Friuli – based in Cividale and Gradisca d’Isonzo
On the route of the Langobards, Franks, Partriarches of Aquileia and the Counts of Gorizia
The starting point of this cycle tour is the medieval town of the Langobards, Cividale del Friuli/surrounding area. Cividale holds some Langobard treasures such as the famous Tempietto or the Ponte del Diavolo over the river Natisone. Carrying on your trip you will arrive at Gradisca d’Isonzo (Gradišče ob Soči in Slovenian). This little town in the east of Friuli nearby the border area of Slovenia has been the front between Austria and Italy in the First World War, well known for the 12 battles of the Isonzo.
The route runs on bicycle paths and alongside roads without traffic from the vineyards of the Collio to the Adriatic Coast.
TRAVEL ITINERARY
8 days / 7 nights
Day 1: Arrival
Individual arrival at the hotel in Cividale del Friuli/surroundings.
Day 2: Round trip Cividale del Friuli/surroundings – Udine
(approx. 30 km or 60 km for the longer option)
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: Round trip to Slovenia and Brda
(approx. 45 or 65 km)
This day takes you across the border to Slovenia and to the Brda, meeting point of three cultures (Slavic, Romanic and Germanic). The Brda is well known mainly because of the winegrowing but also for its castles and white churches which are situated mostly on hills.
Day 4: Round trip to the castles of the Collio
(approx. 40 or 45 km)
The Gorizian hills (Collio in Italian) are well known due to their good wines, but it 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. The 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 renown over the years.
Day 5: Cividale del Friuli – Cormons – Gradisca d’Isonzo
(approx. 35 or 45 km – option via Görz)
Today you leave Cividale 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: Round trip to Aquileia
(approx. 45 or 75 km for the longer option)
This bicycle journey 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, the so-called “Second Rome”; Roman ruined cities, ancient churches. It is worth visiting the Aquileia Cathedral, which interior has a mosaic pavement from the 4th century.
Day 7: Gradisca d’Isonzo – Trieste
(approx. 40 km)
On the last day of the cycle holiday Trieste, the former Habsburg city, is waiting for you. On the first part of the route, following a breathtaking coastal route, the Karst Plateau accompanies you along the Adriatic Sea. Before you enter the old seaport and commercial town of Trieste, the Castle of Miramare invites you to a visit. Return by train.
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure from Gradisca d'Isonzo or extension of your stay.
Prices and dates
| Standard | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Cividale del Friuli | 49 € | |
| Single room supplement per night | Cividale del Friuli | 15 € | |
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Gradisca d’Isonzo | 59 € | |
| Single room supplement per night | Gradisca d’Isonzo | 15 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| rental bike 21-gear (men) | 89 € | |
| rental bicycle TOP (men) | 129 € | |
| rental bike 21-gear (women) | 89 € | |
| rental electric bike | 189 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
Prices:
General information
Discover all the services we offer and book one of our tours now.
By car: from the north via the motorway A10 to Villach and further on the A23 to Udine (exit Udine Nord); on the provincial road 54 to Cividale del Friuli; From the west via the A4 – via Milano and Venezia – and further on the A23 to Udine (exit Udine Sud); via San Giovanni al Natisone to Cividale.
By train: good possibilities for arrival to Cormons by train. From there you continue by bus. Timetable available on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com.
By plane: Airport Trieste, Mestre, Ljubljana. From all of the three places there are good bus/train connections to Udine/Cormons.
Agriturismo or hotel 3*** in Cividale/surroundings and hotel 4****category in Gradisca (with swimming pool).
Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot.
Parking facilities at your start hotel.
Return transfer by shuttle bus every Tuesday and Sunday from Gradisca to Cividale at a price of € 60.00 per minivan (from 1-8 persons, bicycle included – reservation at booking and payment on the spot).
• 21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
• Top bikes
• E-bike (unisex bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)
• Accommodation in “agriturismo” or 3***Hotel in Cividale/surroundings and in hotel 4****category in Gradisca d`Isonzo (with swimming pool)
• Breakfast buffet or full breakfast
• Dinner (at least three course menu)
• Luggage transfer from Cividale to Gradisca d`Isonzo
• Transfer from Trieste to Sagrado by train (bicycles included)
• Well planned routes
• Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
• Telephone service hotline for the whole tour
• Navigation app, GPS data
• Arrival to the starting point of the tour
• Departure at the end of the tour
• Drinks, tourist tax and all extras
• Lunch
• Not mentioned entries
• Rental bikes and travel insurance
• All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“
FAQ
Questions and answers
If you don't want to pack your bags every day and move to a different hotel, then this tour are just right for you. The starting point of the different tours is always the same hotel to which you return in the evening. So you sleep in the same bed every night and take individual day tours in the beautiful surroundings.
No, the order of the day trips can vary. You will find out the exact order upon arrival.
