A bright 10 day summer family vacation in northeastern Italy, combining Udine as a relaxed home base with hands-on cooking, storybook day trips, and a coastal finale in Trieste. Explore Cividale del Friuli, taste prosciutto in San Daniele, discover Aquileia and Palmanova, and enjoy a lagoon and fishery experience in Grado, all while staying in charming, centrally located hotels.
Friuli Venezia Giulia Summer Family Vacation: Udine Homebase, Lagoon Days and Trieste by the Sea (10 Days)
10 Days/9 Nights
Starting from
$7946
per person*
Friuli Venezia Giulia Summer Family Vacation: Udine Homebase, Lagoon Days and Trieste by the Sea (10 Days)
Unforgettable Italian Journeys, Designed for You
Curated by passionate Italy experts, this sample itinerary is just the beginning of your Italian adventure. Every journey we design is unique, crafted around your interests, pace, and dreams so you can experience Italy’s beauty and culture like a true insider. Let us transform your vision into a one-of-a-kind travel experience, filled with authentic moments and lasting memories
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN FRIULI
Trieste Airport to Udine, an easy start for the whole family
- Arrive at Trieste Airport and transfer to Udine
- Check in to your hotel and settle in
- First evening stroll and a relaxed family dinner
Day 2
UDINE TOURING AND COOKING CLASS
City sights and a hands-on cooking experience
- Family friendly touring in Udine with time for photos
- Explore the historic center and enjoy lively squares
- Hands on cooking class featuring Friuli’s flavors
Day 3
CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI DAY TOUR
A storybook town day trip with time to explore
- Day tour to World UNESCO town Cividale del Friuli
- Guided walk through the historic center and medieval highlights
- Free time for snacks, photos, and exploring at your own pace
Day 4
SAN DANIELE AND SPILIMBERGO
Prosciutto, medieval streets, and a grappa distillery visit
- Taste Friuli in San Daniele, famous for prosciutto
- Visit Spilimbergo and soak up its medieval atmosphere
- Culinary experience with grappa tasting and a distillery visit
Day 5
AQUILEIA AND PALMANOVA EXCURSION
Ancient roots and a city shaped by design
- Discover Aquileia’s ancient Roman past led by a local expert
- Enter Palmanova’s star-shaped hexagonal fortress city
- Enjoy gelato breaks and easy strolling between history exploration
Day 6
GORIZIA VISIT AND TRANSFER TO TRIESTE
A historic city stop, then seaside Trieste
- Leave Udine behind and head towards the Gulf of Trieste
- Stop in Gorizia and take in the change of scenery exploring its city center
- Arrive in Trieste and breath in the coastal atmosphere
Day 7
TRIESTE DISCOVERY
Seafront elegance and a city made for strolling
- Guided discovery of Trieste’s highlights with family friendly pacing
- Waterfront views and classic city atmosphere
- Time for historical cafés and shopping breaks
Day 8
GRADO LAGOON AND FISHERY EXPERIENCE
A lagoon day with Adriatic sea flavor and summer coastal energy
- Discover Grado’s lagoons and sunny beaches on a day excursion
- Lagoon experience focused on fishery traditions
- Food experience highlighting local fresh-catch seafood flavors
Day 9
FREE DAY IN TRIESTE
Slow morning, last postcards, and family time
- Free day to relax and enjoy Trieste at your own pace
- Time for shopping and exploring
- Optional Miramare Castle discovery or waterfront stroll
Day 10
DEPARTURE
A smooth farewell to Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Final breakfast and hotel check out
- Transfer to Trieste Airport
- Arriverderci Italia, depart for your flight home
MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS
Turn this sample itinerary into your dream Italy vacation – tailored to your pace, passions, and budget.
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN FRIULI
Trieste Airport to Udine, an easy start for the whole family
Land at Trieste Airport and begin your summer holiday with a smooth transfer to Udine, a friendly city that makes an ideal family home base. After check in at your hotel, take time to refresh and ease into Italy at a comfortable pace.
If energy allows, enjoy a gentle walk near the hotel to spot your first Italian piazza and choose a gelato flavor for the kids. Keep the evening flexible with a relaxed dinner and an early night, so everyone is ready for the adventures ahead.
