The Sea and The Karst |
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When you stay at a place located at a few meters' distance from one of the most charming and spectacular destinations of the whole region, it comes natural to visit this one for first. Leave our house and follow the campsite's wall up to a little square parking lot, where you'll find the entrance to the Rilke path. An easy 40 minute walk throughout the natural reserve will let us immerse ourselves in a magic environment: the Sistiana bay and the spectacular sea cliffs below us; in front of us, the nearby Duino castle on one side, the Miramare castle and Trieste city on the other side. The flora found along the path devoted to the Bohemian poet is another of the traits which make it something out of the ordinary: there is a peculiar mix between the Mediterranean maquis e the center-european Illyrian species.
At the end of the walkable section of the path proceed to the village of Duino up to the castle entrance. Here, you'll visit the romantic lanes of its park, the terraces facing the sea and the interior of the aristocratic dwelling - where the Thurn und Taxis princes still live - rich in artworks and antiques.
At the end of the walkable section of the path proceed to the village of Duino up to the castle entrance. Here, you'll visit the romantic lanes of its park, the terraces facing the sea and the interior of the aristocratic dwelling - where the Thurn und Taxis princes still live - rich in artworks and antiques.
When you come back, the best option is to walk through the path in the opposite direction - you'll notice how many details and views you missed the first time! - and take your car to drive for a few kilometres until you reach the area of the Timavo's mouths. The Timavo is a river full of charm and mystery, which rises in the Slovenian territory, sinks and disappears into the bowels of the earth, following a mostly unknown course, and finally comes to light in this very place, flowing into the Adriatic a few hundred metres ahead. A magic and very peculiar place, sung by Virgil in the Aeneid, whose enchantment is completed by the gothic little church of San Giovanni in Tuba, which contains a few Fifth Century mosaics.
The itinerary continues to another place that is strictly forbidden to miss: let's go underground, into a huge cave containing the world's biggest visitable natural room and called not by chance Grotta Gigante, iconic destination of the Trieste's Karst, whose visit will turn out to be an unforgettable experience, thanks also to the expertise of the guides who will accompany you.
From here we arrive in 10 minutes at the Monrupino - Repen village, where the itinerary ends, after the day's labours, with two relaxing and soothing destinations: the Karstic House, a well preserved example of the traditional Karst architecture - and the Rocca di Monrupino - Tabor, a village fortress containing a shrine in its interior and whose churchyard offers a peaceful atmosphere and a breathtaking view, spanning, in the clear days, the Slovene Karst, the Grado lagoon, the Friuli's plain and the Dolomites.
The itinerary continues to another place that is strictly forbidden to miss: let's go underground, into a huge cave containing the world's biggest visitable natural room and called not by chance Grotta Gigante, iconic destination of the Trieste's Karst, whose visit will turn out to be an unforgettable experience, thanks also to the expertise of the guides who will accompany you.
From here we arrive in 10 minutes at the Monrupino - Repen village, where the itinerary ends, after the day's labours, with two relaxing and soothing destinations: the Karstic House, a well preserved example of the traditional Karst architecture - and the Rocca di Monrupino - Tabor, a village fortress containing a shrine in its interior and whose churchyard offers a peaceful atmosphere and a breathtaking view, spanning, in the clear days, the Slovene Karst, the Grado lagoon, the Friuli's plain and the Dolomites.
Rilke Path - Duino Castle - Timavo's Mouths - Grotta Gigante - Repen's Fortress e Karst House
Total Duration: circa 7 hours and a half, 50 mins of which for car transfers (50 kms) + 1 hours and 20 mins on foot (Rilke path)