San Marino is the world's oldest republic and the tiny country has been more or less independent since 301 AD. In that year, the Christian stonemason Marinus the Dalmation hid from the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian on the peak of the beautiful, foreboding and easily defended Mount Titano. The area has been independent ever since. Nowadays, San Marino has one of the most vibrant political and social cultures in Europe.

San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy and its 30,000 inhabitants speak Italian. The country celebrates its founding day every year on 3 September. The celebrations include a crossbow competition and a nation-wide bingo game.

San Marino is also stunningly picturesque. Out of the center of the country just the majestic medieval Mount Titano, itself crowned by the three defensive forts that have made independence possible. Spectacular cliffs face the Adriatic while the Old City tumbles like a veil down the back of Titano, towards the Apennines.

San Marino's economy is largely dependent on the 3 million tourists that visit the country every year. Most tourists drive to the market town of Borgo Maggiore, where they take the cable car up to San Marino city. San Marino's Old Town consists of a labyrinth of cobble-stoned streets, lined with ancient limestone houses. The limestone was quarried from the mountain beneath. There are many museums that cover the span of Sammarinese history in San Marino. Two the city's three old forts that are perched along the edge of the cliffs, house museums. The museums include impressive collections of ancient weapons. The views from the forts are spectacular and on clear days you can see Croatia, on the other side of the Adriatic.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in San Marino. The city sits on the top of Mount Titano, in the center of the country. San Marino has good rail and road connections with the nearby city of Rimini in Italy, where transportation to the rest of Italy is available.