San Marino is the 37th country we have been to in the last 36 months. It was an hour and a half drive to get there. We decided to travel to San Marino in a rented car as the train would have taken just as long but would leave us in Italy. That meant we would then have to take a bus into San Marino, no thanks. A private tour guide was cost prohibitive so off to the airport we went to get our car from "Sicily by Car." It was a event at the rental cars as they had only one representative working the counter and all the rental companies were sold out. Some sort of Formula One event was happening so all the cars were spoken for, we were so glad we had a reservation. We ran into some of the Formula 1 traffic on our way to San Marino, but it was not too bad. We drove right up to the parking garage that we had researched the night earlier. Took a couple of elevators up to the large stone gate into the city. We then went to the restaurant for lunch, walked up the hill, popping into shops and looking at the fine old buildings. We looked over the walls at the Italian countryside and sat for a while watching the crowds file on by. Soon it was time to head back as the car was due back by 7. It was a good thing that we left early as there was a 45 minute traffic jam on the wany home
We are on the correct road
Getting closer
On top of the mountain!
The view spreads out forever
Battlements
A bald hill
The main gate
It is all uphill from here
Highly rated restaurant
We choose lunch first
We got the gest seat in the house
I got a seafood combo
Flat bread for us
Caw caw
Leslie's whole Branzino
My salad
Frits squid, shrimp and fries
Two kinds of limoncello and larger amounts of them for our goodbye gift
Many fancy items were for sale
An antique car
Grande Nudo Femminilie
She is looking out at the crowds
Tall walls
This place is so picturesque
So many sculptures
Not many clothes available in bronze
Balcony envy
Her feet are hurting too
That there were fortified walls this high up the side of the mountain is mind boggling
Battle of the wasps
A fine memorial
A theater area
A lawn area and stone stating
We did not see any gondolas running while we were there
Go Team! Leslie is wearing her new sunglasses
More to be found .... uphill
More nudity in bronze
A very medieval look
Fortified doors and all
Chickens for sale
A blinding white statue
Brick on the top of the portico
Bell tower
Splendid
The flag of San Marino
Ac especially cute pup
The church about half way to the top
Simple but elegant
Mew walls to walk along
Great view from up here
His name is Rusty
Italy in the distance!
A guard tower
With a sheer drop to the base of the mountain
Right on the edge
This is as far as we want to climb
Lantern to light the way
Another lantern on the way down
Nice vent
Bobble head pope
Busted
Fine inlay on these doors
A less grand church
A long day for everyone
Back down the hill to the front gate
