This region offers a variety of unique landscapes in Europe thanks to its geographical position and its history. On the Adriatic side, the steep karst walls of the Trieste cliff clash forcefully with the waves, while a few kilometers away are the splendid natural reserves of the lagoons of Grado and Marano. By crossing the romantic Friulian plain and the picturesque roads of Collio, one can easily reach the first alpine peaks and the lakes of Fusine, on the border with Austria and Slovenia, where the lowest temperatures in Italy are recorded during winter. This mix of different climates and cultures has contributed to the richness of the traditions and gastronomy of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Here, the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and the Balkans meet. Latin culture, developed in the ancient Roman cities of Aquileia and Cividale, has merged over the centuries with Lombard, Slavic, Germanic, and even Ottoman influences. During the Habsburg Empire, Trieste became an important maritime commercial port, while Gorizia was a renowned resort town frequented by wealthy Viennese merchants, thus contributing to the region's great economic development.