Gorizia

Gorizia is a town and comune in northeastern Italy, at the foot of the Alps and bordering Slovenia. It is the capital of the Province of Gorizia, and is a local center of tourism, industry, and commerce. Since 1947, a twin town of Nova Gorica has developed on the other side of the Italian-Slovenian border. Both towns constitute a conurbation which also includes the Slovenian municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba.

Gorizia is located at the confluence of the Isonzo and Vipava Valleys. It lies in a plain overlooked by the Collio hills, which are renowned for the production of outstanding wines. Being sheltered from the north by a mountain ridge, Gorizia is protected from the cold Bora wind which affects most of the neighbouring areas. The town thus retains a mild Mediterranean climate throughout the year, making it a popular resort. The name of the town probably comes from the Slovene word gorica meaning "little hill", which is a very common toponym in the Slovene-inhabited areas.

There are regular trains from Venice (and Udine) taking around 2 hours. There are also regular trains from Trieste taking about 45 minutes. 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 (cost 1 euro 3 cents) into the centre of Gorizia or Gorizia train station (10 minutes).

Visit Gorizia castle, 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.

As with most Italian cities you'll notice that 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.