In Italy there are more and more cycling routes that allow you to discover fascinating villages to visit riding your bike, Grado in Friuli Venezia Giulia is an excellent destination for cycling.
This charming fishing village has a thousand-year history dating back to Roman times when it was the port of the city of Aquileia. Over the years it has become an elegant tourist town and is now known as one of the most important seaside resorts in the region.
Thanks to the presence of an exceptional cycling network you have the opportunity to explore the lagoon and the surrounding territories by bike, slowly and enjoying incredible lengths.
Fonte: dal web
Grade: where is it?
Grado is a city located in the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea in the province of Gorizia. The lagoon of Grado includes about 30 islands and two nature reserves. The fishing village and its wonderful lagoon have a history of over 1600 years.
The territory of the city extends between the homonymous lagoon, the mouth of the Isonzo and the Adriatic Sea. This enchanting scenery stretches for about 30 square kilometers. Today it is possible to rediscover the wonder of these places thanks to the realization of numerous bike paths and itineraries that lead inside the territory. Moreover, today Grado is also a well-organized seaside resort with wonderful beaches.
Fonte: dal web
The best cycling routes in Grado
From Grado passes one of the most important cycling routes in Europe, the Alpe Adria cycle path that from Salzburg arrives after 400 kilometers in the Friulian island through mountain, hilly and lagoon landscapes.
From the city you can take the last stretch that leads to Aquileia and the starred city of Palmanova, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its characteristic polygonal star-shaped plant. In Grado we find cycling routes suitable for everyone like the circular route that winds through the cycle paths of the village of Friuli.
In this way you have the opportunity to explore the lagoon resort on an easy and flat path of the length of 11 kilometers. Another fascinating itinerary is the one that allows you to discover the surroundings of Grado arriving at the small fishing village of Punta Sdobba at the mouth of the river Isonzo. The route has a length of just over 17 kilometers and is completely flat.
Fonte : dal web
Grado : nature reserves to see by bike
Grado is the ideal place for those who want to explore the wonders of nature by bike. Here there are in fact two fascinating cycling routes that lead to the two nature reserves of the territory that of the Mouth of the Isonzo and that of Cavanata Valley. This nature reserve was established in 1996 and includes not only the Canavata Valley but also the Averto canal and the surrounding forest belt.
It is located in the northern part of the lagoon of Grado.The unspoilt nature and rich biodiversity can be explored on board your bike. In fact in Vakle Cavanata there are several itineraries where you can see many animals such as roe deer, water birds.
Here in fact there are over 260 species of birds such as the famous pink flamingos that can be seen during the tour of the reserve by bike. the innermost part of the reserve is made up of a series of lakes and canals that are interrupted by muddy areas periodically covered by water.
Fonte: dal web
The gastronomy of Grado
The village of Grado is also the perfect place for those who want to discover the products and flavors of the traditional cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The typical dishes of the area are mainly based on fish. One of the most known and appreciated is the brodetto alla gradese in which all local fish are used.
As for the first courses, the master homemade pasta is cut into strips and is then seasoned with roast sauces and game. Another local specialty is semolina gnocchi and plum-filled potatoes that are seasoned with melted butter and cinnamon.
The typical cuisine of Grado also includes soups rich in vegetables such as Jota. This is prepared with sauerkraut and is enriched with pork rind. The main dishes of the tradition are mainly based on game such as pheasant, hare, roe deer and wild boar.
Pork is then used in numerous recipes such as in the famous shank. As for sweets, there is hot strudel with apples and the typical Friulian tongs. This cake is prepared mainly during the holiday season. Finally one of the excellences of the territory are asparagus, here the specialty is the white asparagus of Fossalon.
Copertina: dal web
