San Leo and San Marino

We thought "Sure, let's go to San Marino, it's an easy trip," and as we got to the turn off for San Marino, we decided to go a bit futher, and check out the Artists Colony of San Leo.  Brilliant choice!  San Leo is just outside of Rimini, just east of the Republic of San Marino, and it is a world all to itself.  You drive up the crazy steep and narrow road, and the moment you cross under the arch, you are greeted with this iconic Italian scene.

Main Street in San Leo
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

I am afraid that my words will not do this amazing hilltop town any justice.  This is the kind of town that fills tourists head with dreams of moving to Italy and breaking away from it all.

San Leo shops
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

San Leo is what comes to mind when you think of a rural Italian town.  The streets are narrow and cobbled.  The shops are tiny (and God help you if you get there after 2, when everything closes for the afternoon), the people are friendly, and the views are breathtaking.

San Leo Roses
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

Even in the middle of winter, there is still color, and there is still beauty in this remote little town.  The roses were blooming, and there were even a few Geraniums still blooming in their  draping window boxes.  Even the air itself was different out there.  As we drove through the countryside, it was 40 degrees f, and I still had the windows down, just breathing in the wonderful smelling, clean air.

Castle above San Leo
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

San Leo Natale Decorations
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

Immediately above the village, there is a fortress. It is beautiful, and in the summer it sits with giant flags flying.  Today it looked a bit cold and lonely.    The rest of the town is decked out for the holidays, in small, but beautiful ways.

The Eastern view from the top of San Marino
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

After leaving the beautiful, and dream inspiring San Leo, we went up to the Republic of San Marino.  San Marino is it's own hill, about 20 minutes directly east of Rimini, and while they accept the Euro as currency, they are a seperate and sovereign nation, and not a member of the EU.  Once upon the time, The Republic of San Marino had banking laws that were not unlike Switzerland - and they became a haven for those who were seeking to store their money privately, or to dodge and evade taxes.  With the current Italian fiscal situation, they have cracked down on San Marino, and specifically, they have cracked down on Italians keeping their money there - this is leaving a somewhat uncertain future for this beautiful country within a country.

The NW view from the Republic of San Marino
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

When you drive into san Marino all you see are big houses, and a steep, steep mountain.  As you drive up farther, you see more houses, and then you realize that you are driving into a castle.  Even on the best days parking can be a bear, so watch out for that.

As you walk up the street, there are tons and tons of kitschy touristy shops, hocking everything from jewelry to pizza, leather bags, and everything in between.  Remember, every price here, aside from the food, is negotiable.  

The castle on top of San Marino, Republic of San Marino
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

If you keep walking up the hill, you will eventually arrive at the castle.    Did I mention it is at the TOP of the hill?  By the time I got up there, my fear of heights that quite honestly had only bothered me perhaps two other times in my life had come into play  -  combine that, with the fact that the castle charges 3 euro to enter, I figured it was about the perfect time to turn around, and go back to the car!  

Where San Leo is beautiful, and authentic, and quite happy to be off by itself, San Marino is clamoring for tourist money - they even have created their own Vampire Museum - not sure why, but they did.  We left San Leo with the desire to go back again, and to bring friends and family - we left San Marino saying "well, been there, done that".  The views are amazing, and I am happy that we went, but beyond that, ehhhh.  I have no desire to really go back, and wouldn't take the time out of my day to take friends or family, but that's just me.

The castle above San Marino, Republic of San Marino
(c) 2012 The Wandering Mama

Thank you for reading about our adventures - as always, please, leave a comment, share your experiences, ask a question, whatever!