Planning your trip

Getting there & staying

Udine sits in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in Italy's north-east. It's easier to reach than you might think — here's everything you need to plan.

Find us on the map

Where is Friuli?

Tucked into the top-right corner of Italy, where the Alps meet the Adriatic and Italy borders Austria and Slovenia.

Map showing the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in detail, and its location highlighted with the Friulian flag in the north-east of Italy — The region in close-up (left) and where it sits in Italy (right). Udine is marked.

Udine, marked by its coat of arms — The region in close-up (left) and where it sits in Italy (right). Udine is marked.

By air

Trieste (TRS)

The closest airport — about 40 minutes from Udine. Ryanair flies direct from London Stansted, with services that include Saturday and Monday. The simplest arrival if it suits your departure point.

Venice (VCE & TSF)

Venice has two airports: Marco Polo (VCE) and Treviso (TSF). Both are roughly 1–1½ hours from Udine by car. British Airways flies direct from Heathrow to Marco Polo several times daily; Birmingham and other UK airports often serve Venice too. A great option, especially if you fancy a night in Venice on the way.

From the United States

There's no direct service to this corner of Italy, so most routings connect through a European hub (London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris or Rome) into Venice or Trieste. Give yourselves plenty of lead time — and do get in touch if you'd like a hand working out the best connection.

Hire a car

We'd recommend hiring a car, particularly if you fly into Venice — the drive to Udine is straightforward motorway, and a car gives you freedom to explore Friuli over the weekend. For Sunday's party itself, you won't need it: a coach runs from Udine and back.

Where to stay

We'd suggest basing yourself in or near Udine. There's a good range of hotels, guesthouses and apartments to suit different budgets — we'll share a few specific recommendations here closer to the time.

In Udine

Best for being in the heart of things — walkable to the piazzas, restaurants and the meeting point for the coach. Ideal if you'd rather not drive in the evenings.

In the countryside

Agriturismi (farm stays) and small country hotels dot the vineyards and hills. Quieter, scenic, and wonderful if you've hired a car and want the full Friuli experience.

Specific recommendations to follow — check back, or ask us.

If you'd like to stay longer

Honestly, we hope you do. A long weekend barely scratches the surface. A few ideas:

Udine & around

The castle and its views, Piazza Libertà ("the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland"), Tiepolo's frescoes, and long lunches in the old town.

Wine & food

The Collio and Colli Orientali wine roads, prosciutto from San Daniele, and the frico and gnocchi the region does best.

Trieste & the coast

Grand Habsburg-era Trieste, the seaside castle of Miramare, and the Adriatic an easy drive south.

Mountains & beyond

The Julian Alps and the Dolomites to the north, Venice to the west, and Slovenia (Ljubljana, Lake Bled) just over the border to the east.