Friuli Centre-Based Tour

Langobards, Franks and Patricharchs of Aquileia

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Itinerary

Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Starting point for this bicycle holiday is Prepotto (Prapotno in Slovenian). It is a picturesque village in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli Venezia Giulia, located about 50 km northwest of Trieste and about 20 km east of Udine, on the border with Slovenia. For winegrowers and wine lovers this well-known village is an El Dorado, a place with beautiful vineyards where you can taste some of the world´s finest wines.

Continuing your trip you will arrive to the multilingual border area of Italy and Slovenia, in Gorizia (Görz in German, Gorica in Slovenian). In World War I, the city and the surrounding area were the scene of the 12 battles of Isonzo. Due to Slovenia’s membership in the European Union and the Schengen agreement, it is possible to cross the border.

Route

Tour profile / Level 2

The track runs on bicycle paths and along side roads with less traffic from the vineyards of the Collio to the Adriatic Coast.

Day 1: Cividale del Friuli/surroundings

Individual arrival.

Day 2: Roundtrip Cividale del Friuli – Udine, approx. 30-60 km

On the first day you have the option of choosing between a shorter and a slightly longer round trip tour. The shorter tour takes you to Prepotto (Prapotno in Slovenian), a small picturesque town with winding alleys and old houses in the province of Udine. The longer route takes you to the university town of Udine. Here, too, the cathedral and the Loggia del Lionello on the ground floor of the town hall invite you to visit.

Day 3: Roundtrip to Slovenia and the Brda, approx. 45-65 km

This tour takes you across the border to Slovenia and to the Brda, meeting point of three cultures (Slavonian, Roman and German). The Brda is well known mainly for their winegrowing but also for their castles and white churches which are situated mostly on hills.

Day 4: Roundtrip to the castles of the Collio, approx. 40-45 km

The Gorizia Hills (Collio in Italian) became well known due to their good wine, but the region offers a lot for history lovers too. Today you cycle to the castles of the Collio, among which you can discover the castle Rocca Bernarda. This castle was a fief of the patriarchy of Aquileia and had been given as a present to the city of Cividale. This city left it to the Roman family Capiferro in the 15th century. Afterwards it was sold several times to different owners and finally to the family Perusini. The beautiful castle in the style of the 16th century is situated in the midst of extensive parks, on a hill, surrounded by vineyards. Thanks to the dedication and the competence of Gaetano Perusini the cultivation of the "Picolit" grapes started, which have gained worldwide fame over the years.

Day 5: Cividale del Friuli – Cormons – Gradisca d´Isonzo, approx. 35-45 km

Today you leave Cividale del Friuli and cycle to Cormons, the cultural and economic centre of the Gorizia Hills (Collio). The main square of Cormons invites you to take a break and enjoy a glass of wine. Continue to Gradisca d´Isonzo.

Day 6: Roundtrip to Aquileia, approx. 45-75 km

This bicycle tour takes you to the formerly biggest city of the Roman Empire. Today the remnants of this settlement are still to be seen. Discover the secrets of the Roman city of Aquileia, ancient churches and ruins. Aquileia Cathedral is worth a visit - it has a mosaic pavement dating back to the 4th century.

Day 7: Gradisca – Trieste, approx. 40 km + train

On the last day of your cycle holiday Trieste, the former Habsburg city, is waiting for you. On the first kilometers of the tour the Karst Plateau accompanies you along the Adriatic Sea as you follow a breathtaking coastal highway. Before you enter the old seaport and commercial town of Trieste, the Castle of Miramare invites you for a visit. Return to Gradisca by train (incl.).

Day 8: Gradisca

Individual departure or extension of your stay.

