Get ready for a weekend full of wine tastings, directly at the winemakers' facilities all over Friuli Venezia Giulia. Cantine Aperte – Open Wine Cellars is back! On May 29th and 30th Friulian winemakers will open the doors of their locations and vineyards to let people in for some unforgettable moments. The exquisite local wines will be up for tastings alongside food events to discover regional delicacies too, like “A Cena/Pranzo con il Vignaiolo” (Dinner/Lunch with the Winemaker) and “Piatto Cantine Aperte” (Cantine Aperte Dish).
The events are organized by Movimento Turismo del Vino and its local FVG section. Thanks to the partnership with the festival WeFood and its “Fabbriche del Gusto” (Taste Fctories), on Saturday some haute cuisine cooking shows will be set in the following locations: Azienda del Poggio, Barone Ritter de Zàhony, Conte d'Attimis-Maniago, De Claricini, Pascolo e Spolert Winery. Renowned chefs from Friuli venezia Giulia and Veneto will host the open labs, sharing their secrets with the audience.

This year, the event Cantine Aperte 2021 will also help support various local associations through the sale of the tasting kit (7 €) consisting of a stem glass with its case: a sign of distinction which cannot be missed, and very handy too if one wants to relish more than just a few wines. Winemakers will offer from one up to three wine tastings for free (for more, they could charge some extra euros) and it will be a unique chance to get to know more about the wines, directly from their producers. Of course, due to Covid-19 safety rules, reservations are strongly recommended, also to allow the winemakers to look after visitors in the best possible way.

Cantine Aperte 2021 in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Here's the full list of the wine locations that will be open to visitors in Friuli Venezia Giulia. For more infos about visiting times and specific events, please check out the winemakers' websites or visit the dedicated page on Movimento Città del Vino FVG website (click here).

PORDENONE:
Principi di Porcia at the castle in Porcìa and at the farm in Azzano Decimo http://www.porcia.com
Vistorta in Sacile http://www.vistorta.it
Cantina I Magredi in S. Giorgio della Richinvelda http://www.imagredi.com
Pitars in S. Martino al Tagliamento http://www.pitars.it
Bulfon in Pinzano al Tagliamento http://www.bulfon.it

UDINE:
Elio Vini in Cividale del Friuli http://www.eliovini.it
Monviert in Cividale del Friuli http://www.monviert.com
Dario Coos in Nimis http://www.dariocoos.it
Dri Giovanni Il Roncat in Nimis http://www.drironcat.com
Ronc dai Luchis in Faedis http://www.roncdailuchis.com
Accordini in Faedis http://www.accordinivini.com
Colle Villano in Faedis http://www.collevillano.it
Le Due Torri in Corno di Rosazzo http://www.le2torri.com
Spolert Winery in Prepotto http://www.spolert.it
Grillo Iole in Prepotto http://www.vinigrillo.it
Stanig in Prepotto http://www.stanig.it
Marinig in Prepotto http://www.marinig.it
Pizzulin Denis in Prepotto http://www.pizzulin.com
Tarlao Vignis in Aquileia http://www.tarlao.eu
Vini Brojli in Aquileia http://www.vinibrojli.it
Barone Ritter de Záhony in Aquileia http://www.ritterdezahony.it
Cantina Puntin in Aquileia http://www.vinipuntiaquileia.com
Cantina Ballaminut in Terzo d'Aquileia http://www.ballaminut.com
Vigne del Malina in Remanzacco http://www.vignedelmalina.com
De Claricini in Bottenicco http://www.declaricini.it
Pontoni Flavio in Buttrio http://www.pontoni.it
Conte d'Attimis-Maniago in Buttrio http://www.contedattimismaniago.it
Massimo Bassani's Isola Augusta in Palazzolo dello Stella http://www.isolaugusta.com
Rocca Bernarda in Premariacco http://www.sagrivit.it
Dorigo in Premariacco http://www.dorigowines.com
Ferrin Paolo in Camino al Tagliamento http://www.ferrin.it
Azienda Del Poggio in Fagagna http://www.aziendadelpoggio.it
Arcania in Rive d'Arcano http://www.castellodiarcano.it
Valpanera in Fiumicello Villa Vicentina http://www.valpanera.it
Villa Vitas in Cervignano del Friuli http://www.vitas.it
Reguta in Pocenia http://www.reguta.com

GORIZIA:
Borgo Conventi in Farra d'Isonzo http://www.borgoconventi.it
Vidussi Vini in Capriva del Friuli http://www.vinividussi.it
Villa Russiz in Capriva del Friuli http://www.villarussiz.it
Castelvecchio in Sagrado http://www.castelvecchio.com
Graunar in S. Floriano del Collio http://www.graunarwines.com
Sergio Collarig's Crastin in Ruttars http://www.vinicrastin.it
Pascolo in Ruttars http://www.vinipascolo.com
Castello di Rubbia – Grad Rubjie http://www.castellodirubbia.com/n/en/home/

