And what if while looking at the sea we turned around, looking at the horizon behind us?

We would see hills and hills without end

On those hills caressed by the sea breeze, there are many jewel villages to discover off-season.

Starting from Gradara, which is only 5.7 km from Cattolica, a fortress that rises on the hill (142 m above sea level) on the border between Marche and Emilia Romagna in a strategic position with a breathtaking view.

It is a place rich in history and memories, and during each visit, one can experience unique and unrepeatable emotions: it is indeed possible to walk both inside the castle and on the crenellated walls, but also on the drawbridge and in the elegant courtyard. The interior rooms recall the splendors of the powerful families that governed here: Malatesta, Sforza, and Della Rovere.

Wandering further north in the lands of the Malatesta, we meet Verucchio, behind Rimini. Verucchio is a town of medieval layout and rich in historic buildings, stretched between two hills once crowned by powerful fortresses, that of Passerello - on whose ruins today a convent is established - and that of Sasso, today Rocca Malatestiana, one of the best-preserved fortifications of the Signoria, built to dominate the town, the valley, and the plain.

Descending down the valley towards the sea, we find Rimini, a city with a long and fascinating history. It all begins with the first prehistoric settlements and develops with the foundation of the Roman colony of Ariminum in 268 BC. The city was an important strategic hub during the Roman era, and in the Middle Ages it became a municipality and then a lordship, reaching its peak with the Malatesta.

The most interesting itinerary (download the map) that we recommend is the Roman one that starts from the Tiberius Bridge, which today can also be admired from the water aboard small rowboats (for info contact Associazione Marinando at the number 333/4844496)

Proceeding along Corso d'Augusto, you reach Piazza Tre Martiri, the ancient Roman forum of Ariminum, which was also the theater of jousts, knight tournaments, events, and public ceremonies related to the Malatesta family.

Continuing along the decumanus, you will find yourself in front of the imposing Arch of Augustus, the oldest preserved in northern Italy, which marks the end of the Flaminian Way that connects Rome to Rimini.

From here, continue along the eastern bastions towards the train station. At the intersection with Via Roma, on the left, you will encounter the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD. It stood near the beach, which was then much further back, near the ancient port that was located in the area now occupied by the nearby train station.

It was an imposing structure that certainly had a great effect, especially on those arriving from the sea.

Now proceed to the next stop, Piazza Ferrari. Head towards the Malatesta Temple and, taking the homonymous street in front, reach Piazza Ferrari, where you will find the Domus of the surgeon and, on Via Tonini, the adjacent City Museum with the archaeological section.

From the chaotic seafront of Rimini, we return to the hills and move south, finding the wonderful Montefeltro.

Montefeltro is located in the inland area of Rimini and Pesaro, occupying part of the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche, the western area of the province of Rimini in Emilia-Romagna, and even extending into Tuscany and the Republic of San Marino.

We start from an ancient village situated on a huge rocky boulder that is impassable all around, behind the Republic of San Marino and the Riviera of Rimini, in the Val Marecchia.

San Leo, a wonderful capital of art, mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, is the hub of the historical region of Montefeltro and is the city that gave it its name.

The city was once called Monte Feltro, from Mons Feretrus, a name linked to the important Roman settlement that arose around the temple dedicated to Jupiter Feretrius. It was a constant object of contention until it was definitively conquered in 1441 by the young Federico da Montefeltro, who fiercely opposed the Malatesta in the dominion of the Marecchia Valley.

Known for its historical and geopolitical events, a location for films and documentaries, an excellent tourist destination, it is the precious pearl guarded by the province of Rimini.

But Montefeltro extends into the Marche, and the first noteworthy city is Sassocorvaro, a delightful village that rises above Lake Mercatale, in the inland area of Pesaro. The magnificent panorama ranges from the lake to the nearby center of Mercatale immersed in the fascinating landscape of Montefeltro.

At the top of the hill, centrally located, stands the grand Rocca Ubaldinesca, a military outpost on the Apennines and the entire Foglia Valley.
The building was constructed on a pre-existing complex dating back to 1060 that was a long-standing strategic position for battles between the Montefeltro and the Malatesta.
The Rocca has a turtle shape, an alchemical symbol of strength and durability, built in the second half of the '400 by the architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, with defensive purposes but it was a great failure. The curved surfaces of the walls reduced the power of the bombs but at the same time reduced visibility for the defenders.

