Things to do in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Discover the sights of Trieste in comfort aboard an air-conditioned bus equipped with audio guides synchronized with the route to provide information about all the attractions you will see. Climb aboard at the Molo Audace pier, and then sit back and relax as you travel around the historic city center. You can hop on and off the bus at any stop and take the next one if there is a seat. The ticket is valid for 24 hours, the seat is guaranteed only for the course you have booked. Route: • Molo Audace • Mandracchio Shore: Unità d'Italia Square • Nazario Sauro Shore: Salone degli Incanti - Eataly    • Ottaviano Augusto Street: Lighthouse and La Lanterna Baths -  Campo Marzio Station • Campo Marzio Street: Sea Museum • Grumula Shore - Venezia Square   • Teatro Romano Street: Santa Maria Maggiore Church -  Roman Theater • Saint Spiridione Street: Maria Teresia - Orthodox Serbian Temple of Saint Spiridione - Saint Antonio Square - Church of Sant'Antonio Nuovo • Roma Street: Vittorio Veneto Square - Grande Canal - Ponterosso Square • Italia Boulevard: Borsa Square  • Saint Giusto Hill: San Giusto Castle and Church  • Goldoni Square   • Carducci Boulevard  • Oberdan Square: Tram Station • Libertà Square: Train Station • Miramare Boulevard: Old Port • Miramare Boulevard: Barcola - Barcola Pine Forest    • Miramare Boulevard: Barcola Crossroads - Miramare Castle • Miramare Boulevard: Barcola Seafront -Topolini Baths   • Libertà Square- Train Station • Tre Novembre Shore: Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicolò • Molo Audace

Postojna Cave, the queen of all caves, is the best-known cave in the world. It is also the greatest tourist attraction in Slovenia and one of the world’s largest karst (limestone) monuments. This is the only place in the world where the underground landscape can be traversed on an electric train and where you get to meet this underground kingdom’s most famous inhabitant – the proteus (olm) – up close.  A fantastic web of tunnels, passages, galleries, and halls, an astonishing diversity of karst features, as well as easy access are certainly the main reasons for the popularity of the cave and the large number of visitors (more than 36 million of them in over 200 years). The Predjama Castle reigns over the surrounding area, not far from the Postojna Cave, in the idyllic village of Predjama. This picturesque, magnificent, defiant, mysterious, and impregnable castle has been perched up in the middle of a vertical 123-meter high cliff for more than 800 years. Its romantic appeal is further emphasized by the idyllic Lokva River, which disappears into the underground world deep down below the castle. As the only preserved cave castle in Europe, the Predjama Castle offers a unique insight into the building techniques and resourcefulness of people in the Middle Ages, who were looking for and found a safe harbor for themselves right at the entrance of the cave. During a siege that took place in the 15th century, the castle provided a refuge for its best-known and most notorious owner – Erazem of Predjama.  The legend of the courageous robber baron Erazem, who remained undefeated until one of his servants betrayed him, is still in people’s minds, inspiring and alluring as ever. It was this safe abode of his that helped the brave knight resist the besiegers without much difficulty for more than a year. Let your guide take you through these unforgettable sights for an ideal day excursion.

Discover the origins and history of Prosecco's most famous sparkling Italian wine on this full-day tour. Meet your wine expert guide in Piazzale Roma, close to the historical center of Venice, and enjoy the drive towards the region where prosecco is produced in a comfortable van. During your trip, you will pass by the original region of Prosecco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, a complex of small towns and expanses of vineyards. Visit 2 traditional wineries to learn all the secrets of Prosecco production and have 2 wine tasting sessions. First, stop at a family-run winery for a guided tour of the vineyards. Enjoy a tasting session paired with a light lunch with local products like cheese, salami, bread, and seasonal vegetables. After lunch with a view, head to the second winery to meet the winemaker for a guided tour of the production. Learn more about the Charmat method and a second wine-tasting session. At the end of this trip to the magical world of Prosecco land, return to the starting point.

Take a visit to the green capital of Europe in 2016. Enjoy a guided tour with comfortable and new buses in the heart of Europe, with a great historical, cultural, and landscape heritage. Walk with your guide along the streets of the center, gathered around the river Ljubljanica, and admire the elegant buildings in Baroque style and Art Nouveau that characterize the city. Discover the most charming and characteristic corners of Ljubljana, such as the colorful open-air market next to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Town Hall, the Triple Bridge leading to the alleys of the old city. With beautiful Baroque architecture of the Austro-Hungarian style, the city has earned the nickname White City. Take advantage of the many lively cafes in the old town as you enjoy free time for lunch.  In the afternoon visit the enchanted Bled Lake, the Alpine pearl of Slovenia. Nestled in a spectacular natural setting, with a fairy-tale island that rises from the water, Lake Bled attracts tourists from all over the world. Walk on the panoramic path around the lake, visit the Gothic church of S. Maria Assunta, and its, bell of desires, on the island of Bled, in the middle of the lake.

