Italy: Day Trip to San Marino

John has been agitating to visit San Marino, the fifth smallest country in the world, since our 2016 visit to Italy when we stayed in Bologna, and Urbino, and Ferrara, but failed to make a trip to San Marino. This time we based ourselves in Rimini, just 40 mins by public bus from San Marino.

San Marino is surrounded on all sides by Italy. The border is open, and there were no customs or immigration formalities when we entered. The tourist office will put a stamp in your passport for €5. We declined.

It was foggy when we first arrived in San Marino.


But quickly the sun burned off the fog and clouds.


Basilica di San Marino


We had a nice walk along the old city wall and fortifications.










And some amazing views.






Then a stroll around town. Here's the Parliament building (1st below). Check out the Audi with license plate AM001. I guess it belongs to one of the two Heads of State. And a view (2nd below) over the roofs of the University of the Republic of San Marino.




John is a Giant


Tourists doing tiktok (I'm thinking).


On the bus back to Rimini.


Arriving back in Rimini we were lucky to catch this murmuration on video. Link here.

Italy: Rimini, Resort, Roman, Fellini

From Parma we rode the train to Rimini, located on the Adriatic Sea. It's one of the most notable beach resorts in Europe, and famous as the birthplace of the director Frederico Fellini. In addition, the city, then known as Ariminum, was founded by Romans in the 3rd century BC, and is near San Marino, the fifth smallest country in the world which we will write about in an upcoming post.

It's raining as we walk past the Monumento a Giuseppe Verdi to Rimini Station.


Cabbage - As seen from the train.


Riminifiera Railway Station


Our hotel in Rimini was opposite the Railway Station, and right in front of the San Marino bus stop. In no time we were out exploring the Roman Sites. First the remnants of the Great Amphitheater.


Then the Arch of Augustus, a former gate in the city wall.


Piazza Tre Martiri. Site of the Roman Forum.


Roman Bridge at night.


The Fellini Museum, day and night.




Palazzo dell'Arengo, its fountain, and statue of Pope Paul V.






Cinema Fulgor is dedicated to Fellini films.


The Tempio Malatestiano (Duomo) has some of the best marble reliefs we've ever seen.








The Fishing Fleet and Lighthouse.


Looking south along the Adriatic Sea and the beach resorts.


Just a block from the beach is the Art Nouveau Grand Hotel Rimini.




Evening Murmuration.

Italy: Day Trip to Modena

On our 2nd day in Parma we traveled by rail to Modena, 60 kms to the south, to buy some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese from the central market, and to explore the historic city center.

Parma Railway Station.




Arriving in Modena, we walked past the Monumental Temple of Saint Joseph (1st below) in Piazza Roma (2nd).




Then to the Duomo with its iconic 12th-Century Romanesque Bell Tower, the Torre della Ghirlandina, and marble parapet featuring an amazing relief of the Last Supper.
















The famous 15th-Century Borso d'Este Bible at the Biblioteca Estense, the peak of Italian Renaissance Manuscript Art.




Buying a kilogram of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese at the market!










Poke bowls are popular all over the world, including Italy!


Beautiful Synagogue.


Back in Parma, we stopped into the City Museum and I was pleasnatly surprise to see some Beatles' 45's in a phonograph exhibit.




An Art Nouveau building near San Francesco del Prato.


And how about this Giant Violin, an homage to Verdi I'm sure.