If you don't have a friend to show you the sights of Trieste, make a new one at the tourist office: a local tour guide. The tourism office offers three walking tours, including a comprehensive 2-hour tour of the historic center. For those who can't get enough of James Joyce, there is a 2-hour walking tour that shows you where the Dublin native lived, walked, ate, drank coffee, taught English, and took his son for dips in the sea. For foodies, there is a 3-hour guided bus tour that focuses on the wine, cheese, olive oil, and prosciutto producers in the nearby hills.

All three tours start at 10am at the tourist office in Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia. Admission is 5€ for the first two tours and 10€ for the tasting tour. (Historic center tour: daily from Apr to mid-Oct and Sat, Sun, and holidays for the rest of the year. James Joyce tour: usually two Sat a month Apr-Sept. Food tour: usually two Sat a month Apr-Oct.) See the tourist office or check www.turismofvg.it for details.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.