San Marino

My journey to San Marino took me to one of the smallest countries in the world, with ancient lookout towers, narrow cobblestone walkways, lovely outdoor cafes, and fabulous duty free shopping.

GETTING THERE

San Marino is a micro country in Italy, on a mountaintop overlooking the east coast. The closest airport is Rimini RMI, which has a few direct flights from around Europe.

Once in Rimini, travelers rent cars or take special shuttles to San Marino, driving away from the beach, through the countryside, past fertile green fields, farmer fruit and veggie stands, some even selling fresh milk.

AMAZING EXCURSIONS

San Marino was a hilly country, where people live on different layers of the terrain. After crossing the border, first there was a business and industrial area, then the famous San Marino malls where many people came for duty free shopping. The country was famous as a tax haven. The towns and homes seemed quite new, many had their own olive trees, and grape vines. Then started the long winding road up the mountain, until I reached the capital.

The historic center was at the top of an incredibly fortified mountain, it was connected to the town below, Borgo Maggiore, by road and a gondola. At the top was a remarkable view of the blue Mediterranean Sea and the lush green valley below.

Hiking to Towers 1, 2, 3 was something everyone wanted to do. Hikers zip zagged up and over the mountain, walking on narrow cobbled streets, the whole place felt like a museum! The towers were built during different time periods, for different reasons. Tower 1 was the first lookout made in the 1200s. Tower 2 was the highest lookout, made in the 1300s. Tower 3 was positioned to give a 360 degree view around the mountain. It was clear these strategies, and the remote location, was why San Marino remained unconquerable over the centuries.

There were many outdoor cafes with mostly Italian food, desserts, and gelato. My favorite was a delicious mushroom spinach ravioli and a rich dessert called Profiteroles, made with layers of pastry with frozen chocolate crème inside, all covered in white whipped cream & sprinkled with cocoa and chocolate bits.

My journey to San Marino was a fabulous experience because it took me inside a living museum, where I could touch anything, walk anywhere, and see all the ways people lived in the ancient past.