Any suggestions for towns to visit while I am based in the Chianti area (Florence, Montalcino and Montepulciano are already scheduled) and then Rimini?
How many days in Rimini, and will you still have the car?
We stayed in Rimini for a few days some years ago. The beach was poor in our opinion.
We did very much enjoy going to nearby Ravenna.
The Umbria region is a great place to visit: Orvieto, Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto and more.
We enjoyed Pesaro, south of Rimini, more than Rimini. It is a smaller, historic city with nicer beaches.
I’ll cover the Rimini area (Romagna Coast), since it’s where I am this week.
RIMINI: aside from the beach scene and the stroll along Viale Vespucci, the boulevard running parallel to the beach, one block in, I suggest you hang out along the Port Canal all the way to the Tiberius bridge and the nearby historical center.
RICCIONE: to the south of Rimini is the upscale Riccione. Not much of a historical center, but very nice town with an upscale strolling scene.
CESENATICO Probably the gem of the area. Very quaint historical center near the port canal with great restaurants/cafe scene along the canal. I am here now (stayed in Rimini earlier this month while visiting family)
CERVIA: Like Cesenatico, great and quaint historical center (also near the Port Canal) with great night scene. Just north of Cesenatico.
If I had a choice, I’d probably stay in Cesenatico or Cervia, rather than Rimini. Of course Rimini is bigger and a good base to see San Marino.
If you have a chance visit San Leo and the Gradara Castle, both not far from San Marino.
Beaches everywhere are large sandy beaches and the sea is kind of shallow. Great area for entertainment but the sea is not the one of Sardinia. The sand is light brown/beige therefore the water looks murky. It’s not polluted however. Beaches are a bit better at Gabicce Mare, south of Cattolica. The beaches are however perfect for small kids. Plenty of sand to play with and shallow water, therefore unlikely to drown.
CHIANTI-Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Radda, Gaiole to name a few of them.
From the Chianti, the possibilities are endless. These are the most visited nearby (besides those you have already planned)
CHIANTI HILLS (drive the Via Chiantigiana SR 222 to Siena)
SIENA
SAN GIMIGNANO
MONTERIGGIONI
VOLTERRA