Day 2
UDINE TOURING AND COOKING CLASS
City sights and a hands-on cooking experience
Start the day with a guided introduction to Udine, exploring the historic center at a family friendly pace. Once a key city of the Patriarchate of Aquileia and later shaped by centuries of Venetian influence, Udine blends refined architecture with an easy, local rhythm that makes sightseeing feel effortless. Stroll through its elegant squares, pausing in Piazza Libertà to admire its Venetian style landmarks and continuing toward Piazza San Giacomo. This is an inviting square framed by historic facades and the church of San Giacomo, where café tables and local life set the rhythm of the day. Nearby, the Loggia di San Giovanni and the striking Loggia del Lionello hint at the city’s Venetian elegance, while Via Mercatovecchio offers the pleasure of unhurried shopping. Above it all, Udine’s Castle rewards you with sweeping views and the luminous genius of Tiepolo’s masterpieces. the city’s beloved gathering place, framed by historic facades and the church of San Giacomo.
Later, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class that turns lunch or dinner into a shared family memory. Using local Friuli ingredients such as Montasio cheese, summer vegetables, fresh herbs, and regional cured meats, you’ll learn practical techniques and discover the flavors that define the area. Enjoy the fun of preparing a meal together, then sit down and taste what you created.
Day 3
CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI DAY TOUR
A storybook town day trip with time to explore
Head out for a day tour to Cividale del Friuli, a charming destination that feels made for a summer family outing. Founded by Julius Caesar and later the first Lombard capital in Italy, Cividale layers Roman roots with medieval atmosphere in a way that’s easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace. With your guide, explore the historic center and pause as you take in landmarks such as the Cathedral and the evocative Devil’s Bridge spanning the Natisone River, with viewpoints that are especially beautiful in the summer light.
After the guided portion, enjoy free time to wander through small lanes lined with local shops or stop for a snack before returning to Udine. Consider a quick visit to the area around the Lombard Temple, one of the town’s most treasured monuments and a standout reminder of the town’s Lombard past. Tucked within the former monastery complex of Santa Maria in Valle, this small, atmospheric chapel is celebrated for its early medieval artistry and refined details. Inside, you’ll notice an intimate feel, with elegant architectural lines and a sense of quiet grandeur that makes it memorable even for first time visitors. The day balances discovery with downtime, which is ideal for travelers of all ages. The evening can be made even better with dinner at one of Udine’s traditional Friulian osterie, where local flavors and a warm, convivial atmosphere round out the evening.
Day 4
SAN DANIELE AND SPILIMBERGO
Prosciutto, medieval streets, and a grappa distillery visit
Today is all about tasting Friuli’s traditional flavors and enjoying towns that feel authentically local. Begin in San Daniele del Friuli, a historic hill town whose fame is tied to its prosciutto tradition and its position between the Adriatic plain and Alpine foothills, a setting long associated with careful curing techniques. Enjoy a food focused stop that adds a delicious, family friendly highlight to the itinerary, with tastings that may include Prosciutto di San Daniele, local cheeses such as Montasio, and simple pairings like fresh bread and seasonal accompaniments that let the flavors shine.
Continue to Spilimbergo, a medieval gem in Friuli-Venezia Giulia celebrated as the region’s “City of Mosaics” and home to the prestigious Friuli Mosaic School, founded in 1922 and renowned worldwide for preserving both ancient and modern techniques. Its beautifully preserved historic center invites an easy stroll past elegant frescoed palaces and quiet stone lanes, leading to landmarks like the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and the town’s castle. More than a pretty stop, Spilimbergo has long been a cultural crossroads, recognized among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, with a lived-in atmosphere that feels refined, authentic, and quietly impressive.
If time allows, the town’s summer calendar adds another layer of character, from the historic reenactment La Rievocazione Storica della Moggia to the international music festival Folkest, both of which bring its traditions to life.
Round out the day with a distillery visit and grappa tasting experience, where you’ll learn how grappa is crafted from grape pomace and how the distillation process shapes aroma and character. Italy’s iconic grape-based spirit, grappa was born as a resourceful way to transform winemaking leftovers into something refined, an enduring tradition especially rooted in Northern Italy, where generations of artisan distillers have perfected its crisp, aromatic style and made it a beloved after-dinner ritual. Your host typically explains the key steps, from selecting the raw material to distillation and resting, then guides you through a tasting that highlights different styles, often moving from lighter, more floral expressions to richer, more structured profiles. Expect a sensory focused experience, with tips on how to notice fragrance, balance, and finish, before returning to Udine with the evening open for a simple dinner and a restful night.
