These things I learned in Trieste today

It doesn’t matter if you are fat and fifties, if you wear a pretty dress the charming Italians are going to put you in a prime seat at the front of the cafe

Listen to your guides recommendations. She sent me to Cafe Degli Specchi. A glass of local prosecco was indeed delicious and came with what was basically a meal, 3 canapés, a bowl of crisps (chips for my American friends) and a jar of nuts for a bargain €6. My friend ate opposite in Harry’s and her coffee was €15

Your dog is welcome in the posh cafe

The people watching is epic. We had a wedding, a tandem, a chap walking along with his mates in a full cheerleader costume, lots of pampered pooches in handbags and Manbags

Coffee is half price if you drink it standing up at the bar

In Cafe Degli Specchi coffee comes with a little glass of chocolate as the owners family are chocolatiers

English isn’t widely spoken here but communication is no problem at all

Trusty looking teenagers love taking your photo for you

Trieste is the home of Illy coffee & Koper is the banana capital of Europe – 90% of our bananas pass through the port apparently

A fabulous afternoon in the Italian sun