Travel

Its being a Hapsburg city but at the same time Mediterranean makes Trieste a unique place, rich in history and interesting places to discover. Ideal for those who love the sea and culture, you can also visit in a weekend.

For those planning a trip for next spring, some ideas on what to do and what to see in a couple of days in the capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

1 – Visit the castle of Miramare

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Miramare Castle, Trieste
The imposing building, overlooking the sea, is about ten kilometers from the center of Trieste. It was built in the mid-1800s at the behest of Duke Ferdinando Massimiliano d’Asburgo. The interiors of the building, perfectly preserved, can be visited throughout the year. Tourists can immerse themselves in what was the daily life of the duke and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium.

The part of the castle that does not face the sea is surrounded by a park of 22 hectares, where vegetation alternates with small works of art. Inside the huge garden there is also the castelletto, a reduced version of the main residence, in which the original owners of the estate lived for a short period, between 1859 and 1860.

The castle of Miramare, for its location and its peculiarities, is a must for those who go to visit the city.

2 – Go up to the top of the San Giusto hill to see the cathedral

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Facade of the Cathedral of San Giusto, Trieste
The Cathedral of San Giusto was built, some years after 1300, on the top of a hill. A Gothic double-wheel rose window dominates the facade of the church. Inside there are frescoes dating back to the XIII century; on the floors, traces of the mosaics that once characterized the building.

The church is open throughout the year. Next to the cult building, you can visit the remains of an amphitheater from the Roman era. Who wants, then, can also enter the Castle of San Giusto , another symbol of Trieste: from the outer spaces of the fortress, built right on top of the hill, you can see the whole city.

3 – Walking in Piazza Unità d’Italia

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Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia
Coming down from the hill of San Giusto you arrive in the largest and most famous square of Trieste. Some say it is the “living room” of the city; it is certainly a place much loved by the inhabitants of Trieste, but also by tourists who visit the capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The buildings that face Piazza Unità d’Italia are today the headquarters of the town hall, the Region and the Prefecture. If you turn your back on the elegant buildings you can see the sea just a few steps away. Piazza Unità d’Italia – which took this name in 1955 – is in fact the largest seaside square in Europe.

4 – The daring pier

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Overview of the city from the Audace pier
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After a long walk through the streets of the city, even the most tireless tourist will need some rest. The options, then, are two: sit in one of the many historic cafes that are located in the center of Trieste, or stop for a few minutes to watch the sea, on the Audace pier. It is a walkway about 200 meters long, close to Piazza Unità d’Italia. In the past the ships were mooring right here; today, however, the pier is the favorite destination for those who love walking, smelling the sea or admiring breathtaking sunsets. To see the boats approaching the pier you have to wait for the period of the Barcolana , the famous regatta that takes place every year in the city. In 2017, around 2100 boats participated in the competition; a record for the regatta which, for this reason, is considered the most crowded sailboat race in the world.

5 – The Grand Canal

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The one crossed by the navigable watercourse that after cutting the Borgo Teresiano in two flows into the sea is one of the most evocative areas of the city. On the two banks of the canal are anchored small boats and along the way – via Gioacchino Rossini – it is easy to find stalls selling food. On the Red Bridge, which crosses the canal, the statue of the writer James Joyce was installed in 2004 . Within walking distance is the Berlitz School , where the Irish author taught for a while.

A walk along the Grand Canal is pleasant at all hours of the day, but the time when you can appreciate the beauty of the place is certainly that of sunset.

6 – The Jewish ghetto

There is a small island off the coast of Helsinki, Finland, where only women will be admitted. A luxury retreat, nestled in the woods, away from the chaos of the city (and men), which will allow you to unplug, to focus only on meditation, healthy food, physical activity. This is the paradise that is about to open Kristina Roth, an American entrepreneur, recently struck by the beauties of Finland.

On the island only women will be admitted, but this, according to Roth, is not to do a wrong to men: “It might seem that you hate them instead is not so – he told the New York Post , who reported the story. On the contrary, I realized that during the holistic retreats, men are a source of distraction for women, which is why I thought of devoting an entire island to ourselves and our wellbeing “.

It is likely that in the future the island will open its doors to the male gender, but for now yoga classes, cooking classes and spas in the woods are all for use by women. “Women need to spend time with other women – said the entrepreneur at the Independent – they need to nourish each other’s desires and dreams”.

To access the island, at the moment, are only the friends of Roth, who bought the island together with his Finnish companion. In June, however, the paradise will be officially launched. It will be attended mainly by the group of women enrolled in the “SuperShe” association. To be part of it – and therefore have the chance to take advantage of the beauties of the island – you need to send your “application”, register and send a motivational video on why you are so enthusiastic about becoming a member. The costs of a possible stay on the island have not yet been made public: but for a small corner of the exclusive world it is likely that they will not be very low.

