FRIULI & THE DOLOMITES

Day 1 | Saturday 5 September
Arrival
Our journey begins in Venice, where we meet at the airport before travelling by coach to Grado, the charming lagoon town that will be our base for the first six nights. Settled on a lagoon formed some 7,000 years ago, Grado has long been a place of refuge and trade, serving as the ancient port of Aquileia. After checking in, we take a gentle orientation walk through its winding lanes and canals, absorbing the maritime character of a settlement once defended from invaders by the surrounding waters. In the early evening, we gather in the hotel bar for a welcome drink, before enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight Grado (D)

Day 2 | Sunday 6 September
Charming Grado
This morning beings with a walking tour that reveals Grado’s layered history, from its Roman origins to its role as a religious centre under the Patriarch of Aquileia. We begin at the Piazza dei Patriarchi to explore two remarkable 6th-century basilicas – the Basilica of Sant’Eufemia, with its richly patterned mosaic pavement and surviving 6th-century pulpit, and the neighbouring Santa Maria delle Grazie, which preserves the foundations of an earlier church visible beneath the current floor. These buildings speak to Grado’s flourishing as a safe haven after the Hunnic sack of Aquileia in 452 CE and its later incorporation into the Venetian Republic. After our morning of exploration, lunch is at leisure and the afternoon free to wander the canals, browse small shops or simply enjoy the waterfront views. Overnight Grado (B)

Day 3 | Monday 7 September
Stately Trieste
A full day in Trieste today introduces us to one of Italy’s most cosmopolitan port cities, shaped by its position on the frontier between Latin, Slavic and Germanic worlds. Known in Roman times as Tergeste, the city flourished as a key Adriatic port and northern gateway to the Empire. In the medieval period, Trieste aligned itself with the Habsburgs to avoid Venetian domination, remaining under Austrian rule for over five centuries. Today, its grand boulevards, coffee houses and orderly architecture give it a distinctly Central European character. We begin with the Roman theatre, nestled against the hillside, and the Arco di Riccardo, a monumental gateway incorporated into later buildings. Climbing San Giusto Hill, we visit the Cathedral of San Giusto, its 12th-century apse mosaic and Roman spolia recalling centuries of devotion layered over the site of the ancient forum. From the adjoining terrace, there are panoramic views over the city and its busy harbour. Lunch is at leisure, perhaps at the James Joyce Café, a nod to the author’s years in Trieste, before time to explore the city’s elegant streets and squares independently. We return to Grado in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. Overnight Grado (B)

Day 4 | Tuesday 8 September
Ancient Aquileia
This morning we cross the short causeway from Grado to Aquileia, once amongst the largest and wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire north of the Po. Founded in 181 BCE at the head of the Adriatic, Aquileia grew into a major trading hub, its wealth built on commerce in amber from the Baltic and goods from across the Empire. It was from here that emperors such as Marcus Aurelius launched military campaigns against northern tribes, and in Late Antiquity it became the seat of a powerful patriarchate. Our exploration begins at the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose intact 4th-century mosaic floor is the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean, depicting biblical scenes alongside intricate geometric and naturalistic designs. We also visit the baptistery and episcopal palace, each preserving remarkable mosaics. From here, we walk to the sumptuous Domus di Tito Macro, a Roman townhouse offering a glimpse of elite domestic life, before continuing to the fluvial port, the best preserved Roman river harbour in Italy. After a group lunch of Friulian specialities, we visit the archaeological museum, whose exceptional collection – now extended to its storerooms – includes sculpture, inscriptions and mosaics that reveal Aquileia’s cosmopolitan character. We return to Grado in the late afternoon. Overnight Grado (B, L)

Day 5 | Wednesday 9 September
Lombard Cividale
A scenic drive through the Friulian countryside brings us to Cividale del Friuli, founded by Julius Caesar as Forum Iulii and later transformed by the Lombards into the capital of their north eastern duchy. This frontier position brought both wealth and vulnerability, and the city’s artistic heritage reflects its diverse rulers. We begin our visit at the National Archaeological Museum, housed in a Renaissance palazzo, where we examine Roman artefacts and the distinctive craftsmanship of the Lombards. At the nearby Diocesan Museum, we then view the 8th-century Altar of Ratchis, its expressive Nativity and Visitation scenes among the masterpieces of Lombard sculpture. After lunch at leisure, our next stop is the Zorzettig Winery in the Colli Orientali hills. Here, we enjoy a tour of the cellars and a tasting of regional wines, accompanied by local cheeses, cured meats and the sweet Verduzzo Passito. Our final stop is the Oratory of the Lombards, a jewel-like chapel with life size stucco saints that seem almost to step from the walls. We return to Grado with dinner together in our hotel this evening. Overnight Grado(B, WT, D)

