I will be spending 3 nights and 2 days in Trieste at the end of a trip to Croatia (the one I've been planning with so much help from Slow Travelers on the Rest of Europe site). Does anyone have suggestions for a moderately priced hotel in Trieste. Also any other suggestions (restaurants, places to visit, etc.)?

Constance -- perhaps you noted there is not a single Trieste hotel reviewed on this site. In fact, there's not a single review for a rental property, hotel, or restaurant in all of Friuli on slowtrav.com! So make sure to take notes and post away when you return from your visit to that region.

The TCI guide to Italy recommends the *** Novo Hotel Impero and *** Hotel San Giusto in Trieste. I've found the guide's recommendations to be reliable.

My family and I looked at the Duino Park and the Riviera hotels outside Trieste before deciding to spend our Friuli time in Grado instead. Grado is a resort island 25 km or so from the Trieste airport. It is said to be a wonderful place for families, with a highly-praised beach, spas, water park, and a pedestrian-only centro storico filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. I contacted this web site and received offers from 20 hotels in Grado. We'll be there for three or four nights before going to Croatia. I'm right now in the process of arranging a tour guide to take our group from Grado to the "Grotto Gigante" outside Trieste, then into the city itself for a guided tour. This looks like a fascinating region of Italy and I'm excited about our visit, however brief.

TONY

I think I can help you out. My husbands family comes from Trieste and we have been there several times. We don't stay with them since they all have small apartments. The first time we stayed at the Hotel Jolly which was a nice enough business class hotel. The next time I wanted to find something less expensive and ended up finding a place that was on a quieter street and still near everything. We liked it so much we are staying there again next week! The name of the place is Hotel Italia . It is on the Via Della Geppa.The number is 040 369 900. The website is HERE. email: info@hotel-italia.it. They are a small hotel that serves breakfast in the breakfast room- not spectacular but fine. The rooms are nice, tv., ac, etc. The staff is very helpful and the street is a sidestreet that is fairly quiet. (We found the Jolly Hotel very noisy). It is close to the train station. The price is about 95 euros a night.

Trieste is a beautiful city and one that I think is an undiscovered gem. They are on the coast and have a piazza that is huge and beautiful with one side opening to the sea.The coffee is renowned because of their history with vienna. (Illi coffee is made there). There are several tourist attractions including roman ruins, the beautiful Miramare castle with spectacular grounds overlooking the ocean. San Giusto church and fort, very large caves to explore, a tram, and more. There is a beautiful park, and there is one area where there is a wide boulevard with no cars that is lined with cafes. As far as eating goes, I'm not too sure about that since we tend to have marathon meals with the relatives. I hope this helps.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

I haven't been to Trieste so can't suggest anything practical about hotels or restaurants, but I did read a fascinating book (Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere)that you might want to read before you go. The place sounds fascinating.

We spent a few days in Trieste and found the city fascinating....definitely a old world feel but an interesting mixture of Italy and "mitteleuropa".

In addition to the attractions already mentioned, there are two items of Jewish interest to visit. The synagogue is one of the largest in Italy and Trieste historically had a very large Jewish population. There is still an active community with schools, an old age home and a museum.

In addition, Trieste had the dubious distinction of being the home to the only Nazi death camp in Italy....the Risieria San Saba....now a museum and national monument--often crowded with Italian school groups.

Trieste was the home of James Joyce for a number of years...before he became famous. The tourist office has published a brochure that traces a James Joyce trail around the city. When we there, we went to an exhibit at the local library that featured Joyce and his friend, the well known Italian novelist--Italo Svevo--who lived in Trieste.

We enjoyed eating in Trieste....two of our best meals were at the Citta del Cherso (a seafood restaurant) and Ai Fiori.

Thanks everyone. We will be leaving tomorrow. Six weeks (working) in Romania, then onto southern Croatia and Trieste. I will definitely post a trip report on each. thanks for all the help.