Grado and Friuli by bike: a slow week between the sea and the hills

First day

Arrival in Grado, an elegant island suspended between the sea and the lagoon, the ideal starting point for this cycling trip in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The afternoon is dedicated to a first taste of vacation: a leisurely stroll through the streets, small ports, and golden beaches, breathing in the slow pace of summer. Accommodation in a hotel just a few steps from the historic center. Free dinner and time to slow down: here, the journey begins by slowing down, between the Adriatic Sea, warm light, and the promise of authentic cycling.

Second day

From the lagoon to the star-shaped city
We cycle away from the sea along the Alpe Adria FVG1 cycle path, one of the most popular bike routes in northern Italy. We pass through Strassoldo, a small jewel of water and stone considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, before reaching the scenic Palmanova for a guided tour. Its star-shaped layout, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tells a unique story of military architecture. We visit the fortifications and Piazza Grande, the perfect heart of the city. Lunch break and return by bus to Grado: an iconic day of slow cycle tourism in Friuli, amid history, landscapes, and the Friulian summer.

Third day

Water and wind nature
Departure by bike from the hotel along the FVG2 cycle path, pedaling between the lagoon and silence to the Val Cavanata nature reserves. Here, the pace slows down for a short break to observe the birdlife in one of the most unspoiled environments of the Adriatic. Continue to the mouth of the Isonzo River, where the river meets the sea. Change of perspective: canoe excursion, with the opportunity to swim in fresh and brackish waters. Quick lunch on your own and return to Grado in the early afternoon, carrying with you the scent of nature at its most authentic.

Fourth day

Grado, between history and the sea
Departure by bike from the hotel for a day dedicated to slowly discovering Grado. We cycle to the pedestrian areas and continue on foot through narrow streets, small squares, and glimpses of the sea. Visit to the early Christian basilicas of the 6th century, including the splendid Basilica of Sant'Eufemia, symbol of the city. Option to visit the brand new Museum of the Sea. Lunch and free afternoon at the beach, water park, or boat trip to the island of Barbana: slow summer at its best.

Fifth day

Aquileia, between empire and taste
We cycle alongthe Alpe Adria to Aquileia, an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site. We take a guided tour of the river port, the Basilica of Aquileia with its mosaics, and the Domus of Titus Macro. Lunch outdoors at a local kiosk, with simple, authentic flavors. In the afternoon, a delicious stop at Cocambo, the only chocolate shop in the region, with a tasting of their own roasted coffee. Return by bike on dirt roads between Fiumicello, Boscat, and Belvedere: countryside, silence, and slow summer travel to Grado.

Sixth day

Collio, borderland
Transfer by van to the province of Gorizia, arriving in Capriva del Friuli. From here, we begin cycling through orderly vineyards and the rolling hills of Collio, skirting the border with Slovenia: a landscape that tells stories of intertwined cultures and identities. Arrival in Cormons for lunch, the convivial heart of the region. In the afternoon, we continue to the historic Russiz Superiore winery for a guided tasting, with the opportunity to purchase. A perfect ending to a wine experience, cycling, and open borders.

Seventh day

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye. The bikes stop, but the images remain: the sea at Grado in the morning, the white roads in the countryside, the vineyards of Collio, and the villages we passed through without haste. This cycling trip in Friuli Venezia Giulia ends like this, with the feeling of having experienced an authentic summer of open borders, nature, culture, and local flavors. A goodbye, not a farewell: because a vacation like this always leaves you with a good reason to return.