On the Waterfront in Tuscany

You may not think of Tuscany as a beach destination, but its long coastline is popular with Italian vacationers. From June through August the resort towns of Viarregio, Forte dei Marmi, and Marina di Massa are packed with beachgoers. Bagni (bathhouses) open, and the sands fill with colorful umbrellas and beach chairs; you can rent your own for about €20 a day and upward. During the rest of year the beaches are sparsely populated. You can walk for miles along the sand, watching the waves lap against the shore and breathing in the fresh sea breeze.

Crossing the Tuscan border into the region of Liguria brings you to the Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most distinctive seaside locales. Here the main attractions are five isolated fishing villages and the beautiful hiking trails that run between them.