Alloggio da Massimo (Nat370)

Situated at the foot of the Julian Alps is the lively town of Gorizia in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. This busy tourist town has a wealth of cultural, artistic and historical attractions to explore.

What’s most intriguing about Gorizia is that it’s a conjoined twin town with Nova Gorica in the neighbouring country of Slovenia! Stay at a lovely villa in Friuli Venezia Giulia with guest reviews where you can easily travel to see Gorizia for yourself.

These two towns constitute a conurbation which means that they appear to be one large metropolis area and have an intricate transport system linking them.

The Castello di Gorizia, or Castle of Gorizia, is an 11th century beauty located on a hill that both boasts an amazing panoramic view over Gorizia and is positioned close to the heart of its centre. First recorded in a document from 1001, the castle grew in size and power over the years. Today, the building largely reflects enlargements and changes made between the 13th and 16th centuries. However, during World War I the castle was bombed and badly damaged, leaving little more than a ruin and was actually rebuilt in 1934-37, following its original 16th century design. This was effectively executed and the castle still retains an authentic medieval appearance.

Situated in the North East of Italy, the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia is a hub of activity with many exciting things here for tourists to do and see! This marvellous region is ideal for sports lovers who wish to embark on challenging mountain hikes or take off in paragliding trails from high up in the mountains!

Check out some superb villas in Friuli Venezia Giulia with guest reviews that are close to lots of attractions.

Or for those with a passion for culture, why not take a few days to go on a trail of the magnificent cities of Trieste, Udine and the UNESCO site of Aquileia. Aquileia especially is a haven of history just waiting to be discovered by you!

If you have a sweet tooth, Friuli Venezia Giulia is the region for you. It may be best known for its wine and its Austrian and Hungarian influenced savoury dishes but its sweets need to be experienced to be fully understood. Strucchi, for example, are a particularly delicious treat: sweet crumbly dough filled with pine nuts, hazelnuts, and grappa-soaked currants and raisins. They are boozy, bite-sized and delicious and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Baked, boiled or fried, they are typically served with powdered sugar or a scoop of gelato and are just the thing to warm you up in the colder weather of this mountainous region. Named for the Slovenian dumplings called štruklji, these small rectangular cookies are a tasty Italian take on the dish. If you want to try them at home while you pack and plan to head off to the perfect holiday rental in Friuli Venezia Giulia, just try out this recipe.

The quiet yet culturally rich city of Udine in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia is perfect for tourists who want to step off the beaten track from visiting the more famous Italian cities. Choose from a lovely selection of villa rentals in Friuli Venezia Giulia where you can easily commute to Udine for a day or two. There are some superb places of interest worth visiting if you wish to pass through this wonderful city.

Start off the day with a visit to Castello di Udine which sits on a low hill over the city. From here, visitors can admire some magnificent views of the Julian Alps and the city itself. This well preserved monument of Udine’s history is also the city museum of art and archaeology.

At the foot of this hill is the glorious Piazza Liberta. This is a busy and lively square which has a large and beautiful clock tower flanked by two giant statues as its focal point. Nearby to the square is the Loggia di San Giovanni and the beautifully designed cathedral.

The Villa Manin at Passariano in Codroipo, Friuli Venezia Giulia is a Venetian villa with a fascinating history that now houses a gallery and regularly hosts exhibitions, events and, even holds concerts on the grounds. It was built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries for the Manin family, from whom it takes its name. Between the stunning grounds which surround, the history, the iconic architecture, the extensive collections and once-off exhibitions, range of events and concerts, its somewhere where you'll never be stuck for things to do. Why not find a villa with pool in Friuli Venezia Giulia and visit for yourself?