San Marino then Gatteo - 29 October 2022

Was fairly peaceful last night. Tintin driving today. Colin, co-pilot had his usual little brain fart exiting Pesaro, taking us through residential small roads - maybe it’s all to do with the one way systems - but I don’t think so! Drove for about an hour to San Marino. Mainly driving on the three lane Autostrada.

San Marino (population c34,000) covers an area of only 24sq miles and still declares itself an independent republic with its own mint, postage stamps and international football team. Like Guernsey, they have their own car license plates too. It is the longest surviving republic in Europe. The constitution has been in effect and fundamentally unchanged since 1263, legislative powers are held by the ten members of the Congresso di Stato and the two Capitani Reggenti, who are elected every 1 April and 1 October for six months each, and inaugurated with much pomp and ceremony.

It is the third smallest country in Europe after the Vatican City and Monaco.

Loads of free parking for mohos to choose from, which is unusual! We parked up, and then took the cable car from Borgo Maggiore. €9 return for both of us. Was quick and effective and saved a really steep climb. Think elderly might even struggle with the walk from the carpark!

Today was about wandering around and just looking. We’d watched a video about the place this morning, so weren’t as surprised as we would have been to see so many shops selling guns and weapons!

There was a Christmas shop, loads of jewellery shops (I bought myself a bracelet - quite pleased, in my change is a San Marino 2022 €1 coin, which I’ll keep!), so many general touristy shops, loads selling leather goods and lots selling perfumes - all at really good prices. Hercy, quite sure you’d find a watch to buy!

On the way driving, we saw diesel at 10c per litre cheaper than we’d just filled up at! (Another €40!).

Also, you’ll see a whole load of photos of the statues that are around and about - it’s ok because I took the naked ladies, not my husband!

For the record, he dismissed San Marino when I first suggested it, as being too difficult, and not worth it. He has since changed his mind! We had a lovely day 😊

We arrived about 11.30am, and as there were loads of people around, decided we wouldn’t wait too long for lunch. Sorry, yet again - pizza and 1\2 a litre of a white frizzante. Very different pizza, really really thin base - filling - but didn’t feel too stuffed afterwards! €20 - cheapest lunch yet!

For €5 we could have had a tourist visa stamped in our passports, but what if it confused the French on the way home?!

We also indulged in our cheapest gelato - €3 for both - Tintin had stracciatella, and I had rum and raisin.

There were also a choice of museums if you felt the need, from wax, to torture, to vampire to curiosity, plus more - caters for all tastes!

As expected being 640m above sea level - the views were great. However, we’re not sure what was causing the haze, whether it was the weather was just a bit hazy, or whether it was pollution. On a clear day, apparently you can see Croatia.

We didn’t see the changing of the guard at the Piazza Della Liberta - summer months only…

We walked to see the three towers on Mount Titano - first tower - Guaita (11th century), second - Cesta (13th century) and third - Montale (13th century, but reconstructed in 1935).

Really surprised to see a lovely little ginger cat up on the pathway!

The San Marino crossbow archers still show off their skills at the Cava dei Balestrieri - but only in high season.

We visited the Basilica of Saint Marinus - quite tasteful and understated really!

We really enjoyed our four hours. It all felt friendly (they do speak Italian, but have their own dialect too), it was clean, bustling with different things to see in every direction. Walked over 12,000 steps, but wasn’t difficult as so much to see!

And yes, the little Smart car tucked in at the end was getting a parking ticket!

We decided we didn’t really want to stay in the carpark - it was in the shade, and nothing special. Tintin very slowly descended the steep hill out of San Marino and drove for about 45 minutes to a random carpark just off the A1 near Gatteo - will make for a quick getaway to the Autostrada tomorrow morning.