Grand Tour of Slovenia & Italy’s Friuli Region

This morning, you'll be introduced to the city in which we'll spend the beginning of our tour, Udine. Like much of Italy's northeast, it isn't wholly Italian. Legend also has it that Hungarian leader Attila the Hun founded a town here and its proximity to the borders of Slovenia as well as its past rulers - Venice and Austria - give the culture here extra flavour.

Today, Udine is known for its Venetian charm with ancient buildings and beautiful piazzas, such as Piazza della Libertà - often called “the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”. Two medieval canals flow through the town centre, sometimes hidden underground, and there are many luxuriant gardens, leafy piazzas and parks to enjoy. There's plenty to explore in this compact city including its hilltop castle, which houses a collection of excellent museums, including an art gallery with works by Caravaggio and Tiepolo.  

During time at leisure, you could stroll the charming Via Mercatovecchio with its tall, narrow buildings and browse its arcades or follow the passage of the small waterways that flow through the city. Art lovers could enjoy an impressive 20th-century collection in the city's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Or perhaps, simply share a glass of wine with your fellow explorers in a local osteria and savour the Friuli tradition of drinks with friends in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

After breakfast, we'll drive through rolling countryside to the region's cosmopolitan capital, Trieste, with the snowy peaks of the Julian Alps never too far off in the distance.

Beautifully situated on the Gulf of Trieste overlooking the Adriatic Sea, we'll arrive in the city and begin a walking tour of the area. Notably, the seafront Piazza Unità d’Italia – Europe’s largest sea-facing square - features smart cafés, with inspiring sea views that were once frequented by literary figures, such as James Joyce and Sigmund Freud. 

During our tour, our local guide will introduce us to Trieste’s highlights and a splendid mix of architectural styles in its largely pedestrianised old town. Up above the hill, overlooking the harbour, stands a medieval fortified castle, which remains remarkably preserved as it has been miraculously spared any significant military activity. 

At the foot of the hill lie the ruins of a striking Roman theatre, astonishingly they were only unearthed in 1938! It once had a magnificent proscenium decorated with ornate statues and archways looking out to the sea which, in Roman times, reached inland as far as the structure itself. Another must-see is the San Giusto cathedral, known for its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, reminiscent of those in Ravenna.  

After our tour, you have free time to wander at your own pace and see for yourself if Trieste lives up to its moniker, ‘the City of Cafés’. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, we recommend  strucolo de pomi - the Triestine take on apple strudel, which is best paired with a cup of coffee, made by the well-known local brand: Illy.

Next, we'll follow the coastal road to Miramare Castle, built in 1860 for the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium. Set dramatically on a rocky promontory above the sea, this fairytale castle is a fine example of an aristocratic residence with remarkably preserved furnishings.

Entrance is included to the castle, so take a closer look at Habsburg life in the eclectic interiors or stroll through its immaculately landscaped park to admire the impressive variety of plants. If the beauty and serenity of the castle haven’t taken your breath away, the views over the gulf are sure to do the trick.

Take this morning to relax or explore the delights of Udine further.

This afternoon, we'll drive through lush countryside to visit the Mosaic School of Friuli in Spilimbergo. Founded in 1922, this renowned training centre attracts students from all over the world. During our guided tour, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of this intricate art form and the various techniques used. We’ll walk the halls of the school’s gallery to admire the talented students’ finished works, creatively expressed in a kaleidoscope of colours, motifs and styles.

There’s free time after to discover the pretty little town of Spilimbergo. As you walk along cobbled streets between the elegant buildings, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The town’s medieval castle comprises magnificent buildings in a fascinating combination of architectural styles – some buildings were set ablaze during upheavals in 1511, but fortunately, much of its wonderfully painted façades were saved. You can also see a 13th-century cathedral with frescoes, paintings and sculptures adorning its interior.

This morning, we'll discover Aquileia, one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire. At its peak, the population exceeded 100,000, but today it’s a sleepy rural town peppered with ancient ruins – the most complete example of an early Roman city in the Mediterranean world. During the Middle Ages, a smaller town took its place, and a magnificent basilica was built. As we near the historic site, keep an eye out for the ancient remains flanking the road. 

