The coastal holiday city that Italy has been keeping a secret for years
Along a path fringing the Adriatic Sea, I find families entering a play park and older couples walking hand in hand.
This is Rimini, a long-time favourite coastal resort for Italians, which is becoming more accessible to UK travellers thanks to new British Airways direct flights from Heathrow, just in time for summer.
My tour guide, Monia Magalotti, notes that some families have been choosing the same beach spots for decades.
The city in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region features a pedestrianised "park of the sea," a quiet spot for morning strolls that transforms into a lively night-time destination. What once was a road and car park is now a 15km path curved like the waves of the sea.
About 150 beach clubs line the path, along with restaurants, parks, gyms and more.
But after leaving the path, crossing a road and then cycling for about 10 minutes, I'm surrounded by a mix of brightly coloured quaint buildings with shutters covering the windows that could have jumped out of a fairy tale.
This is traditional fishing village Borgo San Giuliano, a popular area for restaurants, with tables overlooking the river.
Monia says it's Rimini's hospitality that keeps people coming back here as opposed to better-known Italian destinations.
'It's about people being welcoming and kind and opening their arms. Even if you sit in a restaurant, you don't feel like a guest – you feel like part of the town, of the atmosphere, which is so authentic here,' she says.
At Nud e Crud, I try Emilia-Romagna's traditional piadinas, soft fresh flat breads with a choice of fillings. Tomato, mozzarella and basil (€9.90/£8.30) takes my fancy but next door I see one with grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce and chips inside. I'm stuffed but there's always room for dessert so I go for tiramisu (€6/£5), and a spoonful of zuppa inglese (€6/£5).
In the surrounding streets, there are several murals of director/screenwriter Federico Fellini and characters from his films.
Two museums are dedicated to the filmmaker who was born in the city. In one, you can sit on swings as images play, or rest on a sofa which is actually a giant sculpture of Anita Ekberg 's character Sylvia from La Dolce Vita.
Another striking Rimini building linked to Fellini is the Grand Hotel Rimini, built in 1908 and said to be where he would stay when he was in the area.
The hotel's huge white façade is eye-catching both in the day and lit up surrounded by greenery in the evening. The property has hosted celebrities, politicians and royalty such as Diana, Princess of Wales. I visit for an evening meal in the restaurant, where I'm served a fish and shellfish salad, followed by seabass with artichoke and squid, then a lemon and chocolate mousse with passion fruit (mains around €26/£21.80).
Beyond the city, there are a host of different day trip options a short distance away, including Ravenna – which was visited by the King and Queen in April.
The town is home to eight UNESCO monuments, Italian poet Dante Alighieri's tomb and Museo Byron, a new museum housed in Palazzo Guiccioli, where Lord Byron stayed with his lover Teresa Gamba and her husband Count Alessandro Guiccioli from 1819 until 1821.
This was possibly the longest time the British poet spent in one place in Italy, and in Ravenna he 'had a home and a family – a very peculiar family', Professor Diego Saglia, who helped set up the museum, explains.
He came with all his animals and his daughter, and became a tenant of the Count, at the same time as being his wife's lover. The Queen – who is known for her love of books – visited the Byron museum, and Saglia tells me that after an official reception in the courtyard with speeches, they went inside the museum and Camilla 'could not be dragged out again'.
One of the objects selected to be shown to the Queen was a travel case belonging to Teresa. A wedding gift for the marriage to her husband, she used it to collect items relating to Byron, including letters and locks of hair.
A short walk from the museum is the octagonal Basilica of San Vitale, which dates back to the 6th century. It is home to striking and remarkably well-preserved glass mosaics and was visited by the King in April.
About half an hour from Rimini by car is San Marino, a microstate within a medieval walled town. Granted independence at the time of Italy's unification, it's the fifth smallest country in the world with only 33,000 residents and still requires a passport to enter.
The city sits hundreds of metres above sea level, and has a number of restaurants with views looking down across the land below, stretching to the sea.
