2022 World Tour – The Most Serene Republic of San Marino
Hello from San Marino, my tenth stop on the trip and my 51st country.
Below is the standard summary:
– Cool Ranch Doritos: No
– Thai ATM Card Works: Didn’t try
– Thai Debit Card Works: Didn’t try
– Thai Internet Purchase Works: Didn’t try
– USA Credit Card Works: Didn’t try
– Worldwide Telephone/Data/SMS eSIM Works: Didn’t try
– Magic Jack Works: Didn’t try
– VPN Works: Didn’t try
– COVID Compliance Chronicles: Masks on public transport
– Internet Works: Yes
– Drone Flights: Didn’t investigate
– Cost of Living: $$$$$
– Currency: EUR 1 = USD $1.07
– Language Issues: None
– City-Wide Wifi: No
San Marino is the fifth-smallest sovereign state in the world, is completely surrounded by Italy, and is located near the northwest corner of the Adriatic Sea. It has been under independent control as the world’s oldest sovereign state and democratic constitutional republic since 1291.
It turns out the best way to get to San Marino is to take a short bus ride from Rimini, Italy and luckily that’s where I happened to be. I booked a round-trip seat on a coach bus for about â¬15 the night before, and walked to the bus stop about 20 meters from my hotel around 2pm, couldn’t be more convenient.
The bus held about 20 people, most of them very loud and chatty Italian women. I think I would have preferred a screaming child by the end of the 30 minute ride. The old city in San Marino is built on the top of a mountain, so the bus went up and up and up to reach our destination.
When we parked, we weren’t given any instructions by the bus driver other than go walk around. Somebody worked out that the included “wine tasting” was being held in a shop across the square so we all headed over. We had tastings of a dry and sweet white, two reds, and three dessert liqueurs, one of which I think could peel paint. Their goal of course is to sell the wine, but I bought a fridge magnet to add to my collection.
The old city is classic old city – cobblestone paths and stone buildings at least a thousand years old. The very steep peak continues, so lots of walking the switchbacks up and up and up. I saw a 14th century monastery and then went into the Museum of Torture. This did not hold back – horrific examples of what humans are capable of doing to other humans. Punishment for blasphemy, witchcraft, adultery, theft and if a powerful someone just didn’t like you, pretty much everything you can imagine.
I walked past lots of high-end designer shops and cafes, had a Coke Zero at a nice cafe’ where they were putting out Reserved cards at 3pm for 8pm bookings.
At the appointed time, we all met back at the bus for the downhill trip back into Rimini, the ladies far less chatty from their exertions. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
