So, I’ve been putting this post off for a long time. And I think that on reflection, this is because Rimini was the most touristic destination I have travelled to so far. I decided to travel here as I had some last-minute annual leave to use up and the ticket cost me just £16 return! Generally there were less activities than some of my other adventures but safe to say a whole lot of beach. However there was one little highlight for me, so let’s get exploring…
I travelled in May so both the weather and levels of tourists were very different to peak season – but I liked this. However, without any fellow herds of British sun-seeking tourists, I had no safety in numbers to check where I was going. Therefore, I had a few mishaps even getting into Rimini. The coach from the airport was absolutely fine but I could not navigate the local bus system to begin with and ended up walking a relatively lengthy trek to the hotel in the scorching heat (by British standards).
When I eventually made it to the hotel, I wasn’t really sure what to do over the next few days. It was not quite hot enough for the pool and the sunbeds were not yet laid out at the beach because tourist season hadn’t begun. Thankfully, I had taken a book. After a while, I decided to go exploring in the local area and I walked down to the harbour a few times. By now, you must know that I enjoy climbing things; hey, if there is a tower with a viewpoint, count me in! There was nothing of the sort in Rimini, but there was a big ferris wheel which I exclusively, and unashamedly, rode by myself. No other tourists in sight. The viewpoint was lovely, and the sunset just beautiful as the amber glow shone over all the boats.
Sick of reading, a few days later I decided to explore a bit further out and walk to ‘Le Befane’ shopping centre, donning a little green playsuit, without a jacket of course because, hey: I’m in Italy! The sun is shining, I’m looking forward to getting a gorgeous bronze tan.. I could not have misjudged the situation any worse. A torrential downpour occurred and I have never felt like such a blatant tourist in my life. Luckily, I spent a few hours in the refuge of the shopping centre, to buy some waterproof clothing if nothing else. But did I? Nope! I felt confident enough to catch the bus back and this is where the calamity begins.
When I eventually did seek out a bus, turns out I was heading in the wrong direction! “Doesn’t look familiar” I thought, but carried on regardless as I was sure I’d recognise the town centre having walked there. Where I actually ended up was at the bus depot, waiting patiently for the bus to depart again, only for the driver switch off the engine. “Weird” I thought, but sure the bus would soon be on its way. Oh no. No no no. The bus driver saw me, waiting patiently with my shopping bags, only to exclaim “mamma mia!” (that’s not a joke – it really happened) and what I assume was some smoooooth-sounding Italian swearing. I suddenly realised there would be no further stops. Panic set in. I tried to explain in broken Italian that I was heading to Rimini but to no avail. I got off the bus, not sure what to do with myself. I waited for the driver to come back from the little cabin where he was discussing (I assume) how best to help this bedraggled, lost tourist he found on his bus.
Being even further out from the centre, the driver gave me a lift in his own car (!!) back to the main road we had evidently left behind. I do not recommend this, but at this point I was desperate and in a panic with minimal phone battery and I think he felt obliged to point the stupid tourist at least in the right direction. He told me where to find the buses, in Italian, but of course they were nowhere to be found. I eventually marched back to Le Befane’s information point where a lovely lady wrote the street name down for me and alas, the story has a happy ending. So the moral is; learn Italian. Haha, no, us Brits don’t do well at learning languages, do we?! So instead, always pronounce your desired destination to the driver in your best accent and wait for the nod of approval.
After the bus drama, I did a bit of research into the local buses. For about €10 you can visit San Marino! This was 2019 pricing (told you I was putting off writing this) so who knows what it costs post-Brexit. Technically, San Marino is its own state but it is landlocked. You can actually get your passport stamped there if you so desire. You can choose which coach you catch back, depending on how long you want to stay, rather than the confines of a tour bus. It absolutely chucked it down with rain but the little cobbled streets and historic walkways were just magical. One scene (Guaita Tower) was like something from a Disney movie, walking down a well-trodden grassy path, with a winding stone wall and a beautiful castle up ahead. Plus a wet and soggy damsel in her summer clothes and no brolly – the weather changed a lot!
So, to summarise, here’s what you can get up to in Rimini:
1. ‘Diamond Wheel’ for a great view
Preferably on a sunny day or you will have a lovely photo with a view of condensation like mine! This ride only cost a few euros.
2. Spiaggia Libera (Rimini beach), sunbathe and pick up litter!
I’m not joking – just like I said in my Malta post, we gotta do our little bit. If you’re at a beach and you see some rubbish (providing it’s safe to do so) why not pick it up?! And remember; buy recyclable cans, glass or cartons where possible as we don’t want any horrid plastic waste contaminating beautiful beaches like the stuff below!
3. San Marino & Museo della Tortura (San Marino & Museum of Torture)
For around €10 you can visit this lovely place and have fun visiting some tourist attractions, such as… The Museum of Torture! What a lovely way to spend your holiday! I checked it out whilst I was there because I love medical history etc. but be warned; I was walking round in a constant state of nausea after seeing all the displays. And this one pictured is relatively ‘friendly’ to say the least! Bring your bucket. You’re gonna need it.
4. Le Befane Centro Commerciale (Shopping Centre)
Not everybody’s cup of tea, but I personally enjoy a spot of retail therapy. You won’t find the high couture shops here, but it’s nice to see the different brands and there is a massive superstore to explore! Plus, the best trolleys I have ever seen:
5. Arco d’Augusto (Arch of Augustus)
A lovely stone arch built in memory of a Roman emperor.
6. Castel Sismondo (Sismondo Castle)
In the Piazza Malatesta, you will find the remains of a castle built during the 1400s. The castle is just a fraction of the original structure and there are speaking displays which you can click and listen to for more information in multiple languages.
7. Fontana Della Pigna (Pinecone Fountain)
Located in the Piazza Cavour where you will also find other another monument and some café bars. There’s also a Fontana Della Pigna at the Vatican but this one is a slightly smaller scale model!
Places to Eat & Drink
- Bar Lento – a selection of snacks rather than meals, such as sandwiches, breads, biscuits and cookies. You can also grab a cocktail here. It seems that they are served with crisps?
- Loving Hut – I was very surprised to find a Loving Hut in Rimini. I opted for the buffet which was lovely and there was also a selection of desserts in the fridge.
- Stram Palato – located on the beach front/harbour area by the ferris wheel, I was relieved to see some vegan options in this small town. A vegan burger with vegan mayo!
- Flower Burger – I was very excited to find this place and everything was plant-based. I ate a vegan burger in a pink bun! Ahhh, it’s the little things…
- Peperosso – a takeaway pizza place with such a friendly and accommodating owner. They had advertised vegan pizza but unfortunately didn’t have all the ingredients. However, I took my own cheese from the supermarket and he was happy to create me a pizza!
- Ristorante Cavalieri Spiaggia – I went here as a last-ditch attempt for some food and there wasn’t anything much in the immediate area I was staying in. I ordered the vegetarian pizza without cheese (which is “senza formaggio per favor”). You’re welcome!
Useful Information
- The currency in Italy is the euro (€)
- I didn’t really find a good tourist map because the area is mainly beach. I used my iPhone map a lot for this trip.
- To search information around buses, there is a handy app called ‘Moovit‘ which works in all the countries I have visited so far! It’s a life saver!
The Solo Vegan 