Friulian hills area and San Daniele del Friuli

San Daniele, with its endless views over the rolling countryside, is the main town of the Friulian Hills.

San Daniele is one of the 'pearls' of Friuli Venezia Giulia, known internationally for its smoked trout and above all for the inimitable taste of the ham it has been producing for centuries, with the help of a unique micro-climate.

Friuli's little Siena
The Guarneriana Library in San Daniele, with its precious illuminated manuscripts, is one of the most prestigious libraries in Italy and the oldest in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The dazzling white of the eighteenth century cathedral and the frescoes of the deconsecrated church of Sant'Antonio Abate, the most beautiful Renaissance fresco cycle in the region, have earned San Daniele the name of "Friuli's little Siena".

"Aria di festa" festival in June.
The Aria di festa festival, at the end of June, is the ideal time to taste some San Daniele ham. The festival is a sizzling, fun-loving event, with traditional foods and visits to the prosciuttifici, where the ham is produced.

The "road of castles and ham"
San Daniele is set amidst splendid rolling hills and surrounded by little villages. The best way to visit them is by following the signposted route known as the Strada dei castelli e del prosciutto (road of castles and ham) that links up a series of fine castles that face each other from adjoining hilltops.
Or you can just follow your sense of smell: here there is plenty of farmhouse accommodation and lots of traditional trattorias where you can sample the specialities of the hills, such as the ricotta and Fagagna cheeses and the "knife tip" salami.

Golf, fishing and cycling
San Daniele and the Friulian Hills are ideal for cycling, with a network of signposted mountain bike routes around San Daniele and the mule tracks of the Cormôr valley. And there is also fishing and golf, at the magnificent Udine Golf Club in Fagagna.

Birdwatching: storks and griffon vultures in the Friulian Hills
The Oasi dei Quadris di Fagagna is home to over one hundred white storks and the Lake Cornino Nature Reserve is a nesting area for griffon vultures - ideal for birdwatchers and nature holidays.

Unique museums, traditions and festivals
Fascinating collections of traditional and art exhibits can be found at the Cjase Cocèl Rural Life Museum in Fagagna (in a splendid country house), the Museum of Medal Art in Buja, the GreatWar Museum in Ragogna and the Territorial Museum in San Daniele. Traditional festivals include a centuries-old Donkey Race in Fagagna (first Sunday of September) and an itinerant festival of traditional hill products known as Un Biel Vivi: la collina promuove la qualità .

Gentle, restful rolling hills …
A choice of hotels, farmhouse accommodation and B&Bs can be found in the gentle rolling countryside, and at Monte Prât di Forgaria there is the charming Albergo diffuso.

The magnificent Tagliamento river
The Tagliamento river has played a central role not only in the history of Friuli Venezia Giulia, but also in its culture, life styles and language. It is a river that never ceases to surprise and delight, with its wide riverbed, luxuriant vegetation, great bends and charming natural beaches in the summer (like the ones in Villuzza di Ragogna and Cimano di San Daniele). There are also horse riding and canoeing facilities.