CHAPTER 34
We drank in Tuscany like a nice bottle of wine, and just as nice bottles always do, our time there ran out far too soon. No matter though, we were all looking forward to our next destination, the small village of Agnone, far to the south, nestled in the complex peaks and valleys of the central Apennines. But looking over the road atlas trying to decide the best route south without retracing our steps, I noticed a small country, sitting incongruously land locked in the mountains just a bit northeast of Siena. I had never heard of San Marino before, but after a few minutes of thumbing through the Lonely Planet, I was sufficiently intrigued by this little independent enclave girded by Italy, that I set to work convincing my companions that it was pretty much a must-see destination. The fact that this detour would tack on nearly four hours to our already four hour drive caused a small debate, but I had an ace up my sleeve: the next day would be my birthday, my 30th time around the sun to be exact, and what better way, I argued, than to start off my new year by adding a new stamp to the ol’ passport! My ploy worked, and early the next morning we were headed to the Republic of San Marino, or bust!
The country is 5th on the world’s list of smallest, but what it lacks in area, it makes up in height- the geography goes from a mere 180 ft above sea level to over 2400 feet elevation at the fortress topped pinnacle of Monte Titano. We drove up a narrow winding road to the aptly situated capital of the republic, which sits just below the fortress on the slopes of the mountain, parked the car making double sure to set the e-brake, and then hiked the remaining yards to one of the most dramatic overlooks I have ever seen – the whole scene could have been pulled right from Tolkien or Martin, it was so implausible. Definitely one of my most memorable birthdays to date!
Note: Photos with a “VS” suffix are credited to Val and Steve
Prev Chapter
Next Chapter
