What about the other coast?

I think you are asking for smaller towns between Venice and Rome? There is:SienaTuscany including the Hill Towns of TuscanyUmbria including the Umbria Hill Towns and Assisi

Amanda,
We traveled along the east coast of Italy from Naples. We stayed in Rimini, a lovely beach town. Check it out on any map. Another nice town in Umbria is Ravenna. Enjoy your trip.

Those are interesting but what about along the water?
I do like the sound of Rimini do you have more info on it?

You asked for more info on Rimini. This is Rick's description of Rimini: "Rimini is a crowded mess." However, the Michelin Guide classifies it as "highly recommended." I haven't been there so I'm not taking sides.

I'm a big fan of Pesaro. It's on the Adriatic coast, easily reachable by train (once you're on a train on the Adriatic coast, anyway). It has a pedestrian-only walking mall, some great restaurants (one of the best meals I've ever had was a seafood dinner at a restaurant near the water), and flat beaches to relax on. Not as scenic as the CT by any means, but a resort area. I should mention that its not really a discovered place, so you should know a few phrases of Italian before going there. I used the Pimsleur series and after only the 1st 30 1/2 hour lessons knew enough to ask simple directions, ask if they had a room to rent and how much, etc. BTW Pesaro is also the birthplace of Rossini.

There are beach towns all over the Adriatic side of the Boot, starting with Jesolo and the Lido in the Venice area. It's just a shame that some travelers are not aware of that side at all (well, Europeans have been going there on vacation for ages, so they gladly yield the Amalfi Coast to other tourists during summer). Rimini and Ravenna both are delightful cities. Start researching . . .

You know you don't hear alot about the eastern coast of Italy, you hear alot about Amalfi and Cinque Terre and even the Lake districts but not about the eastern coast. I too would be interested in learning more about that region.

If you Google the province (Emilia-Romagna) I bet you will come up with good references. Ravenna was an imperial capital at one time and its university dates back to the Middle Ages, so I believe you can get a good start. Just don't expect to find empty beaches during summer. There is an Italian hotel website (I think it's www.venere.it) that has accommodations all over Italy, incl. this area

The area around Lanciano is beautiful too. Pull out a map and check out the Adriatic side. There are a lot of small fishing villages- Just don't go in August!!!

Ravenna is fabulous! I knew nothing about it until we went and I was bowled over by the mosaics. Really worthwhile.

I have also been to Rimini.....a very long time ago...and it janned even then (over 20 years ago) and kind of down-market. There may be better beach towns along this coast but I have only been to Rimini.My strongest memory other than the crowds were the vendors on the beach yelling "Gelati, Geati Motto"!!

Pescara is a nice coastal town, beautiful beaches and two train stations for connections to most places in Italy. Not a tourist town, mostly a get away place for Italians who live in the area.

Greg

It seems the Adriatic coast gets overlooked by most Americans, but it's a beautiful coast, with wonderful beaches. In addition to those cities already posted you could also visit the tiny country of San Marino.