Rimini and Vicinity

The area around Rimini is easily accessible by train, but it in no way compares in beauty to the other areas you've visited. It's flat, with miles of beach chairs and millions of people (in summer). San Marino is worth a quick visit. I'm guessing there'd be a bus up there from somewhere along the coast, but I'm not personally acquainted with it. Farther south along the Adriatic coast there are some beautiful spots, and I'm sure some of the Italian experts will recommend them to you. The Gargano peninsula is one, if you'd like to go that far south. It's possible to visit the Gargano by public transportation (we did it) but you can't be in a hurry!

It's flat with very large sand beaches. Not particularly quaint and beautiful. The coastal towns were largely developed in the recent past (basically from the 50s and 60s till today). The area is called "Divertimentificio d'Italia" (Italy's entertainment factory) that caters to both families and youth (many from Northern and Eastern Europe, especially Russia) wanting to have a good time at the beach. More discotheques, theme parks, beach resorts, bowling alleys, restaurants, bars, etc than anywhere else in Italy and probably in Europe. Nightlife galore. If you go in July and August, It's basically Florida's Miami Beach during spring break on steroids. It's some of the best places to be if you are in search of nightlife, beach fun and people watching (lots of people watching, millions in fact). If you are looking for rugged beauty of the landscape or for the quaintness of the villages of the Cinque Terre or Amalfi, you won't find much of it there. San Marino and Gradara are nice day trips for prettier historical places.
I don't know how long you intend to spend there and when. But maybe 3 days in summer would give you a nice taste of how Italians and Europeans like to spend their summers when they aren't traveling. Basically one day in San Marino, one at the Gradara castle and one just hanging at the beach, with the nights spent strolling around and people watching at sidewalk restaurants and bars. It could be a nice short break from the churches and museums.

I agree, no comparison in terms of natural beauty. If you visit the Gargano area, the Tremiti Islands are nearby.

Me again. There is a bus to San Marino from Rimini, but it only gets within 9 km of town. Then you'd have to taxi (or walk!) on up. Other places you might consider instead of Rimini would be Pesaro, from where you can easily take the bus to Urbino, a World Heritage spot we love. My forum friend Charlene highly recommends Senigallia: you might search the forum for some of her posts.

I shouldn't have believed everything I read! Further research shows that there is a bus from Rimini to San Marino - find it on VisitSanMarino.com. Have fun planning. I think you were also asking about Bergamo in another post. We spent a couple of nights there and liked it very much. Another town you might consider about which we are also very enthusiastic is Ferrara.

Thank you Janet and All. You have been very helpful.
Paul

Last summer, we based ourselves for a week in Bologna, which was a great choice. We especially loved our days trips to Ferrara, Modena and the surrounding countryside. A car is a must.

One of the day trips we made was to a beach just north of Rimini. I will try to find the words to describe it - muddy sand, miles and miles of tacky beach umbrella-resort places, people in the water doing hours of aerobics/dancing, insane people-watching/parading. No scenery whatsoever. We have also been in Cinque Terre and there is no comparison.

I would stay in Rimini only if you want to visit the Republic of San Marino. Rimini is the easiest base to the RSM. Stay only two nights. The full day you have at your disposal use it to visit the RSM and, if you have time, Gradara and its beautiful castle. There are buses from Rimini to RSM. But not sure about Gradara from the coast, since I always had my car there. But we can help if you decide to go. I'm sure there are public transport options to Gradara.

My native contacts on the Adriatic in Le Marche consider the West coast as the Tourist Factory of Italy and avoid especially Roma. But they don't like the Adriatic in the Summer either, and spend their Summer vacation North at the Dolomite!!

The Coney Island atmosphere in the Summer on the Adriatic is quite lucrative however, so lucrative that landlords can afford to rent out their apartments only for three months and leave them vacant for the other nine.