LoveItaly,

yes, it's John Flynn, from the San Francisco Chronicle!

Melodie

Trieste was a delight .we visited last summer and found it a very appealing small city with a real mix of austrian /italian and balkan architecture. Lots of history great views ,nice food and the best 19th century villa /castle on the coast ,the CASTELLO MIRAMARE .Its worth it just for that alone as well as the piazza del italia and the old harbour front.

I agree with Touristblob. We just returned from Italy and spent 2 days in Trieste. A lovely, "off the beaten track" old world city. Miramare and the surrounding park was a delight. The Place d'Italia is the largest square on the ocean in Italy. I didnt realize that it didnt officially become ceeded to Italy until 1954 and has an interesting history.