The Basilica of Aquileia, the Sanctuary of Barbana, the Abbey of Rosazzo and San Gallo

Day 1 Arrival of tour participants in Friuli and guided tour of Aquileia. Founded in 181 B.C., this small town has an archaeological area of exceptional importance, as it is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Excavations have brought to light the ruins of a Roman forum, a Basilica, an ancient cemetery and mosaic flooring. The splendid Basilica of S. Maria Assunta, Mother Church of the ancient Patriarchate, was erected on the site of a building that dates back to the 4th century, on which, during the following centuries, numerous additions were carried out. In the temple, we can admire the famous early Christian mosaics (3rd century.) which represent a milestone in the history of Italian art. Next is a visit to the nearby Sanctuary of Barbana, which can be reached only by motor vessel. The Island of Barbana is a small isle situated in the extreme eastern part of the city of Grado, home of a famous and ancient sanctuary, built in honour of the Virgin Mary. It can be found about 5 kilometres from the lagoon of Grado, spreads along 3 hectares of territory and is inhabited by a community of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. According to scholars, its name most probably derives from Barbano, a 6th-century hermit who lived in this place and who gathered around him a numerous community of friars. The current church was rebuilt at the beginning of the post-war period on the ruins of a building, which dated back to the 6th century in order to honour an image of the Virgin Mary, which is said to have miraculously landed on this site after a storm, and where it is exhibited still today. There will be a brief sightseeing walk in the historical centre of Grado, a beautiful Friulian beach locality. The city, also called the “Golden Island” and “The Isle of the Sun” due to its golden-coloured arena, represents one of the most evocative and fascinating tourist attractions on the Adriatic. The splendid beaches, the azure sea, the lagoon, the spas, le picturesque "calli" or alleys of its historical centre and its ancient early Christian Basilica make Grado a unique destination in the Italian panorama of tourist destinations. Dinner and overnight stay (hotel accommodation) in Grado.

Day 2 Breakfast at the hotel and a day in the Collio Goriziano (hills). Visit to the Abbey of Rosazzo, situated among the secluded eastern hills of Friuli, to the north-east of Manzano. Thanks to its geographical position, this abbey has represented and still represents a connecting link between east and west where various cultures can come together. Built around 1000 A.D., this abbey-church boasts a Romanesque architecture and is dedicated to St. Paul the apostle. Our guided tour will proceed to Cividale del Friuli. Numerous artistic findings confirm the historical importance of this city: the Lombardic temple, the Cathedral containing the silver altarpiece of Pellegrino II, The Municipal Building (14th-15th century) The Cathedral’s Christian Museum. Last but not least, we must not forget the Devil’s Bridge with its breathtaking view of the Natisone River, which according to legend was built by the devil himself in exchange for the soul of the first person who crossed it. There will be time to visit the Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mother in Castelmonte, not far from the city of Cividale. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 Breakfast at the hotel and a tour of one of the pearls of the Julian Alps: Mount Lussari (1790 metres above sea level) which is situated in the municipality of Tarvisio (UD), and borders on three countries: Italy, Slovenia and Austria. Lussari owes its fame mainly to its convent built on the peak of this mountain in the 16th century. From this height you

Direzione tecnica: FV Flumen Viaggi Sport & School s.r.l. - Agenzia di Viaggi e Tour Operator Sede Legale in Via Bassi, 2 33080 Fiume Veneto (PN) Sede Legale in via Latisana 35/c, 33054 Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) Licenza sede 0032/Tur. - Scia 03048230274-13022014-1713 Autorizzazione Regionale n. 2586/Tur. del 04/09/2007 Unipolsai Assicurazioni SPA (RC) n° 40149735 Compagnia Assicurativa Lloyd Italico polizza n. 4.3077753 - P.IVA 02472350301 P.IVA 01416330932 - C.F. 03048230274

2East Italy · Rete dʼImprese Piazza Castello 7 · 33098 Valvasone PN · Italy · p. iva 01804560934 pec: [email protected] · [email protected] · www.2east.it

can enjoy a vast panorama of the Tarvisian basin and the highlands surrounding it. Mount Lussari is not only a place of worship, but it is also a place where you can take wonderful walks in the summer, ski in the winter, or simply spend some time in a place that is absolutely unique. Our tour will continue with a visit to the Abbey in Moggio Udinese (Mueç in Friulan), a tiny town situated between the Canal del Ferro (canal of iron) and the Val d’Aupa, surrounded by the peaks of the Julian Alps and those of the Carnia region. The Abbbey of St. Gallus towers over the hill of Santo Spirito and dominates the entire valley of the Fella River. Il was founded in the 11th century by the Patriarch Ulrich I who was the abbot of St. Gallus in Switzerland, one of the most important monasteries of the medieval dark ages. It remained a Benedictine establishment for over six hundred years, and in 1869 Pope Pius IX bestowed upon this parish church the title of Abbey church once again. On 20th June 1985, the first nuns of the order of St. Clare reached this site from their monastery in Venice. They spend their days in prayer, meditation and dedicate themselves to other endeavours like horticulture, sewing and handicrafts. As this is a cloistered convent, access to the complex itself is not possible, but only in proximity of the cloister. End of services.

Participation costs range from € 138,00 (Minimum 40 participants) Participation costs range from € 144,00 (Minimum 30 participants) Participation costs range from € 150,00 (Minimum 20 participants) Single supplement cost ranges from € 44,00

The price includes: - n. 2 nights in a three-star hotel with a double-room accommodation - half-board, with 2 dinners at the hotel (drinks included in the amount of ¼ litre of wine e ½ a litre of water) - guided visits as in the programme - health and baggage insurance.

Prices do not include: - transportation, lunches, tickets to museums and/or monuments, tips and extras in general and anything not specified in the above “the price includes” part.

2East Italy · Rete dʼImprese Piazza Castello 7 · 33098 Valvasone PN · Italy · p. iva 01804560934 pec: [email protected] · [email protected] · www.2east.it