Not only is this adage true of a house but of hotels and boarding houses too. Many of the hostelries in Trieste were full, too expensive or in the wrong location. It was the Barcolana week - sailing festival. After much deliberation on securing value for money we selected the Ostello in Miramare, adjacent the sea and a bus ride away from Barcola and Trieste. It turned out to be a reasonable choice.

The room allotted us with en suite facilities was very basic, clean and good as a resting place for the night. As is the custom of such hostelry one has to take one’s own towel although crisp clean white cotton sheets and pillow cases were provided. The beds were firm and comfortable. The rule of the house was that the residents leave at 10:00 and not return until 15:30 during which the place was locked up for cleaning. The Ostello is in a building of classic design facing the Adriatic. If you are lucky to be allotted room F on the same floor as the breakfast room then you get a beautiful view of the sea, the gulf, Trieste harbour and sunset, sipping a chilled glass of wine. There is even a balcony on the floor above. The room has 6 bunk beds but was allotted us for dual occupancy as we had booked, and were paying for, a twin bedded en suite room. As a dorm with 6 occupants it would be overcrowded.

The breakfast comprised self service of small crusty white rolls, butter, assorted jam, coffee and tea from 7:30 to 10:00. The coffee, considering one was in Italy, could have been much better. But it was generally warm in a thermos with plastic beakers provided for helping one self. Lorella, the owner, manager & staff who does reception duty, is a pleasant woman and helpful.

There are no shops in the vicinity of the Osello. A short walk away, on the same side as the Ostello, is the expensive Hotel Miramare which has a restaurant and a little further is a small bar with a few tables outside serving items of food, ice cream and coffee. Along the sea front are several kiosks that serve a limited range of snacks, sandwiches and drinks. Adjacent to the Ostello is an independently owned and run restaurant. We did not eat there or see many diners on weekdays. About 15 minutes walk away on the main road opposite the sea front is the Ristorante California Pizzeria Rafaele. Closer however, is a salubrious looking Ristorante Mirabella. Another 12 minutes or so further is a Pub called the BeFed Brew Pub. We were told that for the price their dish portions were small. Yet another 12 to 15 minutes further is El Friton, a very basic looking fish and chip eatery which we were told was reasonably priced and good. We normally took bus 36 (or walked 45 minutes) into the next town, Barcola, about 3.5 miles towards Trieste. It has a selection of bars, grocery shops, newsagents, ice cream shop, etc. If you arrive at Rochi and take APT bus 51, get off at the car park near the University of Trieste's theoretical physics reserarch centre. The ostello is 10 to 15 minutes walk down through two tunnels and steps on the side of the hill.

The Ostello's location and the classic style of the building makes it a desirable place to stay.