“We can talk about a Finnish miracle”: the Nobel Prize winner for economics Bengt Holmström does not use the words to describe the country that gave him birth and that he deserved a special mention of the Guardian , who described him as ” the most free, safe and happy of the world “. The Anglo-Saxon newspaper, in fact, started from the most recent and disparate indices published in recent years and then asked scientists and experts of international importance, all to try to understand what is the success of the Scandinavian nation and how did Finland to earn the approval of 100 studies on his state of “health”.

Only 150 years ago, moreover, Finland was simply a remote region of the Russian Empire, where the living conditions of the majority of the population were very bad. Then the country gained its independence and in a century and a half the historical circumstances, the local population and a series of enlightened governments have made the 5.5 million inhabitants of Finland one of the most envied in the world.

Needless to say, even the Scandinavian country has its limits – starting with the climate that is anything but mild – and that the golden age is only mythology, but living in Finland can greatly increase the perception of one’s quality of life, by experiencing a feeling of well-being that is difficult to experience elsewhere. Here, then, the reasons why – at least according to the Guardian – we should all think of going to live north of the 60th parallel.

1. It is the safest country in the world

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Security is a fundamental aspect for the quality of life of citizens, especially in a period of intense tension and continuous terrorist threats such as the one the West is going through. To make Finland a flagship in terms of protecting the population is above all the efficiency of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. The judiciary, in particular, is judged by sector reports as the most independent and free from political constraints in the world, thus allowing citizens to be judged for their actions in a transparent and fair manner. Moreover, the police have succeeded in guaranteeing high levels of national security in recent years and in the country there is the lowest rate in the world of organized crime.. It should be noted, however, that on August 18, 2017, the city of Turku was the scene of a terrorist attack in which two people lost their lives.

2. Social and gender equality

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According to the Guardian , according to the World Economic Forum , Finland is third in the global ranking for guaranteed gender parity and has had to leave the scepter to two very close countries: Iceland and Norway. After all, since 1906, women can be included in the electoral lists to be voted, in a time when this was not allowed anywhere else in the world, and today the Finnish parliament is composed of a female quota equal to 42%. “Women in Finland take their rights seriously and men accept it” is the comment of former Prime Minister Tarja Halonen at the English newspaper.

Differently from the ancient societies of other European countries – such as France, England, Spain and Italy itself – then, since the proclamation of independence from Russia, in 1917, it became clear that “the gap between the various social classes it was smaller than usual. […] Even today, on the streets of Helsinki you can walk alongside the richest boy in the country without realizing it, “reads the Guardian .

3. Cooperation

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There is a precise word to indicate the Finnish spirit to help each other for the common good: it is “Talkoot”. “It means working together, in a collective way, to reach a specific goal. […] The key is to cooperate, all together, equally”. According to former Prime Minister Halonen, says the Guardian , the climate typical of those areas of the planet has tempered the Finnish mentality: “We live in a cold, stiff and remote place.Everyone has to work hard for himself and sometimes this is not enough. help each other to make it “. “It’s a cultural fact”, added Ambassador Bruce Oreck. “But now it’s part of our chemistry”.

Slalom in Courmayeur to spend these last weeks of winter in the enchanting scenery of Mont Blanc. The first event, twice good, starts tomorrow with the return to the Valle d’Aosta pearl of Chef in common , the social table of Courmayeur that sees master chefs involved in an important charity project that until February 17 offers eight dinners for 16 guests in a unique setting, the Council Chamber of the town of Courmayeur that turns into an exclusive restaurant wrapped in an enchanted forest.

The table has always been a place of sharing, exchange and comparison. Through food we share passions and emotions, knowledge and flavors, “because cooking is first of all a gesture of love”, as Massimo Bottura likes to call it, godfather of the first edition.

Love that in Courmayeur takes on a special meaning at the next party of lovers. Known above all for being the gateway to an iconic and spectacular territory such as that of the granitic Monte Bianco (the highest peak in Europe, 4810 meters) and a sports destination par excellence, it heats up in a particular way for San Valentino that is the winter patron of the town. Starting from next Wednesday, February 14th, in fact, with the sunny days that stretch and begin to light up the country (usually in the afternoon darkness during the winter) even in the afternoon, passing high above the summit of Crammont, Courmayeur offers to lovers a series of dedicated events.

What is more romantic than a picture in the snow to take a hug on the “selfie station” bench in the shape of a heart? Enjoying one of the theme desserts created for the occasion by the pasta factories of the center? And more passion in the themed parades of the folklore groups Badoche and Beuffons, typical of the tradition, in addition to the romantic proposals for two of shelters, hotels and restaurants.

Love and solidarity towards the children then season the “good” dinners on stage from tomorrow with the initiative Chef in common, whose proceeds will be donated to the association Dynamo Camp onlus that offers free recreational therapy programs to children and teenagers from 6 to 17 years old, suffering from serious and chronic diseases, their families and healthy brothers and sisters.

