Rimini

Rimini is Italy's premier party spot, a long established beach resort that has been attracting holidaymakers since 1843. With endless sandy beaches, a sleek marina and nearly 500 bars, Rimini caters for anyone seeking a lively seaside break in the sun.  There are theme parks for fun loving families, and nightclubs galore for party lovers who want to dance till they drop.  Once the home of the great Italian film director Federico Fellini, Rimini also has a small historic centre, and is within easy reach of a clutch of more peaceful Italian towns and cities. Inland the countryside is green and surprisingly unspoilt.

Rimini has long been a favourite with Italian families seeking relaxing beach holidays, especially in high summer. It is also popular with 18-35 year old Western Europeans, including raucous British stag and hen groups, who come for the nightlife. However, in winter the crowds disappear, and the historic centre becomes the focus of a more restrained daily life.

Rimini is in Emilia-Romagna in northeast Italy, on the Adriatic coast. It is about 110km (68 miles) from the region's capital, Bologna, and 8km (5 miles) from the airport. Rimini is a sprawling resort, stretching along the beachfront on the Adriatic. The developments along the coast are flat while the old town, about a 15-minute walk inland, is on higher ground. The independent state of San Marino lies to the south while Cesenatico, another seaside resort, is to the north.

Rimini boasts 15km (9 miles) of prime sandy beachfront. However, this is divided into numerous private plots, each with its own facilities such as beach huts, sun umbrellas, loungers and toilets. Many beaches also offer games like table tennis, and sporting activities.

The old town of Rimini is well worth exploring. It has several Roman remains and a Renaissance monument, the Tempio Malatestiano. This is a stunning 15th-century temple that was built as a memorial tomb for the (fourth) wife of a powerful local ruler, Sigismondo Malatesta, and contains several pagan motifs. It also has a crucifix by the great artist Giotto. The countryside surrounding Rimini is home to several quiet villages that offer a peaceful respite from the rather brash beachfront.

Rimini is a great family resort. Not only are there clean beaches, and family-friendly restaurants and hotels, there are also plenty of attractions nearby. Fiabilandia (Via Cardono 15, Rivazzurra) is a theme park - billed as Italy's answer to Disneyland. Italy in Miniature (Via Popilia 239, Viserba) has a funfair and over 270 scale models of iconic Italian buildings. There is also Aquafan, a water park further along the coast which can be reached by bus from Rimini.

There are plenty of shops along the seafront in Rimini aimed, as you might expect, at holidaymakers seeking bikinis and bronzing lotions. However the old town has lively street markets selling everything from fresh food to antiques, and offer excellent potential for browsing. The main market is on Piazza Cavour on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, while an antique market is held on Tuesday evenings in summer in Marino Centro.

Rimini offers unlimited potential for partying. There are nearly 500 bars, as well as a wide choice of dance clubs that stay open much of the night. The old fish market (Via Pescheria) in the city centre has a clutch of cool bars and cafes, while some of most established clubs include Paradiso (Via Covignano 260) and Rock Island (Piazzale Boscovich).

Rimini offers endless possibilities for eating out, with nearly 400 restaurants from which to choose. The seafront is lined with places offering cheap snacks, pizza and pasta but there are plenty of restaurants offering high quality cuisine too, with fish a speciality.

There is a train station in the city centre, which links Rimini to other towns and cities in the region, and bus services operate as well. The old town itself is easily explored on foot. There are also 30km (18 miles) of cycle paths linking the city centre with the coast and the surrounding countryside.

Bologna is a fine university city with plenty of cultural attractions, and a reputation for fine food. The streets are lined with porticoes, allowing shelter from the sun while shopping.  Closer to Rimini is Ravenna, just an hour away by train. This tiny city is famous for its mosaics, and eight monuments have been designated a collective World Heritage Site.  Closer to the city is the tiny Republic of San Marino. The smallest republic in the world, it is on many tourist routes. Collectors love it, as it has its own mint and produces its own postage stamps.

Stay at Rimini's best known hotel, the five-star Grand (Parco Federico Fellini) (website: www.grandhotelrimini.com), which opened in 1908 and was immortalised by Federico Fellini in several of his films. It has extensive grounds and an exclusive private beach, as well as sumptuous rooms and several restaurants.

Federico Fellini International (Rimini) (RMI)