Versilia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful summer resorts in Tuscany, but how much does it cost? Not much if you follow the five low cost tricks found for us.
La Versilia is that Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany famous above all for the nightlife and the concentration of VIPs during the hottest months. In fact, the sea and the beaches are not exactly postcard-worthy, the towns are nice but overcrowded and the prices are not exactly low cost. Then the question arises spontaneously: what is there to do during the summer from Viareggio to Forte dei Marmi, if you do not fall into the category of the super rich?
The green
The thing I like most of all is taking a bath while looking at them Apuan Alps, which overlook the Versilian landscapes. It will be immediately clear to you that in addition to the beaches, it is the green that is the protagonist in the area and for those who do not give up a walk in the woods even during a beach holiday, just take the car and in less than an hour you will find yourself in the mountains .
For those who do not want to go far, there is no problem: each location has a more or less large pine forest. The most famous and largest is that of Viareggio, which winds along the entire town, from the central market area to that of Città Giardino. In addition to restaurants and picnic areas, you will find rides for children, a mini golf course and a small pony farm.
Not to be missed are the donuts of Black cat, a small kiosk in the center of the green area, open until late at night. You can order a donut and be delighted to see your pastries fly from a sort of space shuttle. Nothing spectacular, but as a child I would have spent hours watching that rain of sweetness fall. Pay attention to the fillings: they are very consistent!
The Versiliana
For those with a romantic soul, I recommend a stop at Fiumetto, where the pine forest is not very extensive, but the view with the bridge is truly a postcard. The wood borders the large park of the Versiliana, in whose villa the poet stayed for long periods Gabriele D'Annunzio, who was inspired by the beauty of the place for his composition The rain in the pine grove.
Since the Eighties, the Municipality of Pietrasanta has started a redevelopment of the territory, where since then the La Versiliana Festival, a successful event at the 35th edition, which interests tourists, curious and art lovers, who are in the surrounding area.
By consulting the program, you will be able to see a well-kept selection of artists, who take turns in the park's amphitheater throughout the summer with more busy shows, comic sketches, musicals and concerts. If the price of the tickets seems a bit high, I assure you that it is worth it: the setting is really impressive!
Every afternoon then the Literary café hosts a different character to engage in interviews and debates with the public, who can intervene freely. The presenters are different and will deal with different themes, because the artists who will arrive belong to very different fields: politicians, sportsmen, journalists, actors.
One of the most anticipated this year is Pippo Baudo, but there will also be Piero Pelù, chef Gualtiero Marchesi, Dario Argento, Paolo Rossi, Margherita Buy and many others. Admission is free, but I advise you to arrive well in advance to get the best seats.
Markets
One of the most awaited appointments for ladies on holiday in Versilia are the markets, where real bargains are made, if you are gifted with speed dialing skills. Viareggio has a stable market right in the city center, but by now the quality of the goods on the stalls has deteriorated.
Here then is the agenda of the week of street vendors: Monday at Lido di Camaiore, Thursday for a walk in Viareggio and Saturday in Tonfano. The real event, however, is that of Wednesday al Forte dei Marmi market, the most famous, the most chic and certainly also the least low cost.
Sure you will find high quality garments and designer clothes at reduced prices. A special day to visit is the 28 August, culmination of the celebrations for Sant'Ermete, patron saint of the city: in addition to the traditional fires and the extraordinary market, there will also be the historical procession and the traditional "focata".
The piers
To unite the tourist resorts of Versilia there are also the piers, in addition to the pine forest. Historic is that of the Fort and in the same style, the one of Tonfano was also built in more recent times. Walking through them at sunset is truly romantic.
More spartan is the Viareggio pier, with its fishing boats, the visible rocks and the statue of Waiting, dedicated to those who get lost in the sea. But I like it very much, because it is the one most frequented by the locals, who armed with rods, fish from the early hours of the morning.
The most modern pier is that of Lido di Camaiore, which ends with a circular bar: a great place for aperitifs, which I have never tried yet.
The nightlife
Let's go back to the starting point: Versilia has been famous for its nightlife since the XNUMXs. Have you ever seen the Taste of the Sea movies? Here, in those rooms you can still breathe the air of the past! So, I will leave aside the most famous nightclubs of now, such as Ostras, Twiga, Seven Apples, to talk about the two pillars of Versilian nightlife.
We stop again in Forte dei Marmi to visit the place that makes history, La Capannina di Franceschi. Open since 1929 in a tool shed, over time it has become a meeting place for tourists in the area and beyond, because from the 50s to the 70s it became a springboard for Italian and foreign artists: from Edith Piaf to Gino Paoli , from Ray Charles to Ornella Vanoni.
Now, it is a disco like all others, which retains the charm of the past and also offers piano bar evenings: the most popular are those with Jerry Calà, the undisputed star. The clientele is elegant, but this is noticeable in all the clubs along the coast.
The other evergreen venue is The Compass, of which Mina was the undisputed queen. Now, the track and the outdoor area overlooking the beach offer commercial music, but the atmosphere is very nice: it deserves an evening.
