MotoGP: Feature: 5 MUST-DO trips whilst at the San Marino GP

Tavullia

Need I say why you need to come here? Valentino Rossi’s captivating personality has made him an Italian God in sport, whilst his achievements have made him one of the most famous sportsmen in the world. You will be overwhelmed by the Valentino Rossi merchandise stores in Cattolica alone but take a trip to Tavullia and you are in for one massive surprise! It really is like the pictures. Yellow flags with “46”, banners on the town’s walls, a Valentino Rossi bar, pizzeria, gift shop and official VR46 apparel store make this an absolute must visit for fans of ‘The Doctor’. 

It is hard to explain the feeling when you get to Tavullia for the first time. Weird comparison alert, but when I was in Lebanon and I decided to take a trip to Hezbollah’s tourist landmark in Mleeta, I soon gathered what areas were Hezbollah supporters due to the flags, hanging in a vertical fashion on street lamps. Tavullia has that same feel, like you are walking into territory that is owned by someone else – that someone else is ‘Vale’. You feel a little bit of a change in atmosphere, it becomes much more carnival like – a meeting point for all those that almost come to worship him. Like I say, he’s an Italian sporting God and you really do feel that in Tavullia.