Hotel Astoria Pesaro

... heard of San Marino but as Sue mentioned it is an independent state named after a Christian stonemason Marinus from around 300 when he hid in the mountain peaks to avoid persecution by the Romans and started a community there. It must have been a case of too small a fish to worry about as today, the mountain state exists as the 5th smallest country in the world. The buildings and scenery were breathtaking. Well worth the long bus ride to get there

... as each seat filled the novelty soon wore off. It became cramped and uncomfortable... both physically and socially. As soon as we got to Austria however, the stunning views of the huge, steaming mountain forests, and ice blue rivers took our minds off the traveling conditions. On several occasions we couldn't help but gasp and 'wow' at the surroundings (which I felt quite guilty for doing because there was a blind woman in our carriage).

Nevertheless, it is an understatement to ...

We got to Rimini later that night after Pompeii. It was another 6 hour drive so again we were exhausted. We checked into the hotel and it was perfect. Nicer than the last one we were at. We had booked in advance for the night and the rate was 30eros cheaper than the next night so we (I) thought we would just get there and tell them we wanted another night at the same price. Unfortunately they played me harder than I played them and said they had no availability ...

... in my life on one beach. There was even a beach shower at the waters edge (advising us not to use shampo (their spelling not mine).

The water temp was cooler than in Sicily but still pleasant enough. by this time the sun had disappeared behind rain clouds. We headed back into town for coffee & shopping. Mandy found a ring but didn't buy it. I think she regretted it as for the next few days she wanted to head back to Fano.

Ciao

We left for Urbino after breakfast for a quick trip (Birth place of Raffaello - painter) of course coffee & gelati was part of our plans with some sights thrown in.

Nice place and worth the trip. No time to view the museo a bit of a shame as there is a section with Rafael.

We had some great views going over the mountains going to/from Urbino. Mandy is handling driving the larger car just fine.

Ciao

... The best of all is a large pool to lazy around after Yoga and eating, what a life, the weather was fantastic during the week, high 20's

I think I did too much on the first day of yoga as I couldn't back up on the Tuesday (lucky to get out of bed) but once moving I did both afternoon sessions (playground) breathing in the afternoon and then meditation after dinner.

Wednesday afternoon is free time so we are planning on a trim to the coast Fano

Ciao

... museum was closed that day.We explained we had come all this way to see it and he kindly agreed to open it up after lunch for us. He showed us a place to get lunch agreeing to meet us back at the museum in an hour and half. At lunch we ate a great meal of antipasto and pasta and I downed the house wine which came in a caraffe. Not wanting to waste it I drank the lot and so was suitably mellow by 3pm when we returned to the museum. The museum was ...

... of San Marino (Captains Regent in official parlance) leaving the Palace complete with fancy dressed guards and being whisked off in two separate limos.  Satisfied by seeing some pomp at least we hurried back to catch our bus - we just managed to squeeze on it alongside all the tax free shopping that the Russians had been indulging in.  One pleasant evening back in Rimini we spent having beers in the hotel ...

... There is a street here named for every film Fellini ever made, all in a row, even the ones where he served only as scriptwriter for Rosselini (e.g. Roma- Citta' Aperta), and even some I've never heard of, curse me and my protracted periods of escape from civilization! Who better captured the zeitgeist of post-war Europe, especially Western Europe, especially Italy, the horror and sheer absurdity left to befall the ...

... back to the bus stop and waited for the next bus that went back to Torriana - an ever so slightly larger town neaby. The bus arrived early, and when I got on I started chatting to the driver about Italy, what I was doing there, how I'd found myself stranded in Montebello that day, all that type of stuff. Anyway, another woman hopped on and started chatting too, and I asked if there was a place to eat in Torriana, as there was nothing in Montebello ...