Trieste

I haven't been there myself, but it certainly sounds intriguing. Here's a New York Times article from a few years ago: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/travel/01trieste-italy.html?_r=1

When a city is not covered in Rick's guidebook, as in this case, I like to look at Lonely Planet or the Michelin Green Guide; both also have an overview online. For another newspaper travel section online, I like the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jun/20/trieste-sleep-eat-do.

If you aren't looking for "cheap" eats, try a meal at Il Bragozzo... it isn't going to stand out visually from the other restaurants catering to large tourist crowds down the road, but it is truly wonderful. We had a most memorable meal including Irish beef filet, fish crudo, and semifreddo for dessert.

Trieste is a great place to do nothing. It does not have the obvious tourist attractions. Take a stroll down Viale Xx Settembre, a pedestrian thoroughfare. Don't miss Castel Miramare - the story of Archduke Maximilian is absurdly interesting. You could skip the Duino castle (of Rilke fame) since its exhibit is quite unkempt and poorly constructed.