Guest chef of the 2018 edition is the Australian Dave Pynt of the barbecue restaurant of Singapore Burnt Ends among the 50 Best restaurants of Asia and winner of the “Chef’s Choice Award”: the waiting list to taste his specialties on the grill it’s a long month. Dave offers a balanced cuisine centered on cooking on the grill and in the wood oven, strongly convinced that the fire and smoke give a magical touch to food, an added value that can hardly be explained in words. In fact, in this edition of “Chef in common”, Pynt will valorize with its personal techniques the food and wine excellences of the territory provided by local producers, such as goat meat, trout, hazelnuts, vegetables accompanied by craft beers and bubbles.

The decommissioned railways in Italy are dozens. The train no longer passes over over 7,000 kilometers of tracks. However, more and more initiatives are being put in place to recover these assets and turn them into green tourism destinations . So far, the projects, realized or to be realized, concern about 1,300 km of disused railway line. In these places, where the train first whistled, today we hike or cycle.

There are many examples of railways turned into cycle paths. Among these there is the line that connected Spoleto to Norcia , in Umbria. The route is among the routes mentioned in the ‘ Atlas of travel along the disused railways, published in the autumn of 2017 by the State Railways. Closed in 1968, the railway that connected the two Umbrian towns was considered a small jewel of railway engineering. Along the route, nowadays dedicated to bicycle lovers, there are 19 tunnels and 24 bridges and viaducts.

From 2016, once a year on this circuit is organized Spoleto-Norcia Mountain Bike , an event open to anyone who loves to ride a bike. In fact, the routes are four and have different levels of difficulty. One of these, the Family , can also be done by children with their parents.

A shorter and less known route than Spoleto-Norcia is the one that connects Fiuggi to Paliano , in Lazio. The bike path traces a stretch of the Rome-Fiuggi-Alatri-Frosinone railway line and is part of the EuroVelo circuit , a network of about 70,000 km that allows you to discover Europe by riding on two wheels. The path winds, on a slope, between the white of the limestone rock walls and the green vegetation.

Some define it as the most beautiful cycle path in Lazio; there was, however, also those who complained that maintenance was scarce along the way . Other cyclists who have crossed the Fiuggi Paliano, however, recommend to follow it , even to enjoy a unique view, along a circuit that is far from the most frequented routes by those who love green tourism .

In Liguria, however, there is a cycle path, built on a former railway track, which runs along the sea. This is the western Ligurian cycle path . Born along the route of the San Lorenzo – Ospedaletti railway , it covers 24 of the 60 km that once were crossed by the tracks.

“A land full of treasures”: this is how the Telegraph defines Central Italy in a long report explaining to Anglo-Saxon tourists how to enjoy a nice holiday on the Via Franchigena with their own bicycle. To convince Adam Ruck, journalist who mainly deals with travel, it is above all the natural beauties of the Peninsula, as well as the possibility to go mountain biking a route of almost one thousand kilometers that crosses as many centuries of human history. We do not struggle to understand why the English correspondent has been enchanted by it.

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From the hills of the Great St. Bernard to Rome, the Via Francigena was traced in 990 AD by the Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury and led the faithful on a pilgrimage to the Papal States, constituting for centuries an almost inevitable obligation for every Christian. Despite the passage of time, the route has preserved all its charm, also enchanting Adam Ruck, but he wanted to take a much shorter path than that of the pilgrims of the past, starting from Tuscany to head in the heart of Lazio.

The journalist has relied on a travel agency to let himself be immersed in the magic of the Via Francigena and in his article describes in detail every detail of the trip, from the equipment of the bike companions to the meals. Instead of the Alps, the group moved from San Gimignano: “Tuscany is as beautiful as a photograph”, the correspondent writes in what can be defined as a real travel diary. “The meadows are uncultivated and not yet dry, the spring fills the landscape with green and poppies.The cypress trees trace the road line and adorn the horizon like a Renaissance painting”. These are the words of a tourist in love.

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“Tuscany is full of wonders and our arrival in Siena is anticipated” continues Ruck in his story. “We have pushed our bikes on the most beautiful non-square in the world, piazza del Campo”. But the journey of the journalist and of the other cyclists has not stopped and, after the wonders of the UNESCO site of the Val d’Orcia , for Adam it’s time to enter Lazio. The Lake of Bolsena, for the journalist, is a “resplendent mirror”, while refreshing itself on Montefiascone’s belvedere becomes a real panacea.

Even if the holiday at the Via Francigena was not perfect – the correspondent, for example, felt a moment of discomfort when the carabinieri prevented the group from having lunch in the historic center of Viterbo -, the majesty of places like the Etruscan amphitheater of Sutri have repaid it all.