We will be driving from Florence to San Marino in May. The google maps route gives a couple of options with the quickest in time being via Bologna. I have visited Bologna before and would always love a return visit at least for lunch. The other option would be to drive through the mountains and Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi. I am sure the Bologna route would be more direct and faster, but would the scenery of driving through the national park be better? Any advice on which route to take and what things to see along the way would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The park option, does it make you cross the mountains on an SS-something road? If so, the answer depends more on your driving skills than on the views.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16152 posts
If you have time I'd take the Strada Regionale SR70 through the Consuma Pass, to the Casentino Valley.
Then from Poppi (visit the town), in Casentino, I'd take the SR through Badia Prataglia and the Mandrioli Pass (follow directions to Cesena) onto Bagno di Romagna.
Along the way before Badia Prataglia you could also visit the forest at the Monastery of Camaldoli.
At Bagno di Romagna you take the freeway SS3bis (aka E45) for a few miles to Sarsina, where you exit and take the SP (Strada Provinciale) through Novafeltria. Then I'd also make a stop at San Leo, before heading to nearby Republic of San Marino.
It would be a great trip if you like the countryside and the forests. Of course if you'd like to hike a bit, you should probably stop for a night.
The drive I described is just about 4 hours, to which you need to add the time for stops you want to make, lunch, time to get lost, etc. It will be the drive of your holiday, believe me.
Absolutely beautiful. Just make sure you don't have passengers who get car sick easily, because there are many curves.
If you decide to follow my advice, let me know, and I'll suggest a bunch of restaurants to die for along the way (or even hotels). My parents are originally from Casentino, so I know the area like the back of my hand.
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan, USA
78 posts
Roberto, thank you so much for your response and I very much would LOVE to hear further recommendations. It's very hard to find much detail on this region. I am more than happy to hear all your tips! Grazie!!