Essentially, the visitor can orientate themselves with 5 locations. First up, the provincial capital, Udine.

Conveniently half way between the Alps and Venice, Udine is famed for its marvellous main 'piazza'. A gothic, renaissance inspired affair with finishing touches by Palladio when he wasn't working in Vicenza. So nice in fact, that the city was the seat of the Italian Supreme Command during the First World War.

To the east is Cividale del Friuli, the first city occupied by the Longobards in Italy and notable for the National Archaeological Museum, full of documents, arms and artefacts from the time.

To the west of Udine is San Daniele del Friuli. The town is famed for its ham and sits on a hill with a majestic view of the mountains. It was also a strategically important commercial town and housed a thriving Jewish community. The Church of S.Antonio Abate houses the finest Renaissance frescoes in the region, by Pellegrino (1476-1547).

The road north takes the visitor to Gemona location of a frightening earthquake in 1976. A new look town, therefore, with ancient roots. The old Cathedral still stands.

Finally, Tolmezzo, capital of the mountainous Carnia territory. This small town has a special atmosphere, perhaps thanks to the Romans who based an advanced fighting unit here as a first line of defence against the untrustworthy tribes further north. The Museum of Popular and Traditional Art is worth seeing.

Visit Grado, (GO) www.grado-tourism.com ; Lignano Sabbiadoro www.lignano.it/ ; Tarvisio Alpine skiing www.tarvisiano.org