From the port of Trieste to the nature of Grado: 5 days of unique experiences.

Once you have finished sailing along the Doge's Route, a new adventure begins, this time on land, in the beating heart of Trieste. At Marina San Giusto , a place that reflects the city's maritime tradition, you can admire a spectacular view of the Gulf of Trieste. Located just a few steps from the city centre, the marina has 218 berths for boats up to 120 metres, including mega-yachts, with excellent services. It is the ideal starting point for exploring the fascinating city. From the marina, you can easily walk to the Grand Canal , a charming canal that runs through the center. Here, you can stroll along the banks admiring the docked boats and neoclassical buildings. Along the way there are historic cafes where you can stop for a typical coffee. Continuing towards Piazza Unità d'Italia, the largest square in Europe overlooking the sea, you will find yourself surrounded by imposing buildings such as the Town Hall, the Palazzo del Lloyd Triestino and the Palazzo del Governo, symbols of the city's history and culture. This is the perfect place to take a break and admire the sea and the elegant architecture. A walk along the Riva del Mandracchio and the Molo Audace offers the opportunity to breathe in the sea breeze, enjoy fish specialities in one of the local restaurants or relax while watching the boats coming and going. The tour continues with a visit to the Castello di San Giusto , perched on a hill with a panoramic view over the city and the gulf. Inside, the Castle Museum houses collections of ancient weapons and historical artefacts. The nearby Cathedral of San Giusto is fascinating for its medieval mosaics and crypt. In the afternoon, explore the karst hinterland with a visit to the Grotta Gigante near Sgonico. This cave is one of the largest in the world open to the public and offers a unique spectacle with its enormous stalactites and stalagmites. The Great Cave, 98 metres high, 167 metres long and 76 metres wide, will take your breath away. The visit, which lasts about an hour, is a fascinating journey through geological history, guided by experts who explain the formation of the limestone structures and the history of the cave along a path of about 850 steps. 

The second day of the itinerary begins with a pleasant excursion to Miramare Castle , a 19th century architectural masterpiece built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria. Surrounded by a 22-hectare park with exotic plants, picturesque lakes and scenic paths, it offers breathtaking views of the sea. The furnished rooms inside the castle tell the story of the imperial family and court life. After exploring the castle and park, the Marine Protected Area of Miramare  invites you to discover the underwater wonders. Established in 1986, it is a paradise for lovers of the sea and nature, with crystal-clear waters that are home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, from coral colonies to colourful fish. Guided snorkeling in the Miramare Marine Protected Area is a unique opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the Mediterranean. Local guides, who are experts in the ecosystem, will take you on an unforgettable adventure, explaining the characteristics of the species you meet and the importance of preserving this precious natural environment. The next stop is the Bay of Sistiana, a splendid cove between the rocks and the sea. There are several beaches and bathing establishments where you can relax in the sun or take a dip in the waters of the Gulf of Trieste. The bay is also ideal for those who love water sports: you can rent a SUP (Stand Up Paddle), a sailboat or a canoe to explore the coast from a different perspective, or you can go windsurfing, taking advantage of the winds that blow in the area. A few kilometres away, the Rilke Trail offers a spectacular view of the Gulf of Trieste. This panoramic path that crosses the Duino Cliffs Nature Reserve takes its name from the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who was inspired by the beauty of the place. The path, about 2 kilometres long, is suitable for everyone and includes several panoramic points where you can admire the cliffs overlooking the sea and the waves breaking on the shore. Continuing along the Rilke path you will reach Duino Castle, an ancient noble residence that stands on a rocky promontory overlooking the gulf. Along the path, immersed in typical karst vegetation, it is possible to observe a variety of rare plant species and a varied fauna, including hawks and seagulls gliding over the water below. 

