The Resort Of Rimini

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Rimini may now be a modern, urban beach resort just as popular with Italians as tourists form the rest of the world, but it was first founded in 268 BC by the Romans. There are still plenty of landmarks revealing this ancient lineage.

It was so important to the conquerors because it was a cross roads for three of the Romans'' most important roads, the Faminian Way, the Aemilian Way and the Popilian Way.

Before you head to the 15kms of sandy, picturesque beaches, spend some time in the old town and marvel at the creativity and grandeur of the Romans. The Marrecchia River carves through the entire city and the Tiberius Bridge is the oldest one to span it. The sandstone rocks look heavenly at sunset, when the dying sunlight plays with the water. This bridge is the start of the Aemilian Way.

Augustus Arch was built to celebrate its namesake emperor and remains fully in place today. It is the gateway to the rest of the old town where cobbled streets wind between old, sloping townhouses.

In the town centre is the Federico Fellini Museum, which charts the life and career of the director including his greatest ...
... works, which earned him no less than five Oscars.

But let''s be honest, the real reason people come to Rimini is to relax on the beach and party in the city''s bars and clubs. The beach stretches, untouched, for 15 kms and the whole strip is flanked by an attractive promenade, similar to that of Venice Beach in California with people roller blading, cycling and jogging along it, as much to be seen as to burn some calories.

If you like to party, you can hang out with the beautiful people at Carnaby Club or the Sunflower Beach Bar. Both attract international DJs and offer music of various types form minimal to acid house. Live music events are often held at the Sunflower Beach Bar and usually coincide with extended happy hours.

If you want to get out and explore for the day, the old Roman town of Ravenna is nearby. The main attraction here, other than the pretty town itself, is the Basilica of San Vitale, a huge church, filled with mosaics garnering it a place of importance in Western art history.

Alternatively, you could make a day trip to city-state, San Marino, the third smallest of its kind in Europe. It is the world''s oldest republic and lies 657m above sea level. The city''s old town area around Mount Titano is now a UNESCO World Heritage centre. Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer with several years travel experience. They recommend octopus Travel for Rimini hotels.