Daniel Terranova, manager of a hotel group which includes La Terrazza, a restaurant with views of rolling hills and the parliament building, says the funny thing in San Marino is he can pick up the phone and call the Prime Minister and tell them about his problems – not something you can do in many countries.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Heather Graham stuns in red bikini on vacation in Mediterranean hotspot
Heather Graham sent temperatures soaring as she soaked up the sun in Sardinia on Friday. The 55-year-old actress was spotted going for a swim, showing off her flawless figure in a red bikini. Later on, she slipped on a wide-brimmed sunhat while lounging in the sand. Over the years, she shared a few tricks to her age-defying looks, including her 'obsession' with yoga, sugar-free diet and up to 12 hours of sleep a night. She said: 'I'm obsessed with yoga. For fun, I would go on a yoga retreat and do four hours of yoga a day. Then I do Pilates.' During that interview, she also insisted that her restrictive diet just makes her 'feel a lot better'. Heather added: 'I do eat sugar sometimes, but as a broad rule, I try to just eat no sugar basically. And I will sometimes eat things with white flour, but I try to avoid white flour.' Lifestyle: Over the years, she shared a few tricks to her age-defying looks, including her 'obsession' with yoga, sugar-free diet and up to 12 hours of sleep a night
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet tie the knot for the second time in stunning outdoor ceremony in Majorca as they say 'I do' on her 34th birthday - nearly two years after low-key union
Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet have tied the knot for the second time in a lavish ceremony in Majorca. The TOWIE star, 34, took to her Instagram page on Saturday to share the jovial news with her followers, posting two stunning photographs from their big day. The couple tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in the picture-perfect destination on Friday, June 20 - which also happened to be Georgia's 34th birthday in a special touch. It is the second time they have said 'I do' as they officially got married in a low-key ceremony in December 2023, before celebrating again in a larger, destination wedding this week. For the nuptials, Georgia stunned in a gorgeous white lace gown with a thigh-high side split, which she styled with strapped stiletto heels. She fixed a dramatic train in her golden tresses as she cuddled up to Tommy, 33, who cut a dapper figure in a beige suit. The couple were joined by their young children, Brody, four, and Gigi, seven months as well as their friends and family, including Chloe Ross. In a caption, Georgia gushed over her 'dream wedding' after almost two years of waiting for their big day after their first nuptials. She also teased that fans would soon be able to watch the entire ceremony as they plan to share a video of the day. She gushed: '20.06.2025. Our Dream wedding finally happened. Best day of our lives. Surrounded by so much love. 'Can not wait to get all of our pictures & videos back to show you how incredible it was & you'll be able to watch it all.' The couple's first official wedding in December 2023 was a much more low-key affair and ended with a humble Chinese takeaway. Georgia told The Sun about the nuptials at the time: 'We came back to mine and had a Chinese. It was unreal. It is so me and Tommy. 'I literally got back, got my PJs on straight away and we had a Chinese. 'The best bit about it was that we hired tables. So we had a top table…And we all just stuffed our faces with Chinese … it was actually brilliant. So good.' The happy couple's romance blossomed in 2014 when Tommy became a TOWIE cast member. Georgia and Tommy met a few months before filming TOWIE at the gym, with Tommy experiencing an instant attraction to his now wife. After going from strength to strength over the next six years, they revealed they were expecting their first child in December 2020. Tommy wrote at the time that his life felt 'complete' and they went on to welcome a son, Brody Fordham, in May 2021. Then, in 2022, Tommy finally popped the question in Mexico, preparing a lavish beach surprise with rose petals and candles. The couple, who famously enjoyed an early date at a pie and mash shop, announced that they were engaged in February of that year before making it official the following December. Their family then grew to four when they welcomed their second child, a baby girl, Gigi Fordham, in November 2024. Gigi's birth came after they bravely opened up about experiencing a miscarriage and undergoing IVF as they attempted to grow their family Gigi's birth came after they bravely opened up about experiencing a miscarriage and undergoing IVF as they attempted to grow their family. Now a mum-of-two, Georgia's happiness was clear for all to see when she danced in Ibiza at Wayne Lineker's O Club for her hen party in May. The star poked fun at the end of her single days by having her and her girlfriends dress in black. Georgia previously kept the location of her much-anticipated destination wedding a secret, teasing: 'Everyone already knows it's in Majorca, but I won't reveal exactly where, I want it to be a surprise! 'I want everyone to be like: "Oh, my God!" when they see it. I'm about to up the game. I just hope everyone loves it'.' Georgia stressed that the wedding was very much the product of her own imagination and her husband had minimal involvement. She told OK!: 'I ask him for his opinions, but honestly, I don't want him to get involved. It's my thing. I want him to be shocked, like, "Wow, this is amazing!"'.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The affordable BBQs giving the £1000+ Big Green Egg a run for its money -as Lidl drops £80 specialbuy
