Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a region in north-eastern Italy. Bordering Austria and Slovenia, the region is one of Italy's most beautiful with dramatic mountain ranges, open plains and stunning coastlines.

Activities

The Ampezzo Dolomites and Prealpi Giulie natural parks are scenic areas for hiking and mountain biking, and of course, the Dolomites also offer good climbing opportunities.

Skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing are popular in the mountains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Ski areas include Forni di Spora, Piancavallo, Taravisio, Sella Nevea-Bovec and Ravascletto. Windsurfing and sailing are excellent in Grado, Lignano Sabbiadoro and other seaside resort towns. Excellent diving spots are found at the Miramare Marina Nature Reserve.

Sights and Attractions

The scenic port of Trieste on the coast of the Adriatic has a beautiful seafront, and the city’s major attractions include the impressive Piazza Unita d’Italia and the Miramare Castle with its lush gardens. Other must-sees include Castel San Giusto, the Cathedral of San Giusto, and the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Spyridon.

On the border with Slovenia is Gorizia, a small city with a medieval castle and a cathedral that dates back to the fourteenth century. Like much of Gorizia, however, the Baroque cathedral was mostly destroyed during the First World War. Another major town is Udine, which has a hilltop castle with panoramic views of the Julian Alps. The plains around the town are known for excellent wine, prosciutto and cheese.

The Trieste Plateau, also known as the Carso or Karst Plateau, has some 1,500 caves with Grotta Gigante, one of the world’s largest caves accessible to tourists, being the most famous. Other natural attractions include the Val Rosandra, a picturesque valley in Dolina.