Day 5
AQUILEIA AND PALMANOVA EXCURSION
Ancient roots and a city shaped by design
Set out for an excursion to Aquileia, one of the region’s most historically significant destinations and a wonderful way to add variety to your week in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Founded as a Roman military colony in 181 BC, Aquileia grew into an important hub of the Roman world, connected to trade routes that helped shape the northern Adriatic. With your expert local guide, enjoy a family friendly paced visit that brings the ancient setting to life, with time to pause and take in highlights such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, celebrated for its remarkable early Christian mosaic floors that stretch beneath your feet like a colorful stone tapestry.
Continue to Palmanova, a UNESCO recognized fortress town created by the Venetian Republic and famous for its distinctive star-shaped plan, designed for defense and symmetry. Exploring here is especially fun on foot: the streets radiate outward in a geometric pattern that feels like a living map, leading you naturally toward the central piazza. With time for a gelato or pastry stop and relaxed strolling, this day blends big history, open air exploration, and summer ease.
Day 6
GORIZIA VISIT AND TRANSFER TO TRIESTE
A historic city stop, then seaside Trieste
Check out from your Udine hotel and travel toward Trieste, with a visit to Gorizia along the way. Long shaped by its position on a historic crossroads, Gorizia carries a layered identity influenced by shifting borders and cultures, which gives the city a distinctive atmosphere compared to the rest of Friuli. For centuries, it was tied to the County of Gorizia, a powerful medieval territory that controlled key routes linking the Adriatic hinterland with Central Europe. That role as a gateway town shaped its character, bringing merchants, diplomats, and different cultural influences through the area. Today, that layered past is still felt in the city’s atmosphere. Pause at landmarks like the Cattedrale di Gorizia and the Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio, or step into Palazzo Coronini Cronberg for a glimpse of the city’s refined heritage. Enjoy time to stretch your legs with a gentle walk through the center, perhaps continuing along Via Rastello, the ancient commercial artery now enjoying a creative revival with small spaces dedicated to art, craftsmanship, and local design, before continuing onward.
Arrive in Trieste and check in to your hotel, then ease into the coastal rhythm with a relaxed evening by the sea. Once the great maritime gateway of the Habsburg Empire, Trieste blends Central European elegance with Adriatic light, creating a setting that feels both grand and welcoming. It’s perfect for an easy family dinner and a waterfront walk, especially in summer when the city feels bright and breezy and the promenade invites a slow, end of day stroll.
Day 7
TRIESTE DISCOVERY
Seafront elegance and a city made for strolling
Discover Trieste with a guided tour that helps your family get oriented and enjoy the city’s most memorable areas. Once the great maritime gateway of the Habsburg Empire, Trieste developed a distinctive blend of Adriatic energy and Central European elegance, visible in its grand façades and wide, airy squares. As you explore, you may pass through Piazza Unità d’Italia, the city’s iconic main square opening directly toward the sea and framed by the grand City Hall palace, then continue along the waterfront for breezy views and classic photo stops. Your guide will point out key landmarks such as the Canal Grande area and the historic heart of the city, sharing stories that make Trieste’s layered identity easy to understand for both adults and kids, while also highlighting the Roman Theatre and Forum remains, and the Castle and Cathedral of San Giusto as standout windows into the city’s past.
After the tour, let the afternoon unfold at your own pace. Step into one of Trieste’s historic cafés for a leisurely pause where polished counters, old-world interiors, and the hum of local conversation turn a simple espresso into a small ritual, best enjoyed slowly as the city drifts by outside. Treat the kids to gelato or an exquisite pastry paired with a child-friendly drink, then wander past inviting shopfronts and small boutiques, pausing whenever something catches your eye. With the sea always close by, Trieste makes it easy to balance a little exploring with plenty of breathing room, finishing with a gentle waterfront stroll as the light softens over the harbor.
Day 8
GRADO LAGOON AND FISHERY EXPERIENCE
A lagoon day with Adriatic sea flavor and summer coastal energy
Head to Grado, a beloved summer retreat with sandy, family-friendly beach options set within the region’s shimmering lagoon landscape, where calm waters, reeds, and winding channels create a world that feels peaceful, sunlit, and distinctly Adriatic.. Grado also carries a fascinating sense of history: it has long been connected to the ancient Roman world and later became an important refuge and coastal outpost as nearby Aquileia declined, giving the town a legacy that stretches well beyond its beach day reputation. As you arrive, you’ll feel that blend of seaside ease and old world character in the walkable center and waterfront atmosphere.
