However, another member of our tour, Julie, needed to make a visit to the doctor and chemist before we could start off.
Our first port of call for the day was San Marino -- an opportunity to buy goods in the smallest republic in the world. High on one of the hills, the city centre is for pedestrians only and full of shops.
The only entry is through Porto di Francesco, being waved through by one of the guards.
The views of central Italy from the top are amazing.
The place came to attract tourists as everything is duty free and often very cheap. Russian shopping tours come in droves to buy cheap perfume, leather goods and watches etc.
Our next stop was another town with a religious community founded at the same time as San Marino -- San Leo. This however is part of Italy.
We had a wonderful meal of spinach, salami and hams, local pecorino cheeses and salad San Leo. Again, the old town sat upon a high hilltop.
This was the view from the toilet!
St Francis of Assis stayed here at one time.
We looked at their first church which was built using stones from Roman buildings and whatever rock they could find. It was a beautifully simple church in the Romanesque style.
The later cathedral was again built straight onto the rock and once more reused materials from previous buildings, including some Roman or early Christian elements such as the carved dove.
Mario and Gianni talked about the significance of the bell tower to village life. Traditionally, churches had the bell tower and baptistery separate from the church ... Unlike gothic churches.
The castle on the top of the hill.
After the drive back to the hotel -- a minor challenge for those prone to motion sickness -- it was time for another 3 course meal at our hotel. How hard life is.
We walked up the street to the beach to hear what was on. It was a group playing and singing (80s Italian pop?) music for people to dance by.
- Posted by breakfast, practically a record
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