A journey in Italy discovering the history of Trieste and Friuli

Join me from 14-20 April, 2024

Trieste is Italy’s most north-easterly city (Austrian for 500 years) and still reminiscent of Vienna – then travel across the Veneto region to Italy’s proudest independent republic for 1000 years – I’m talking about Venice of course. A visit to Aquileia, the most extensive archaeological site in Northern Italy, famed for colourful Roman mosaics and an imposing medieval basilica will link these two extraordinary cities….

Combine the two Trieste and Venice and you have exceptional history, fascinating art and amazing food and wine. The Friuli wines are just fabulous. Join me for Trieste to Venice or even Venice to Trieste – a week of history, art, fun and learning. A week filled with conversation, historical context and new ideas.

Why not start here with an article I wrote earlier this year: A brief history of Trieste  

Message me now to reserve your place.

Day One: 14th April – Aquileia – Trieste

Our journey will start in this morning. From here we’ll proceed east to Trieste. As we travel through the rich, farming  land of the Veneto region we’ll see the extensive lagoon of Venice to our right and to the north the hills and mountains leading up to the Alps. The road we are following was originally known as Via Annia, a Roman road built more than 2000 years ago, linking the Roman cities of Tergeste, Aquileia and Altinum. This was a trade route linking east and west.

It will take us about two hours to get to Trieste. First we’ll stop on the way to visit Aquileia and the superb basilica with its incredible Roman mosaic floor. Aquileia was a very important Roman city, it’s one of the most active Archaeological sites in the whole of Italy. Aquileia – spectacular Roman mosaics . The medieval basilica and campanile dominate the town. Everywhere you look there are excavations taking place with numerous universities, both Italian and from overseas taking part. We’ll have a light lunch here in Aquileia before continuing on our way. On arrival in Trieste we will check-in to our hotel before we meet for evening drinks in nearby Piazza Unita. Later there will be a ‘Welcome Dinner’ featuring home-made pasta, local salads and some spectacular Friulani wines.

• O/N Savoia Excelsior Palace, Trieste – Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel, Trieste
• Meals included: Dinner

_{Aquileia – roman mosaics, the details are quite extraordinary. Dating from 4th century AD}

Day 2 – 15th April – Trieste

After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, we’ll meet up in the lobby for a day exploring this magical and unique city. We’ll start with the extensive waterfront and discover the trading history of the city of Trieste. Trieste was established as a Roman municipality known as Tergeste in 177 BC, it was an important port and trading centre linking Istria and Magna Grecia with the Italian peninsula and Roman Empire. There’s a Roman theatre and the remains of a Roman Arch still visible.

Trieste became important in the late 14^th century when, so the story goes, citizens of the city invited Austria to claim Trieste as Austria’s port on the Mediterranean. This began a long period of trading prosperity for the people of Trieste. The city gained free port status in 1719, by which time it was an emporium for goods coming from all corners of the Mediterranean. The city continued to develop as a prosperous and cosmopolitan port with a strong literary and musical tradition until the 1930s. Lunch today will be at one of Trieste’s famous Literary Cafes.

This afternoon we’ll explore the numerous Viennese style cafes that are still going strong in the centre of Trieste. The city was a major importer of coffee beans and several famous Italian coffee brands are based here, Illy and Hausbrandt. We’ll visit Caffe San Marco, Caffe degli Specchi and Caffe Tommaseo. These cafes help us to understand the culture of Trieste in the 18^th and 19^th centuries and why the city became a mecca for ‘new thinking’. James Joyce and Sigmund Freud both spent long periods of time here in Trieste.

This evening we’ll enjoy a fish supper over-looking the port and Trieste’s imposing waterfront.

• O/N Savoia Excelsior Palace, Trieste
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 – 16th April – Trieste – Revoltella Museum

After breakfast, we’ll stroll to the wonderful Revoltella Museum, former home of Barone Revoltella, a businessman and character who originally haled from Venice. Revoltella made Trieste his home, he was a huge personality and one of the original share-holders in the Suez Canal Company. He filled his home with incredible art which is still on display as it was during his lifetime. There’s an enormous sculpture representing the building of the Suez Canal and numerous paintings by Cesare dell’Acqua – a prolific 19^th century artist in Trieste.

For a charming introduction to the museum check out this short video: Coffee with Barone Revoltella made and probably paid for by the dynamic and inspiring Trieste Tourist Office.

The area around the museum is lively and often hosts a street market which is fun to explore. Around about lunch time we’ll take a boat ride across the Golfo di Trieste to Muggia, a charming seaside town. Muggia is very close to the border with Slovenia and is a great place to wander and explore. There’ll be free time in Muggia and then (depending on the weather) either an early supper in the old town or the ferry back to Trieste for dinner in the city. Either way Gelateria Penguino next to the famous molo (pier) in Trieste awaits us.

