WHAT'S ON THIS WEEKEND                                                            21 - 24 March 2013

ART EXHIBITIONS

Thursday, 21st March at 17.30 Inauguration of Photography contest-exhibition "Dolce vita, caro vita" (Sweet Life, expensive life) by female photographers at the Assicurazioni Generali Club in Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 1 - top floor. Over 30 photographs on the topic. Ongoing until 29 March, open Mondays to Thursdays 9:30-12:30/15:30-18:00 and Fridays, 9:30-12:30.

Friday, 22/3 at 17:30 LAST DAY, Finissage of photography exhibit by Armando Casalino "Donna" at Working Art in via del Trionfo, 1 (Arco di Riccardo), Trieste old town. 18 huge photos of women.

At the Sartorio Museum (Largo Papa Giovanni XXIII, n.1): "Il tiepolo a Trieste - The drawings of Master G.B.Tiepolo", ongoing until Sunday 07/04/2013. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10.00 - 18.00. Closed on Mondays. Ticket euro 5,50.

Art show "100 sketches" by artist Dante Pisani (who passed away 2 years ago) at Citta' di Londra, in via Ghiberti 2, downtown Trieste. His portraits and drawings are sketched with quick signs and great ability. Open Mondays to Fridays: 10-12/18-19:30. Open until 30/4/13.

THEATRE

First "European day of Early Music" celebration on  Thurs., 21st March at the Carlo Schmidl Theatrical Museum, Palazzo Gopcevich, in  via Rossini 4 downtown, close to the canal.  A full day of events keyed on  ancient music with guided tours of the museum and its musical instruments at 12.30/17.30 and 19.30. Concerts: At 18.30 by the Dramsam Ensemble and at 20.30 "Indian Music" by Syamal Maitra, Fabio Accurso and Paola Erdas.

MUSEUMS

Visit the Sartorio Museum, an ancient 18th century Villa that belonged to a rich merchant family. There are beautiful rooms with antique furniture and important art collections, paintings, jewellery, furnitures, silverware as well as 254 drawings by Tiepolo (1696-1770, a famous Venetian artist), Santa Chiara's triptic and more recently, Fittcke's paintings. Ticket euro 5,50.  The Sartorio is situated in Largo Papa Giovanni XXIII, n.1, open Tuesday - Sunday 9:00 - 13:00. Take bus 30.

TOUR TRIESTE

The Miramare Castle is right next to the ICTP and is open every day - except Monday mornngs - from 9.00 to 18.30. Entrance to the surrounding park is free (8.00 - 16.00, until the end of February). The location, gardens, castle with the lovely decor and furnishings, paintings, rooms full of history are not to be missed. Ticket: Euro 4/head. For more info: www.castello-miramare.it

The Duino Castle is one of the most attractive castles in Europe and is still the official residence of the Torre e Tasso royal family. From its cliff top location there is a stunning view of the sea as it overlooks a small fishing village and is surrounded by colourful, extensive gardens. Inside, you can admire the furnishings, paintings, books and mementoes collected over centuries; visit its beautiful park and the World War 2 bunker. Open every day from 9:30 - 16:30. Tickets: Euro 5. For more info: www.castellodiduino.it

The Giant Cave - Grotta Gigante is considered the largest tourist cave in the world, situated in the Triestine Karst (Carso), half an hour from the city center. An exclusive feature of the cave is the horizontal pendulum, constructed by university researchers in order to calculate the slightest movements of the earth's crust. Visiting times, till end March, every hour from 10:00 - 16:00. From April: 10:00 - 18:00. Each visit lasts one hour. Entrance ticket:  Euro 11/each. For groups of over 15 persons: Euro 5/head.

Take bus 42 from Piazza Oberdan and get off at Borgo Grotta, Sgonico – proceed by foot for 5 minutes – follow road sign for Grotta Gigante. Wear comfortable shoes, no heels. Check website: www.grottagigante.it

NATURE AT ITS BEST:

Hiking in Val Rosandra (half or full day), Trieste

Provided the weather is fine and sunny, the Val Rosandra Valley encloses a remarkable natural environment and a walk through its paths, and by the stream and natural ponds, surrounded by typical carsic vegetation is worth it. Make sure you have good sneakers on and enough water. Walk along colour-marked footpaths, each marked by CAI (Italian Alpine Club), ranging from very easy paths to others that require certain ability. There are easily accessible caves for speleologists and archaeology lovers. You can reach the Valley by taking Bus 40 from the Central Train Station in Trieste and getting off in Bagnoli della Rosandra.

"La Napoleonica" Panoramic route mostly overlooking the sea, on the Trieste karst. Take Bus 4 from Piazza Oberdan to the "Obelisco" and go walking or jogging on the Napoleonica (Napoleon's path). If you wish, you can take path number 12 (marked by C.A.I - Italian Alpine Club) and reach the Sanctuary of Monte Grisa, proceed to Opicina through the Via Crucis path (number 12) and finally return to the Obelisk and take the bus back to the city.

MISCELLANEA

Eat out at typical OSMIZE, local  farmhouses that open up in certain periods of the year and serve home-made hams, salamis, cheeses, boiled eggs, Terrano wines produced by the farmers.

Ring the farmhouses before going as they are open only in certain months of the year and on certain days. Check the list for locations at website: http://www.fvgnews.net/view.php?t=e&k=6347

The Info Point takes no responsibility whatsoever for the correctness or completeness of the above information. Check website: http://portal.ictp.it/infopoint