San Marino

San Marino is a small country completely surrounded by Italy, sitting proudly on Mount Titano. It claims to be the oldest republic in the world, founded in 301 CE by a Christian stonecutter named Marinus, who fled Roman persecution. Despite its tiny size (just 61 square kilometers), this microstate packs in stunning views, medieval architecture, and a fascinating history of maintaining its independence for over 1,700 years.

The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features three impressive medieval towers perched dramatically on the mountain's peaks. The narrow, winding streets lead visitors through a charming old town with stone buildings, quaint shops, and small piazzas. The Palazzo Pubblico (Government House) stands as the center of political life, where the changing of the guard ceremony takes place with guards dressed in colorful traditional uniforms.

Beyond its beauty, San Marino offers some quirky aspects too. It has its own currency (though euros are widely accepted), issues its own stamps (prized by collectors), and even has its own football team (which, yes, usually loses). Tax-free shopping makes it popular with visitors looking for bargains on luxury goods. And while thousands of tourists visit each year, relatively few know about this peaceful mountain republic that has somehow managed to maintain its sovereignty while empires and nations around it rose and fell.