routes Do you fancy an excursion or a tour? No problem: Enogastronomy, nature and culture to suit all tastes! Friuli, lying only one hour drive from Lignano, encompasses a wide variety of proposals which can satisfy any tourist's need. We can start with Aquileia and its Basilica, an ancient shrine containing invaluable treasures like the wonderfully preserved Romanesque mosaics. Or the mild hills on which products of highest quality are produced, such as wines, grappas and hams; all this in highly artistic towns like Cividale with its Longobard evidence, San Daniele with Pellegrino's frescoes and Spilimbergo with its castle and the ancient basilica. We shall not forget the wonderful cities of art such as Udine and Trieste and Venice, just around the corner... how can we miss a visit? If you would rather plunge into nature, the choice covers Marano and its lagoon, the karst, the WWF nature sanctuaries, the Park of the "Risorgive" (groundwater springs) and the Natisone Valleys, what else could we wish for? recommended tours Lagoon of Marano An ecosystem almost unique in the world, the protection of a unique heritage: the wetlands give shelter to some of the most beautiful bird species of the Adriatic Sea. Wild and untouched areas in which the presence of man is attested only by buildings like the "casoni" (reed huts), the origins of which are lost in antiquity; all this can be easily seen and visited thanks to the well organized paths and waterways. Udine City tour in Tiepolo's footsteps: visit of his beautiful frescoes in the Archiepiscopal Palace, in the Oratory of Purity and in the Cathedral. Walk through Piazza Libertà, "the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland", Via Mercatovecchio and Piazza Matteotti, Udine's old Square of Herbs (Piazza delle Erbe). On the castle hill, visit of the oldest church of the city, Santa Maria in Castello, and of the castle. The afternoon can be spent visiting the Gallery of Modern Art with its Astaldi Collection. Cividale del Friuli The visit leads us into the Longobard world of the 8th century. Archaeological Museum with Roman, Longobard and Medieval ruins; Longobard Temple and Christian Museum with the Ratchis-altar and the Baptistery of Callisto. Panoramic view of the river Natisone from the Devil's Bridge. Palmanova, Villa Manin Tour to the Venetian fortress city Palmanova with its bastions and the local museum. Then on along the "Napoleonic Street" towards Villa Manin di Passariano, the second largest Venetian villa which belonged to the last doge of Venice. Visit of the chapel, the stables and of the park. Guided tour to the exhibitions which are often held in the villa. Aquileia Tour to the ruins of the city which was the fourth largest Italian city during the period of Augustus. Visit to he Archaeological Museum, the wonderful basilica with a mosaic flooring dating back to the 4th century and the excavations of the Roman river port. Chance to visit the early-Christian Museum, the cemetery and the excavations of a district of Roman villas. Spilimbergo and San Daniele Visit of the old town of Spilimbergo with its Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral (frescoes, paintings, statues) and the castle. Visit of the famous "School for Mosaicists" with explanations about the ancient and modern mosaic techniques. On towards the home of Friuli raw ham, visit of the Cathedral and of the Church Sant'Antonio Abate with wonderful frescoes dating back to the 15th century. In the Guarneriana Library we can see rare codices, incunabola and ancient manuscripts. Chance to visit a ham factory. Castle of Duino, Castle of Miramare and Trieste Visit of the Castle of Duino – residence of the family Torre Tasso – and its park. Visit of the Castle of Miramare – once residence of the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg – and its park. On towards Trieste and city tour: Borgo Teresiano, the shore, Piazza Unità d'Italia, the port, the Roman Theatre, Piazza della Borsa (ancient square of the stock market), Corso Italia; halt on the Hill San Giusto and visit of the Cathedral. Panoramic view.