Felicity Long
If you were planning a winter trip to Italy, where would you recommend your clients go? The obvious contenders might be the A-list cities -- in hopes of fewer crowds — or one of the world-class ski resorts. But the beach? Bring a sweater.
How then to explain the spike in international tourism in Rimini, a beach resort, for the first quarter of 2024, when arrivals climbed by almost 13% over the previous January to March period? The explanation for this strong start, according to VisitRimini, is simple: This is a seaside destination that offers more than just the sea.
For the record, Rimini is located in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region on the Adriatic Sea.
It features 10 miles of coastline, architecture that dates to 21 B.C. and an interactive museum devoted to the famous — some would say notorious — Federico Fellini, complete with restored versions of some of his most famous films.
To promote the city and its region, VisitRimini launched a promotional campaign called "Discover the City You Don't Expect," touting not only the strong visitor numbers, but also the wealth of year-round special events, trade fairs and cultural attractions.
Art and archaeology
For starters, Rimini boasts plenty of art — this is Italy, after all — including the City Museum (Museo della Citta), housed in the 18th-century Jesuit College and showcasing 2,000 years' worth of artifacts, and the Palazzi dell'Arte Museum, featuring modern and contemporary art and located in two medieval buildings in the historic city center. On display is a collection of works from the 20th century to the present. The Palazzi dell'Arte has been closed for renovation since July 2023, but it is scheduled to reopen this fall.
Sightseeing highlights include the Piazza Tre Martiri; the Parco del Mare wellness park; the Arco d'Augusto, built in 27 B.C.; the picturesque Piazza sull'Acqua; the ancient Tiberius Bridge; and the Castel Sismondo, which dates from the 15th century.
Kid-sized fun
Love fireworks? Check out the Festa de' Borg, a two-day biennial festival on first weekend of September and featuring live music, parades and fireworks over the Ponte di Tiberio River.
Got kids? How about the Miniature Italy (Italia in Miniatura), a theme park featuring more then 250 historical buildings in miniature, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum -- plus the fun of getting around via monorail.
Families can also enjoy Fiabilandia, an amusement park that features roller coasters, water rides, laser shows and circus acts.
For more on what to do in Rimini, check out VisitRimini's website.