Russian guide in Rimini, San Marino and Ravenna

Of the most popular places in mainland Italy, which are most often visited by "our" tourists on BlogoItaliano, only a review about the guide in Rimini was missing. For a long time, I didn’t even bother with this: well, there was no experience of communicating with guides here, and what to do about it, do not lie. But in mid-April 2015, having chosen a week to Rome, he decided to rectify the situation. Actually, this is how we met Victoria.

As with several other guides in Italy, Victoria was brought to me by my Roman friend Lela, who is dedicated to a separate article on Rome Guide: my man in the Eternal City on BlogoItaliano. Sitting with her in a cafe a stone's throw from Piazza del Popolo, I lamented that I sometimes receive letters from tourists going to Rimini asking them to advise a local guide, but they have nothing to answer.

Lela took a break to inquire, and the next morning she woke up with a call from Vicki's contact. According to her, Rimini is a very strange region. Despite the fact that the city is considered one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russians, there are only a few people here who speak Russian. Of course, if we talk about those who have the appropriate license, and not just "leftist", exploiting knowledge of Russian. Moreover, out of these few people, even less live in Rimini itself and specialize in this city and its environs.

Rimini is considered one of the most popular holiday destinations of Russians

According to Lela, most of the "guides from Rimini" actually live in Bologna and other cities nearby. With the start of the season, they become more active in Rimini: “I don’t really like such craftsmen of all trades,” Lela says. “I think that the guide should be from the region where the excursion takes place. Or, at least, from the district. When a person constantly lives in the city, he always has something to tell and show to tourists, in addition to the standard program: he is familiar with little-known places, knows about seasonal events, is well-versed in local prices, while visiting guides often have very limited knowledge of the material and “swim” in places outside the packed routes ".

According to Lela, Victoria has been living in Rimini for many years and she has "the best recommendations." I had no reason not to believe an old acquaintance who had never let me down, and phoned Vika the very next day I left for Rimini.

Victoria - guide from Rimini

Where is the easiest way to make an appointment, first finding yourself in a particular city? Of course, in the main square. Arriving a little earlier than agreed time, I took a convenient observant position on Piazza Cavour and prepared to wait. But, as it turned out, not only I had come before. As soon as I made an order in a cafe, I felt someone touch on the shoulder: "You must be Alex? And I'm Victoria."

Vika turned out to be a pleasant young woman with a disposable smile and a pleasant voice. She immediately took the initiative, outlining the route plan: during the preliminary call, we only agreed to inspect the center together, without discussing particularly details. “We’ll walk for a couple of hours, and it will be visible there,” I said on the phone.

Since its construction in the later years of the Roman Empire, Piazza Cavour has served as the center of Rimini

“Walking” turned out until the evening: Vika turned out to be a surprisingly interesting storyteller, and after a two-hour tour I invited her to ice cream. He talked for a long time about the site; she, in turn, issued entire layers of information about Italy in general and Rimini in particular.

According to the guide, I was very lucky that the visit to Rimini took place before the start of the season. If we talk about excursions, this is the best time: “It’s not hot yet and you can easily spend at least an entire day outdoors, the prices are also lower. However, most of the seasonal places are still closed, and you can’t buy at sea, but every season has its advantages. "

“Lela told me that you specialize not only in Rimini.” What else is popular with tourists?

- Rimini was very lucky with the location. In addition to the many attractions in the city itself, in the vicinity there are a lot of interesting places where you can go for a few hours, or even for the whole day. For example, San Marino, Bologna, Ravenna with its mosaics, or Urbino - the Birthplace of Raphael - a surprisingly beautiful medieval town with many monuments of the Renaissance. With more active tourists, we often travel to Florence and even Venice.

In addition, according to Victoria, in addition to the attractions in Rimini, it makes sense to take a closer look at shopping. In the vicinity of the city there are a lot of factories for the production of clothes and shoes, furniture, as well as very favorable prices for fur coats.

“Interest in fur is simply unbelievable, because if you know the places, you can buy a fur coat 30-40% cheaper than in stores in other regions of Italy, and 2, or even 3 times cheaper than in Russia. And it will be real, high-quality, Italian fur coat, "says Victoria.

Piazza del Popolo in Ravenna

Word for word, I didn’t notice how the day passed. We said goodbye to Vika, when it was already completely dark on the street and, perhaps, could have continued talking if the evening coolness had not reminded me that it was still not summer.

The next day I had to return to Rome, and another day later - the flight home. The road is not long, but the trip was definitely worth the effort. As Lela assured, I did not regret my choice for a second. Moreover, now I am absolutely sure that I will definitely return to Rimini again - at least in order to spend another such wonderful evening in good company.

How to book a tour

Traditionally, saying goodbye to Victoria, I clarified whether she would not mind if I left her contact on BlogoItaliano for readers. Vika gave the go-ahead, and I keep my promise. You can write to her and arrange an excursion or a trip to factories and shops by e-mail email protected or through the feedback form below.

In addition, I asked her for a more detailed description of the routes, which I will publish in the coming days.

The only thing, as in the case with other guides in Italy, if you go to Rimini and plan to devote some time to excursions, then at the peak of the season - from May to September - it is better to contact Vika in advance. In these months, the demand for guide services in Rimini has traditionally exceeded supply, and many dates of excursions may already be occupied by more efficient tourists.