The third day kicks off in Monfalcone, with a visit to the MuCa - Monfalcone Shipbuilding Museum, located in the former Albergo Operai in the village of Panzano, the “company town” that grew in the 1920s around the shipyard on the initiative of the first owners, the Cosulich family. The museum offers an interactive and engaging experience, thanks to the use of multimedia technologies such as interactive videos, sensory tunnels and 3D reconstructions, making the visit fascinating for all ages. Located next to the shipyards where some of the most impressive cruise ships in the world take shape, the MuCa represents a unique opportunity to discover over a century of history of the shipyard and the city. After lunch, we move on to Gorizia, a city that has lived through the events of the Eastern Border. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Gorizia was annexed to Italy in 1918 and experienced first-hand the dramatic events related to the eastern border during Fascism and the Second World War. Divided during the Cold War by the "Gorizia Wall" in Piazza Transalpina, which separated Western Europe from Eastern Europe, the square is now a symbol of unity, thanks to the demolition of the barrier in 2004 when Slovenia joined the European Union. A must-see in Gorizia is the Prepustnica Museum (Museum of the Pass), which tells the story of a city divided by the border, with exhibits dedicated to travel documents and passports used to cross the border during the Cold War. This museum offers a unique look at the daily life of those who lived in a city cut in two. Continuing, a walk among the palaces and gardens of the Habsburg era leads to the Castle of Gorizia, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Isonzo valley. 

Collio, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, is a true paradise for food and wine lovers. This region is famous for its vineyards, which cover more than 2,000 hectares, and for its DOP products. Four DOC areas meet here - Collio, Friuli Isonzo, Friuli Colli Orientali and Friuli Grave - together with DOCGs such as Picolit, Ramandolo and Rosazzo, representing a food and wine heritage of the highest quality. The journey begins in Cormòns, a charming village rich in history and tradition. Here you can visit the Museum of the Great War and the Church of San Giovanni Battista, before enjoying lunch in one of the local taverns. The wineries along the road offer a wide range of fine wines such as Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Sauvignon. Don't miss the local gastronomic specialities, such as San Daniele prosciutto, Fagagna cheese, pestât, a typical condiment, and Rosa di Gorizia, a radicchio with a unique flavour. Not to be missed is the Sentiero delle Vigne Alte (Old Vineyard Trail), a 3 km-long path suitable for both walkers and cyclists, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and woods and leads to panoramic points with spectacular views of the Collio and the Preval plain. Exploring the Collio means immersing oneself in a territory rich in history, flavours and traditions, where each stop offers new food and wine and landscape wonders. 

The last day of this itinerary begins in Aquileia, one of the most important Roman cities in the Mediterranean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the Basilica of Aquileia, famous for its extraordinary floor mosaics and its suggestive crypt, and the National Archaeological Museum, where you can admire finds that tell the story of the city's millennial history. Don't miss the Domus of Titus Macro, one of the largest Roman residences discovered in Northern Italy, with a surface area of 1,700 square meters. The excavations conducted between 2009 and 2015 brought to light fascinating details about the daily life of its inhabitants, including a rich heritage of mosaics, coins and valuable objects. After a visit to Aquileia, Grado is only 15 minutes away by car. This town is famous for its beautiful beaches and charming old town. A pleasant stroll through the historic streets leads to the Basilica of Santa Eufemia, while lunch is the perfect opportunity to enjoy local specialities in one of the typical restaurants, tasting dishes such as boreto a la graisana or sarde in saor. In the afternoon, a walk along the seafront or a moment of relaxation on the beach will complete the experience. After exploring Grado, you can return to Trieste by car along the splendid lagoon, with its changing reflections and the fauna that can be admired at sunset. The return journey offers a final opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with the road winding through green fields and glimpses of the Adriatic Sea. As you approach Trieste, the city reveals its unique skyline, embraced by the gulf and protected by the karst hills. Returning to Trieste is not just the end of a journey, but the beginning of new memories, enriched by the experiences and emotions of this fascinating itinerary. Once in the city, you will feel as if you have crossed a mosaic of stories and landscapes, a journey that will remain in your heart as an incredible adventure in the north-east of Italy.