SI YA!
Stunning Italian city tipped to be big is home to a little-known amusement park with two water areas and themed rides
Plus, Sun Travel reveals what it's like to visit the seaside town
IF YOU'RE looking for some holiday inspiration, consider taking a trip to Rimini.
The Italian seaside town is located in Emilia-Romagna - an Italian region tipped to be big in 2025 by Time Out.
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In 2023, Rimini was also named as one of Skyscanner’s for 2024.
Located on the Adriatic Coast, the travel booking site saw searches to Rimini rise by 362 per cent in 2023.
Skyscanner claims it is "a must-visit destination" for those looking for an authentic Italian experience next year because of its rich history, stunning architecture, cuisine and culture.
Ancient monuments and wondrous ruins aside, the seaside town is home to one of the oldest amusement parks in Italy.
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Fiabilandia first opened in 1966 and has gone on to become the largest amusement park in Rimini.
The amusement park sits around Lake Bernardo (a former gravel pit) and is roughly split into four different zones, Medieval, Eastern, Pirates and the Wild West.
Fiabilandia has over 30 rides and attractions, such as rollercoasters, live shows and a 4D cinema.
The amusement park has several rollercoasters, including Red Mountain, Spacemouse and the Gold Mine.
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There are plenty of rides for younger park-goers, including Merlin the Wizard's Castle, where visitors are taken on a tour through the sorcerer's home aboard owls.
Meanwhile, the Dream Lake is a water ride where visitors journey on a dragon ship through waterfalls.
I visited the tiny island that is Italy's best kept secret and you can avoid the summer crowds
Other attractions include the Giant Slide, a carousel, an adventure playground, a 4D cinema and live shows.
In the summer months, the theme park is also home to two water areas called Palm Beach and Isola Maui.
There are several onsite restaurants, such as the Saloon where pizza and sandwiches are served, and La Pagoda, a self-service area.
The amusement park is also home to several picnic areas.
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Entry tickets cost £19.38 for a full-paying adult and £13.48 for reduced-price ticket holders.
Park-goers can also enter Fiabilandia for free the next day by asking for a special return bracelet and keeping their entrance ticket.
The amusement park is currently open every Sunday before reopening for the summer season on 4 April.
Fiabilandia has a 3.5/5 star rating from thousands of reviews, with one person writing: "It was really good, there was lots to do and the rides were brilliant".
Another added: "This is a beautiful little park, especially for children as it is themed very well."
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What's it like to visit Rimini?
TRAVEL reporter Hope Brotherton visited Rimini before it landed on the UK tourist map, here's what she thought...
Holidaymakers who enjoy relaxing on the beach will want to head to Rimini.
Its main draw is its nine-mile stretch of shoreline, which is said to be the country's biggest beach resort on the Adriatic Sea.
TripAdvisor described the city as "a favoured Italian seaside holiday destination for Italians due to its impressive nine miles of beaches".
Large parts of the beach are private, with hotels and restaurants charging holidaymakers to rent sun loungers and parasols.
Holidaymakers who don't want to pay to visit a private beach can make use of the free beaches.
Just like other Italian cities, Rimini is packed with historical attractions and places of interest.
One of those is Borgo San Giuliano, a trendy neighbourhood that's home to colourful houses and murals.
There's also the Ponte di Tiberio, an ancient bridge, dating back 2,000 years, which is reminiscent of Florence's Ponte Vecchio, except it's a lot quieter.
Head to Piazza Tre Martiri to admire important monuments such as a statue of Julius Caesar, which has been placed where the Roman general delivered a famous speech.
Other ancient sites include the Arch of Augustus, which was built in 27BC and the Tempio Malatestiano.
For something a bit more modern, there's also the Fellini Museum, which celebrates filmmaker Federico Fellini, director of La Dolce Vita.
Be sure to sample some of the local seafood while in Rimini and make the most of the cheap booze - a bottle of wine costs around £10 in a sit-down restaurant.
Staying in the city isn't too expensive either, with hotels like the Royal Plaza available from £23 per night, for two people.
I also travelled to another underrated city that's set to be big in 2025 - and it's said to be the happiest in the world.
An often-ridiculed city was named one of the best places to visit in 2024 by Time Out.
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