Carisma, Rimini

Advantages: cheap, fun and exciting
Disadvantages: beach sellers

...This was mine and my friend's first year in Italy and we chose Rimini for two weeks. We didn't really know what to expect, but we were just going to enjoy ourselves. I found Hotel Due Torri online and proceeded to contact the hotel by phone and get the flights separate! When we arrived everything seemed so relaxed! The beach was just across the road from us and it was so clean. there was a multitude of bars and restaurants to choose from and most important, ice cream shops! The ice cream here and in any part of Italy is totally amazing. There was a lot to do for families and also young people. The place really came alive a night, with lots of flier people trying to get you to go their nightclub. they were very friendly! The nightclubs were very lively and loads of people from all round came. Rimini is also a great base to saty at if you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Price, Beach, Facilities for children, Shopping
Disadvantages: Paying on the beach, Mainly German tourists,

...Having always wanted to visit Italy I thought I'd try a week long break with my 7 year old daughter in Rimini. Booking both flight and hotel via the internet I was amazed at how little it cost - £79 per person flight and £130 for us both in an attractive three storey hotel situated literally right on the beach front - no roads to cross or anything. Now Rimini may have a reputation as being the "Benidorm" of Italy but believe me it has so much more to offer. We stayed in the resort of Torre Pedrera which was about 1km up the beach from Rimini centre, and it was perfect - busy but very friendly and personal. The beach (10km long) was spotless and all the usual water attractions were available. What made it excellent for children was the fact that along the whole of the beach there were parks, waterslides and trampolines - all available... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sun, sea, sand, food and love!
Disadvantages: None for me

...and cheese. Cattolica is a very pretty seaside town with a marina. It has a wonderful beach which consistently gets awarded for its cleanliness (blue flag I think). It is much smaller than Rimini, but much more stylish in my opinion. Its not perfect, because it is a tourist destination. You will find just as many Italians there, as you will Germans and other scandinavian nationalities. The Italians take their annual holiday in August, and Cattolica is very popular with them. I take this as a good sign, as you know you are going to go somewhere with some level of authenticity. There are hundreds of hotels and apartments and sadly they do cater to some British tastes in the cafes....serving fry-ups and chips and even some German food. Whenever I go on holiday I want to live and eat locally. "When in Rome" as they say! Ignoring the tourist... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful