Trieste, Italy + Add a trip

SOUVENIRS

I hate that word and normally avoid such things. However, there's something Trieste offers that you can use every day, and which is the perfect reminder of the City's glorious location at the crown of the Adriatic. Head to Drogheria Toso on Piazza San Giovanni and buy a Rosenfeld & Steiger natural sponge.

The tiny Trieste-based R&S company has been... er fishing?... sponges for over 110 years. It still uses traditional methods and an ancient boat. The sponges come in various sizes, qualities and shades of golden yellow.

Rather remarkably, the Drogheria Toso has been in business almost as long as R&S. Quite apart from the sponges, you can marvel at all the other things you always needed, but always eluded you. They're here in this authentic, bewitching, and much-loved store.