The Wedding of Daisy & Alberto
Things To Do
Udine
Udine is the main city of the Friuli Region, and with 100k inhabitants offers the majority of 'urban' activities. It's also the transportation hub of the area, we suggest you stay in Udine for easy access to the mountains, sea, and the wedding location. You should visit the Castle and its museum, walk around St Giacomo square and get lost downtown. Explore the Friulian cuisine as well as other Italian staples. Our picks: For lunch/dinner - Il Marinaio (Friulian osteria), Alla Vedova (Fancy Friulian restaurant), Assaje (Neapolitan Pizza), Alla Ghiacciaia (Friulian restaurant), La Nicchia (Sardinian restaurant), Osteria al Toscano (Tuscan cuisine). For drinks -Teresina (Friulian Tavern), Taverna dell’Angelo (vintage cocktail bar), De Room (hip cocktail bar), La casa della contadinanza (drinks with view), Caffè Contarena (historic art nouveau bar). Breakfast/dessert - Oggi (best gelato in town), Al Timballo (2nd best gelato), Da Beltrame (cozy cafè), Grosmi (breakfast in the square).
Cividale del Friuli
One of our favorite places! Officially founded by the Romans, and named Forum Iuli (Julius marketplace), it ends up giving the name to the whole region: Forum Iuli -> Friuli. There you can find delicious local food (home of the renowned Gubana) while walking on the cobblestone streets of the old center. Look at the incredible colors of the Natisone river from the Devil’s Bridge (the legend goes that in order to successfully build the bridge, the inhabitants asked the devil for help in exchange for the soul of the first being that crossed it. Cunningly, the village people sent a dog through the bridge, tricking Lucifer). While you are there go check the catacombs of the Longobards, it is free of charge, and if it is closed, you need to go ask for the key at the neighboring bar.
Laghi di Fusine
Visit the beautiful place where Alberto bent the knee! Great hikes all over the place. Austria and Slovenia are right around the corner.
Torrente Palar
This is one of our favorite places to spend a summer day. Bring your water shoes, a snack, and don't expect a perfectly flat area to lay out a towel. If you keep walking up the river, you'll find a 30-foot jump where Alberto once broke his boardshorts on impact. Daisy approved.
San Daniele del Friuli
Perched on the top of a hill, this charming medieval town is one of the two capitals of Prosciutto Crudo. There are several eateries and prosciuttifici in the area, where you can enjoy some of the best meat in the world, accompanied by a local wine.
Venzone
Venzone & Gemona – Venzone is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the region, and it has won several awards for its cultural heritage. After a stroll within the walls, you can drive down to the town of Gemona; check out its Cathedral and Castle and enjoy the view on the valley.
Cormons
Il Collio – this hilly area going from Cividale to Gorizia, passing through Manzano, Corno, Cormons, etc., hosts world-renown vines, that produce amazing wines like Ribolla Gialla, Ramandolo, Friulano, etc. Friuli is famous for its whites, and you can try them at one of the many wine-tasting locations.
Gorizia
City on the border, during the cold war, featured an imposing wall that divided it from its Slovenian sister town of Nova Gorica (not unlike the Berlin wall). It has a cool castle and a lively downtown scene. The cuisine is a mix of northern Italian and Slavic traditions, try Gulash, cevapcici, Lubianska, etc. in one of the many restaurants.
Lignano Pineta
Seaside destination 45 minutes from Udine. It has a lively nightlife, from restaurants to late-night snacks, from beach bars to nightclubs. The water is warm and the sand piping hot, make sure to bring your white speedo to blend-in during the day and unbutton your shirt for the aperitivo.
Other Good Destinations
Here is a list of other destinations while you are in Friuli. You can enter them in Google Maps, which is quite reliable here. - Aquileia - Strassoldo Castle - Palmanova - Tarcento - Gorizia - Trieste - Gemona - Villa Manin (Passariano)
Grado
It was one of the most powerful ports in the Adriatic for a historic minute, now offers a beautiful Roman old town, a spa, good seafood, and a beach populated by German-speaking tourists. Alberto's parents love this place.
Venice
No need for introductions here. It's 1-2 hours away from Udine (directly via train or by car). If it is not under water by then, you should definitely go check it out.
Istrian Peninsula
A couple of hours away by car, the Istrian Peninsula is a great place to visit. Beautiful water, Italian style towns (yes, it used to be Venetian and Italian territory), and great food. Think Pula, Rovinj, Opatja, Porec, Medulin, Rabac, Umag, etc. Make sure to bring your passport and exchange some $ for Croatian Kunas, as this country is still transitioning into the EU. Daisy approved.
Cascate di Crosis
Beautiful waterfalls that can be reached by foot from Tarcento, or by car by parking along the road. It has several small pebble beaches and clear (cold) water pools.
Food and Drink Recommendations
Some of our favorite restaurants/ice cream parlors/bars: Trattoria al Marinaio (Udine), Bar Pasticceria da Beltrame (Udine), Gelateria al Timballo (Udine), Gelateria Oggi (Udine), Ristorante al Monastero (Cividale del Friuli), Gasthaus Heinz (Tricesimo), Trattoria alla Vedova (Udine), Pizzeria Assaje (Udine), Pizzeria Manin (Udine), Taverna dell'Angelo (Udine), Bar Da Teresina (Udine), Casa della Contadinanza (Udine), Love Street Food (Udine), Ristorante La Nicchia (Udine), All' Antica Maddalena (Udine), Osteria Toscano (Udine), Trattoria alla Borsa (Grado), Rosticceria al Buon Arrivo (Riesutta).