The Collio (Brda in Slovenian) is a territory that lies between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia where, thanks to its gentle hills covered with vineyards, the wines of the DOC Collio are produced, among which we find Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Ribolla Gialla. The gateways to this territory are the little towns of Dolegna del Collio, Cormons and Gorizia.

Today, however, I would like to share with you one of my favourite scenic routes, which I always use to go to Slovenia. From Premariacco I take the main road along the Roman bridge, the first point of interest to be worth taking a look at (and photographing).

The Roman bridge was built on the Natisone river (the same as passes through  Cividale del Friuli) in antiquity and still retains all its beauty. You can get down to the pebble beach, which is very popular in the summer for sunbathing and cooling off in the waters of the Natisone.

From here I continue to Spessa di Cividale, where there is a fantastic straight stretch surrounded by vineyards that ends close to a small church. It’s a splendid landscape even now in winter; you can imagine how beautiful it must be in autumn when the vineyards seem to be ablaze.

Following the Strada di Spessa, I pass through the middle of the Bosco Romagno, a recreational nature park whose name has a Lombard origin that identified the locality as the “Woods of the Arimanni” (the arimanni were a warrior class of freemen in Lombard Italy).

After the Bosco Romagno, I arrive at Dolegna del Collio, and from here I go on towards Vencò.

Finally, I continue to Slovenia, and after crossing the border I am clearly aware of still being in the Collio (in this case called Brda): the landscape is still just as fascinating and the hills just as gentle.