We'll take a guided tour of Aquileia’s early medieval Patriarchal Basilica, a World Heritage site recognised for its significance as a Christian hub in central Europe. Interestingly, this Romanesque Gothic building was built on the ruins of a 4th-century church, and the original floor, paved with mosaics, is a sight to behold.

Descending to the subterranean depths of the basilica to unearth its treasures, the excitement builds. Its Crypt of Frescoes boasts a 9th-century vault beautifully painted with 19 biblical scenes, while the Crypt of Excavations houses an astonishing collection of excavated gems from three different periods, including the remains of intricate mosaics, columns and a baptismal font.  

After a fascinating morning, we'll drive to a rustic restaurant for lunch, sampling authentic Friulan fare made with fresh local ingredients.

Later, we'll return to Udine with the rest of the day at leisure either exploring the city or taking advantage of the hotel’s facilities.

After breakfast, we'll leave Udine and head to Cividale, nestled in the green hills bordering Slovenia. The town is split by the picturesque Natisone River, over which spans the town’s bridge – the so-called ‘Devil’s Bridge’ - which locals allegedly asked the devil for help to build! Cividale was founded by Julius Caesar as ‘Forum Iuli’ – from where Friuli gets its name – and grew in significance as the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy. 

To discover its fascinating history, we'll visit the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery to see the Lombard Temple, an outstanding example of art and architecture from the High Middle Ages. The well-preserved walls and ceilings of this hidden gem are intricately adorned with Byzantine frescoes and stucco decorations, and its 8th-century sculptures are some of the finest to survive in Europe.

We continue over the border to Slovenia and drive to Ljubljana for the second part of our tour.

Ljubljana is a capital city that represents Slovenia beautifully, wearing its green credentials with pride. As far from a concrete jungle as a city can possibly get, one of Ljubljana’s key attractions is the river found snaking its way around Castle Hill, a thickly forested mound with a 15th-century castle perched at its top.

This morning, we'll be shown around the highlights of the city by a local guide, including the pedestrianised Old Town that sits between the base of Castle Hill and the river. This lattice of white-walled, red-roofed buildings hides a trio of delightful squares that are home to some of the city’s most important landmarks. There’s the Town Hall in trademark Slovenian Venetian-gothic style - with a copy of the Rome-inspired Robba Fountain in front (the original you can see in the city’s National Museum), the Hercules Fountain, the Church of St Florian with its prominent spire and the famous Sticna Mansion.

Another Roman-baroque building of beauty in the Old Town is St Nicholas’ Church, also known as Ljubljana Cathedral. It’s a cream and white-coloured confection topped with a green dome and easily recognisable twin towers – a peek at the incredible frescoed and gilded interior will leave you open-mouthed in awe.

To reach another of Ljubljana’s must-see areas we’ll cross the famous Triple Bridge - built by prominent city architect, Jože Plecnik. It's a key point for crossing the river from the Old Town, and one which leads directly to the city’s historic Prešeren Square. There you’ll spot the distinctive salmon-coloured Franciscan Church of the Annunciation and the bronze statue monument of Slovenia’s national poet, France Prešeren, which stands in front of the elegant white façade of the Central Pharmacy building.

This afternoon you’ll have free time to explore the city at your leisure.

You’ll feel spoilt for scenery as we arrive in Bled this morning, having passed through the undulating tree-covered countryside, including the Soca Valley, with the odd spired church reminding us of our diminishing distance from Austria.

There are so many superlatives to describe Slovenia’s most famous attraction, Lake Bled – beautiful, stunning, romantic, awe-inspiring, picturesque, charming – and yet you might find yourself rendered speechless at the sight of the glassy lake stretching over a mile in length. Surrounding its shores are the forested hills, where a medieval castle stands atop a craggy cliff.