Day 6 | Thursday 10 September
Concordia Sagittaria & Portogruaro
Today we venture out to Concordia Sagittaria, an ancient settlement strategically located at the junction of two Roman roads and famed for its arrow making – the origin of its name. Incorporated into the Duchy of Cividale in the early medieval period, it later came under Venetian control. On arrival we explore the Cathedral of Saint Stephen, built over the remains of two earlier churches whose mosaics and foundations are still visible, and the adjacent 11th-century baptistery with its delicate frescoes. Continuing to Portogruaro, we find a town whose prosperity was tied to the Lemene River and the Venetian Republic. Its arcaded streets, watermills and elegant palazzi recall its mercantile past. After a lunch of local specialities, we spend the afternoon in the National Archaeological Museum, whose collection spans the Roman and early medieval periods and includes finds from both towns. We return to Grado for our final evening in Friuli. Overnight Grado (B, L)

Day 7 | Friday 11 September
Treviso, Prosecco & Palladian Villas
Departing Grado for Trento this morning, we first travel west to Treviso, a city of canals and frescoed facades that flourished under Venetian rule. Though modest in the Roman period, Treviso grew in importance during the Middle Ages under the Da Camino family, and its prosperity continued after annexation by Venice in 1339. Our walking tour here takes in the intimate Church of Saint Lucy with frescoes by Tommaso da Modena, the Cathedral of Saint Peter with works by Titian and Paris Bordone, and the Dominican Chapter House, where Tommaso’s portraits of learned friars are rendered with startling realism. We then continue into the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO-listed landscape, for lunch and a tasting of the sparkling wine that has brought the region international fame. In the afternoon, our journey continues to Villa Maser, a Palladian masterpiece decorated with vibrant frescoes by Paolo Veronese, reflecting the ideals of the Venetian Renaissance villa as both working estate and place of leisure. We arrive in Trento in the early evening and, after time to settle in to our hotel, gather again for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Trento (B, L, WT, D)

Day 8 | Saturday 12 September
Historic Trento
At the crossroads between Italy and the Alps, Trento has long been a meeting point of cultures. Conquered by Rome in the 1st century BCE and known as Tridentum, it guarded the Brenner and Reschen passes. From the 11th century, it was ruled by prince bishops and became part of the Austrian Empire in the 18th century. The city is most famous as the seat of the 16th-century Council of Trent, which shaped the Catholic Church’s response to the Reformation. Our day begins just a short walk from our hotel at the Castello del Buonconsiglio, residence of the prince bishops and home to the celebrated Cycle of the Months frescoes. From here, we visit the Cathedral of San Vigilio, built over a 4th-century church, with a rose window depicting the Wheel of Fortune. After lunch at leisure, we explore the SASS underground archaeological site, where streets, houses and drains of Roman Tridentum are preserved beneath the modern city. The evening is then free to enjoy Trento’s elegant piazzas and cafés. Overnight Trento (B)

Day 9 | Sunday 13 September
Bronze Age Fiavé & Ledro
Making our way out of Trento this morning, we travel high into the Giudicarie valleys to explore two UNESCO-listed sites that illuminate life in the Alpine Bronze Age. At the Parco Archeo Natura di Fiavé, we see the reconstructed pile dwellings that once stood on wooden stilts over a shallow lake, a practical solution to seasonal flooding. Interpretive displays and walkways help us imagine daily life in this lakeside community three millennia ago. Continuing to Lago di Ledro, we pause for lunch at leisure beside its turquoise waters before visiting the Pile Dwelling Museum. This remarkable site preserves the remains of one of the largest known stilt house settlements in the Alps, along with artefacts including wooden canoes, textiles, pottery and tools, all superbly preserved in the lake’s anaerobic conditions. These finds reveal far reaching trade networks and sophisticated craftsmanship in prehistoric Trentino. We return to Trento in the late afternoon, with the evening free to enjoy its restaurants or simply relax. Overnight Trento (B)

