We’re back home after two weeks spent traveling in central Europe and I have a lot of pictures and memories to share.
This summer we tried something different from past years and we planned to travel by car across some European cities and countries we haven’t visited before: Slovenia, Hungary and Austria.
We also visited some areas of Italy like Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Alto Adige – which is also known as Südtirol because it was Austrian territory until a century ago and people who live there still speak German and Italian as well.
In two weekes we got plenty of tasty local food, beer and wine, castles, imperial palaces, museums and art galleries, karst caves, woods, mountains, alpin lakes and mines.
Our first stop-over has been Trieste, which is very close to the boundary with Slovenia and Austria; it shares with these countries a common past and very dramatic times in last centuries.
Trieste is unfairly underrated compared to more touristic Italian cities, but we had the chance to appreciate that it’s full of charm, foreign tourists and places worth the visit.
The city reminded us of Genoa for its alleyways and neighborhoods that were somewhat neglected and also for the proximity to the sea.
At the same time we appreciated its Venetian and Austro-Hungarian past and we also found lovely Roman and Middle-age ruins hidden in the historic center.
Trieste is a city full of history and charm, as you can see from following pictures taken during a late afternoon spent wandering from our hotel to the city center and the port before having dinner with tasty food in a local tavern.
Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia.
Architecture in Trieste: a charming mixture of Venice and Austrian Art Nouveau
Molto Audace: a long dock with a beautiful view of the city and the sea as well.
Reflections on canals and amazing light before sundown
Luca hanging around Piazza della Borsa
A charming dancer
Our suggestion for a happyhour and dinner in Trieste:
Pep’s café – convenient drinks or a glass of wine while listening live music near Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia.
Caffé degli Specchi – desserts or a café with an amazing view of the city.
Bier Stube – yummy dinner with local specialities, beer and tasty stuffed pork knee.
Imago Volant 