The day includes a lagoon experience connected to local fishery traditions, either in Grado or in the nearby fishing village of Marano Lagunare, offering a hands-on, place-based look at coastal life that families often love. Learning how generations have worked with the tides and seasons, and why the lagoon has remained central to the area’s identity. Enjoy a food experience that highlights local flavors from the sea, with tastings that may include fresh seafood antipasti, grilled fish, or a simple pasta or risotto with local catch, before returning to Trieste with time to relax in the evening. This day adds a refreshing change of pace from city touring and is ideal for summer travel, blending nature, heritage, and coastal flavor in a way that feels effortless.
Day 9
FREE DAY IN TRIESTE
Slow morning, last postcards, and family time
Enjoy a free day in Trieste to follow your family’s interests with no fixed schedule. This is the perfect time to shop for postcards and small souvenirs, revisit a favorite spot, or simply take it slow after several active days. For a final set of Trieste highlights you may not have touched yet, consider a gentle outing to Castello di Miramare, the fairytale like seaside castle set in gardens above the water, or take the Opicina tramway route (or a similar scenic ride) up toward the hills for sweeping views over the Gulf of Trieste.
If you want a simple plan, pair a relaxed morning with time in Trieste’s historic café scene, stopping into classics like Caffè San Marco, Caffè Tommaseo, or Caffè degli Specchi. Then linger along the waterfront for one last slow stroll and a final gelato stop. Keep the day light and flexible, especially for kids who may appreciate downtime, and enjoy how these cafés welcome families with kid-friendly drinks alongside pastries and desserts, letting Trieste’s sea breeze and café culture set the tone for a calm, memorable finale.
Day 10
DEPARTURE
A smooth farewell to Friuli Venezia Giulia
Enjoy a final breakfast, check out, and transfer to Trieste Airport for your departure. The last day is designed to be straightforward and stress free, which is especially helpful for families traveling in summer.
Leave with a trip full of variety, from Udine cooking and day tours to lagoon experiences in Grado and seaside days in Trieste. Set in an off-the-beaten-path corner of Italy that feels distinctly Italo-European, the region is equally rich in history and culture, framed by stunning natural backdrops and a refreshingly unhurried ambiance with far fewer crowds. All itineraries are customizable, and this sample is designed to inspire your own unforgettable family summer in Italy.
This Package Includes:
- Round trip Flights from US Airport to Italy (**)
- Transportation by private vehicle(s) / train(s) as per itinerary
- 4 nights accommodation in [★★★ / ★★★★] Star Hotel in Milan (*)
- 5 nights accommodation in [★★★ / ★★★★] Star Hotel in Parma (*)
- 2 nights accommodation in [★★★ / ★★★★] Star Hotel in Venice (*)
- Daily Buffet Breakfast
- 2 Local Food Experience(s) (2 meal(s) included)
- 1 Cooking Class Hands-on Experience
- 5 Professional Tour Guide(s) as per itinerary
- Museum(s) & Sites entrance tickets as per itinerary
- VAT Taxes & Service Charges
This Package Does Not Include:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
- Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable it must be paid locally to the hotel.
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Any meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Beverages
- Porterage Service
- Any entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- All which is not listed under PACKAGE INCLUDES.
Terms and Conditions:
All itineraries are fully customizable to your wishes and needs. This sample itinerary is designed to inspire your own unforgettable experience.
Tour Type: Independent package, tailor-made upon request
Availability: All year round, on request
Minimum Participants: 2 people
Transportation: Select transfers are operated by private vehicle with English-speaking driver
Guided Tours: Select excursions are operated privately; others run in conjunction with a small group, offering the opportunity to meet fellow travelers while keeping costs reasonable
(*) Rates & Room Occupancy
Rates are based on two adults sharing a double or twin room with private bathroom. Single room supplement available at an additional cost. Triple rooms, children’s rates, and alternative accommodation arrangements available upon request. (Additional charges may apply.)
(**) Airfare
Airfare is based on round-trip departures from New York area airports (JFK / EWR). Departures from alternative U.S. gateway airports are available upon request, rates may vary depending on departure city.