Day 10 | Monday 14 September
A Day in Trento
Today is a chance to enjoy Trento at your own pace. You may choose to delve deeper into its museums, from the Museo Diocesano Tridentino with treasures of sacred art to the MUSE Science Museum designed by Renzo Piano. You can also simply wander the frescoed streets, linger over a coffee in the Piazza Duomo or stroll along the Adige River. Your tour leader will be on hand to suggest activities, whether revisiting a favourite site or discovering hidden corners of the city. In the early evening, we gather for a talk preparing us for the days ahead. Overnight Trento (B)

Day 11 | Tuesday 15 September
Glorious Riva del Garda
Today we journey to the northern tip of Lake Garda, a deep glacial basin edged by dramatic cliffs and silvery olive groves. Known to the Romans as Lacus Benacus, its sheltered shores have long been valued for their mild climate and commanding position on Alpine trade routes. On arrival in Riva del Garda, we take a guided stroll through the medieval centre, passing the imposing Torre Apponale, lively piazzas and the elegant lakeside promenade. Lunch is at leisure, with time to soak in the relaxed atmosphere, before continuing to Canale di Tenno – a perfectly preserved medieval hill village where cobbled lanes, stone archways and frescoed facades have inspired generations of artists. Surrounded by views of the lake and mountains, it feels untouched by time. We return to Trento in the late afternoon. Overnight Trento (B)

Day 12 | Wednesday 16 September
Bolzano & Brixen
This morning we travel north into the South Tyrol, where Italy meets the German-speaking Tyrol. Our first stop is Bolzano, founded by the Romans as Pons Drusi and later a prosperous trading hub linking Augsburg with Venice. Here we visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Ötzi the Iceman – Europe’s best preserved Copper Age mummy – displayed with his clothing, tools and weapons, a discovery that has revolutionised our understanding of prehistoric Alpine life. We also view the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, richly decorated with carved stone and stained glass. Continuing to Brixen, one of the oldest towns in the Tyrol, we explore its impressive Cathedral on arrival, followed by the former Prince-Bishops’ Palace, the Hofburg, renowned for its fine Renaissance and Baroque halls. We then end our day of exploration in the nearby village of Santa Magdalena, where one of the Dolomites’ most iconic panoramas unfolds – the picturesque church set against the soaring, jagged peaks of the Odle range, a scene that has come to symbolise the beauty of South Tyrol. On return to Trento, there is time to freshen up before we enjoy dinner together. Overnight Trento (B, D)

Day 13 | Thursday 17 September
Panoramic Valsugana
East of Trento lies the Valsugana, a fertile valley and ancient trade route linking the Adriatic to central Europe. Our first stop today is Borgo Valsugana, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, where Venetian bridges, Baroque portals and riverside houses reflect centuries of commerce along the Brenta River. On a guided walk, we follow Ausugum Street, lined with shops and elegant Baroque portals, passing the churches of St Anna, St Roch, St Francis, the Pieve, and the Monastery of San Damiano. We also see the Venetian Bridge, which spans the Brenta, and the historic Cesch Palace. After our tour, we enjoy a light lunch showcasing local produce before continuing our exploration at Castel Ivano – a fortress with origins in Lombard times that later became a Benedictine monastery and seat of local power. Its halls and towers speak to the valley’s strategic importance, while its vaulted cellars now host a winery. Here we spend the afternoon tasting wines from the surrounding vineyards, gaining insight into the traditions of Alpine viticulture. We return to Trento in the late afternoon. Overnight Trento (B, L, WT)

Day 14 | Friday 18 September
Castles of the Dolomites
The Dolomites are studded with castles that once guarded key passes and valleys in this contested frontier region. Our day begins at Castel Stenico, a formidable outpost of the prince-bishops of Trento, where an austere exterior gives way to refined frescoes, carved woodwork and decorative detail. We then continue to the hamlets of Rango and Balbido, wandering narrow lanes lined with stone houses, arcaded porticos and vibrant murals depicting scenes of rural life. After lunch at leisure, we make our way to the hilltop ruins of Castel Restor, built in the 13th century by the D’Arco family to command the surrounding territory. From its vantage point, sweeping views stretch across the Comano valley to the distant peaks. We then return to Trento, where, after time to freshen up, we come together for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to Trentino’s distinctive cuisine and fine wines. Overnight Trento (B, D)

Day 15 | Saturday 19 September
Departure
We farewell Trento this morning and travel by coach to Venice Airport for our onward flights, taking with us memories of the Adriatic coast, alpine valleys and the rich cultural tapestry of Friuli and the Dolomites. (B)