If you've been eyeing up an egg BBQ then you're not alone. The highly sought after Big Green Egg has become a cult favourite and garden status symbol over the years. But with these eggs starting at around £850, they're not accessible for everyone. Recent affordable alternatives from competitors like Lidl have been causing a shopping frenzy, with customers snapping up the middle aisle bargain for just £79.99. The best BBQs and kamados are fantastic at cooking up authentic, smoky classics like sausages, ribs and pulled pork. Many kamados can also be used with pizza stones, so you can enjoy crisp, fluffy slices without needing to own your own pizza oven. The soaring popularity of these brands has created a wealth of affordable alternatives for the everyday BBQ enthusiast who can't quite justify the Green Egg's lavish price tag - but do they offer the same features as the egg giant? I've been testing home and garden products, including pizza ovens, grills and BBQs for nearly seven years, so I know a thing or two about outdoor cooking. While the Big Green Egg is a gorgeous addition to the garden, you simply don't need to spend thousands of pounds to get a reliable kamado grill that cooks (and looks) just as good in your garden this summer. These are the best alternatives. Even if you don't know it by name, everyone recognises the Big Green Egg. At its core, it's a smoker, BBQ grill, oven and slow cooker, with a range of additional accessories that extend its uses even further. What sets it apart from other grills is its ceramic body, which stays hotter and regulates heat better than metal grills. This means a more even cook on meats. vegetables and more. It's THE go-to choice for BBQ aficionados, with reviewers raving about precise heat control and charcoal that burns for hours. Until recently having a Kamado BBQ was reserved only for those willing to spend £1,000+ but with more stylish, affordable alternatives popping up every day, you don't have to empty your bank account. Best affordable Big Green Egg alternatives Tower Kamado Maxi BBQ With a 13 inch surface area large enough for a family of four, this stylish alternative from Tower easily rivals the Green Egg's entry level model. It has all the same features, including a ceramic body, temperature control and a multifunctional grill. This model only comes in black but reviews are overwhelming positive, with people being impressed with its size. £399.99 Shop B&Q Kamado Mini BBQ Despite its bargain price tag, this mini kamado grill has a 13in grill and can reach temperatures of up to 370 degrees. Like the Green Egg, its body is made from ceramic. The budget price tag is great, keep in mind that it won't be as well insulated than pricier models and the build quality in general won't be as good. It's received lots of good reviews online with users saying it stays hot for ages and is easy to clean. Some people have reported issues with the lid occasionally not sealing correctly. Overall though, the consensus is that it's excellent value for money. £84.99 Shop Boss Grill the Egg Kamado BBQ If that signature green colour is important to you, the Boss Grill's kamado egg is one to consider. It's not quite as affordable as some of the others on this list but it's received rave reviews online the quality is closer to that of the original. It also comes with a stand, complete with foldable side tables, a cover ands a free pizza stone to sweeten the deal. Apart from the build quality, its big selling point is the three tier grill, so you can BBQ, roast and warm at the same time. Compatible with both charcoal and wood chips, this a serious bit of kit for BBQ enthusiasts. £549 Shop Kamado Joe Junior Kamado Joe is another big name in outdoor grilling, with its bright red egg rivalling the green one. Like the boss grill, it's on the pricier side but could still save you hundreds. It can bake, grill, BBQ, smoke and more and even comes with a cast iron stand - an accessory that will normally cost your extra. If you're wondering why you would spend almost £500 on an egg when you can pick one up for as little as £85, the answer is fairly simple - build quality. Cheaper versions keep the cost down by using thinner ceramic and lower-quality fixings. This model has a super-thick ceramic body for superior heat and moister retention and a hinged cooking grate so you can top up on charcoal while you cook. £493.99 Shop Habitat Ceramic Kamado BBQ You can grill, smoke, sear and slow cook in this 13 inch kamado. Like the Big Green Egg it has a gorgeous ceramic body for optimal heat retention. Heat can be controlled with the vents and there's a temperature gauge on top. Unlike the more expensive green alternative, this model also comes with a large stand and foldable side tables for all your BBQ bits at a fraction of the price. Reviewers say it's good quality and the perfect size for two adults. £275 Shop What is the difference between the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe? Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe and two different brands who both produce kamado style BBQs. They have many of the same functions and features, with their main differences being colour and price point - Kamado Joe is red and typically cheaper than Big Green Egg. What is the difference between a BBQ and a kamado? Most BBQs are designed with a metal body and are only suitable for grilling foods like burgers, sausages and vegetables. A kamado BBQ is an all-in-one cooker with a ceramic body that can be used as a grill, smoker, oven and more. Kamados typically use less charcoal than traditional BBQs and can be used for low and slow cooking due to greater heat retention and temperature control. Can you use a kamado as normal BBQ? Yes, a kamado grill functions as a regular BBQ but can also smoke and slow cook, as well as be used for indirect cooking. This is because it has a lid with a tight seal to lock in heat and moisture. Can the Big Green Egg or kamado BBQ be rained on? Yes, the Big Green Egg and its alternatives can be left out and used in all weathers as long as they have a ceramic coating. However, it's important not to get the inside of your kamado wet, as this can trap moisture inside and cause it to go mouldy. You might also want to consider investing in a kamado cover to keep your BBQ looking its best.
