Gorizia

Gorizia is a charming small city, right on the border with Slovenia.

Understand
At one time Gorizia was the main town of the surrounding region but has been separated since 1945 when the international border ran through the eastern part of the city. Today there is a new town, Nova Gorica across the border on the Slovenian side. Since 2007 the two cities have effectively rejoined when Slovenia joined the Schengen zone ending the need for passport controls between the two countries.

Talk
Surprisingly Slovene isn't spoken much in Gorizia (unlike the towns which surround Trieste). However across the border in Nova Gorica you'll find many people who speak Slovene, Italian and English.

Get in
There are regular trains from Venice (and Udine) taking around 2 hours. There are also regular trains from Trieste taking about 45 minutes and InterCity Night trains arriving from Rome once a day. If arriving from Slovenia trains will arrive at Nova Gorica train station, about 10 metres from the international border. Walk across the square into Italy and take the number 1 bus into the centre of Gorizia or the Gorizia train station (10 minutes). Bus tickets cost and can be bought from the ticket machine or from the tobacconist at the end of the street; day tickets are also available.

The closest airport is Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia. From the airport, take Coach 51 and then Coach 1 (coaches are operated by TPL FVG). Alternatively, take the train from the Trieste Airport railway station (right in front of the airport) to Monfalcone or Udine and change there.

Do
Walk across the international border to admire the stunning train station in Nova Gorica and have a gamble in one of the casinos in the Slovenian part. Generally Gorizia is the more beautiful city but it can feel like a graveyard especially in the afternoons and at weekends when shops are closed (as is common throughout Italy). Nova Gorica is much more lively and although the town itself isn't beautiful, its surrounding countryside, hills and rivers are especially so.

Buy
As with most Italian cities, shops tend to close for lunch and on Sundays (even though the neighbouring city's shops remain open, taking away their trade). Nova Gorica isn't a cheap city, but you will find that Slovene supermarkets have a greater variety of goods, and that alcohol and cigarettes are cheaper in the Slovenian city.