Excursion Walking tour: literary & coffee heritage tour at Trieste

Explore the life and favourite haunts of acclaimed Italian writer Italo Svevo during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Trieste.

Trieste, Seaside, City Centre, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Hortis, Civic Library, Svevian Museum & Statue

Depart the pier for a guided walking tour of Trieste. Your stroll begins along the seaside en route to the city centre. Upon arrival, exterior visits are made to the historic landmarks and main literary spots connected to the life and works of Italo Svevo, one of the most renowned and prolific writers to ever come out of Trieste.

At the charming Piazza Venezia, learn about the local, 19th-century and 20th-century art history and culture, then proceed to Piazza Hortis to see the Civic Library, where Italo Svevo loved to immerse himself in literature. Today, this famous library houses the Svevian Museum. In front of the museum stands a bronze statue dedicated to Svevo.

Cavana, Piazza Unità, Old Town, Via San Nicolò, Antiquarian Bookshop, Palace

Next, walk along the Cavana, where an exterior photo stop is made at Piazza Unità before meandering through the alleyways of Città Vecchia (the Old Town). This area was beloved both by Italo Svevo, who took here his daily strolls here, and his friend, world-renowned Irish writer James Joyce, who reproduced faithfully in his writings the heterogeneous and frenzy climate of this neighbourhood. Stroll along Via San Nicolò and the 'Umberto Saba' Antiquarian Bookshop, which was managed by the poet with the same name and on whose shelves precious volumes can still be found. On the same street, your guide points out the Palace, which used to be the headquarters of the Berlitz School, where Joyce worked for several years as an English teacher, and the friendship between the Irish scribe and Italo Svevo began.

Svevo Birthplace, Antico Caffè San Marco, Coffee Tasting with Cakes

Your walk in the footsteps of these famous writers continues past the palace where Ettore Schmitz, better-known under the pseudonym, Italo Svevo, was born. Your final stop is at the Antico Caffè San Marco, where Svevo used to sit down every day, sip a coffee, read, and surely gather ideas for his works. Upon arrival, you are welcomed by a wonderful aroma of freshly-ground coffee and introduced to the various coffee blends, along with Trieste and Italian traditions related to this iconic and inspiring drink. Your private coffee-tasting is accompanied by traditional local cakes. Your guided tour of Trieste concludes with a walk back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Trieste, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Hortis and Piazza Unità d'Italia, Civic Library, Cavana, Old Town, Via San Nicolò, Antiquarian Bookshop, Palaces, Coffee Stop, Antico Caffè San Marco

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking and standing for approximately 2.5 miles (about four kilometres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, bottled water, and Euros or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Appropriate attire is required when visiting religious sites. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. On Sundays, church holidays and during weddings, tour groups/guides are not allowed inside the church during services; guests may have an opportunity to visit the church independently, quietly and reverently. The tour sequence may vary. On going restoration work is frequently undertaken at many of the venues visited.