After the Rimini Marathon: San Marino and Bologna

The Route: Rimini → San Marino (1 night) → Rimini → Bologna (2 nights) → home Logistics: A direct bus links Rimini and San Marino, and the hop takes about an hour, depending on traffic. From Rimini, regional or fast trains continue to Bologna in roughly an hour or more. Check timetables for each leg, and plan how you will carry luggage on the steep streets. Marathon Month: April Duration: 3 nights

Rimini ──(bus, about 40-60 mins)──> San Marino (night 1)
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                       Borgo Maggiore ──(cable car)── city on Monte Titano
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Rimini ──(train)──> Bologna (nights 2 and 3)

San Marino claims to be the oldest republic still in existence, with a founding date in the fourth century, and it sits on a limestone mountain, Monte Titano, with three medieval towers along the ridge. The historic centre and Monte Titano are on the UNESCO list. It is a tiny state, entirely surrounded by Italy, with its own flag, stamps and border guards in ceremonial uniforms.

It is also steep. The city on the ridge is a climb of stairs and sloping lanes. That is a problem for post-marathon quads, but the cable car from the lower town solves most of it.

April in San Marino: the mountain is cooler and breezier than the coast, and often foggy. It is the start of the season, and the main street is open and busy with day visitors from the coast. Pack a warm layer.

Getting there

A bus runs from Rimini to San Marino, with a stop at the lower town of Borgo Maggiore and at the main bus station. Check the timetable and the last return. The cable car runs from Borgo Maggiore up to the historic centre. Check the operating hours, since the cable car may stop for wind or maintenance.

Night one: San Marino

Stay in or near the historic centre if you can, since the evenings are quiet when day visitors have left. Check the hotel has a lift and that breakfast times suit you. Walk the main lane to Piazza della Libertà and the Palazzo Pubblico, the government building, with a changing of the guard in the season. Climb to the towers only if the legs agree.

Day two: down the mountain

Take the cable car down, and the bus back to Rimini, where you can take a train to Bologna. If you plan to stay in San Marino longer, check bus times carefully, since services can be infrequent.

Nights two and three: Bologna

Bologna's arcades keep the old centre flat and dry. See the Bologna itinerary for the main sights, and plan a leisurely pace. A trip to the Basilica of San Luca by bus is more suited to the second day than the first.

What to eat

San Marino is known for a layered biscuit-and-cream cake, the torta Tre Monti, and for wines from the mountain slopes. In Bologna, order tagliatelle al ragù and mortadella. Book dinner on weekends.

Getting back

Bologna Centrale has fast trains to Milan, Florence and Rome, and an airport shuttle. Check your onward journey, and leave extra time if you have a flight.