TRIESTE:
Parovel Vigneti&Oliveti 1898 in S. Dorligo della Valle http://www.parovel.com

It's very recent news that Europe is planning to open up to foreign tourists again, if they got at least one shot of anti-Covid vaccine. And sustainable tourism was the main theme at the 6th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), held in Slovenia on May 11th and 12th. EUSAIR brings together four EU member states (including Italy) and five aspiring countries.
Speaking about sustainable tourism, try now to imagine what it would be like, to cycle your way from Sicily up to Greece, passing through Friuli Venezia Giulia? That's actually one of the interesting projects EUSAIR is driving forward: the ADRIONCYCLETOUR, an integrated project aiming to establish and develop the AICYR – Adriatic-Ionian Cycle Route. It consists of a cycling route running along the coasts of the entire Adriatic and Ionian basin from Italy (and all its involved regions, including Friuli Venezia Giulia which faces the Adriatic Sea) to Greece, thus crossing the EUSAIR concerned countries and also including its main cycle connections to the hinterland areas (inland network). The route will be integrated with the public transport systems (rail, road, sea) and serve both for cycle tourism as well as for sustainable urban and inter-urban mobility.

The northern and eastern parts of the entire proposed Adriatic-Ionian Cycle Route (the coastal network from Venice in Italy to Patras in Greece) coincides with the already existing Mediterranean Route – EuroVelo 8, part of the European cycle network called EuroVelo. That is why a good practice aimed at developing the Mediterranean Route was presented by the European Cyclists' Federation during the online workshop that Marche Region and Friuli Venezia Giulia Region organized in December. «We must take this chance to further enhance and promote our territory's cycling tendency, thus developing the so called slow tourism which enables to discover and appreciate even the most hidden beauties of Friuli Venezia Giulia», said Barbara Zilli, FVG Region's Head of Economic Affairs. The webinar helped giving an overview of the state of development of cycling ways in coastal areas and through the internal States of the Adriatic-Ionian region, and also helped better understanding how the project can access to the European funds of the 2021-2027 programming period.
Up to now, Friuli Venezia Giulia has nine cycling routes extending themselves over more than 1,000 kilometres on the whole. The main objective is to create a top interregional cycling network, which would be the key to ever-increasing sustainable tourism and mobility.

About EUSAIR
The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) is a macro-regional strategy adopted by the European Commission and endorsed by the European Council in 2014. The Strategy was jointly developed by the Commission and the Adriatic-Ionian Region countries and stakeholders, which agreed to work together on the areas of common interest for the benefit of each country and the whole region. It's one of the four EU macro-regional strategies and covers nine countries: four EU member States (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) and five non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). A tenth non-EU member, the Republic of San Marino, has just been included at the recent Forum in Slovenia.
EUSAIR's general objective is to promote growth, economic and social prosperity in the region by improving its attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity. The countries are aiming to create synergies and foster coordination among all territories in the Adriatic-Ionian Region according to four thematic areas: sustainable tourism, environmental quality, connecting the region, blue growth.

After a long period of lockdown, people in Italy are now back enjoying their beautiful country and its magnificent art and nature, where it's possible. On May 15th and 16th, thanks to FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano (Italian Environment Found), 600 historical and natural sites, most of them usually closed to the public, will open up to visitors for the 29th “Giornate FAI di Primavera” 2021 (FAI Spring Days). It's the first FAI's event after a year of lockdown and thousands of volunteers will help set it up all around Italy and its natural, historical and artistic assets.
Friuli Venezia Giulia FAI delegation also takes part to FAI Spring Days 2021, opening to the public 25 places – some of which are little known in the region – in eight cities thanks to the cooperation of local associations, owners and municipalities: in Cormons (Gorizia), San Vito al Tagliamento (Pordenone), Duino-Aurisina (Trieste), Trieste, Cividale del Friuli (Udine), Osoppo (Udine), Rivignano Teor (Udine) and Udine.

Reservation is mandatory, in order to comply with all Covid-19 related safety rules. Places can be reserved online on the official website (click here), up to the preceding day of the visit. On reserving a visit, a minimal, symbolic contribution of 3 euro will be required in order to support all FAI's activities. Moreover, by submitting for FAI membership card, some extras will be available: in Friuli Venezia Giulia, the membership card will give the chance to visit two exclusive places such as the wine cellars at Tenuta di Angoris in Cormons, and the historic chemistry shop Antonio Colutta's museum in Udine.

FAI opening places in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Historical noble mansions, castles, gardens, churches, monasteries, private collections, parks, production sites... These are a few examples of what will open up to visitors during FAI Spring Days 2021. Here's a list of the 25 places open in FVG.
Cormons:
Tenuta di Angoris, its wine cellars and Villa Locatelli (for FAI members only)
A biking route up to Borgnano (Gorizia) with a visit to its caves

San Vito al Tagliamento:
First route: Santa Maria delle Grazie church and the historic mill in Prodolone
Second route: a walk around the city's ancient walls, visiting Altan Palace and Altan-Rota Palace, the ex drying-room Bozzoli and the art exhibit “Palinsesti”

Duino-Aurisina:
Several routes to visit the “falesie” (cliffs), the caves and the local quarries, by stopping also at several marble workers' and sculptors' labs: Tecnomarmi, Andrea Mervic, Marmi Cortese, Caharija, Gramar Marmi, Cava Romana s.p.a.

