Rimini

Through the summertime thousands of Romans, Venetians and Bolognese locals (and a fair share of foreign tourists too) flock to Rimini’s seemingly endless stretches of sun-kissed yellow sand on the edge of the salty Adriatic Sea. The setting is undeniably lively; even if the raucous nightlife spots and concession stands, the regimented platoons of hotel-owned sunchairs and the al fresco drinking bars make for something a little unsavory at times. And while the beach is its biggest draw, Rimini tour guides can also reveal a side to this town to get the more cerebral juices flowing. With more than 2,000 years of history up its sleeve, and relics like the awesome Augustus Arch and the Tiberius Bridge, there's much for the culture buff to experience. Then there's Rimini's most famous son, Federico Fellini who was certainly inspired in his works by the fantastical energies of his hometown; these are chronicled in the local museum bearing his name.