A medieval core and a 'modern' late Habsburg era seafront area are the usual focus but a revitalization project in the docks area is showing promise. The city's location, surrounded by Slovenia almost, makes it a good fit for a tour that combines Italy, Slovenia, and possibly Croatia; the Istria region is less than an hour away. Just outside the city limits, you'll be able to indulge in one of the area's unique pastimes, eating at an "osmiza". A practice that dates back to the Austro-Hungarian empire days when farms were allowed to sell their own produce to the public for eight days a year and keep the proceeds. That eight-day limit is no more but the tradition of heading into the hills for a meal or snack at a farm survives and thrives.