Hotel Atlantic Pesaro

Sue

As we drove closer to San Marino, we all started saying, "Did she REALLY say "the NATION" of San Marino?? And that's exactly what it was: It's full title is "The Republic of San Marino". John will do doubt tell you of its history. It's set high on a mountain, with the most glorious view and was yet another treasure chest waiting to be opened for us! It was our nicest hotel by far - VERY upmarket! - and it was exciting to follow the ...

... we were glad when we arrived in Rimini.

It rained the first few days we were here, but the past 2 days of sunshine have made up for it! Our hostel has great rooms but a really awful atmosphere, so we were so glad when the sun came out and we could spend all day at the beach, or in the town. Relaxing in the sun is just what we've needed! I'm still embarrassingly white though. I'd even call it offensively white. It's going to take more than 2 days of sun to bring me even to human ...

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

We arrived in Ca Le Soure for our one week yoga retreat. I wasn't looking forward to it with my hip and back issues. The place is on top of a hill surrounded by fields of wheat & grape vines and olive groves. We also found a forest of oaks where they harvest black truffles.

The accommodation is cottage style and comfy, a separate building for breakfast, lunch & dinner all vegetarian style food and very tasty - difficult not to go back for seconds as there is ...

... 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 ...

... bike home with Jie on board. A moment of indecision around a lamp-post set in the middle of the path resulted in a pile of blood and twisted metal, all set to the soundtrack of cheers from the school playground that we had wisely chosen to crash immediately opposite. San Marino is a tiny country (smallest republic in the world - and oldest) that now encircles its original fortresses on Mount Titano, about 25km inland ...

... to our collective subconscious. The fact that something could be hilarious and horrible at the same time makes no rational sense, but it makes film sense, and it mirrors reality. Of course he had and still has many copycats. Get a group of Italian kids together and tell them to act like their parents and you've got a film right there. Of course it takes more than that to equal Fellini's art. But I've got more ...

... to an internet café to formulate Plan B. We searched for hours, but unfortunately, nothing going to Germany cost less than a small fortune. Disappointed, we realized we hadn't eaten all day and took a break to get some food. We refused to eat Italian food that night. We were mad at Italy and their faulty transportation system in the rain! Two internet sessions later, we put together a loose plan for early the next morning. The weather forecast was not in favor of taking the train ...