Escape to Northeastern Italy

Author: Marss
Date of Trip: November 2002

Friuli/Venezia Giulia, the eastern part of the Veneto, stretches from the Tagliament River on the west to the Isonzo River on the east, and down as far as Trieste. An erea of great caves, Grotta Gigante is one of the largest in Europe.

Highlights:
Eating is one of the highlights of the Friuli — the polenta and procuitto has to be the best in all of Italy. If you love the sport of bike riding in the mountains, this is the place. High mountains alternate with broad green valleys. On the less exposed lower slopes are fruit orchards and the vineyards, which produce the most excellent of wines. If spas are your interest then Abano Terme is for you. This is one of the great thermal centers of Italy, and lies at the edge of the friendly little group of hills known as the Euganei. It has been known for its cures of rheumatic and arthritic complaints. The fame of its curative powers goes back to Roman times.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Please do taste the wine. The monks of Novacella are great wine makers and their wines are ever so popular. You can taste samples, served by the monks, in a cellar whose dim pervading light gives one the impression of having stepped into a painting by Avercamp. It is truly a fascinating place to visit. Best Way to Get Around: Walks and drives into the nearby hills are among the attractions, and a meal in one of the many restaurants or trattorias is a gastronomic experience you would not want to miss.