Services

  • 7 nights with shower/toilet

  • Halfboard (daily breakfast and 3 course dinner)

  • Luggage transfer from Cividale to Gradisca (day 5)

  • Transfer Trieste – Sagrado by train (bikes included)

  • Video briefing

  • Maps and information material per room

  • Cycling app (we recommend bringing a power bank and phone holder to ensure a smooth ride)

  • Service hotline

Dates & Prices

Arrival every Tuesday and Sunday

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S1   08.04. - 08.04.25
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    S2   09.04. - 14.06.25
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    S3   15.06. - 08.09.25
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    S2   09.09. - 06.10.25
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    S1   07.10. - 07.10.25
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    Extras

    Discount additional bed in double room with 2 full paying adults
    12-14,99 years -25%
    from 15 years -10%
       
    Bicycle & equipment
    7-/21-speed-bike 99
    TOP bike 169
    E-bike 269
    Helmet 25
    Rental bike insurance 21-speed 24
    Rental bike insurance TOP or E-bike 49
       
    Extra nights
    Gradisca 4* (dbl/sgl) 79/108
    Cividale del Friuli 3* (dbl/sgl) 79/108
       
    Transfer 
    Gradisca - Cividale del Friuli, per person 20
    Transport of own bike 19

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    Cividale
    Agriturismo Tinello di San Urbano

    The picturesque, recently renovated manor house in Cividale is located amidst the hills of the vineyards of the "Colli Orientali del Friuli". The 10 comfortable, quiet rooms are all equipped with bathroom and private entrance, some with balcony. Relax in the solarium or enjoy the peace and quiet in the natural surroundings or by the pool.

    Gradisca
    Hotel Franz

    Hotel Franz is in the center of Gradisca d’Isonzo. It serves a varied breakfast buffet, and provides free parking and a traditional restaurant. Wi-Fi is free. All rooms at Franz Hotel have modern décor, design furnishings, and hardwood floors. Each features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air conditioning and a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries.

    Near Hotel Franz, you will find attractions including promenades, shops, restaurants, wine bars, public gardens and a 14th-century Venetian fortress. Trieste-Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport is 8.9 km away. Located among the most important wineries of the region, the Hotel Franz provides guests with the opportunity to discover the superior, certified wines of Collio, Isonzo and Carso.

    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Bicycle incl. panniers (reservation in advance and for charge)

    The following bicycles are available

    • 21-speed bike men or ladies frame
    • Rental bike TOP (aluminium frame, 21 speed)
    • E-bikes (unisex frame) - limited availability

    E-bikes

    With an E-bike every bike tour is a breeze! If you had few opportunities to cycle over the last weeks or if you are not sure concerning your fitness, but also with physical disabilities, every bike ride is a treat! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern electro bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times ... So you can now book a bike tour together with cyclists who have different fitness level. Acclivity can be handled easily.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Trieste (TRS), Venice (VCE), Ljubljana (LJU)
    You can reach Udine easily by bus or train. Train: duration approx 45 min; cost approx. € 20,- Bus: duration approx 20 min.; cost approx. € 4,-

    Arrival by car

    From the North via motorway A10 to Villach and further on A23 to Udine (Udine Nord exit); on provincial road 54 to Cividale del Friuli.
    from the West via A4 – via Milano and Venezia – and further on A23 to Udine (Udine Sud exit); via San Giovanni al Natisone to Cividale del Friuli.

    Parking: Parking facilities at your arrival hotel.

    Arrival by train

    Train station: Udine
    Good train connection to Udine. Public bus available from Udine to Cividale del Friuli.

    Transfer

    form Gradisca to Cividale del Friuli every Tuesday and Sunday, 1-8 persons, Reservation necessary - payable locally - see price under "Dates and Prices"

    Additional information

    Tourist taxes have to be paid on site.

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,2 of 6 Stars | 1
    The routes were very good and appropriate. I enjoyed the towns where we stayed and most of the hotels... C.B. 10/23
    5,3 23.10.2023 | Chris B. Apulia

    Heel of the Boot of Italy

    The routes were very good and appropriate. I enjoyed the towns where we stayed and most of the hotels. You might change some of the restaurant suggestions for the time of year since many of the restaurants were closed. Overall the rides were safe and ...
    fae_foto_83_2023_10_23_14_39_38_1529345482.jpg
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 4
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 3
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
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    Michael Benjamin Gruber

    Happy to advise you:

     Michael Benjamin Gruber

    Any questions left?

    +43 1 4053873 - 13
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