Rimini is possibly one of the most well-known and renowned beach resorts in the whole of Europe – this is due to its 15km long stretch of beautiful white sand beaches, plethora of hotels and myriad of bars and restaurants. Thousands of visitors flock here to soak up the sun, relax on the beaches and escape from busy modern life. Aside from the fantastic beaches, Rimini also has a plethora of historical sites, beautiful parks, charming Piazzas and interesting museums. It is easy to see why this city is so popular and why tourism accounts for a large portion of Rimini’s economy. Rimini has a rich historical and artistic heritage, which includes churches and monasteries, villas and palaces, fortifications, archaeological sites, streets and squares. This richness is the result of the succession of various civilizations, dominations and historical events through 22 centuries of history: the Romans, the Byzantines, the role of medieval comune and capital of the Malatesta seignory, the Venetian Republic and the Papal States dominations. The city has always been a key gate to the Orient and the southern areas of the Mediterranean, thanks to its geographical position and the importance of its harbour, and a meeting point between cultures of Northern and Central Italy.