Posted By Mary Freeland on May 4, 2010

Versilia is on the coast of Tuscany, Italy. With summer approaching, it is somewhere I would love to be. I am pleased to share this guest post from @wishversilia which explores all there is to offer in this area.

My beloved Versilia, Tuscany…it is best known for its golden beach, small villages and natural parks in the hinterland, its mild climate and its amazing nightlife and entertainments, but what makes it unique is that you have all close at hand and in a short time you can walk on the sand on barefoot and then have lunch uphill viewing the Massaciuccoli Lake which inspired Giacomo Puccini.

Versilia is always beautiful to visit in summer as well as in winter time as its lively towns, from Viareggio, to Pietrasanta to Forte dei Marmi and Camaiore are always teeming with events and activities going on all year long. In my shopping tours in fact you can size the true daily life going on in shops, markets, nice street views, with native people…

In Spring, Viareggio is one of the best places where spending one day strolling around and relish the first warm sunrays while sitting at a cafe or just tasting some spaghetti and “arselle” (small typical clams) at one of the restaurants along the déco broadwalk. If you have a bike you can even ride up to Forte dei Marmi and make some shopping and a fast snack at “Manè” for its famous “focaccine”.

For those fond of nature, it’s worth visiting Camaiore and the around area which is full of historical sites and beautiful landscapes. Climb up the Monte Magno way to Lucca and appreciate the panoramic view from there…on the way back stop at Nebraska for a “merenda” based on typical products and wine tasting.

In summer, if you love trekking and being in contact with nature, you cannot miss to walk along the Rio Lombricese surrounded by chestnut’s woods and river falls where crystalline water natural pools are ideal to refresh and maybe have a jump in. At your return, stop at Osteria Candalla born within the walls of an old mill still lapped by pathways and waterfalls. Nestled in a wilderness, the restaurant and his old millstones are lulled by the clear water flow of the Rio Lombricese, in a unique natural oasis. Here you cannot miss the typical “tordelli”: small dumplings stuffed with a small amount of meat, herbs, parmesan and other “secret ingredients”, boiled in water and dressed with Bolognese sauce. This recipe has may different variances in the area, but this attempt is one of the best.

If you are looking for the best panoramic viewpoint embracing with your eyes the whole Riviera from Livorno to the Gulf of La Spezia, drive up to the tiny village of Santa Lucia, where you will breathe the old atmosphere of country villages, all cropped around its main church. Rolling down, stop and have dinner at the Tre Terrazze Restaurant in Monteggiori, another medieval village looking over the Versilia plain. If you want your trip worthy, pay a visit to Sant’Anna di Stazzema, now better known to the public for Spike Lee movie Miracle at St Anna based on the nazist martyrdom. Sant’Anna can also be reached by means of the ancient mule-traks, which were part of the old Via Francigena.

Getting back to the Riviera, stop in Viareggio, where sea, nature, art and shopping are close at hand…its large promenade over 3km long runs along the beachfront decorated with Liberty architecture of shops and cafes parallel to an as wide pinewood where children and their parents can enjoy nature and entertainments. The shopping tour starts from the promenade, just a few steps by the seashore, from some of its top-chic boutiques, which are as famous as those in Forte dei Marmi and now almost date back to half-century experience.

Walk up the peer to meet with fishermen longing for some fresh branzino or orata and then taste them stopping at Tito del Molo, one the oldest fish restaurant in Viareggio, almost dating back to early 20s when fishermen unloaded their nets on the pier’s wharves.

Try all, but do not miss seafood pasta courses and mixed fried fish under the flat-roof facing the sun.
If you prefer a quick lunch or snack make for Adone (Via G. Garibaldi, 85), not just sandwiches, but a deli experience. Tuscany crispy fresh bread, fresh cold cuts, season vegetables in unpredictable mixes. Enter, order and leave your name. When you are called out, roll is ready!
Have a look at some nice shots of my Versilia:

http://www.wishversilia.it/jo/en/versilia

Watch my tour presentation to get the spirit of it http://www.wishversilia.it/jo/it/personal-shopper/shopping-tour

Categories: Travel
Tags: Italian, mediterranean, tuscan, Tuscany