Nove Colli is a classic cycling competition that this year takes place on May 23rd.
It’s the 40th edition of this race, which owes the name (Nine Hills) to the number of hilltop villages that it reaches in a 200 km long route that starts and ends in Cesenatico.

The first edition of the race took place in 1970, organized by local cycling enthusiasts. This group of amateur cyclists participated in a few competitions in the Swiss Alps, and decided to organize a similar event in their own backyard, picking a route that would climb up and down a series of scenic hills in the countryside of Romagna.

The competition was a success with both local and European racers, and it has been well attended ever since. Placed ahead of the busy summer touristic season, it gives both participants and spectators a nice taste of local hospitality and joie de vivre.

You can find more detailed information on the official site of the competition: http://www.novecolli.it/ , so pick your favorite spot to cheer for the tireless bikers, or even check if you’re still in time to register and race yourself!

You can find out an updated list of events in the region on the official Emilia Romagna Tourism Board site:

http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/english/index.htm

Enjoy your summer!

The Alessandro Bonci theatre, Cesena

A characteristic street of downtown Cesena

The Hospitality Column in Bertinoro

The indoor fruit and vegetables market in Cesena

Entrance of Fattoria Paradiso winery in Bertinoro

The main town, also named San Marino, sits on three rocky hills, with fortified walls all around. A tower is built on top of each hill, and the main walk directs tourists from the main city gates to the towers.

The scenery is terrific, especially if the sky is clear, since San Marino is a high point in the area and great views of inner valleys, Rimini and the coast can be enjoyed from its towers.

Alas, San Marino is also the most famous tourist trap of Romagna: countless little souvenirs’ shops are placed all over the old town and on the trail to the perimeter walls across the towers. Most of the merchandise is worthless and possibly made in foreign countries.

On the other hand, San Marino is still an indipendent country, and has its own currency (the San Marino Euro, and before, the San Marino Lira, that has the same value of Italian currency), and it has its own stamps: both coins and stamps are collectibles and exist in many varieties, mostly for the amusement of the tourists.

On the way to the city, from Rimini, many department stores and malls are placed on the freeway, so that the strip is also a great shopping place for the locals. There are both quality and discount stores of electronics, clothing and shoes, and it might be a good occasion for the visitor to stop and buy some gifts.

In the daytime, bicycling is a great option, and many hotels will offer complimentary bikes to their guests. Bike and scooter rentals are easy to spot everywhere around the beach areas, and they are usually open from 8 am to midnight or later, in summer.

After a few decades of development, going to the beach for sunbathing and swimming is no more a novelty, so many beach establishments make an extra effort to attract customers by portraying themselves as family oriented, or young-and-trendy, and offer different services and facilities. Furthermore, several upper category hotels are open all year round, and they offer weekend or week-long relaxation or wellness packages, including spa and massage sessions. Also, some hotels are setup to host conferences and business meetings, as Rimini is also an important trade and public show center. Check out the exhibitions’ calendar at Fiera di Rimini

By Car: from Bologna or Cesena, take highway A-14 or SS9 (Emily Way) heading south towards Ancona. From Ravenna or other beach towns go south on SS 16 (Adriatic highway). Rimini is a major touristic destination on the Adriatic, so there are easy to follow signs in all towns of Romagna and beyond.
By Bus: buses connect Rimini to Ravenna, Cesena and other towns of Romagna. During summer, there are weekly or daily buses to Rimini from major Italian and European cities. Not that we recommend it, but you can hop on a bus in Varsaw, Poland, and get off in Rimini, in front of the beach.
By Train: the railway line goes from Bologna to Rimini and Ancona, there are hourly trains from Bologna and Milan or from Ancona. Trains from/to Bologna usually stops also in Forli, Cesena and Faenza.
By Air: Rimini has a small airport (code RMI) with daily flights to Milan, London and Eastern Europe. Some airlines do not offer travel during the low season (winter).

.There are notable hill towns a few miles inland from Rimini: Verucchio, Gradara, San Giovanni in Marignano, all a short car ride from Rimini. Gradara has a beautiful castle built in the 1200s.

Santarcangelo di Romagna lies about 10 miles north-west, on the Emily Way, and it’s a traditional small Romagna town. The ancient fortress built on top of its hill, the modern town at its feet, where public parking is available, and a good walk to reach the clock tower visible from far away. A few great hostarias offer delicious local food and wines. The most typical product from Santarcangelo are hand-stamped linens. You can visit the ancient Marchi studio where they are still traditionally made. Other workshops still remain in operation throughout Romagna, in other small towns.

During the middle of the nineteenth century, the practice of sea baths started, and many people, mostly young and liberal, were going to Rimini from other parts of Italy and from other countries

Shortly after, the first cabanas and beach establishments were built, and changed forever the face and destiny of Rimini.

Nowadays, Rimini is a symbol of beach vacations and entertainment for most Italians and Europeans.

The second largest town in Romagna (with a population of about 125,000 people), Rimini is also an important economic hub for the area, a market and a meeting point for farmers, artisans, especially shoe-makers, and other industries.

Situated at the end of the Emily Way, the town is close to beautiful hills where old castles and a whole different small nation (San Marino) are built.