A taste of Italian foodie heaven: lip-smacking weekends in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Book a room at the Astoria Hotel Italia to immerse yourself in the foodie hub of Udine. Nestled in the city’s bewitchingly historic centre on a street lined with classic Italian architecture, this is where you’ll drift across polished wooden floors and relax among leather and mahogany furniture. I come here for the hotel’s dedication to gastronomy. The onsite restaurant showcases regional dishes, while friendly staff can help organise trips to nearby producers of Grappa, wine and ham. You’re also an easy four-minute meander from the inviting eatery Vitello d’Oro.

Just moments from Pordenone’s historic heart, this hotel blends old Italian style with plush modern interiors. Its recently renovated rooms are more than affordable, which is why I tend to base myself here when exploring FVG’s northwest. I’m usually torn between devouring the buffet breakfast – a bounty of freshly baked pastries, bread, cold-cut meats and local cheeses – and heading out into the city to mingle with locals over brunch. Of course, you can always take breakfast early in the hotel, then the 20-minute walk to Al Cenacolo for a late lunch. 

Keen to experience Trieste without breaking the bank? Each of this four-star hotel’s 44 rooms are swathed in lush fabrics across sleek wooden floors, providing a sense of grandeur that far exceeds the nightly room rate. Even more impressive is the fact that this building once housed the writer James Joyce – literary buffs can stay in a room dedicated to him. I love this place for the fact that it’s affordable without compromising on style. It’s also just an eight-minute walk from historic Trattoria Da Giovanni for mouthwatering meals that don’t cost the earth.