In a scenic setting near the rugged Slovenian border (on the northeastern coast of Italy), this diverse seaside city has been shunted back and forth between Italy and Slovenia for centuries. Slavic influences distinguish Trieste from other cities in Italy. Man-made attractions include Romanesque churches, a Roman theater, San Giusto and its 16th-century castle and the Museo di Storia e Arte (a collection of coins, art and other exhibits). The city also boasts a world-renowned coffee culture, with sidewalk cafes that roast their own coffee. The Caffe degli Specchi (Mirror Cafe) is one of the most lavish symbols of the Belle Epoque and one of Trieste's oldest cafes. Perhaps the favorite is the authentically restored Antico Caffe San Marco, once frequented by James Joyce when he lived in Trieste, and still loved by artists, intellectuals and students. Hikers and walkers will revel in the Carso, the plateau surrounding the city that is rich in rocky terrain, natural caves and botanical gardens. The Val Rosandra area offers adventure to mountaineering enthusiasts, too. Don't miss the gleaming white Miramare Castle (4 mi/6 km outside Trieste), built by Archduke Maximilian, that stands spectacularly on a rocky bluff, overlooking the sea. Trieste is an excellent stopover point for those heading to the east, and the perfect gateway to the brilliant coast of Croatia. It's a bit out of the way for those not continuing on to Croatia, but if you are in the area, it deserves at least a day, if not two. 95 mi/154 km northeast of Venice.
