family of 4 with 2 elementary age girls going to italy in JULY of this year.. looking for a place on the italian riviera, preferably CT area or a bit south, to stay July 20-25th. will have a car and would love to have a base for vists to CT, Lucca, and Pisa. would love to be on the beach, or at least looking over the sea. any thoughts? i know this is last minute. hesitant about CT b/c we'll have our car to contend with. what are some great locations in that general vicinity? suggestions?
thanks!!!
Posted by
OP
dallas, ga, usa
26 posts
mike- thanks for the suggestion! have you stayed there before? if so, where? i was hoping for an apartment so we could do a little laundry and cook in a bit b/c we are there for 5 nights, but i'm having a hard time finding something on or near the water. advice? thanks
Posted by
Boston
1816 posts
Try Marina di Massa. It's at the north end of the Versilia coast, just south of Liguria. The nearby autostrade gives you access to many sites, Lucca and Pisa are 30 minutes, Lerici 30 minutes. Train to CT from Massa is easy. Your kids will love it. Here's an article: http://www.apathtolunch.com/2011/07/marina-di-massa-real-italian-summer.html
Posted by
Oxnard, CA, USA
45 posts
Hi Randel, we just returned from CT and stayed in Monterosso al Mare at the Hotel Marina which is in Rick's book. You are able to park in a lot near the beach and walk to your hotel, there is also a luggage shuttle. What a wonderful place to stay with more for kids to do then the other CT towns. Hotel Marina was absolutely wonderful!! We will be going back.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
Hello Randel:
I've been virtually in every town in Versilia over my lifetime, from Torre del Lago Puccini (Giacomo Puccini's home town obviously) to Marina di Carrara. I've also been to Marina di Massa numerous times since one of my best buddies in Florence (high school and University mate) has his summer home there. You can't go wrong with any place there. The entire Versilia coast is geared to families and pretty much to anybody from any age group. Thre are lots of things to do and a lot of activities and the entire area is vibrant and full of life. Think of Miami beach but more family oriented, not just geared to the 20 years' old. The area is where most Tuscan families from the interior have their vacation homes (and also lots from the Parma area since Parma is directly linked to the area by the Parma-La Spezia freeway. Any town would work, but if I was asked to choose one place, I'd pick Forte dei Marmi. You can drive to the Cinque Terre in about one hour from there. Pisa is about half hour away and so is Lucca.
Posted by
Boston
1816 posts
Sorry I don't have familiarity with rentals. There should be listings on Homeaway or TripAdvisor. Often the vacation areas have a one week minimum but not always. Roberto is right, the whole coast is suitable and enjoyable. There won't be anything right on the water as the road runs along the shore and winter wave action keeps the buildings at a distance.
Posted by
San Antonio, Tx, USA
46 posts
@ Gretchen, Great to hear your up to date experience at Hotel Marina. We are staying there in a couple of weeks and are really looking froward to it. Any thoughts on good eats in the neighborhoods of Monterosso?