I don’t do this very often: but let me quote the words of a local guide to Udine which captures the characteristics of the city.
“Reserved and elegant but also cheerful and friendly: this is Udine, the city that is tinged with the colours of Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770), the famous Venetian painter who left works of rare beauty in the city. ”
We stayed at the Ciocchiatti hotel, a short walk from the city centre. A good choice , not only because of the location, but we also enjoyed the hotel where the owners had created a cool boutique Bauhaus feel – all modern art and 50′ s jazz on the sound system. Nice garden, pool and bamboo. Breakfast ok too.
Walking into Udine, it’s almost as if you need to get through its slightly scuzzy outer shell, accross the neglected Piazza Primo Maggio, before you reach what is an absolute gem of a city, understated, but with so many unexpected delights. In many other cities the wonderful buildings you stumble across would be featured, explained and “curated”. In Udine they are just there as part of the living fabric of a vibrant city. All the better for it. For example, the Piazza della Liberta is 
cited as ” the most beautiful Venetian Square on dry land.” With its extravagant sweep of 15th – 17th century buildings and elaborate lacework facades.
We drank the local wine sitting in the Piazza Matteotti, while local kids had an impromptu soccer game on the ancient paving. We watched the colours of the buildings subtly change as the sun went down.
Romantic eh?
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