Cividale and Collio Wine Country

Cividale del Friuli is a small town in the hills of Friuli that was once the capital of a powerful Lombard duchy. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Lombards in Italy, which recognises places of power from the early medieval period, and it holds some of the most important early medieval monuments in Italy. The best known is the Tempietto Longobardo, a small eighth-century chapel with delicate stucco figures and carved wooden stalls, and the town also has an archaeological museum, a cathedral and a charming historic centre. The town is built along the Natisone river, crossed by the Devil's Bridge, a stone arch with a legend about the devil and a clever builder. Cafés, bakeries and shops line the old streets, and the town feels calm and local compared with the busy tourist centres. The day trip from Trieste is often combined with the Collio hills, a wine region along the Slovenian border known for fresh, mineral whites such as Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Collio blends, produced in family-run estates on terraced slopes.

An organised day trip is the easiest way to do both parts, since a driver handles the roads and wine tastings. The journey from Trieste to Cividale takes a little over an hour by road, and tours usually spend the morning in the town before moving to the hills for lunch and tasting in the afternoon. If you drive yourself, plan for a designated driver or limit tasting, and book estate visits in advance because many are small and family-run.

In Cividale, aim to see the Tempietto Longobardo, the cathedral and the museum, then walk to the Devil's Bridge for river views and a coffee. Entry arrangements for the chapel and museum can vary by season, with reduced hours in winter, so check the schedule. The streets are cobbled and the town is compact, so comfortable shoes are important. Local pastries and a coffee on the main streets add flavour to the visit.

In the Collio, the hills roll toward Slovenia, and some vineyards sit right on the border, with tasting rooms looking across to the neighbouring Brda region. Spring brings fresh green slopes, autumn brings harvest colours, and summer is warm and lively. Expect to taste several wines with local cheese, ham or bread, and ask about the winemaking style and the soils, which are a mix of marl and sandstone.

Tours generally last most of the day, so wear layers and bring water. For wine lovers and history fans, it is a rewarding way to see inland Friuli, away from the sea but only a short drive from Trieste.

When comparing tours, look at how much time is spent in each place. Some itineraries rush through the town to reach the vineyards, while others give a leisurely morning in Cividale and a shorter tasting. If you care most about history, choose the one with more time in the town and the museum; if wine is the priority, look for tours that visit a family estate and include a light lunch.

Bring layers, a hat in summer and a small bag for bottles. Tell the operator about dietary needs and consider carrying cash for small purchases. If you plan to buy wine, ask whether the producer can ship it home.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with comfortable temperatures and attractive colours. In winter, some monuments have reduced hours, and tastings may need advance booking. Whatever the season, expect a long but relaxed day with plenty of conversation and good food, and a return to Trieste in the early evening with time for dinner.