italy, founded in the 2nd century BC. Its Basilica contains the largest and oldest floor mosaic in the world, dating back to the 4th century. After a boat tour of the lagoon, we will enjoy a seafood lunch in a traditional trattoria. This afternoon, we visit a winery owned and operated by women. The evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 3: History & Culture by the sea in Trieste and Miramare Castle - Sunday, September 13

Today we venture East for a visit to Miramare Castle and its botanical gardens, followed by lunch on your own in Trieste. Trieste is a city between Italy and Central Europe, between the West and the Balkans. It is a crossroads of cultural influences that can still be seen today in places of religious worship and in neighborhoods. Piazza Unità d’Italia is the largest square in Europe and overlooks the sea. This afternoon, our guided tour takes us through history in Trieste, exploring Piazza Unità d'Italia, the Canal Grande, the most important monuments, and historical coffeehouses in Trieste. The evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 4: Valli del Natisone, Dolegna del Collio & Cividale del Friuli. Food & Wine Immersion in Collio- Monday, September 14

This morning we learn the secret of “Gubana delle Valli del Natisone”, a traditional fruit and nut filled cake related to strudel, in a hands on class. Next, we head to Dolegna del Collio for a vineyard walk with the winemaker, followed by a Friulian wine pairing lunch. Afterwards, we explore Cividale del Friuli to walk off our indulgence! Cividale del Friuli, born under the glories of Ancient Rome, once called Forum Iulii by Julius Caesar himself. It stands on the banks of the Natisone river and its streets contain palaces and monuments from various eras. Cividale is the second UNESCO jewel in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Your evening is yours.

Day 5: Gorizia and San Floriano del Collio - Cooking Class and Wine - Tuesday, September 15

Today we roll up our sleeves to learn how to make our lunch: Gnocchi ripieni - "stuffed gnocchi" in Italian. It is a variation of the classic potato gnocchi where a filling is enclosed inside the potato dumpling before it is cooked. We will enjoy the fruits of our labor together, accompanied by local wines. This afternoon we head out to San Floriano to meet another woman winemaker and taste her wines. The evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 6: San Daniele and Udine. Discovering the heart of Friuli: history, taste and tradition- Wednesday, September 16

This morning we have both savory and sweet, with a tour and tasting of San Daniele prosciutto at a local shop, followed by chocolate! You will have time for lunch on your own in Udine, followed by a brief guided tour so you can explore a bit. Udine blends Venetian elegance with Austrian influences and Friulian culture, offering a relaxed atmosphere, rich history, and great food. The evening is yours.

Day 7: Alpine Culture in Sauris - Thursday, September 17

Sauris, locally known as Zahre, is a charming mountain village located at an altitude of 1,212 meters in the Carnia region, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This village is renowned for its unique cultural identity, the result of geographic isolation that has allowed the preservation of an archaic Germanic language and unique traditions. Visiting Sauris means immersing yourself in an unspoiled natural environment and discovering a community that has managed to preserve its cultural identity over the centuries. 

We start with a tour and tasting at an alpine prosciutto maker, followed by a cheese tasting with the owner of a company that refines, matures and markets the typical “Malga della Carnia” cheese, which has preserved its production procedures unchanged even after many centuries. Lunch will be a unique experience at an Agriturismo, and there will be time to explore the nearby alpine village on foot before setting off for our hotel.

Day 8: Discovering the beauty of Venice - Friday, September 18

Today, we say goodbye to the rolling Collio to say hello to watery Venezia! You’ll have time for lunch on your own upon arrival, and this afternoon we have a fabulous local Venetian guide who will introduce us to her insider Venice. We will pop into a textile shop, and explore some historic landmarks. The evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 9: More Venice - Saturday, September 19

Our Venetian guide will meet us this morning to show us even more of her favorite spots in Venice. Our farewell lunch will be a traditional Venetian meal where we will toast our very full bellies, but more importantly, our very full hearts. This afternoon and evening are yours to stroll, relax, and soak in the beauty of Venice.

Day 10: Arrivederci, Italia! Departure Day - Sunday, September 20

Savor one last breakfast in Venice before you take a vaporetto or hire a private boat to transfer you to the Marco Polo airport. Don’t worry- you are always welcome back to Italy! Ciao!

Arrival/Departure airport: Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

Pre and post nights in Venice can be arranged!

Pricing:

$6575 double (price per person, sharing a room)

$7550 single

Deposit: $500
This tour has a payment plan of your deposit plus 2 payments - 11 March and 11 June, 2026
Extremely limited space - 12 guests only

Minimum 12 guests to run.