Nestled between the houses along a narrow staircase, we come across the small church of the Oratory of the Holy Trinity, now the church of San Valentino, built in 1722, at the behest of Abbot Gaspare Fabbrini. The church is small and modest, a treasure chest of love and beauty, which preserves within it the most important of the relics, the head and some bones of San Valentino. On February 14, the feast of lovers, the entire village of Sassocorvaro and the church of San Valentino are literally invaded by devotees and curious people of the Protector of lovers. Many pray before the relics for a blessing from the Saint.

Proceeding along the valley, a winding uphill road takes us to 451 meters above sea level, and before us stands the Renaissance city of Urbino. It was one of the most important centers of the Italian Renaissance, fully preserving its architectural heritage, and since 1998 its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Given its artistic importance, the city is remembered in the series of sculptures of the Vittoriano, dedicated to the fourteen noble cities of united Italy

This is a true treasure chest of historical treasures, rich in enchanting palaces and monuments that tell centuries of history and art.

Among the things to see in Urbino, the Ducal Palace is certainly one of those not to be missed: don’t miss the chance to discover this great masterpiece of the Renaissance

Guarding the city, the Albornoz Fortress, located in the southwestern corner of the walls of Urbino, is an imposing fortification that dominates the city from above, offering a breathtaking panoramic view and a perfect setting for those who want to take memorable souvenir photos.

Also to be seen is the statue dedicated to the painter Raphael, which is situated among the trees and flowers of Piazzale Roma, with an open sky background that enhances its bronzes and polychrome marbles.

Piazza della Repubblica is the central square between the two hills of the city, a central node from which the main streets converge: Via Mazzini, Via Cesare Battisti, Via Vittorio Veneto, Corso Garibaldi, and Via Raffaello.

Walking through the streets of Urbino, stop in Via Bramante to discover the Church of Santo Spirito. Cross the portal and let yourself be enchanted by the barrel vault decorated with the magnificent monochrome frescoes by Girolamo Cialdieri. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the most important (and imposing) religious place in Urbino. After being damaged by two earthquakes, today the cathedral is a majestic example of neoclassical art and fully ranks among the most beautiful things to see in Urbino in a day.

Even from the outside, you can perceive that the style of the building is elegant and refined, but it is only by crossing the threshold of the cathedral that you will have confirmation of this. Here, in fact, you will be enveloped by a combination of neoclassical and Renaissance elements that will throw you into a timeless atmosphere, where past and present merge perfectly. Located within the imposing tower overlooking the Mercatale square, the spiral ramp called by locals “I Torricini” is a majestic example of Renaissance ingenuity.

Imagine a spiral staircase through which the Duke could ride up to the foot of the Palace while overseeing the work of the stable hands. For that time, a structure of this kind was a true novelty and a decidedly avant-garde project.

Today this place constitutes one of the most famous and important relics of the Renaissance and is absolutely worth seeing!

But these villages and towns, in addition to having a fascinating history, are the cradle of many famous historical figures and more.

An example is Gioachino Rossini, born on February 29, 1792, in Pesaro, a city he never forgot, so much so that at his death he left his entire considerable fortune to the Municipality of Pesaro, which used it appropriately by establishing the Conservatory of Music and the Rossi Foundation.

Or San Mauro Pascoli, which is a small village of 12,000 souls in the heart of Romagna between Cervia and Rimini. It is the place of childhood and youth of Giovanni Pascoli, hence the reason for its full name.

To learn about and rediscover the life of the poet, you can visit the Parco Poesia Pascoli, which unites the most important places of remembrance in Romagna: the Birth House and Villa Torlonia.

But without going too far back in time, there is our Tavullia, which is the birthplace of Valentino Rossi, one of the greatest MotoGP riders.

Tavullia is only 10 km from Cattolica, which is why Valentino Rossi used to spend all his summers as a boy on the beach of our shores!

In just 58 minutes by car heading north, you can also reach Ravenna.

È the largest and historically most important city in Romagna; its municipal territory is the second largest in Italy (only surpassed by that of Rome) and includes nine beaches of the Romagna Riviera.

In its history, it has been the capital three times: of the Western Roman Empire (402-476), of the Ostrogothic Kingdom (493-540), and of the Byzantine Exarchate (584-751). For the vestiges of this bright past, the complex of the early Christian monuments of Ravenna has been included, since 1996, in the list of Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as a serial site of