Clockwise around Central Europe and back again.

[Armytwowheels]

im not normally a betting man but i will put money on colin not being the last of the great romantics and taking you on a gondola unless they take acsi now

How right you are Steve, that photo was the closest we got to romantic!!

 

[Armytwowheels]

After we left Venice we decided to go down the coast towards Rimini and pay homage to the late, great Marco Pantani (famous Italian cyclist) by visiting his home town of Cesenatico.

I had been here many years before to do the Grand Fondo Nova Colli (very long and hilly cycle ride). Cesenatico was still a nice town but the countryside wasn't as spectacular as I rememer it. To be fair though, I had been there in May and not March as this visit was.

We stayed further along the coast at Camper Contact # 6320 in the small village of Igea Marina, which in March did not have a lot to recommend it.

Area Attrezzato Rio Pircio
http://www.campercontact.com/en/ita...20/area-attrezzato-rio-pircio.aspx?lang=en_EN

When the rain stopped we got the bikes out and cycled back to Cesenatico to find Marco.

 

[Armytwowheels]

The following day we packed up and travelled the short distance inland to San Marino, a Mico State (apparently!) Sitting atop Mount Titano.

Evidence of a massive snow dump was everywhere, trees down, huge mounds of cleared snow at the sides of the road and mud slides. A quick Google search provided us with a bit of history and had us interested enough to to make the steep walk up to the walled city from our parking place.

There are several free aires around the lower slopes of the city and we choose this one. Unfortunatey, the heavy snows and fallen trees had done for the water and waste area, but I can imagine in the late Spring and Summer this would be a stunning place to stop.

Camper Contact # 6363
Parcheggio P13
http://www.campercontact.com/en/ita...an-marino/6363/parcheggio-p13.aspx?lang=en_EN

The disused rail tunnel formed part of the walk up to the city.

The city was very dog friendly and we had no trouble finding somewhere nice for lunch, that welcomed the dog in too. It was definitely worth the effort of walking up there, but if the walk is off putting there is a cable car option too.