Anyone been here? I've searched the internet but due to MY language shortcomings I've not been terribly successful.

I'm looking for cheap lodging but reasonable (3*) dining. This fall, I may be meeting some friends from Hungary in the area and they suggested this as a meeting place.

Would Milan be my best point-of-entry from the USA? I am willing to rail AND drive.
MvK

Mark - If they are options for you, Pisa, Florence or Genova airports are all nearer.

Otherwise travel time by train looks similar from Milan or Rome - about 4 hrs. For details see:
www.trenitalia.com

The tourist office website for this area lists dozens of hotels, B&B's, agriturismi etc.

http://www.versilia.turismo.toscana....uni&zone=1

You can run a search in your price range on the same website - or e-mail the local Tourist Office at:

[email protected]

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hey, I've been there. It is a really charming beach town. Pedestrian streets with shopping, a wonderful gelato/picnic area, and a nice pier for walking out on.

You could definitely get the nice meals -- don't know about lodging as I stayed out of town.

Like elsewhere in Italy, the beaches are very organized. There are rows of beach chairs laid out that you can rent for the day; many are reserved in blocks for hotel guests. Not too many actually swim, just a few kids, mostly.

The closest airports would be Florence or Pisa (Pisa receives more international flights than Florence).

I'm not sure there is much doing in Forte dei Marmi in the fall; it's a big summer vacation destination for middle-class Italians.

I was there this past March and stayed at the hotel Negresco which was very nice. http://www.italytraveller.com/en/r/t...el-il-negresco I think only two other rooms were occupied. It was the nicest hotel open year-round. We arrived on Friday night and had dinner at a seafood restaurant called La Barca right near the beach. The food was fantastic. On Saturday there were many people riding their bikes and jogging along the road beside the beach. I guess they must have second homes there and come out for the weekend. I'm dying to go back during the summer, perhaps next year. The beach is long and flat and with rows of cabanas. It's very upscale, not middle class. Lots of very well dressed families and luxury cars. PS-The drive down from Milan was a breeze.

Just to add that "middle class" is obviously subjective. However, we spent a month in Forte and I would say the people are understated but very wealthy. Most were Florentines visiting their summer homes. Lovely looking, more formal people. We only met one other American in the entire time we were there (which was A-OK in our book!)