In a quiet corner of Italy TRIESTE
 

I caught this article when I was visiting in NYC a couple of weeks ago. As a fan of Trieste (also inspired by Jan Morris), I thought it was great. Thanks for bringing this wonderful city to the attention of a wider audience. There are some great references on Fodors to many things mentioned here, but also others that didn't make The NY Times.

Hub and I took the train from Venice to Trieste for a day trip and visited Castle Miramare. Had time for a quick walk around the main square. Very enjoyable day.

We searched in vain for gelato there. Found Castle Miramare fascinating but head phone tour a tad boring. It was March and cool on our visit-would love to see it in better weather. LJ, did you stay there for any length of time?

Interesting article. I had Italian friends who lived in Trieste in an apartment overlooking the sea. And my good friend's sister-in-law was from Trieste as was the mother of a woman a family member married. So many people even though they have travelled a lot in Italy are not aware or familar with Trieste. Btw, I noticed the article did not mention the Bora, the very high winds that Trieste has basically during the winter months. My friend who lived there was knocked down more than once. Otherwise she loved Trieste.

bookmarking

We spent quite a lot of time there (we lived and taught in Italy at a school down the coast for a couple of years). Somewhere on this forum there is a detailed Trieste thread with a lot of info, but here are my top of mind faves.
-Opicina tramway
-Muggia: nearby charming old-style resort and fabulous seafood restaurants
-cathedral, Eastern rite churches, very different architecture than most of Italy
-Illy coffee tour
-Risera di San Sabbo (concentration camp memorial-very moving)
-in the Footsteps of James Joyce walking tour
-amazing lively and beautiful piazza/harbour both for cafe society and evening strolls

My husband and I will travel together in Italy in the Fall. To those of you familiar with Trieste, I'm looking for a place to spend 2 weeks studying Italian after my husband returns to the USA. Is Trieste a safe place for a woman walking alone after dark - from concerts, restaurants, shopping, etc? I have not, as yet, looked into schools in Trieste but most cities and towns have language schools so if I pick the city I'm sure I'll find a school. I just need to find a comfortable city! Last year it was perfect - Siena. Thanks for help.
giannetta

How about Perugia?

Also, do a search on Fodor's-AnnHig and others have studied.

I was thinking of ripping myself away from Venice for an overnight stay in Trieste this coming winter. But, the mention of the dreaded Bora by LoveItaly has me reconsidering.I'll wait and see what the weather is like when I'm there, I reckon.

I'll look for that Trieste thread LJ mentioned. Cheers!

Although it seems there are a few Trieste threads and I've read the NYtimes article I'm not seeing the answer to my question re. is Trieste is a comfortable place for a woman alone at night? I'll continue my Trieste research as it looks like an interesting place. I appreciate the Perugia suggestion (language school). I think the Amanda Knox case (innocent, imprisoned American college student accused of killing her room-mate in Perugia) has colored my view of Perugia for the moment. I have a long list of school possibilities I simply need to decide which village/city to choose.

IMHO, Trieste, is NOT as intentionally student-language oriented as Perugia. It is safe, yes, but I don`t think offers the range of study experiences and atmosphere for a student that Perugia does. Ignore the whole Knox thing...that is not relevant...and the `innocence`of that young woman would be hotly contested by both Italian and British authorities.