Trieste: Parco di San Giovanni – Saint John's Park

Cividale del Friuli:
San Giorgio in Vado monastery
Studio Vellum Opificium – Civitas Austriae, a centre for studies in medieval arts such as miniatures, calligraphy, book-binding

Osoppo: “Daniele Flaugnatti” botanical garden

Rivignano Teor: Villa Ottelio Savorgnan, one of FAI FVG heart's places (Luoghi del cuore)

Udine:
A visit to the ex S.A.F.A.U. Area, a former steel plant and an example of industrial archaeology
Historic chemistry shop Antonio Colutta's museum (for FAI members only)

About FAI
The non-profit organization FAI Fondo Ambiente Italiano – Italian Environment Found was born in 1977 with the intention to follow the lead of the English National Trust, and to protect places of historical and natural relevance. That same year the first donation came in: Cala Junco, a beautiful tiny bay in the Eolie Islands, off Sicily. Then followed other donations and purchases of places of interest, like the Monastery in Torba (near Varese, Lumbardy) which was also the first to be entirely restored by FAI.
The very first Spring Days, opening stunning private properties usually not available for the public to visit, were in 1993: for the first time, 90 places were open in 32 cities along Italy. A huge success: so far, they count more than 10,6 millions visitors, involving 123,000 volunteers serving as guides. In 2003 FAI first launched its campaign “I luoghi del cuore” (heart's special places), inviting Italians to vote for places that needed to be safeguarded: collecting at first about 24,000 votes, it then went along so well in the years to come that, in 2016, the campaign gathered 1,5 millions votes.
FAI now counts more than 213,000 members and 335 local delegations all over the country, and an impressive number of historical and natural places preserved over 40 years: 72,000 square mt of historical assets, 6,746,000 square mt of natural landscapes and sites, having raised 132 millions euros that have been invested into restorations.

All photos by courtesy of FAI FVG press office

What if a map could... talk, and tell you everything about the place you're visiting? Well, it actually can happen with the Talking Maps®, an idea by Fondazione Radio Magica onlus (the non-profit foundation Magic Radio) which teamed up with Mittelfest to create specific Talking Maps® for the Friulian festival's area: Cividale del Friuli and other towns in the Natisone Valleys and Torre Valleys. 20 towns' residents were involved in the selection of the places of interest (monuments, artworks, natural elements or landscapes) to be put on the maps, and they voted for them online or on postcards that were handed out.
So everyone out of the 20 towns in the Mittelfest's area will have its special place or element to represent it through videos, audios and wonderful illustrations. Here's the final list of them all: the Devil's Bridge in Cividale, Mount Kolovrat's war trenches in Drenchia, the centuries-old chestnut tree in Grimacco, Castelmonte Sanctuary in Prepotto, the Cave of San Giovanni d'Antro in Pulfero, Kot's Falls in San Leonardo, the SMO Museum in San Pietro al Natisone, Mount Matajur in Savogna, Tribil Superiore's meadows in Stregna, Masarolis' caged lion fountain in Torreano, Partistagno Castle in Attimis, Cassacco Castle, Zucco and Cucagna Castles in Faedis, Villanova's Caves in Lusevera, Mount Faeit's promenade in Magnano in Riviera, Cergneu Castle in Nimis, the Antiquarium della Motta in Povoletto, River Boncic's Falls in Taipana, Coia Castle in Tarcento and St. John the Baptist's church in Malina di Moimacco.

«The Talking Maps® is a community map and an innovative digital tool, easily available in different languages, set to enhance the territory – said Mittelfest President, Roberto Corciulo – As Mittelfest we aim at the same goal, because our festival isn't only an event of reference for Middle-European culture, but also a high-quality touristic point of attraction for the region's satellite activities».
«Creating a Talking Maps® in the middle of this period, characterized by Covid-19, will be an unforgettable experience for Radio Magica – said Elena Rocco, Fondazione Radio Magica onlus' General Secretary – We were astonished not only by these places' beauty, but also by local people's altruism and their need for talking and telling, thus proving that storytelling and traditions have a strong collective healing power to overcome crisis».

Where to get the Talking Maps®
The new Talking Maps® of Cividale del Friuli and the Natisone and Torre Valleys will be available online starting from May 20th, 2021 on the digital platform #smARTradio®, implemented by the SASweb Lab at the University of Udine. #smARTradio® is a project aiming to promote cultural heritage in an innovative way, using stories which adhere to the concept of design for all. The Talking Maps® will soon be available also in Slovenian and German languages, thus enabling foreign tourists (mostly coming from these nearby countries) to fully appreciate the area's cultural and natural beauties.