Suggestions for a sidetrip from Rome & thoughts on Rimini
 

I tried a search on Rimini & didn't find too much. I'm going to Rome in March for a week with a friend & one of my old flames who is currently living in Munich may meet up with us there. I'll be there from the 20th-26th & we were thinking of doing 2-3 days in Rome, then possibly a few days in Rimini (taking the train), then doing our last night in Rome before flying out early on the 26th. Does anyone have any feedback, positive/negative, about Rimini?

My friend who is coming with me "doesn't like dirty old cities" and although he's never been to anywhere in Europe, wants to not spend more than 2-3 days in Rome. He's interested in the wine & food aspect and would prefer to "stay in the countryside" (a la "Under the Tuscan Sun") - I'm interested in the art/architecture aspect of Italy, but am completely okay with the countryside as well. The girl that's meeting up with us probably doesn't care too much as she's primarily interested in seeing me.

We need some suggestions.

1) Money is a factor - we plan on doing either hostels or tourist class hotels - although we may "splurge" for 1-2 nights if the location is right.

2) We would prefer not to do in-country flights, would prefer to hit 2-3 cities including Rome, with city-to-city travel by train, although we could rent a car if need be, we'd prefer not to unless it's necessary - if the weather cooperates, we plan on renting motorbikes (outside of Rome, despite my current broken wrist due to a motorbike accident in Thailand last week)

3) Although we haven't discussed it yet, camping/roadtripping is an option - I did this for Iceland & it was a great way of doing it, however, Italy & Iceland are 2 significantly different places, but if we rent a car, this may be a great way to see the countryside.

4) We need to fly out of FCO at 7AM on the 26th, so we'll need to be back in Rome by the 25th (which leads me to believe that our trip will pretty much be 2 days in Rome, then a few days somewhere else, then last night in Rome).

5) I understand that the weather in Rimini is in the 50's in March - which means it's not overrun with tourists, so that's an option. I'm not stuck on Rimini, but I wouldn't mind going to a coastal town. I have been to Florence before (although he hasn't, he hasn't expressed an interest to go there & he wants to go to more "small-town" Italy, I think).

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated - thanks!

I would not go to Rimini .. it's pretty far and not much to see.

Actually, Rome Fiumicino is on the coast ... I have been here

Agriturismo Borgo di Tragliata, Via del Casale di Tragliata 23
00050 Fiumicino (Roma)
http://www.tragliata.it/_en/home.htm

for dinner.
They have rooms. It's in "the middle of no-where", you need
a car ...

i shall second the Fan's recommendation to avoid Rimini.
Italy is full of interesting small towns that you can visit, so you have far more options....I 've been to quite a few of them, particularly liked Sienna and Sorrento...Last one I visited was Ostia which is 15mins by bus from Fiumicino a/p...It wasn't as picturesque but certainly interesting to visit- plus the shopping was great given the size of the town....What's more, there's a very tidy-looking B&B just next to one of the bus stops :D

I thought Rimini has a reputation as a centre for African/East European street prostitution. Sorry if I`m mistaken which I dearly hope to be but might be wise to check on the current situation.

I stayed at Rimini for the San Marino F1 GP last year. Can't say I noticed any prostitution, but may be I just wasn't looking for that... :)

Anyway, it's a beach resort town. Lots of beach-front hotels. I found it rather 'tacky', to be honest. You'll find better alternatives for the 'countryside' feel your friend wants, or the 'interesting art/architecture' that you're interested in.

If you want a beach and all night parties, then yes, Rimini will serve that purpose (and even then, I'm sure there're better alternatives elsewhere)...

Rimini is a tacky hole with no charm and is not worth visiting.

Side trips from Rome
 

There are so many charming little hill towns within a few hours of Rome. My favorite is the Etruscan town of Volterra, where you can get a little apartment or stay at the monastery very cheaply. March will not be crowded (a bit cool). Other towns also easily reached by train from Termini station in Rome are Siena, Crotona, Lucca, Orvieto, and many more. Rimini is out of the question - too far and nothing there except beach crowds in summer. If you want to go to that area, Ravenna is much nicer and has the famous mosaics

Thanks for everyone's input - looks like Rimini's out of the picture - glad I consulted with FT! :)

Thanks for the other suggestions to - I'll check into them.

I'll second Orvieto. Its a one hour train ride from Rome and a lovely city with a terrific duomo. And one of the best restaurants in Italy, IMO. I Sette Consoli is a block or two from the top of the funicular on the main street. Bring money.

Given a desire for art, architecture, possible moped riding and (most importanly) great food, how about Bologna for a couple of days? Base yourself there - it's a university town so renting bikes shouldn't be difficult - you can even take short side trips by train (for example, to see the world-class ceramics in Faenza):

http://www.racine.ra.it/micfaenza/en/

I too will chime in with a visit to Orvieto though unless you want to just take it easy more than one day might be too much ( there is some much too in other places) it the restuarant listed above is too expensive try Trattorria Etruria, best minnestrone soup I have ever had.

Perugia which is quite close to Orvieto (20 mins by train) is also very nice we will be there March 9/10, is a somewhat larger town with overall more sights to visit ( and restuarants) In fact I would recommend stopping in Orvieto in the morning, have lunch after visting the underground wine cellers carrved deep into the rock and spend the night in Perugia.

Now Siena, my favorite town in Italy and IMHO a must see/visit for anyone going to Italy, the most impressive doumo in the country and the scallop shaped Piazz del campo, where the famous no hold barred races are held.
Lots of people strolling around meeting and chatting after dinner.

It a shame you wont have car because you would be able to get a much beter feel for the small towns in say Tusanny or Umbria.
mike

We haven't ruled this out completely yet - it's definitely still an option.

Editted to add - I just priced out cars for a few days with Hertz - the AMEX CDP gives unlimited miles & a 15% discount - much better than my work CDP & the AAA CDP's for anyone who is interested.

renting a car in Italy is a nightmare. There are all sorts of extras and road taxes. If you do, get a quote that is crystal clear in writing to be all inclusive. Also, get confirmation in writing that the place you are supposed to return the car is open at the time and date you are supposed to return it - my reservation with Thrifty was to return it on a Sunday at Termini station in Rome, but the rental desk was not open! Finally, avoid driving within a city. Driving a car in Rome does not come close to being worth the aggravation, and I am an experienced driver (drive in NYC, etc.) - the outskirts of a city like FCO are OK. On the plus side, Italy does not seem to have a system to trace parking tickets back to the person who rented the car.

Yes but as far I can remember in Italy ( along with Ireland, Jamaica and Isreal) paying with an AMEX card does not allow you to decline the CDW and provide Drivers Insurance coverage. That is one of the reasons I keep my Diners Club.

mike

You are correct - but you can still use their CDP & pay with a different card - I'll be paying with my Visa - also, I'll probably pick-up off-airport since the fees on airport require an additional 15% in service charges.