Arriving in Trieste, Italy, mid-afternoon I am struck by the heat. Coming from Abu Dhabi you would think I would be used to it yet I always find Italy blistering. Exiting the railway station I immediately seek shade in a small park while using my phone to orientate myself and quickly find my hotel. As usual, my hotel is close to the station, only a few blocks to walk and it is reasonably easy to find. A welcome shower, complimentary cuppa and snack down in the lounge then I am ready to eat pizza! When in Italy...
I found the recommended restaurant easily, only a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Apparently the best pizza and served with a knife and fork rather than being cut into slices. A cold Italian beer washes it down nicely while sitting under an umbrella. It's great to sit and people watch.
As it's still early I set off to find the cruise terminal for the morning then spend hours wandering around all the attractions.
The main square is surrounded by six white buildings, all exceptionally beautiful. One shone gold in the setting sun and I was disappointed I couldn't capture it on my camera.
Trieste has a canal so you don't need to visit Venice although it isn't as grand. Coffee houses abound and James Joyce was one famous Irish writer that spent time there. In fact, he has been immortilised in bronze.
Some streets are so steep they have handrails on the footpaths. Now I know why those Italian Nona's live to 100 - walking up those streets everyday to the church at the top would keep anyone in shape. Parking must be a nightmare!
The skyline is dominated by the castle and church up the top of the hill. On the way I wander up and down narrow cobbled streets. Once at the top, the view is spectacular and I can see one cruise ship berthed in the main square. Let's hope mine is there in the morning.
After 3 hours in my jandals (remember I was only going 5 minutes for a pizza and it was too hot to put my sneakers back on) my feet and legs are sore from climbing such steep terrain so I head back to the hotel. If only it was as easy to find in the dark as it was earlier today! I end up retracing my steps back to the pizza place then resorting to my map to find it again.
The hotel Albergo Alla Posta had a welcome set-up where you could get tea or coffee from a machine in the lounge/library at any time. They also supplied fruit and snacks like croissants & biscuits. As the wifi wasn't working in my room, I spent some time down there in the comfy leather couches sampling some herb tea.
My overall impression of Trieste was that it is much nicer than Rome. I didn't feel like I had to be clutching my bag from pickpockets like Rome and I felt safe wandering around alone in the early evening. It is easy to do the sights in 1/2 day or less.
My hotel room was clean, tidy, comfortable and a good size - except for the smallest shower I've ever been in. It couldn't have been more than 2 foot wide!
Next morning, after a fabulous continental breakfast at the hotel, I popped back to a small shop I'd spied on arrival yesterday. Must have purchases of a linen dress, scarf and sunhat take place then it's back to the hotel to try and fit everything into my bag. Moral of the story - don't travel light then buy stuff. Heading down to the main square I am intrigued to watch a dancer perform her repertoire on the street.
I am relieved to find my cruise ship centre stage. So central. Even though it's early I wander down to find men with guns and enter the fenced off area. No one took my suitcases so I ended up taking them with me onto the ship eventually.
Once I'd entered the holding building, there were cold drinks and an attractive fresh fruit display available. This was a welcome touch after the heat outside. A number system ensured we didn't spend too long waiting before joining the queue for embarkation.
Now the fun begins. My credit card wouldn't work in their swipe machine. Then my passport had to be taken away and checked. Finally I get through only to get taken aside and have my bag swabbed! I had to sign to say this had happened. Lucky it was - Negative!!!!
Once on the ship, I leave my bags outside my room as it wouldn't be ready until 3pm and head off to explore. Dining room for a buffet lunch then check out the pool. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a cocktail, sitting on a deck chair on a cruise ship! This is the first ocean cruise I've done where drinks are included.
By now I've had mojitos at the pool, rose bubbly at lunch, sparkly white wine at dinner, cocktails after & during the 10pm Beatles story show with plenty of hot young Latino male dancers, acrobats and music. A very interactive show with flash mob in the audience.
Life is good.
As it's still early I set off to find the cruise terminal for the morning then spend hours wandering around all the attractions.
The main square is surrounded by six white buildings, all exceptionally beautiful. One shone gold in the setting sun and I was disappointed I couldn't capture it on my camera.
Trieste has a canal so you don't need to visit Venice although it isn't as grand. Coffee houses abound and James Joyce was one famous Irish writer that spent time there. In fact, he has been immortilised in bronze.
Some streets are so steep they have handrails on the footpaths. Now I know why those Italian Nona's live to 100 - walking up those streets everyday to the church at the top would keep anyone in shape. Parking must be a nightmare!
The skyline is dominated by the castle and church up the top of the hill. On the way I wander up and down narrow cobbled streets. Once at the top, the view is spectacular and I can see one cruise ship berthed in the main square. Let's hope mine is there in the morning.
Roman ruins dot the landscape.
My overall impression of Trieste was that it is much nicer than Rome. I didn't feel like I had to be clutching my bag from pickpockets like Rome and I felt safe wandering around alone in the early evening. It is easy to do the sights in 1/2 day or less.
My hotel room was clean, tidy, comfortable and a good size - except for the smallest shower I've ever been in. It couldn't have been more than 2 foot wide!
Next morning, after a fabulous continental breakfast at the hotel, I popped back to a small shop I'd spied on arrival yesterday. Must have purchases of a linen dress, scarf and sunhat take place then it's back to the hotel to try and fit everything into my bag. Moral of the story - don't travel light then buy stuff. Heading down to the main square I am intrigued to watch a dancer perform her repertoire on the street.
I am relieved to find my cruise ship centre stage. So central. Even though it's early I wander down to find men with guns and enter the fenced off area. No one took my suitcases so I ended up taking them with me onto the ship eventually.
Once I'd entered the holding building, there were cold drinks and an attractive fresh fruit display available. This was a welcome touch after the heat outside. A number system ensured we didn't spend too long waiting before joining the queue for embarkation.
Now the fun begins. My credit card wouldn't work in their swipe machine. Then my passport had to be taken away and checked. Finally I get through only to get taken aside and have my bag swabbed! I had to sign to say this had happened. Lucky it was - Negative!!!!
Once on the ship, I leave my bags outside my room as it wouldn't be ready until 3pm and head off to explore. Dining room for a buffet lunch then check out the pool. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a cocktail, sitting on a deck chair on a cruise ship! This is the first ocean cruise I've done where drinks are included.
I have time to snap a few shots from the ship before I opt to make use of the spa facilities and have a hot stone massage before heading down for a shower and dressing (casual) for dinner. I am on the early seating - 7:30pm. My table companions are a kiwi family with two young boys returning home (via a couple of cruises and a trip to Egypt) from working in Seattle. There is plenty of choice for meals including daily specials.
Life is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment