At Cividale del Friuli (Ud), an hour’s drive by car (56 km), you can visit the small Lombard Temple which is a magnificent testimony of Early-Middle Age architecture. Access is from piazza San Biagio along a suspended walkway which offers a delightful scenic view on the River Natisone like that from the legendary Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) which stands at a height of 22.5 m and dates from 1440. The treasure of the Cathedral, the nearby Christian Museum and the Santa Maria monastery in Valle, are also worth visiting. For information click on www.tempiettolongobardo.it. Every July, Cividale welcomes the Mittelfest, an important international art event of theatre and music performances from Central Europe. The calendar of performances is available on www.mittelfest.org.

At Aquileia and Grado it is possible to visit the most important archaeological sites of the Friuli region. For information click on www.museoarcheologicoaquileia.beniculturali.it

Trieste, an hour’s drive by car (64 km), is a historical city, a crossroads of cultures, with its magnificent piazza Unità d’Italia, the historical cafes (Caffè San Marco in via Battisti 18, the patrons of which included Italo Svevo, Umberto Saba, James Joyce), characteristic restaurants and San Giusto Castle. From the centre it is possible to take the tramway (inaugurated in 1902) to Villa Opicina (5 km - 329 m difference in altitude), stroll amongst the greenery and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We recommend visiting Miramare Castle just outside Trieste (www.castello-miramare.it) and the sea park. A tempting alternative is a hearty plate of fried fish on the port of Muggia, a picturesque town 11 km from Trieste. For something a little different you can use the public maritime transport system, in 90 minutes a fast motor vessel will take you to Molo Audace which is very close to the old town centre. For information and times check out www.aptgorizia.it or phone for the free phone number 800955957)