A little more than an hour outside of Venice, Italy harbors a secret gem of a culinary melting pot. Bordered by Slovenia and Austria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is nestled in the northeastern corner of Italy and boasts some of the country’s finest gastronomic artisans.

Lush landscapes, quaint villages, and snow-capped mountains provide the perfect background for a long weekend of eating and drinking, Friulian style. American tourists are few and far between, so—as with most off-the-beaten-path destinations—it's helpful to travel with an insider for an authentic experience.