Alpe Adria: Villach to Grado — Sportiva

Day 1: Arrival in Villach
You will arrive in Villach, the Carinthian city where the Drava and Gail rivers meet. Settle in and explore the lively old town — perhaps take a dip in one of the nearby lakes before the ride begins.

Day 2: Villach – Malborghetto and surroundings (50 km)
You will follow the Gail river out of Villach and cross the Italian border after just a few kilometres. The Val Canale opens up before you, a corridor where Italian, Austrian and Slovenian cultures have mingled for centuries. Tarvisio, the valley's main centre, is surrounded by wide valleys and dense forests — one of the principal mountain destinations of Friuli Venezia Giulia. You will ride on through the valley to reach the area around Malborghetto.

Day 3: Malborghetto and surroundings – Udine (79 km)
A long and rewarding stage through the heart of Friuli. You will descend through the Carnic Alps, passing Venzone and then Gemona, one of the most beautiful historic towns in the region, dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The route then threads through lush vineyards that line the road and invite you to taste the local wines. The day ends in Udine, a city shaped by Venetian influence that today radiates a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. Sit down for a coffee in the central Piazza or stroll through the old town to admire its late-Gothic and Renaissance masterpieces.

Day 4: Udine – Grado (55 km)
Carried by the warm Scirocco breeze, you will pedal through the open Friulian plain towards the Adriatic. Along the way, the star-shaped fortress city of Palmanova — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the vast archaeological ruins of ancient Aquileia await your visit. The ride ends in Grado, the sun island, where three kilometres of south-facing sandy beach are never in shadow.

Day 5: Departure from Grado
Individual departure, or extend your stay to enjoy the beach and the lagoon.