Of course, the prize for the most perfectly positioned church in all of Slovenia has to go to the Church of the Assumption. Almost at the centre of the lake is a tear-shaped island, crowned by this fairytale church with a terracotta roof. Its spired tower (complete with a ‘wishing bell’ which you can request to ring to ask a special favour) reaches high above the trees that circle the island. As our traditional canopied rowing boat cuts quietly through the still waters, you’ll experience this storybook scene to its full effect.

On reaching the Bled Island, you can climb the 99 steps of the South Staircase - following in the weary footsteps of local new husbands who are led by tradition to carry their brides to the very top! And, if you wish, you can visit the church and see the remains of the 15th-century frescoes and the gold altar inside. Or you can choose to simply stroll the circumference of the island, soaking up a full 360 degrees of jaw-dropping views back across the lake. 

Once back on shore, you’re free to wander the quaint town of Bled itself and stroll the grassy lakeside promenade.

You may also wish to visit the medieval Bled Castle, the oldest in Slovenia. Unapologetically dramatic, this two-level fortress perches precariously on the edge of a sheer 100m drop down a cliffside and into the water of the lake below. It is a unique vantage point from which to survey the splendour of this true treasure of Slovenia.

This morning sees us crossing to the other side of the country, to the tiny stretch of coastline at the Gulf of Trieste. Facing Venice across the Adriatic, seaside Piran mirrors its Italian neighbour with its Venetian-gothic architecture, pristine marble-paved square and winding alleyways lined with a wishy-washy rainbow of shuttered houses. 

You cannot visit Piran without checking out its Venetian art - well, you could but why would you want to?! There's the 19th-century statue of local violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini and a nearby museum, Tartini House where you can learn more about him. In the town’s cathedral there are depictions of St George by Venetian baroque painters - you'll find this white-walled building sitting on a cliff beside the blue waters below. Piran even has its own ‘Venetian House’, an exquisite 15th-century palace overlooked by the cathedral’s replica of St Mark’s bell tower in Venice.

After time enjoying this coastal town’s main landmarks, why not energise yourself with a walk up to the town walls, where you can scale the Gate Tower and walk along part of the parapet? Or simply stroll the harbour and promenade. If you're looking for lunch here, we recommend the seafood - you're unlikely to find these dishes made with fresher ingredients across the whole of land-locked Slovenia. 

We'll technically visit Italy again today. Our short journey includes a quick trip over the Italian border, crossing back to Slovenia just moments later, as we carry on to nearby Lipica this afternoon. Here, we’ll enjoy the privilege of getting close to the rare and prestigious breed of Lipizzaner horses, known as being the horse of royalty.

A delightful presentation by the Classical Riding School of these highly trained horses performing their complex routines is followed by a guided tour of the 400-horse stud farm. During our visit, there'll be ample opportunity to learn about the distinctive white breed – who are branded with a letter L on their left cheek - their history, and the 436-year history of the farm.

Today you have the whole day to explore the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, at your leisure.

Why not start with a gentle stroll along the banks of the Ljubljanica River? Thanks to the restriction of car traffic in the centre, its leafy banks are free for pedestrians and cyclists and, in summer, cafes set up terraced seating along the river - the perfect place to stop for a coffee. 

From there you could peruse the bustling Central Market - even if shopping isn't on the agenda, the Plecnik-designed building with its beautiful columns and arched windows is worth taking a look at. Or perhaps, take the funicular up to the castle for a bird’s eye view of the city. While you're there, you could pop into the virtual castle attraction - for a (virtual) stroll through the castle's history - and the Museum of Puppetry. Or you might choose to relax on a river cruise - be sure to look out for the Dragon Bridge as you go. 

If you're looking for a sweet treat this afternoon, why not try one of the more unusual chocolate flavours on offer? The Fig and prosciutto flavour is sure to be a new experience (and we think it's delicious)!

Alternatively, you could join our optional excursion to Postojna caves, a fascinating subterranean paradise shaped by tiny droplets over millions of years. We'll wander through the caves, spotting stalagmites and stalactites while listening to the murmuring rivers echo off the cavernous halls. You may even spot an olm, or “baby dragon”, considered the largest cave-dwelling animal, they can go without food for over 10 years (rather them than us)!