A full-day tour to the pretty lagoon-side town and resort of Grado and the superb Roman remains at Aquileia.

If you want to relive the fascinating history of ancient Rome but can't travel that far south, come with us to Aquileia, one of the biggest Roman Empire cities declared by UNESCO as historical and archaeological heritage for humanity. Founded in 181 BC, Aquileia has seen the passing of Caesar's legions in the first century BC and Attila's hordes five centuries later. It was also an important commercial center.

We'll visit the forum, remains of public baths and private houses with beautifully preserved mosaic floors, Roman roads, a Roman cemetery and the ancient Basilica, which preserves one of the largest and most spectacular early Christian mosaic floors of the West. A visit to the stunning Byzantine frescoes in the crypt is also a must!

Heading south towards the Marano Lagoon, home to 8800 hectares of unpolluted nature, and after crossing a sort of causeway, we'll finally reach the island of Grado, named Golden Island after the color of its sand. Grado was an ancient fishing village that has gradually been transformed in a modern and unique seaside resort and world-renowned spa center for treatments like sand bathing and thalassotherapy. We'll stop for lunch in a restaurant serving typical local dishes accompanied by renowned DOC wines from inland Friuli. In the afternoon we'll stroll around the narrow paths and small squares of the old town center, among thousand-year-old churches and charming fishermen's houses. We'll visit the Basilica of S. Euphemia dating back to more than 1400 years ago, the Baptistery and the Basilica of S. Maria delle Grazie.

Our day in Grado would be incomplete without enjoying an Italian gelato while strolling along the scenic "Diga", from where you can admire the most enchanting views of the Adriatic Sea.