Depart Trieste and journey to the capital of Slovenia to take a guided tour of Ljubljana. Learn more about its cultural, economic and political history as you explore the ancient and modern architecture of the old town center. Discover monuments by the architect Jože Plečnik and hear how he played an important part in Ljubljana’s most famous bridges, town squares and parks. Admire attractions such as the Town Hall, stone lamps of the Triple Bridge and the Cobblers’ Bridge that connects 2 parts of the city's medieval heart. Marvel at Ljubljana Cathedral, the Baroque Robba Fountain and buildings of the central Prešeren Square.  Continue to the Alpine town of Bled and get back to nature on the lake that surrounds Bled Island. See the Gothic church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and go for a walk around the lake. Gaze in awe at Bled Castle, built on a precipice above the lake, and enjoy a delicious vanilla and custard cream cake called kremšnita.

Take in the major attractions of Trieste on a 2-hour guided walking tour. As this is a private tour it can be adapted to your interests. See the Audace Pier, built in the 18th century and Piazza Unità d'Italia, a unique and spacious market by the sea. Admire the neoclassical architecture of the Stock Market. See the Grand Canal, originally the main river canal for the salt pans. In the 19th century, the Ponte Rosso was built and the area became known for its marketplace. At the Market of St. Anthony, the guide will explain the cultural and religious diversity of Trieste. Visit a Roman theater at the foot of the Hill of St. Giusto. See the Baroque Church of St. Mary, built by Jesuits.

Make your trip to Trieste easy with a convenient one-way transfer service from Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE). Avoid lugging your bags around by yourself by getting assistance from your driver. Be meet by your English-speaking driver at the airport’s entrance and skip the stress of trying to communicate with a cab driver in a foreign language. Save yourself the hassle of navigating the public transportation system after a long journey. Experience a safe and comfortable journey in an air-conditioned vehicle that is well-maintained to high safety standards. Be dropped-off directly at your accommodation in the beautiful city of Trieste.

Hidden in a corner of north-eastern Italy overlooking the Gulf of Trieste, find the old villages of Contovello and Prosecco for the chance to learn about the origins of Prosecco wine.  Start with a walking tour with your experienced local host through the narrow streets and hidden passages in the historic village of Contovello, once home to a castle with a tower overlooking the city of Trieste and its gulf. Visit a vineyard, walking down the ancient green terraced vineyards overlooking the sea, a unique feature of this incredible land and an example of heroic agriculture. As you stop for a break to enjoy the views and the crisp fresh air coming from the sea, have the chance to taste boards of farmhouse-sourced regional homemade cheese, cured meats and local delicacies, including a selection of traditional sparkling wines.

Depart Trieste and journey to one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Slovenia. Arrive in Piran and see the bronze statue of the famous composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini on Tartini Square. Visit the house where he lived and admire one of his violins. Marvel at the majestic buildings that surround the square, such as the Municipal Palace and Maritime Museum. Get panoramic views from the Church of Saint George, and stroll along the narrow streets to encounter pretty fishing nets and compact houses. Continue along the coast to visit the seaside towns of Portorož, Izola and Koper. Hear about their main attractions and learn about the local traditions. Take in the scenic views of the natural salt pans of Sečovlje near Portorož, and sample the local food and wine at a typical village. Learn about the fishing history of Izola and more. 

The Lipica Stud Farm is one of the oldest stud farms in the world and it represents the origin of the Lipizzan horse. In a unique natural environment, in the middle of fairy meadows and in the shade of oak and chestnut trees, you will find beautiful white horses which will certainly enchant you. On your trip, you will experience the world of the Lipizzan horse, walk through the stable and visit the Lipikum Museum dedicated to various aspects of the stud and the Lipizzan breed. Škocjan Caves is a cave system in Slovenia which together with the underground stream of the river Reka represents the most important natural phenomenon of the Karst region and one of the largest underground canyons in the world. Due to its exceptional significance, Škocjan Caves was added to UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. Its colorful underground world is adorned with giant stalactites, water rapids and beautiful lakes. View the world’s largest underground canyon and walk across the bridge which is situated 40 meters above the underground river. The panoramic view at the exit of the cave will certainly leave you speechless. To conclude your trip, you will visit the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, an open-air museum which is well known for its ethnological, karstological, geological and archaeological monuments, as well as for its natural and cultural heritage. Walk through the park and enjoy the unspoiled nature.