Friuli region is an historical melting pot of people, languages and traditions ( Roman, Venetian Republic, Mitteleuropean, Mediterranean and Slavic ) and you can find fascinating footprints of all those cultures in the main cities, in the villages as well as in the culinary traditions , in the range of flavors and aromas which enrich all the dishes.
Friuli is also home of a unique range of world famous wines such as Vinnaioli, Capo Martino, Miani Bianco, Livio Felluga Terre Alte, Schiopetto Blanc de Roses, Ronco del Gnemiz, Villa Collio Ros Sauvignon and more… A small group of flagship small wine makers coined the name “Super Whites” for their top wines with reference to the ultra high quality “ Super Tuscans” wines.
Trieste, an awesome Mitteleuropean town, overlooking the Adriatic sea. The Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, the symbol of Trieste, is a huge rectangular piazza, the largest square in Europe looking onto the sea, opens on one side onto the Gulf of Trieste and is surrounded by magnificent houses and public buildings. The historic Cafès such as Cafè degli Specchi still represent the city’s history as one of Europe’s intellectual centers.
The breathtaking Castle of Miramare, built in the mid 19th century by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg (later to become Emperor of Mexico), a few kilometres from the centre of Trieste, rising steeply above the sea, was built by Maximilian of Hapsburg, Archduke of Austria and Emperor of Mexico, as a home to share with his wife Charlotte of Belgium. It is surrounded by a large park of about 22 hectares, containing a huge variety of trees, many of which chosen by the Archduke himself during his travels around the world as Admiral of the Austrian Navy. All the rooms, nearly all with a sea view, are in perfect condition and fully furnished. The furnishings are original, including ornaments, furniture and items from the mid 19th century. The famous Austrian-Hungarian Empress Elisabeth of Baviera, wife of Emperor Francis Joseph and better known as “Sissi”, was a guest here several times.
Udine and Gorizia, elegant towns, true hidden treasures of art that will stupefy you with the several elegant Palaces and Churches from Venetian Republic centuries.
Friuli region is also home of the superb food, with Mitteleuropean influences, and of the legendary San Daniele Ham. The preparation of this unique ham requires a long process with many delicate stages according to ancient tradition, but the real secret is the local climate consisting of the encounter of the cool Alpine currents and the damp Adriatic ones.