• O/N Savoia Excelsior Palace, Trieste
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 – 17^th April – Trieste – Miramare – Duino – Trieste

We’ll travel along the coast today to the Castello of Miramare, a magnificent sparkling white confection, built in the 1860s by Maximilian brother of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef. Maximilian loved the sea and built this fairytale castle for his bride Carlotta. We’ll visit the castle and gardens before continuing to Duino, a medieval castle with an equally fascinating history. Duino has been home to the Counts of Torre and Tasso for more than four centuries. During the Second World War it was a barracks for British and New Zealand troops. You can read more about Miramare here: Miramare Castle and Maximilian

Day 4 – 18th April – Travelling to Cividale (Friuli) and up to Udine

Next we’ll head inland into the heart of Friuli wine country. In the Colli Orientali and Cividale area some of the finest white wines in Italy are produced, we’ll enjoy a visit to an enoteca where the local producers are represented. Lunch and a tasting are included. Cividale is a UNESCO world heritage site. There’s time to enjoy the medieval streets and frescoed houses of this delightful town – not to mention the superb Lombard Chapel. We’ll enjoy several hours this afternoon in this charming historic town. Stay today in the historic small city of Udine.

• Ambassador’s Palace Hotel, Udine
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – 19^th April – Udine – Spilimbergo – Tagliamento

Today we enjoy a day in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Countryside. We’ll visit the small town of Spilimbergo with its world famous mosaic school. The school teaches mosaic artists of the future their craft. The opportunity to visit the school and see the students at work is an exceptional treat.

Then this evening it’s back to Udine for our final night in this gorgeous historic town.

• Ambassador’s Palace Hotel, Udine
• Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

_{Back in Trieste – There’s also the opportunity to visit Magazzino 18 – which is not for the faint-hearted. More on this to come.}

Day 6 – 20^th April – Udine – Palmanova – Venice

Today is our last day. We head west bound first for Palmanova a fascinating geometric military town, built by the Venetians to keep the Austrians at bay in the 1590s. The project was originally supervised by Marcantonio Barbaro, of Villa Barbaro (Maser) fame. Palmanova was a fortress town, walled and fortified to keep the enemy at bay. A curious place for coffee and to admire the vast and eerily empty central square. This is just a short stop on our way to Venice Airport.

Hotel List – accommodation

14-18 April (4 nts): Trieste

• Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel, Trieste
• traditional landmark hotel in Trieste.
• Brilliantly located just off Piazza Unita and right on the waterfront.
• Smart, stylish hotel, excellent location and friendly staff. Very comfortable rooms.

18-20 April (2 nts): Udine

• Ambassador’s Palace Hotel, Udine
• Smart and traditional, 4 -star hotel located a short walk from the main piazza and castle area.
• Rooms are very comfortable.

Trip Notes:

• Guests must take out travel insurance / trip cancellation insurance so that they are covered if they are unable to travel. Towards the end of the trip we will assist guests in getting necessary Covid tests appropriate for their onward journey. This information will be updated regularly.
• Hotels quoted are subject to availability at time of booking.
• Additional nights before/after the tour can be booked in either Trieste or Venice – just ask.
• Trieste and Venice are both cities on the sea, there is a strong tradition of fish eating and fishy diets tend to dominate. It is always possible to find alternatives, meat, vegetarian, vegan options. However many of the finest restaurants do specialise in fish. We will do our best to accommodate varying dietary requirements and intolerances – please let us know.

• Your guide: Janet Simmonds has a Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in History of Art from Manchester. She has worked in Italy for many years.

• You can ask Janet questions about this tour at: janet@grand-tourist.com

Trieste, Aquileia, Udine: 14-20 April, 2024

What’s included – hotels and meals:

• 6 nights accommodation in really good quality hotels
• Trieste (4 nts) / Udine (2 nts)
• All rooms are double for single occupancy.
• Welcome Drinks Party with prosecco and canapes.
• Generous buffet style breakfast daily
• All breakfasts included.
• 2 x Lunches included.
• 2 x Dinners included
• All restaurants are carefully selected and good quality.

What’s included – transport, sight-seeing, guides:

• All transportation during the programme in comfortable minivans.
• Friendly and competent drivers for all transportation services
• Competent and friendly tour manager (guide) to co-ordinate and lead trip.
• All visits listed in itinerary including entrance fees
• Fascinating visits – Trieste, Miramare and Duino
• Boat trip to Muggia, near Trieste for visit
• Wine tasting and tasting platters in Friuli with local wine degustazione

Special activities:

• Visit to Miramare Castle and then to Duino Castle
• Friuli Wine Tasting – with a selection of fine wines and matched sharing platters
• Special visit to Revoltella Museum, Trieste to discover an exceptional art gallery
• Visit to the amazing Magazzino 18 – details to follow (on request)
• Shopping opportunities in Trieste – including locally made artisan items.

Not included:

• Gratuities to drivers and guides (suggested €10-20 per day)
• Snacks or drinks between meals (typically € 5 glass of wine)
• Wines and cocktails in addition to those included with meals

The programme cost:

• Euros € 5200 pp / € 5400 pp / € 5600 pp- depending on room category selected.
• All accommodation is in double rooms
• Trieste rooms with varying amount of sea view – depending on room category.
• There is no single supplement.

• To book:

• If you’d like to book, message or e-mail me and we’ll arrange a time for a chat.
• A deposit will then be required of 50% of total package price to secure your place.
• The balance payment will be due no later than 28 days before travel.
• Participants must take out full travel insurance to protect against trip cancellation

My contact details:

• janet@grand-tourist.com
• +44 (0) 7590 990 160 what’s app/mobile
• www.grand-tourist.com

Further reading – articles written by ‘The Educated Traveller’:

• 12 Reasons to join us in Trieste, Italy next April
• Trieste – Italy
• Trieste – Miramare Castle and Maximilian

Updated: 29th January, 2024 / 10th February, 2024