Just an hour or so from Ljubljana we crossed the border into Italy, without stopping, & arrived in the historic port city of Trieste, Italy's only westward-facing Adriatic city, an historical anomaly that has changed hands many time over the years & attracted some of Europe's sharpest minds, from James Joyce to Sigmund Freud.
We were dropped off along the waterfront by the huge Piazza della Unita d'Italia & then had several hours to explore the city. Many of the group chose to join a tourist office tour that was just departing, others explored independently - some climbing to the hilltop fortress for views over the city & Adriatic. And others headed to nearby Eataly, a food & drink emporium or extravaganza.
Another short drive brought us to Venice's Marco Polo Airport where we bade farewell to our excellent Croatian driver Dimar.
Three private water taxis, or motoscafi, took us from the airport, across the waters of the lagoon, to the square closest to our hotel in the very center of Venice! What a way to arrive in this great city!
Our hotel was just a short walk of a few hundred meters (& thankfully across just one bridge).
After checking-in there was plenty of time to relax & freshen-up before we began exploring the local area with a stroll to our neighborhood restaurant - the friendly Trattoria da Bruno where we had a great dinner. Bruno's went on to become a regular haunt for several of our group, some returning there at least 3 times in the next few days!
After dinner there was the option to take an evening stroll to the Riva (waterfront) & to St. Mark's Square, so most of the group went along. Another great end to a day!
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