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www.noble-caledonia.co.ukCanal Grande, Trieste San Daniele del FriuliMuggiaThe ItineraryHere is an opportunity to join a small group of fellow travellers for an exploration of one of Italy%u2019s least touristed regions. Tucked away in the far northeast of Italy, the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is popular with neighbouring countries but is otherwise relatively unknown and far removed from mass tourism; yet this border region incorporates stunning scenery, a fascinating history, dramatic alpine landscapes, wonderful wine and cuisine along with an intriguing blend of Slovenian, Croatian, Austrian and Italian cultures. Upon discovering this unique region, strategically located at the crossroads of Central Europe, travellers fall under the charm of the unspoilt landscapes and warm welcome and find themselves returning time and time again.For our exploration of the region, we will be based in Trieste, which is unlike other Italian cities. Often referred to as %u2018little Vienna by the sea%u2019, Trieste has spent more time as an Austrian city than as an Italian one and being at the crossroads of so many empires over the years, the city and region as a whole have played an important role as a gateway to central Europe, thanks to the strategic location of its ports. This history will be brought to life by our excellent local guides during our relaxed walking tours and guided excursions which include a visit to the famous stud farm in Lipica, Slovenia, an exploration of Medieval San Daniele and a tasting of the iconic ham, a tour of the the unique Castle of Miramare and a tour of the Karst Plateau. We have chosen the grand, four-star Savoia Excelsior Palace as our base for our week-long exploration which is ideally located near the Piazza Unita%u2019 d%u2019Italia and provides the perfect residence to return to and relax after a day of exploring this charming region.Day 1 London to Trieste, Italy. Fly by scheduled flight to Venice. On arrival transfer to Trieste and check in to the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel. After some free time to settle into your room, we meet for a welcome drink and dinner this evening. (D)Day 2 Trieste. This morning we will enjoy a tour of Trieste which, tumbling down to the Adriatic from a wild, karstic plateau and almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, is geographically and culturally isolated from the rest of the Italian peninsula. As such, it preserves its own unique border-town mentality and retains a fascinating air of fluidity encapsulated in the %u201cTriestino%u201d dialect, a strange mix of Italian, Austrian-German, Croatian and Greek. Around the corner from the hotel, we reach Piazza Unita%u2019 d%u2019Italia %u2013 Italy%u2019s largest sea-facing piazza %u2013 and witness this elegant triumph of Austro-Hungarian town planning and contemporary civil pride. We continue to Trieste%u2019s 19th century city hall which, flanked by the city%u2019s grandest palazzi, including Palazzo del Municipio, is a good place to stop for a drink or simply to enjoy a quiet moment staring out at ships on the horizon. After our walking tour we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B, L)SLOVENIALipicaTriesteMuggiaITALYCastle of MiramarePalmanovaVeniceCastle of SpessaSan Daniele del Friuli