Surrounded by Italy with its highest point above sea level being at 749m, hilly topography and substantially no flat land sits The Most Serene Republic of San Marino.
It is the 5th smallest country in the world and one of only 3 countries in the world completely enclosed by another country and has been independent since 301AD.
Being only a 25km drive from Rimini it was an obvious choice for a visit and allowed us to tick off another country that we have set foot in.
From the carpark everything in the old town sits above you and once you have climbed the steps to get inside the outer walls one couldn’t help but be impressed by the how clean it was and there was also the “smell” of wealth.
Whether or not there was something special on today or it is a common occurrence but there were numerous folk dressed in their medieval garb demonstrating crafts that their ancestors practised.
If there was a criticism it was that shops were very repetitive - leather goods, watches & jewellery, perfume, guns and swords, restaurants, souvenir shops and an odd miscellaneous store.
There were numerous areas where locals played ancient games with visitors
and performers entertaining everyone
Short video of some drummers
The view out over the surrounding countryside was magnificent
It was well worth our visit even though the walking was hot and mostly uphill.
Arrived back in Rimini and took to the ocean using a strategy of walking straight past the attendants, bag down on sand by sea and into the ocean, an ocean where the water temperature was similar to a tepid bath - very refreshing.
After dinner tonight as we walked back to the hotel by the beach I took a couple of photos showing areas of the beach now deserted of people but the umbrellas and loungers neatly set in rows waiting for the punters tomorrow.
Kms driven to date 3056
Kms walked to date 437.4
Spent on Diesel €226.02
Highest price paid to date for diesel €1.699 Verona
Lowest price paid to date for diesel €1.479 Freiburg
Spent on tolls €45.10
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