In Trieste there is no lack of possibilities as regards culture in its varied forms. Tourists have become aware of this recently, with constantly rising numbers of visitors. The experiential aspect of the local cultural heritage is of particular interest to them. A positive “immersion travel” is one that takes a dip into the history, culture, traditions, customs of the places visited.

In the regional capital, coffee is in close symbiosis with the city, perhaps more than in any other place in Italy. There is no foyer, street or square that does not recall the aromatic product in some way. It is very easy, even for an absent-minded tourist, to overhear talk concerning the quality of the espresso served in the bars, but also to meet those strange characters who, technical experts in the subject, professionally taste, analyse and make roasted blends. An unconventional itinerary on offer is the one proposed by the Trieste Coffee Tour (departure every Saturday at 12 noon in English and 2 p.m. in Italian, from Via dell'Orologio, the offices of PromoTurismo FVG in Trieste).

The guide accompanies visitors within an “expanded” reality of the city’s coffee universe, through historic cafés, famous bars, and tastings of traditional. These are all activities connected to the world of green-brown beans, and include the possibility of visiting a museum dedicated to the hot national drink: espresso. An idea for an outing can start in the area of ??Cittavecchia, in via di Cavana with a visit to a typical tasting bar, while a few steps away there is a modern bar that recalls history through its antique design. A few steps further on, we find ourselves in Piazza Unità. Here we are spoiled for choice with its prominent café that face the city’s open-air drawing room. Behind it, we can head towards Piazza Verdi or Piazza della Borsa. In the latter case, an old café is located under the palace known as the Tergesteo. In the other case, we will find a recent café but with an ancient name under the building of the Theatre. Continuing the tour to Piazza Tommaseo with its oldest café in the area, in front of us we also find a coffee-store of a leading global company in the industry. Now we can head towards corso Italia and Via Roma.

Here, in a corner, we find what is surely the smallest café in the city with only forty square metres of space; then we continue via San Nicolò with its elegant bars and opposite the Saba bookshop we find one which the Triestine poet used to frequent. We turn left and in Piazza Sant’Antonio there is another historical café, a reference point for many artists. Last but not the least, is a visit in via Battisti, the road that leads to the outskirts of the city. On the left there is an ancient café, one of the most historic, a place extolled by historians and writers. Within, the atmosphere really remains unchanged and it is here that we part.